Corona del Mar Today: Pocket park construction begins under Hobie mural
Construction of a pocket park beneath the Hobie Surf shop mural is finally underway.
The park, at 3140 East Coast Hwy., will feature five benches, planters, a trash container and low-maintenance plants.
Construction was due to begin in mid-June, but blocks for a retaining wall were a special-order item that delayed things, said Tara Finnigan, a city spokeswoman.
The contractor wanted to wait to have all the materials before breaking ground, she said.
Mayor Ed Selich first proposed creating the small park in October 2012, and the City Council approved a $78,670 contract with a landscape company in March.
City reports have said the total budget for the park is $80,000 to $95,000, including money to cover contingencies. Maintenance at the 1,300-square foot park will total about $5,000 a year, a city staff report said.
Construction was scheduled to be complete by the end of September, but the delay could push that into October.
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Police investigate residential burglary
Newport Beach detectives continue to investigate a residential burglary in the Shore Cliffs neighborhood that occurred while the victims were asleep.
The burglary occurred between 12:30 and 3:30 a.m. July 3 in the 300 block of Morning Canyon Road. Entry was gained through the removal of a kitchen window screen, authorities said.
The intruder searched through drawers and cupboards, stealing $12,600 in cash and items including two Apple desktop computers, a laptop, two iPads, two Nooks and golf clubs, according to authorities.
The victims’ 2014 BMW, which was parked in the garage, was also stolen, though it was recovered about 5 a.m. by the San Bernardino Police Department.
“A vehicle theft recovery system was used to determine that the stolen BMW was located in the city of San Bernardino,” said Jennifer Manzella, spokeswoman for the Newport Beach Police Department.
The burglary — a so-called hot-prowl crime because victims were home at the time — was the second in the Shore Cliffs neighborhood since March.
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Sting leads to prostitution charges
Two people have been charged and four other cases are pending following the Newport Beach Police Department’s undercover prostitution sting in the Newport Center area last month.
Misdemeanor prostitution charges were filed against a 23-year-old Reno woman and a 30-year-old San Diego woman, and arraignments are scheduled for July 24, said Roxi Fyad, an Orange County district attorney’s office spokeswoman.
Cases against four others are under review, she said.
Complaints led to the sting June 11 in parking structures and other areas near Newport Center Drive and Center Street. Officers arrested six people, including a woman, 25, of Irvine; a woman, 19, of Tustin, who was arrested on suspicion of supervising the activities; a woman, 21, of Torrance; and a man, 22, whose residence was not given. He was arrested on suspicion of supervising prostitution and obstructing or resisting an officer.
All six were cited and released, Ryad said.
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Chamber to host networking luncheon
The Corona del Mar Chamber of Commerce will host a networking luncheon featuring motivational speaker Anthony Chavez on July 21 at Fig & Olive, 151 Newport Center Drive..
The event costs $30 for chamber members and $40 for guests, and advance payment is required. To secure a spot, call (949) 673-4050 by Monday.
The speaker will discuss “Anatomy of Results,” an invitation flier states.
The event will begin at 11:30 a.m. with check-in and networking, followed by lunch and the program from noon to 1:15 p.m.
Corona del Mar Today appears Sundays in the Daily Pilot. Read daily updates at coronadelmartoday.com.