Community Corner

Free Pancakes; Memorial Run; and a Crack Down on Distracted Drivers

A handful of things happening in and around Newport Beach.

  1. The Newport Beach Fire Department on Sunday is hosting a free pancake breakfast to kick off its yearlong celebration of the department's 100th anniversary. Breakfast will be served 9 a.m. to noon at the . In addition to flapjacks, there will be tours of the station and a chance to meet firefighters and take a look at fire equipment.
  2. A memorial run/walk in honor of Amine Britel, a Newport Coast resident hit by a car and killed in February, is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 17 at Crystal Cove State Park, one of Britel's favorite spots, according to friends. Those who knew Britel are encouraged to participate and share their memories about him. More information here. The driver in the accident that killed Britel is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on one felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence while intoxicated. Authorities say of Newport Coast was drunk and texting on her cell phone at the time of the Feb. 21 accident.
  3. Starting Monday, Newport Beach police will join the CHP and law enforcement agencies across the state in on people who talk and text on hand-held cell phones while driving. The minimum fine for driving while talking or texting on a hand-held device while driving is $159, according to the Police Department, with subsequent violations costing $279.
  4. The forecast calls for temperatures in the high 60s today with mostly cloudy skies, according to the Weather Channel. Sunday is expected to be cooler, with temperatures reaching the low- to mid-60s.
  5. Keep up with what's going on in Newport through Facebook: Newport Beach, Police Department, Fire Department, Mayor Mike Henn, Newport Beach library, Newport Farmers' Market and, of course, Newport Beach Patch.


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