BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

-- Torus Tammer and Kenneth Ma

In the last two weeks, 150 mallard ducks have been found dead at Mile

Square Park in Fountain Valley. Most of the decaying bodies were

discovered in early July, said Richard Huffnagle, the park’s supervising

ranger.

“The ducks died from botulism as a result of people feeding them

garbage like rice, pasta, whole rolls of French bread,” Huffnagle said.

“These foods are made for human consumption, not for ducks.”

Huffnagle said the ducks pick at food that often has been sitting and

decaying for days. Even a diminutive portion of rotting food can cause

death.

Feeding the ducks is a citable offense, officials said. But although

there are signs displaying the law, park rangers don’t really enforce it.

“We try to explain to people why not to feed the ducks and hope

they’ll comply,” Huffnagle said. “There should not be any ducks here

dying from being fed. We hope that as a result of these deaths the duck

feeding will finally stop.”

Members inducted into Surfing Walk of Fame

The Huntington Beach Surfing Walk of Fame has inducted nine new

members.

Last week, a crowd of 150 gathered at Pacific Coast Highway and Main

Street to participate in a ceremony honoring people who have made

significant achievements in the surfing community.

This year’s inductees include Mark Occhilupo, Bud Llamas, Greg

MacGillivray, the late Jim Freeman, the late Nancy Katin, Gerry Lopez,

Eddie Aikau, Mike Abdelmuti and George Farquhar.Since 1994, 45 people

have had their names engraved in the memorial.

Several hundred dead fish wash ashore

Over a three-day period last week, between 400 to 500 dead mackerel

washed ashore at Huntington City Beach, leaving a smelly stench for

beachgoers.

The fish littered a section of the beach from Beach Boulevard to the

north side of the Huntington Beach Pier, said Lt. Steve Davidson, a

marine safety official with the city. The fish arrived on the beach in a

partially decomposed state.

Davidson said the fish were quickly removed, and, aside from the

smell, the carcasses did not cause problems for beachgoers.

City spokesman Rich Barnard said he believes the mackerel may have

been discarded from a fishing vessel because they were all the same size

and had been dead for a while.

The fish were probably used for bait before being discarded, he said.

Officials from the state Department of Fish and Game have collected

some of the fish for an analysis.

Prizes announced for city photo contest

Fountain Valley Mayor Guy Carrozzo said the city will put up a grand

prize of $500 and a digital camera for the winner of Fountain Valley’s

first photo contest.

The contest, which requires black and white submissions, was

officially authorized by the City Council on July 20. Entries are due no

later than Oct. 13 at City Hall, 10200 Slater Ave.

The categories include Fountain Valley impressions, places around

town; Fountain Valley spirit, showing people and daily life; and Fountain

Valley life through students’ eyes, for students 18 or younger.

Information: (714) 593-4400.