Briefly in the News

-- Compiled by Ken Ma and Torus Tammer

Two of the characters from the popular Fox television kids show “Power

Rangers Lightspeed Rescue” will launch into action as a part of the

upcoming 96th annual Huntington Beach Fourth of July Parade. Appearing

will be Red Ranger/Carter and Pink Ranger/Dana. Both will ride down Main

Street to greet fans on July 4. Touted as the largest Independence Day

parade west of the Mississippi River, the Huntington Beach Fourth of July

Parade is expected to attract approximately 300,000 spectators to Surf

City this year, officials said.

City extends permit

of towing company

Huntington Beach has granted Huntington Beach Auto Service another 60-day

temporary permit, which will allow the company to perform tows in the

city through August. City spokesman Rich Barnard said the temporary

permit was issued to give the city more time to investigate complaints

that the company is not in compliance with an ordinance prohibiting

outside towing companies to operate within city limits. Huntington Beach

Auto, operated by Karen Pedersen, has been managed in part by a Santa

Ana-based company. Its temporary permit expired Monday.

The tow company has filed a lawsuit against the city seeking $321,000 in

damages and lost revenue because the city refused to renew its permit in

May 1999.

Cancer society raises

$100,000 for research

The Orange County chapter of the American Cancer Society raised more than

$100,000 during its annual two-day basketball free throw fund-raiser for

cancer research in Huntington Beach.

The event, held at Golden West College’s track field last week, raised

$104,000, more than doubling last year’s total of $50,000.

“I think the standards will be set a little higher next year,” said Eric

Morgan, a spokesman for the event. “We are very pleased with that amount,

it is great news.”

Athletes from Golden West College, Huntington Beach High School, Mayor

Dave Garofalo, cancer patients and survivors, their friends and family

and residents from around the county participated in the event.

A minimum of $1 was donated for every free throw. Those who made their

shots received a raffle ticket for sports prizes. Entertainment and

refreshments were also provided.

The national event began six years ago as fun way to raise money for

cancer research, Morgan said.