Ortega Highway

The historic Ortega Highway, which leads to the Mission San Juan Capistrano, is set to undergo a $1.1-million widening between Interstate 5 and Rancho Viejo Road. Plans to widen the highway have been discussed for five years; Caltrans will begin construction next year. The project, expected to be formally approved at Tuesday's City Council meeting, will extend the westbound right-turn lane from Rancho Viejo Road to the Interstate 5 northbound onramp.

What an appealing slice-of-life California town, an easy day trip by car or train. Come for the history, stay for the food. This restaurant-intensive ranch town is the oldest community in Orange County. If San Juan Capistrano - or SJC - had a dating profile it would say: "Self-deprecating, authentic, still likes a good time. " The bed. Choices here are limited, though a new hotel is on the way. Till then, you have the Residence Inn Marriott, with one- and two-bedroom suites starting at $179 (33711 Camino Capistrano; [949]

Ortega Highway, a well-traveled commuter route between the Lake Elsinore area and Orange County, will remain closed for repairs from La Pata Avenue near San Juan Capistrano to Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the weekend, a Caltrans spokesman said. The two-lane highway, California 74, has been closed for road repairs since March 1.

Gustavo Ortega had expected problems, but nothing like this. The overnight storm, a typical February torrent, had rolled through La Cañada Flintridge, and Angeles Crest Highway stood right in its path. The next day, Ortega surveyed the damage. Less than a mile out, with the rooftops of the city still visible in his rearview mirror, he stopped. The road ahead had nearly disappeared, 24 feet of asphalt reduced to a sliver barely the width of his Expedition. Somewhere in the canyon below lay the rest of the pavement.

A motorcyclist died Sunday in a collision with another vehicle on the Ortega Highway. Ramiro A. Ramirez, 36, of Lake Elsinore died in a crash at 1:12 p.m. near mile marker 15, the California Highway Patrol said. No further details were available. Traffic in both directions on the highway was interrupted for several hours.

Ortega Highway was closed for three hours Thursday after an accident in Riverside County, officials said. The California Highway Patrol issued a SigAlert after the 5:30 a.m. accident. Authorities said that several people were injured when their car overturned about three miles west of Grand Avenue in Lake Elsinore. The road was closed on the Orange County side at the Nichols Institute, about five miles east of Interstate 5.

A Mission Viejo man died after his car rolled off Ortega Highway and down a hill early Friday, authorities said. James Earl Mitchell, 48, who reportedly was not wearing his seat belt, was ejected from his Cadillac and pinned beneath it at the bottom of the embankment. The accident occurred about 3:30 a.m., east of San Juan Capistrano, just past Antonio Parkway. California Highway Patrol officers closed Ortega Highway about 4 1/2 hours. Mitchell was driving alone, reports state.

Two big rigs collided on Ortega Highway on Monday afternoon, closing the hilly commuter artery for more than five hours and sending one driver to the hospital with minor injuries, sheriff's officials said. The trucks--both asphalt carriers--were headed in opposite directions near Shade Tree Lane when the driver of the truck heading east braked to avoid hitting a car. His truck jackknifed and swung into the truck traveling west, Lt. Richard Paddock said. The 2:30 p.m.

DETROIT -- The Angels still rank second in the major leagues with 80 quality starts, but two somewhat shaky turns through the rotation have raised enough concern that Manager Mike Scioscia probably will give several pitchers extra rest this month in hopes of avoiding fatigue. In 10 games before Tuesday, Angels starters combined for a 5.40 earned-run average, with Joe Saunders (12 earned runs in 6 2/3 innings) and Jon Garland (10 earned runs in 12 1/3 innings) getting the worst of it. That's almost a run and a half higher than the starters' season ERA of 3.99.

A look at upcoming news events: Today New hotel: The Beverly Hills City Council is expected to approve a proposal to build a Waldorf-Astoria hotel and two condominium buildings on the Beverly Hilton property. Tuesday Ortega Highway widening: Caltrans will meet with residents to discuss widening a stretch of Ortega Highway from two to four lanes. Wednesday Sex education: Planned Parenthood of Orange will release an Orange County-wide audit on high school sex education programs.

Two hikers who became lost Saturday evening in the Santa Ana Mountains were rescued Sunday afternoon without injuries, despite spending the night in the forest during a rainstorm, authorities said. Serena Neff, 24, of Dana Point and Carter McCoy, 33, of San Clemente called for help from Neff's cellphone about 5:45 p.m. Saturday, saying they had hiked into Hot Springs Canyon from the Lazy W Ranch off the Ortega Highway and could not find their way back. But phone service in the canyon was spotty and their contact with authorities was sporadic.

A widening of the Ortega Highway from two lanes to four near Interstate 5 needs a full environmental impact report by Caltrans, according to the city's legal consultant Friday. Chatten-Brown & Carstens, which examined Caltrans' proposal, made the recommendation because the expansion project would have "significant adverse environmental impacts" on noise, traffic, water quality and the community's pastoral setting.

Acceding to requests by residents and city officials, Caltrans has extended the public comment period on a controversial plan to widen Ortega Highway that some believe could alter the city's historic charm. The new comment period ends Sept. 8, officials said Tuesday. The city asked for the extension and hired a law firm to review the proposed project after the state agency rejected its request for a detailed environmental impact report.

Along tree-lined Ortega Highway in front of Susan Merchant's San Juan Capistrano home, life unfolds both peacefully and fitfully. Residents stroll and some clomp down the road on horseback in pastoral moments interrupted only by the traffic's roar. "This morning I tried crossing on my horse and I needed help because no one would stop," Merchant said. She is among those in town who fear that what little bucolic lifestyle is left in San Juan is now in jeopardy.

It long ago earned the nickname "Ricochet Alley," a narrow, three-mile stretch of tight curves through the Santa Ana Mountains. Now, the winding section of Ortega Highway -- where 12 people have been killed in traffic accidents in the last decade -- will be widened and perhaps tamed. Caltrans' $40-million project on California 74 will widen lanes and add shoulders, guardrails and turnouts along one of the few connectors between Orange and Riverside counties.