Anaheim Ca

For the first time in the city's history, the City Council on Tuesday will consider entering into negotiations with Care Ambulance Service Inc. to develop a formal contract for emergency transportation services. Proposals from five private ambulance companies were submitted, including one from the city's current provider, American Medical Response. Anaheim has an informal service agreement with that company.

A Hong Kong real estate entrepreneur has bought 6.5 acres across the street from Disneyland, where he plans to erect a large hotel. Paul Chan, who owns the Carousel Inn near the Anaheim theme park, paid $19.9 million for the property next to the Convention Center at Katella Avenue and West Street, real estate sources said Tuesday. Three aging motels--the Magic Lamp, Magic Carpet and Golden Forest--occupy the property.

Filling in a major piece in the emerging Anaheim Resort Area, the developer of a huge entertainment and shopping complex in Orlando, Fla., announced plans Monday for a similar project near Disneyland that will bring about 2,400 jobs to the city. The outdoor mall, Pointe Anaheim, would be built on a parcel of at least 15 acres including the Melodyland Christian Center, which plans to move, the developers said.

Responding to complaints about the prostitution activity on Beach Boulevard, police arrested 45 men last weekend for soliciting undercover female officers from Anaheim and Orange police departments. Two women were arrested on prostitution charges. One of the male suspects was in possession of a loaded firearm and another male was a juvenile, police said. Vehicles were towed and impounded, police said.

More than 400 people showed up at Anaheim Police Department on Monday in hopes of landing one of 10 openings for a police officer. People started lining up at 4:30 a.m., and by 6 the line stretched around the station and down Harbor Boulevard, police spokesman Sgt. Joe Vargas said. Police Lt. Joe Reiss said as many as 10 job openings are anticipated for entry-level police officers due to retirements and vacancies.

A former official from the neighboring city of Orange has been honored by the City Council for his many years of service, including help to Villa Park. The council praised retired Orange Councilman Fred Barrera during a recent session at the Villa Park City Hall. "Freddie was always willing to give Villa Park an ear whenever we had issues," Mayor Barry L. Denes said. "It's been a true honor to work with you." The council passed a resolution praising Barrera and thanking him.

When Elsie Reed sees Anaheim's "artmobile" at a park teaching children arts and crafts, her spirits soar. "It makes me feel so good," she said. The artmobile is one of many projects of the Anaheim Arts Council, which Reed helped found in 1977 and for which she continues to serve as a board member. In the past 40 years, Reed has been involved with more than 20 other community groups, helping to start a ballet company and becoming a charter member of H.G. "Dad" Miller Golf Course.

More than 800 volunteers will be honored March 3 at "Fiesta Para Dar Gracias," which is Spanish for "Party to Give Thanks." The 17th annual recognition banquet at the Anaheim Convention Center will pay tribute to the hundreds of volunteers, businesses and local service clubs who support community programming. With a Latin theme this year, the event will feature folkloric dancers, a Latin band and Latin craft activities.

A six-bedroom Anaheim home on sale for only $160,000? Yes, this is a piece of real real estate. Caltrans, much more accustomed to knocking houses down, is holding open houses today for five houses originally scheduled for destruction. They are listed at prices up to 30% below their market value. These and 15 others were purchased by Caltrans as part of a plan to expand the Artesia Freeway.

Jeremy Byrnes did a quick tour through an Anaheim neighborhood on Saturday where Caltrans is selling five homes and liked what he saw. "Neighborhood's nice, and so far the homes look good," said Byrnes, who joined dozens of other prospective buyers who examined the agency's properties. On Saturday, Caltrans will hold a public auction of surplus property that it bought but didn't use.