Newport Mesa Daily VoiceNewport Mesa Daily Voicehttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010-03-11T19:09:33ZSquarespaceToday's News As It Happenshttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/11/todays-news-as-it-happens.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-11T19:07:00Z2010-03-11T19:07:00Z
  • From a college fair to a St. Patrick's Day festival ... check out our Top 5 Weekend Picks.
  • Fourteen-year-old dies at Costa Mesa High School; now identified.
  • Happy Birthday today to Greg Hardesty, Leslie Daigle, Vicky Kranser, Noreen Ongoco Bemus, Lindsey Woller, Dorian Ayres and Martin Wisckol.
    If you have a birthday shout out, send it to us at info@newportmesadailyvoice.com with the person's name and birthdate and we can wish them a Happy Birthday!
    • ]]>    14-year-old dies at Costa Mesa High Schoolhttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/11/14-year-old-dies-at-costa-mesa-high-school.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-11T19:00:26Z2010-03-11T19:00:26ZUpdate:

    At approximately 4:30 PM on Wednesday, March 10th, Eric Valdez, an 8th grader, suddenly collapsed while playing handball on the CMHS campus. Costa Mesa Police Department responded and began CPR. Eric was transported to the hospital by the Costa Mesa Fire Department where doctors could not revive him. The coroner has determined this to be an unexpected natural death. Crisis counselors have been on the CMHS campus this morning and will continue throughout the day. 

     

    A 14-year-old eighth grader died yesterday afternoon on campus at Costa Mesa High School.

    The boy, whose named has not been released, was playing handball at the time and suddenly collapsed. First responders immediately began CPR. He was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

    Authorities have initially termed it an "unexpected natural death."

    Crisis counselors are on site at Costa Mesa High School to meet with the grief-stricken students.

    ]]>    Morning Coffee: Thurs., March 11, 2010http://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/10/morning-coffee-thurs-march-11-2010.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-11T06:22:23Z2010-03-11T06:22:23Z

    Welcome! Here's the news of Newport-Mesa from Wednesday gathered in one place for you. Check back often today for updates and the news as it happens.

    Courtesy of Newport-Mesa's best calendar (found in the Daily Voice); here's a look at what's on tap for the next couple of days.

    Today - March 11

    Pacific Symphony's "A Salute to John Williams," at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Williams’ score for “Star Wars” transformed the landscape of Hollywood film music and became an icon of American culture. Now, 30 years (and 80 films) later, his melodies remain the soundtrack of a generation. Movie Maestro Richard Kaufman and Pacific Symphony celebrate the man and his music, including favorites from “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Harry Potter” and “E.T.” Continues through March 13. (714) 556-ARTS.www.ocpac.org

    More than 30 colleges and universities will participate in Orange Coast College Transfer Center’s Spring Day Fair, and the public is invited to meet higher education representatives at this free event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Watson Hall, the college’s Enrollment Center. Admissions officers and reps. will provide information about their colleges and will answer questions. OCC is located at 2701 Fairview Road. Metered oarking and permit dispensers are located at Fairview Road and Pirate Way. www.orangecoastcollege.edu.

    Sugar Plum Festival's "Arts & Crafts Show," at the OC Fair and Event Center. Continues through March. 13. www.ocfair.com

    March 12

    Orange Coast College presents, "An Evening Chat with Walt II." OCC theatre arts instructor Beth Hansen will direct vocalists in a selection of favorites from Disney films. Beginning at 8 p.m., the event takes place in OCC's Fine Arts 119, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Admission: $10. Parking is free in lots B & C, Fairview Road and Arlington Street. Tickets are available online at www.occtickets.com or at the door.

    Sugar Plum Festival's "Arts & Crafts Show," at the OC Fair and Event Center. Continues through March. 13. www.ocfair.com

    ]]>    Today's News As It Happenshttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/10/todays-news-as-it-happens.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-11T02:30:00Z2010-03-11T02:30:00Z
  • Is loss of Tiger Woods a gain for the Champions Tour? Record attendance numbers at the Toshiba Classic point in that direction.
  • Newport Harbor High School takes top honors at culinary competition.
  • Costa Mesa police charge Herman Lee Coleman with robbery, assault with a deadly weapon.
  • OCC to stage Hamlet.
  • School district superintendent to "speak up" about district finances tonight.
  • Costa Mesa High School cheerleaders honored at city hall last night.
  • Newport Beach police offer arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
  • After years of outcry, councilman finally cleans up his house.
  • Newport Beach shopping center gets facelift.
  • Sprinkler system saved complex during Monday night's blaze.
  • Judge rules killer must be freed unless there's new evidence.
  • Congregants at Temple Bat Yahm write their own holy book.
  • Costa Mesa Chamber President/CEO Ed Fawcett shares with us the good work the Orange Coast College Foundation is doing.

    • Happy Birthday today to Newport Beach Mayor Keith Curry! And a belated birthday wish to Drew Fitzpatrick, whose birthday was March 9.
      If you have a birthday shout out, send it to us at info@newportmesadailyvoice.com with the person's name and birthdate and we can wish them a Happy Birthday!
    ]]>    Orange County's Newport Harbor High School sweeps culinary, management events at California ProStart Competitionhttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/10/orange-countys-newport-harbor-high-school-sweeps-culinary-ma.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-11T01:10:00Z2010-03-11T01:10:00ZNewport Harbor High School's culinary and management teams both won first place at the eighth annual California ProStart Competition, or Boyds Coffee Culinary Cup, hosted by the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (CRAEF). This is the second consecutive victorious year for the Newport, Calif. school's culinary team. The teams won scholarships and will be sponsored by CRAEF to compete in the 2010 National ProStart Invitational in Overland Park, Kansas April 30 through May 2.

    "This year we felt confident, but honestly I didn't think we would win because there were a lot of strong teams," senior Edgardo Meza said. "It feels awesome to accomplish something like this. We earn a lot of respect from our peers when we're able to come back to school as winners."

    Five juniors and seniors enrolled in the school's ROP Culinary Arts program competed at the event at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Sacramento. The culinary team included Meza, Gabriela Gomez, Jessenia Hernandez, Eduardo Medina and Kasey Hyde. The management team included Gabriela Gomez, Jessenia Hernandez and Irene Martinez.

    "It's incredible to be recognized for something that day in and day out we're putting our hearts into," Hernandez said.

    Instructor Janet Dukes enlisted help from industry professionals who served as mentors including Jason Labahn, chef instructor at Le Cordon Bleu College in Las Vegas, Nev.; baking and pastry chef Emeliano Nino; and architect John Hill of Costa Mesa's Robinson Hill Architecture.

    In the culinary competition, La Quinta High School of La Quinta won second place and Pacific Grove's Pacific Grove High School earned third place. In the management event, Pleasant Valley High School of Chico earned second place and Los Angeles' Santee Education Complex came in third place. Second- and third-place teams also earned scholarships to several culinary and hospitality higher-education programs. Nearly 100 students from 11 California high schools convened for the event.

    "Congratulations to Newport Harbor for such a strong showing in the competition," CRAEF Executive Director Alycia Harshfield said. "We are so proud of all the students who participated in the event. They show so much dedication to the field and truly are the future of the industry."

    About the California Restaurant Association Educational Foundation:

    CRAEF has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships and grants since its inception in 1981. CRAEF works to enhance education and training programs within the hospitality industry. ProStart is a two-year program designed to prepare high school juniors and seniors for exciting careers in foodservice.

    ]]>    Morning Coffee: Wed., March 10, 2010http://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/9/morning-coffee-wed-march-10-2010.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-10T06:28:30Z2010-03-10T06:28:30Z 

    Welcome! Here's the news of Newport-Mesa from Tuesday gathered in one place for you. Check back often today for updates and the news as it happens.

    Courtesy of Newport-Mesa's best calendar (found in the Daily Voice); here's a look at what's on tap for today.

    Today - March 10

    Newport-Mesa Unified School District Non-School Day for grades K-6. Conference Day. www.web.nmusd.us

    Philharmonic Society presents, "Moscow State Radio Orchestra" at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Red Square, caviar, vodka and great music! Celebrate the music of Russia's cherished composers Rimsky-Korsakov and Rachmaninoff. You'll not want to miss Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade." (714) 556-ARTS. www.ocpac.org

    ]]>    Alcala jury recommends deathhttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/9/alcala-jury-recommends-death.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-10T05:00:15Z2010-03-10T05:00:15ZA jury recommended today that a serial murderer receive the death penalty for kidnapping and murdering a 12-year-old Orange County girl and raping and murdering four Los Angeles County women in the 1970s. Rodney James Alcala, 66, was found guilty by a jury Feb. 25, 2010, of five felony counts of murder and one felony count of kidnapping. The jury found true the sentencing enhancements for committing multiple murders, murder with torture, murder during the commission of rape, murder during the commission of kidnapping, murder during the commission of a burglary of an inhabited dwelling, and murder during the commission of a robbery. A date for the sentencing will be determined tomorrow. 

    Background on Alcala
    In 1972, Alcala was convicted of kidnapping and molesting a child in 1968 in Los Angeles County. Upon serving a 34-month sentence, he was released from prison. After his release, Alcala lived in Monterey Park with his mother and was hired to work as a typist or typesetter for the Los Angeles Times.  This is where he lived and worked in 1977 when he committed his first Los Angeles County murder.  The evidence of this conviction was presented and argued to the jury. 

    Murder of Jill Barcomb, Los Angeles County
    In November 1977, Alcala raped, sodomized, and murdered 18-year-old Jill Barcomb, a New York native who had recently moved to California. The defendant used a large rock to smash in the victim's face, causing blunt force trauma, and strangled her to death by tying her belt and pant leg around her neck. He then left the victim's body in a mountainous area in the foothills near Hollywood. The murdered victim was discovered Nov. 10, 1977, on her knees with her face in the dirt. The case was investigated but went cold. Biological evidence was collected at the scene, but DNA technology was not available at that time.

    Murder of Georgia Wixted, Los Angeles County
    In December 1977, Alcala raped, sodomized, and murdered 27-year-old nurse Georgia Wixted. The defendant used the claw end of a hammer to beat the victim and smash in her head. He strangled her to death using a nylon stocking and left her body in her Malibu apartment. The victim was discovered Dec. 16, 1977. The case was investigated but went cold. Biological evidence was collected at the scene, but DNA technology was not available at that time. 

    Murder of Charlotte Lamb, Los Angeles County
    In June 1979, Alcala raped, beat, and murdered 33-year-old legal secretary Charlotte Lamb. The defendant strangled the victim to death using a shoelace from her shoe and left her body in a laundry room of an El Segundo apartment complex. The victim did not live in the complex and has no known connection to it. Lamb's body was discovered June 24, 1979. The case was investigated but went cold. The case was investigated but went cold. Biological evidence was collected at the scene, but DNA technology was not available at that time.

    Murder of Jill Parenteau, Los Angeles County
    In June 1979, Alcala raped and murdered 21-year-old Jill Parenteau in her Burbank apartment. The defendant strangled the victim to death using a cord or nylon. Alcala's blood was collected from the scene after he cut himself crawling through a window. Based on a semi-rare blood match, Alcala was linked to the murder. He was charged for murdering Parenteau but the case was later dismissed after his first conviction for the murder of Robin Samsoe.  

    Murder of Robin Samsoe, Orange County
    On June 20, 1979, Alcala approached 12-year-old Robin Samsoe at the beach in Huntington Beach and asked the victim to pose for pictures. After posing for a series of photographs, the victim got on a bike and rode away, heading for an afternoon dance class. The defendant kidnapped and murdered Samsoe and dumped her body near Sierra Madre in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The victim's dead body was scavenged by animals and her skeletal remains were discovered July 2, 1979. Her front teeth had been knocked out by Alcala. 

    After the murder, Alcala rented a storage locker in Seattle, where he stored personal items and items belonging to his victims, including earrings from Samsoe and Lamb. The defendant was planning to move to Seattle without telling any of his friends or family, despite having no job, place to live, or friends in the area. 

    Prior to moving, Alcala was identified by several people as the photographer from the beach on the day Samsoe was kidnapped. Following an investigation, Alcala was charged, tried, and convicted for Samsoe's murder in 1980. He was sentenced to receive the death penalty. The conviction was later overturned by the California Supreme Court. Alcala was again tried and convicted for the murder of Samsoe in 1986, and was again sentenced to the death penalty. The second conviction was overturned by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. 

    While awaiting his third trial for the murder of Samsoe, DNA collected from the murder scenes of Barcomb, Wixted, and Lamb was linked to Alcala. He was charged for the four Los Angeles murders, including Parenteau. 

    During the third trial, Alcala represented himself as his own defense attorney and argued that he was at Knott's Berry Farm on the afternoon that Samsoe was murdered. The defendant did not contest the charges that he committed the murders of the four Los Angeles victims. 

    This case is being jointly prosecuted by the Orange and Los Angeles County District Attorney's Offices. Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy and Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Gina Satriano are prosecuting this case. 

    ]]>    Today's News As It Happenshttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/9/todays-news-as-it-happens.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-10T01:44:00Z2010-03-10T01:44:00Z
  • Jill Fales likens motherhood to that of a crossing guard. Don't miss this read in Mom's Voice.
  • Nordstrom plans to open Fashion Island store on April 16.
  • Check out this week's Shopping column - lots of news on the retail scene.
  • Thirty firefighters battle shopping center blaze.
  • Poizner gets Rohrabacher nod, prepares to debate Whitman in Costa Mesa.
  • Amy "The Ranter" Senk banters with Assemblyman Chuck DeVore over not attending the teacher protest last week.
  • Word is – Nancy Silverton, Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich have signed a lease at the former Dolce Ristorante site at 800 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach to open their Pizzeria Mozza.
  • "Renegade Lunch Lady" to speak at the Environmental Nature Center on changing the way kids eat at school.

    • ]]>    Morning Coffee: Tue., March 9, 2010http://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/9/morning-coffee-tue-march-9-2010.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-09T14:07:29Z2010-03-09T14:07:29Z

    Welcome! Here's the news of Newport-Mesa from Monday gathered in one place for you. Check back often today for updates and the news as it happens.

    Courtesy of Newport-Mesa's best calendar (found in the Daily Voice); here's a look at what's on tap for the next couple of days.

    Today - March 9 

    Newport-Mesa Unified School District Board Meeting, 7 p.m. in the Education Center board room. www.web.nmusd.us

    Wednesday - March 10

    Newport-Mesa Unified School District Non-School Day for grades K-6. Conference Day. www.web.nmusd.us

    Philharmonic Society presents, "Moscow State Radio Orchestra" at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Red Square, caviar, vodka and great music! Celebrate the music of Russia's cherished composers Rimsky-Korsakov and Rachmaninoff. You'll not want to miss Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade." (714) 556-ARTS. www.ocpac.org

    ]]>    Today's News As It Happenshttp://newportmesadailyvoice.com/localnews/2010/3/8/todays-news-as-it-happens.htmlDaily Voice2010-03-08T21:18:00Z2010-03-08T21:18:00Z
  • Addition recovery conference scheduled for Saturday at Calvary Chapel.
  • Lynn Selich shares her own personal story of what it's like to be "blind sided" in her column today. A great read.

    • Weather and surf looking good.
    • Happy Birthday today to Frank Albers.
      If you have a birthday shout out, send it to us at info@newportmesadailyvoice.com with the person's name and birthdate and we can wish them a Happy Birthday!
    ]]>