Briefly in the news

Paul Clinton

The Orange County Health Care Agency closed a strip of Corona del Mar

beach Tuesday morning after about 100 gallons of raw sewage spilled into

the ocean.

The sewage dribbled out of Morning Canyon into the water between

Morning Canyon Road and Milford Drive.

Officials blamed a blocked Newport Beach sewer line that had been

clogged by a plant root.

Health care agency workers were able to recover about 50 gallons after

the 11:15 a.m. closure.

About 200 yards of rocky beach below Cameo Shores was closed after the

spill. It will remain closed to swimmers and surfers until bacteria

counts are brought down to an acceptable level.