Briefly in the news

-- Paul Clinton

An Orange County Superior Court judge has barred the county from

spending money to oppose South County’s Great Park initiative.

Judge Charles R. Hayes on Friday sided with the El Toro Reuse Planning

Authority, which filed a suit May 17 against the county.

The authority accused the county of illegally diverting revenue from

John Wayne Airport to plan and promote an airport at the closed El Toro

Marine Corps Air Station.

The Board of Supervisors spends about $13 million a year to that end,

including mounting the “Just the Facts” campaign.

Hayes also barred the Orange County Regional Airport Authority, which

has received county grant money, from spending money to defeat Measure W,

which was put on the ballot this week.

The election is set for March 5.