Update

Follow-up on the news

NEWPORT BEACH

More Doggy Bags Are Coming Soon

Issue: Dog “nuisances.”

Background: Late last year, the city installed dispensers for “Doggie Walk Bags” in test locations on Balboa Island. The bags are used by pet owners to pick up dog droppings. Early this year, six more pole-mounted dispensers were added.

Development: The City Council has approved a plan to install another six dispenser poles, to be stocked and maintained by local business owners on the Balboa Peninsula.

The Balboa Merchants and Owners Assn. requested the dispensers for the peninsula.

Each will be sponsored and stocked by a different business: the Fun Zone, Tale of the Whale, Catalina Passenger Service, High Hopes Head Injury Program, Mel Fuchs Pavilion Realtors and the Balboa Saloon.

SEAL BEACH

Plan to Buy Library Hits Snag on Price

Issue: The Leisure World branch of the Orange County Public Library system.

Background: Faced with sharp budget cuts forced by the bankruptcy, the county has decided to close the Leisure World branch as well as five others in Garden Grove, La Palma, Villa Park and Silverado Canyon by the end of June.

Leisure World residents have been working on ways to keep the branch open, saying it’s a key community resource.

Development: The governing board of Leisure World has held talks with the county about buying the branch and turning it into a private library for residents of the retirement community.

The idea hit a snag last week when county officials discovered that by state law, the library can only be sold at its assessed value, far more that Leisure World hoped to pay. But talks are continuing.

IRVINE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Chinese American Groups Raise $58,000

Issue: Donations to the school district.

Background: In February, a Korean American parent group donated $27,000 to the school district and pledged $5,000 worth of baseballs to the district’s three high schools.

A Chinese American parent group also planned to raise funds for the financially troubled school district.

Development: Louis Chang, president of the South Coast Chinese Cultural Assn., presented the school district with checks totaling more than $58,000 in funds raised by Chinese American community members.

Chang also credited the Chinese Evangelical Church, Irvine Chinese Chorus, Irvine Chinese School, Irvine Evergreen Chinese Senior Assn. and a group called Bravi-9 for contributing to the fund-raising efforts.

--COMPILED BY RUSS LOAR AND HOLLY J. WAGNER