BOATERS PACKED A SMALL MOSS LANDING MEETING ROOM LAST NIGHT TO VENT ANGER. MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE SHOWED THEIR IRRITATION WITH A COAST GUARD LIEUTENANT WHO ORDERED A SEARCH OF BOATS AROUND 10:30 P.M. SEPTEMBER 2ND. THE RANDOM, LATE-NIGHT INTRUSION TOOK PLACE JUST BEFORE THE START OF THE LABOR DAY WEEKEND, AND CAUSED MANY BOAT RESIDENTS TO FEEL THREATENED. THE TEAM OF COAST GUARD OFFICERS WERE ON A BOATING SAFETY OPERATION, AS PART OF A 5-DAY EXERCISE TO DETER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY. THEY BOARDED AT LEAST 8 BOATS MOORED AT MOSS LANDING HARBOR, AND ALSO BOARDED FISHING AND RECREATIONAL VESSELS IN MONTEREY AND SANTA CRUZ HARBORS. THE COAST GUARD ORGANIZED THE MEETING, AND EXPRESSED THE INTENTION TO WORK CLOSER WITH THE COMMUNITY ON FUTURE OPERATIONS

THE WATSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WILL AFFECT COMMUNICATION IN OVERCROWDED AREAS OF THE CITY. THE PROGRAM REQUIRES OWNERS OF CONGESTED HOMES TO LISTEN TO NEIGHBORS COMPLAINTS. BECAUSE OF INCREASED REAL ESTATE PRICES, MORE PEOPLE ARE CROWDING INTO HOUSES. AUTHORITIES IN ONE CASE FOUND MORE THAN TWO DOZEN PEOPLE LIVING IN A 3-BEDROOM HOME. NOW NEIGHBORS WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO HOMEOWNERS ABOUT NOISE, A SHORTAGE OF PARKING AND UNSANITARY CONDITIONS, IN AN EFFORT TO SOLVE PROBLEMS BEFORE THEY BECOME UNMANAGEABLE.

A CONTRACT AGREEMENT WAS MADE TODAY THAT WILL AFFECT NEARLY ALL KAISER PERMANENTE HEALTH CARE WORKERS. THE UNIONIZED WORKERS ANNOUNCED A 5-YEAR CONTRACT COVERING 82,000 EMPLOYEES IN THE WESTERN U.S., NOT INCLUDING DOCTORS. IT DOES INCLUDE ANNUAL PAY RAISES OF UP TO 5 PERCENT IN THE FIRST YEAR AS WELL AS MORE MONEY FOR BENEFITS AND TRAINING. THE NEW AGREEMENT IS EXPECTED TO TAKE EFFECT SATURDAY. KAISER IS A NOT-FOR-PROFIT HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION.

THE MONTEREY COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANNOUNCED TODAY THERE IS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO GO FORWARD WITH CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST COMMISSIONER RICHARD K. RUTLEDGE. THE INVESTIGATION WAS INITIATED IN AUGUST THIS YEAR, AFTER ALLEGATIONS BROUGHT BY CRYSTAL POWSER. THE FORMER COURT CLERK ALLEGED THAT COMMISSIONER RUTLEDGE MISUSED HIS POSITION TO DISMISS TRAFFIC CITATIONS, AND INDULGED IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT. THE INVESTIGATION DID HOWEVER PRODUCE INFORMATION SHOWING THAT RUTLEDGE FAILED TO RECUSE HIMSELF IN SEVERAL CASES INVOLVING TRAFFIC COURT EMPLOYEES, THEIR SPOUSES, OR RUTLEDGE'S ACQUAINTANCES. THE INVESTIGATION FILE WAS ALSO GIVEN TO THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF THE MONTEREY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, FOR ADDITIONAL REVIEW.