INSIDE SCOOP

-- Compiled by Daily Pilot staff

Assistant Superintendent Mike Fine got an entertaining send-off at the

Newport-Mesa Unified School Board meeting on April 23 when Jill Money and

other members of the Harbor Council PTA Honorary Services Committee gave

him a Santa cap and sang “Santa Baby” to him in honor of his financial

acumen.

They also gave him a Continuing Service Award from the state PTA and

made a donation to the organization in his name. The donation will be

used for teacher and student scholarships and grants.

Flying search to no avail

Costa Mesa residents were greeted by the lovely sounds of the police

helicopter flying overhead last week, as officers got more use out of

their new crime fighting machine.

The helicopter loud speaker crackled with some inaudible message and

neighbors getting home from work gathered around parking lots to see what

the commotion was about.

Another fire?

Another murder?

A suspect on the run?

Police were searching, to no avail, for a 5-year-old who had been

reported missing. All the fancy aviation equipment in the world wouldn’t

have been able to find this kid.

Turns out the tyke was finally found asleep under a couch.