BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

5-foot boa constrictor is on the loose in Newport

A Costa Mesa woman who owns two boa constrictors has lost one of them in Bonita Canyon Sports Park, Newport Beach police said Friday.

Kyle Gayner was exhibiting her 13-year-old, 5-foot-long, red-tailed boa constrictor named Lance at a children’s birthday party Wednesday when somehow it wandered off, said Newport Beach Police Sgt. Evan Sailor.

Gayner tried to find the snake over the next two days but was unsuccessful. She assured police, however, that Lance was no threat to park visitors.

“According to her, it’s very friendly, doesn’t bite and wouldn’t hurt anybody,” Sailor said. “Our animal control officer said the same thing.”

Gayner’s other red-tailed boa constrictor, Ito, the same age and length as Lance, is still in her possession.

Local student in cooking championship

Scott Buchert, a senior at Corona del Mar High School, is set to compete in the Art Institute of California, Orange County, culinary contest March 17.

Ten semifinalists will compete in the Best Teen Chef Scholarship Cook-Off at the institute in Santa Ana, with contestants being judged in creativity, skills and technique. Each chef will prepare a menu issued by the school. The winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and become eligible for the national competition in Dallas on May 4.

The Cook-Off is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and last for approximately 2 1/2 hours. Judges will announce the first-, second- and third-place winners later that day.