Today's top stories from behind the Orange Curtain:
Bus driver strike starts -- OCR and LAT
Negotiations between union and OCTA continue.
Civil charges planned against Capistrano Unified officials -- LAT
The looming complaint alleges district officials violated the state's open-meetings law.
Charges baffle suspect's friends -- LAT
Man held in Anaheim Hills slayings is said to be kind, and lacking any motive to hurt family.
A 'bitter joy' at murder arrests -- LAT
After 13 years, Placentia police say new DNA evidence ties two cousins to the stabbing death of a Cal State Fullerton student.
Soaring costs at JWA -- OCR
The cost of an ambitious expansion project at John Wayne Airport will be about $135 million more than expected
Search for Rancho Santa Margarita woman narrows -- OCR
Police now seek 1 'person of interest,' John Steven Burgess, registered sex offender, in disappearance of Donna Jou.
Mourners reminded of Stinson's big heart -- OCR
Army general posthumously presents Fullerton soldier's family the Purple Heart, Bronze Star for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
O.C. home sales down 29.5% -- OCR
Insider Q&A gets a veteran broker's view on the housing market
Arraignment put off in Anaheim Hills killings -- OCR
Iftekhar Murtaza is charged in deaths of Anaheim Hills man, daughter. Second man faces arraignment this afternoon.
Wild Rivers amusement park to close -- OCR
The water park's land lease ends this fall and The Irvine Co. will not renew it.
Sailors mourn loss -- OCR
A prominent figure in the sailing community was found floating in the water next to her boat in Los Alamitos Bay Thursday afternoon.
One killed in Westminster crash -- OCR
Bolsa Chica briefly shut down near Westminster Avenue and Loyola Avenue.
Mourners reminded of Stinson's big heart -- OCR
Army general posthumously presents Fullerton soldier's family the Purple Heart, Bronze Star for service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Hoag banks on big names -- DP
Hospital hopes to score significant proceeds thanks to tennis stars set to play against the Newport Beach Breakers.
Riverboat memories -- DP
Newport Harbor's landmark Reuben E. Lee is being dismantled, but former employees and guests remember it fondly.
Some docks closed due to possible sewage spill -- DP
A possible sewage spill of unknown size caused the Orange County Health Care Agency to close Newport Beach waters to water-contact sports between the Balboa Bay Club's E and H docks, and Orange Coast College's crew docks Friday.
Officer injured while responding to call -- DP
A Newport Beach police officer was injured Friday night in a motorcycle accident while rushing to an emergency call.
Re: Soaring costs at JWA:
The largest part of the JWA expansion project will be paid for by a user fee not mentioned in the Register article. A $4.50 Passenger Facility Fee that has been tacked onto each JWA ticket since last July.
Travelers are paying to build a new 300,000 square foot terminal, six more airline departure gates and approximately 2,500 additional parking spaces.
In private industry, no expansion of that size would be undertaken without a clear analysis as to what it can produce in added output. In this case, too few questions are being asked and no answers being provided. No one - neither county officials nor the newspaper - is publicly commenting on how much capacity is being created by this half-billion dollar physical expansion and to what extent it will be utilized to provide additional flights and service to more destinations.
Currently, the airport is restricted as to how many passengers can use it by an agreement between the county and Newport Beach. The city is seeking to retain the limits to protect its residents from unwelcome noise. If county supervisors agree to limit use of the airport - for the benefit of those who live under its flight path - this is understandable public policy. But then, why spend all that money on a major airport expansion?
Posted by: Len Kranser | July 07, 2007 at 09:32 AM
Why if it isn't Mr. Kranser whining about the lack of additional airport capacity. Real funny coming from him. Considering he was the lead cheerleader to block ANY amount of capacity from El Toro!
Mr. Kranser you worked non-stop to limit travel options within Orange County. So you are you just going to have to live with the consequences and take responsibility for your actions.
Posted by: Thanks for the laugh! | July 07, 2007 at 08:18 PM
It seems nearly impossible to say anything about air transportation without someone - usually from Newport Beach - namecalling and taking personal pot shots.
The question I posed is why spend a half-billion dollars on expanding JWA if there is no plan to use the capacity.
Posted by: Len Kranser | July 07, 2007 at 10:40 PM
LOL Orange County's biggest NIMBY has the nerve to criticize others. Len the $ should not be spent and the capacity should not be increased. And guess what, no one that lives in it's flight path cares what you have to say about it.
Posted by: FLowerszzz | July 08, 2007 at 02:30 PM
Len, always having to bash Newport Beach. You got worked when you to went to the Daily Pilot site to go rub their faces in it. And you act surprised!
The bizarre thing is you live in prestigious Monarch Beach. Yet claimed Newport Beach wealthy special interests were pushing El Toro. LOL!
BTW, they already are handling plenty of flights in their backyard. HOW MUCH are you doing??? Oh NONE that is!
So how does this make you an air transportation "expert" that you pose as?
Posted by: There you go again! | July 08, 2007 at 04:42 PM