Briefly in the news

The Orange County Health Care Agency posted warning signs at Newport

Slough on Thursday evening.

The agency put up the warnings at Lancaster Street after discovering

traces of bacteria that exceeded the state’s permitted standards.

The bacteria is thought to be present in animal waste, which can be

found in urban runoff.

The warnings suggest swimmers and boaters stay out of the water in the

area.

The postings will remain until the bacteria drops to acceptable

levels. The slough is a snaking finger of water located slightly inland

of the coast, just south of the Santa Ana River.