BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

-- Compiled by Eron Ben-Yehuda, Angelique Flores and Paula Pisani

Only one sign warding off swimmers remained along Huntington Beach’s

coastline after rainstorms last week increased pollution levels along

city and nearby state beaches.

As of Wednesday, there was still a water-quality warning posted at

Huntington State Beach at Magnolia Street, said Monica Mazur, a biologist

for the Orange County Health Care Agency. That could be taken down today

based on readings from the latest water samples.

After the rains ended April 18, signs were posted from the Santa River to

Warner Avenue, she said. Rain increases the amount of untreated waste

water, or urban runoff, that flows from streets into storm drains and out

to the ocean, she said. Since the skies cleared, the levels have dropped,

she said.

City track and field event Friday

Surf City will hold its annual youth track and field meet at Huntington

Beach High School on Friday.

Residents 15 years or younger are encouraged to participate in the

competition that includes relay races, long jump, high jump and shotput.

Children are eligible to compete in two events in addition to the relay.

Sign-ups will begin at 3:45 p.m. Friday. Registration is $5. The school

is at 1905 Main St. For information, call 536-5486.

Ducheny bill withdrawn in committee

A proposed state bill that threatens wetlands was put on hold this week.

Assemblywoman Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego) withdrew the bill from

consideration at a legislative committee meeting Monday, top aide Chris

Woods said.

If approved, Assembly Bill 2310 would have expanded the types of

development that could be built on degraded wetlands and other sensitive

habitats.

Woods said the effect of the law needs to be further reviewed by experts.

The bill could be reintroduced in a few weeks, he said.

Local environmentalists, who lobbied hard against the bill, rejoiced.

“It’s dead for now,” said Linda Moon, president of the Amigos de Bolsa

Chica. “We’re very happy to hear that.”

Fountain Valley to tend garden

The city of Fountain Valley has taken over the maintenance of the garden

at Heritage Park.

The Fountain Valley Historical Society, which will continue to maintain

the old firehouse, rents the facility for receptions and events. However,

neighbors have long complained about some of the noisy parties.

“The people using the site were not diligent in holding the agreement to

keep noise levels down,” Councilwoman Laurann Cook said.

The society rents the facility to raise money needed to maintain the

park. They spent about $3,200 last year on garden maintenance. Most of

that cost was covered by money brought in from wedding parties with

deejays and dancing.

However, because of the neighbors’ complaints, the city and the

historical society have agreed to prohibit deejays and dancing at the

site to make it a more passive park, said Blanch Weaver, the society’s

president.

This way, the city won’t have to worry about the noise level, and the

heritage committee won’t have to worry about raising the needed funds.

The agreement was reached March 1.

“We’ve worked with the society and the neighbors to have a win-win

situation,” said Sally Satterfield, the city’s community services

manager.

Sneak preview of new homes

Prospective home buyers will have the opportunity to attend a sneak

preview of the four neighborhoods under development in the SummerLane

coastal community.

Catellus Residential Group, John Laing Homes and William Lyon Homes will

host the preview from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at the SummerLane

information center on Airport Circle.SummerLane is a 50-acre village

encompassing 313 single-family detached homes near public beaches.

Model homes are expected to be open in June.

The neighborhoods will include homes beginning at less than

$400,000.Prospective home buyers can learn more about SummerLane by

logging on to https://www.summerlanehomes.com .

Lamothe makes cut in talent contest

Nicole Lamothe of Huntington Beach won the first round in the o7

NextBigStar.com f7 contest.

The 19-year-old performer competed in the Internet talent contest against

five other singers in the pop singing and dance category for females.

Lamothe sent in a videotape of her performance that Web surfers could

download and then vote for.

Lamothe won the first round, which will take her to the quarterfinals. If

she wins the quarterfinals, Lamothe will compete in the semifinals. The

finals will take place in 11 weeks and culminate in a $10,000 cash prize

for the winner.