Update

* Follow-up on the news

IRVINE

School to Be Named Northwood High

Issue: Naming the new high school planned for north Irvine.

Background: Proposals for what to call the Irvine Unified School District’s fourth high school were submitted by community members and students from local schools. The $51-million high school is expected to open in fall 1997. School district staff members narrowed the list to three choices, which were presented to the school board: Northwood Hills High, Northwood High and Portola High.

Development: The Irvine school board unanimously agreed to call the school Northwood High. School board President Tom Burnham said letters from most residents in the area favored that name. “It seems to be the consensus of the community,” Burnham said.

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SEAL BEACH

Community Group Refurbishing Park

Issue: Edison Park

Background: In the city’s 309-home College Park West Community, residents have spent the past two years working with city officials and community members to refurbish Edison Park. Built in 1966, the park had fallen into disrepair. But city officials told residents there was no money for renewal. Residents formed the Edison Park Improvement Assn., which raised money with yard sales, bake sales, volunteer activities and solicitations.

Development: To date, the association has raised $23,000 and constructed a sand volleyball court at the park. New playground equipment purchased by the association was recently installed in the park, along with new picnic tables and cement walkways.

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IRVINE

Cable Company’s Plan to Raise Rates Denied

Issue: Cable TV rates

Background: The city, designated as a regulatory authority on cable television rates by the Federal Communications Commission, has the authority to decide whether basic cable rates charged by Cox Communications for subscribers in the area are reasonable. The City Council previously ordered the cable service, then called Dimension Cable Services, to issue a refund to subscribers in 1993. The company appealed the decision to the FCC, and a ruling is pending.

Development: Cox Communications has since proposed raising the charge for basic cable service from $12.86 a month to $19.53. The council denied the rate increase after the Cable Television Task Force agreed with recommendations by the city’s rate consultant that the rate be reduced to $11.48 a month. The company’s charges for installation and equipment were determined to be reasonable. Final action on subscriber rates awaits the outcome of the company’s appeal to the FCC.

--COMPILED BY RUSS LOAR