News Summary
A sewage spill in Newport Beach has resulted in the closure of ocean access from Huntington State Beach to Grant Street. The Orange County Health Care Agency announced the closure after approximately 4,000 gallons of sewage leaked due to a grease blockage. Meanwhile, a separate police incident involving a shooting has raised questions about officer conduct. On a lighter note, the 21st annual Hoag OC Marathon took place, showcasing community events and impressive performances.
Newport Beach, California – A sewage spill has led to the closure of ocean access in parts of Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, affecting recreational activities in the area. The Orange County Health Care Agency announced the closure following an incident involving approximately 4,000 gallons of sewage caused by a grease blockage in a sewer line located in Costa Mesa. The affected coastal waters stretch from the Talbert Channel outfall at Huntington State Beach to Grant Street, and swimming, surfing, and diving are strictly prohibited until further notice.
For those seeking more details on the sewage situation, the Orange County Health Care Agency has made available information via telephone at 714-433-6400 and online through their official website.
In a separate incident, the Newport Beach Police Department released body camera footage from a police shooting that resulted in the death of 45-year-old Geoffrey Stirling, brother of Lydia McLaughlin, a known personality from the reality TV series “Real Housewives of Orange County.” The confrontation began when Stirling was stopped on a motorcycle for running a red light on Pacific Coast Highway near Hoag Hospital Newport Beach.
Stirling reportedly displayed uncooperative behavior during the traffic stop, which became increasingly physical. Body camera footage reveals that as officers asked him to sit down, Stirling defied instructions and allegedly struck one of the officers multiple times. During the confrontation, he also seized an officer’s Taser and pointed it at the officer’s head, leading to an officer-involved shooting.
Following the incident, Stirling was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead later that night. The Newport Beach Police have emphasized their commitment to transparency by releasing the footage to the public. Meanwhile, Stirling’s family has raised concerns about the officer’s conduct during the encounter, asserting that he posed no legitimate threat and was not armed at the time of the shooting.
The family is preparing to file a lawsuit in Federal Court, seeking accountability for what they describe as an unsettling incident that occurred during Stirling’s mental health crisis. They have also requested the preservation of all evidence related to the case, including video and audio footage.
According to preliminary reports, the cause of death was attributed to blood loss, and the family criticized the apparent delay in providing medical assistance despite several officers being present at the scene.
In lighter news, thousands of runners participated in the 21st annual Hoag OC Marathon on May 4, which included various events such as a full marathon, half marathon, 5K, and Kids Run. The marathon’s starting point was at VEA Newport Beach in Fashion Island, with the finish line set at the Orange County Fair and Event Center. Conditions during the marathon were described as cool and damp, ideal for running.
Xavier Smith from Lake Forest emerged victorious in the full marathon with a time of 2:23:41, maintaining an impressive average pace of 5:29 minutes per mile. He was followed closely by Esteban Prado from Fountain Valley, who finished in 2:26:30, averaging 5:35 minutes per mile. In the women’s division, Stephanie Mundt from Tempe, AZ, secured the win with a time of 2:52:08, averaging 6:34 minutes per mile.
The Hoag OC Marathon weekend also featured community events such as Celebrate OC, the OC Lifestyle and Fitness Expo, and a Family Fun Day, catering to participants and spectators alike.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Sewage Spill Closes Ocean Waters in Newport Beach
Sewage Spill Causes Beach Closures in Huntington Beach
Huntington Beach and Newport Beach Coastline Closed Due to Sewage Spill
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Daily Pilot
- Wikipedia: Newport Beach, California
- Orange County Register: Newport Beach Attorney Sentenced
- Google Search: Newport Beach sewage spill
- ABC7: Bodycam Footage Released
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Police
- CBS News: Orange County Coastline Closed
- Google News: OC Marathon 2025
