BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS License checkpoint set...

BRIEFLY IN

THE NEWS

License checkpoint set for Sunday

The Costa Mesa Police Department will hold a driver’s license and

vehicle registration checkpoint on Sunday. The checkpoint will be

southbound on Fairview Road at Dorset Lane and will operate between 9

a.m. and 1 p.m.

The purpose of the checkpoint is to educate the public about the

seriousness of driving without a valid license and to deter motorists

from driving without a license, Officer Bryan Wadkins said.

Studies show that unlicensed drivers are 4.9 times more likely to

be involved in a fatal car accident than a valid driver, he said.

Motorists stopped at the checkpoint and found to be driving

without a valid license will be cited, will have their vehicles

impounded for 30 days and will face fines and tow fees in excess of

$1,500.

Newport escapee pretrial hearing set

A pretrial hearing has been scheduled for Nov. 19 for Mark

Georgantas, the 41-year-old Newport Beach man who almost pulled off a

daring escape from an Orange County jail with another inmate on Sept.

30, but was arrested the same afternoon in Los Angeles.

Georgantas has been charged with one felony count each of escape,

unlawful taking a vehicle and evading officials while driving

recklessly.

If convicted, he faces four years and four months in prison as

well as a state prison sentence for violating probation on a prior

felony.

Another inmate, 24-year-old James William Costilow of Riverside,

who escaped with Georgantas, pleaded guilty to the charges on

Wednesday.