Articles by Alex Coolman, (949) 764-4330

The City Council on Monday approved plans for a skate park at 523 Hamilton St., a move that was greeted by a chorus of boos from residents in the audience. Read more

The developer that has pushed for the expansion of the Newport Dunes resort and bemoaned the city’s slow deliberation performed an about-face Tuesday, requesting that any decision on the project be postponed until after the November election. Read more

Rupert, the Newport Beach black swan who was nearly killed when he swam through diesel fuel last week, was returned to the wild Monday after recuperating. Read more

A group of local environmentalists is planning to attend the California Coastal Commission hearing today to express concerns over proposed development above Crystal Cove State Park. Read more

The Orange County Board of Supervisors will meet in Costa Mesa on Thursday to discuss the county’s 2001 Strategic Financial Plan. Read more

The Mesa Consolidated Water District is at the Orange County Fair promoting its new plan to use “colored” water. Read more

An undercover operation by officers of the state Department of Fish and Game has stung a charter boat from Newport Landing Sport Fishing, resulting in citations for four passengers, a deckhand and the boat’s skipper. Read more

The Planning Commission postponed last week’s vote on a project to expand the headquarters of the high-speed communications chip manufacturer Conexant Systems Inc. Read more

The Planning Department has released a revised report to clear up confusion about the potential effects of the Greenlight Initiative, but not everyone is satisfied. Read more