WEEK IN REVIEW

EDUCATION

KOCE founder remembered for his educational efforts

Norman Watson, the first chancellor of the Coast Community College District and the founder of KOCE-TV, died Feb. 29 at the age of 92.

A longtime Newport Beach resident, Watson took the helm of the district in 1964 and oversaw it until 1984. His accomplishments included the launch of KOCE, which began showing telecourses in 1972 and later blossomed into Orange County’s premiere public television station, as well as the founding of Golden West College and Coastline Community College.

Two years ago, OCC named its new student services building after Watson. He had also been the namesake of the Norman E. Watson Library, which opened in 1969 and later closed.

District officials remembered Watson as a visionary leader who constantly sought to expand the schools’ reach.

“I think he had a vision for education that was not confined to four walls,” Coast Community College District Trustee Jerry Patterson said. “To me, his great legacy to our district is bringing in distance learning. He brought education to the students wherever they might be.”

 A committee created by the Newport-Mesa Unified school board to review proposals on the naming of Estancia/Costa Mesa High School’s new football stadium met with some community members Tuesday night.

Many supported the initial proposal to name the stadium after Jim Scott Sr., but debated the naming of the team room after former Estancia football player Brian “Bubba” Kapko, who died in a car accident more than two years ago.

There’s been so much feedback from the community and two additional proposals have been submitted, so the committee is expected to ask school board members Tuesday for more time to consider the names.

NEWPORT BEACH

Hoag neighbors question proposed plastic sound wall

Residents of a condominium complex next to Hoag Hospital voiced skepticism over the hospital’s plans to build a plastic sound wall to shield them from loud trucks and mechanical equipment on the hospital grounds.

Hoag officials presented plans for the wall to the Newport Beach Planning Commission. Hoag has proposed a 6-inch thick plastic, insulation-filled sound wall that would be as high as 23 feet in some places as a response to noise complaints from residents at the nearby Villa Balboa housing complex.

The residents say loud, idling trucks at Hoag’s loading docks and mechanical equipment cause noise problems for residents of the Villa Balboa complex.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Bank robbery suspect, 60, tries to use bus as getaway

Police arrested suspected bank robber Daniel James Dunleavy, 60, of Long Beach, at the Iris Avenue and East Coast Highway bus stop Wednesday after allegedly robbing a Corona del Mar Bank of America.

Dunleavy entered the bank at 3300 E. Coast Highway and allegedly told the bank teller he had a bomb and demanded money, police said.

The FBI believes Dunleavy could be the “Chinstrap Bandit,” responsible for heists in Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills and Long Beach, authorities said.

COSTA MESA

Council plans to crack down on further JWA expansion

The City Council endorsed a policy opposing the potential expansion of John Wayne Airport, though further deliberations on how the city will enforce the measure will be decided at the council’s Tuesday study session.

Councilwoman Katrina Foley brought the proposal forward because she thought the council should take a more decisive stance after reviewing a nearly identical policy in Newport Beach.

“The city of Costa Mesa recognizes that JWAOC cannot meet the near-term or long-term need for air transportation for Orange County and that alternatives to the expanded use of JWAOC must be developed,” according to the policy. “It is imperative JWAOC be recognized as permanently constrained to its existing legal, environmental and physical limitations.”

BUSINESS

Congress has beef with owner of meat company

Hallmark/Westland Meat Company owner Steve Mendell was subpoenaed to appear before a congressional subcommittee this week, after allegedly rebuffing several invitations to voluntarily testify.

The company recently received national attention after a video allegedly documenting inhumane practices at the company’s Chino slaughterhouse came to light, prompting the largest beef recall in American history.

“Mr. Mendell has repeatedly avoided contact with committee staff,” said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.), chairman of the Oversight and Investigations subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “Mr. Mendell... told committee staff that he would contact the staff later that day with his attorney.”

“Almost two weeks later,” he said, “the committee is still awaiting his call.”

Mendell’s testimony is scheduled for this Friday. Hallmark/Westland Meat Company representatives said “they were not talking to the press at all” about the hearing.

SPORTS

Golf tournament brings pros and profit to Newport Beach

The Toshiba Classic golf tournament started Friday with Tim Simpson putting his golf talents and the wonders of modern science simultaneously on display.

Simpson, who was at one point forced out of the game by tremors, has settled down the shakes and resurrected his career thanks an electrode implanted in his head.

He shot 8-under-par to lead the field by a stroke the first day of the competition. Defending champ Jay Haas was two strokes back.

Comedian George Lopez and his good buddy Lee Trevino provided the laughs on Thursday as they horsed around. But it was a bittersweet day on the tour as Hale Irwin had to drop out because his mother died.

It’s estimated that the annual tournament generates more than $20 million in revenue to Newport Beach.