Briefly in the News

Costa Mesa police arrested 23 drivers during a seven-hour shift Friday

night.

Twenty two drivers were arrested under suspicion of drunk driving and

one was arrested because of an outstanding warrant, Sgt. Darell Freeman

said Saturday.

Four officers, three reserve officers and three cadets spent the shift

making more than 100 traffic stops and checking for evidence of drunk

driving.

All the drivers’ vehicles were impounded, Freeman said.

“Unfortunately, the DUIs are responsible for a lot of accidents, so we

try to discourage that by making a lot of traffic stops and arresting

people under the influence,” he said.

Raising funds to beautify 17th Street

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Pierce Street Annex is having a

fund-raiser for 17th Street on Monday.

For every beverage purchased from 5 to 9 p.m., the restaurant is

donating $1.50 to beautify 17th Street.

The event will also include door prizes and appetizers. Chamber of

Commerce members and 17th Street neighbors are expected to attend.

Beginning last year, businesses on 17th Street and neighboring

residents rallied to kill city plans to widen East 17th Street to six

lanes.

The Costa Mesa City Council on May 21 approved a four-lane plan for

East 17th Street that included adding turn lanes, bus bays and center

medians to improve traffic without the widening.

The plan is not backed by the federal grant money the city would have

received if it has widened the street, and the city is now looking for

new ways to pay for the plan.

Pierce Street Annex is at 330 East 17th St., Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 646-8500.