A CAR THAT RAN INTO A POWER POLE CAUSED A POWER OUTTAGE JUST BEFORE 10 A.M. THIS MORNING IN DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ. THE ACCIDENT WAS AT THE INTERSECTION OF OCEAN AND BROADWAY STREETS. 38 HUNDRED P.G. & E. CUSTOMERS WERE AFFECTED. MOST SHOULD HAVE THEIR POWER RESTORED SHORTLY, AND THE REST SHOULD BE BACK ON-LINE BY 2 P.M.

THE RALLY SALINAS CAMPAIGN IS GETTING MORE SUPPORT FROM THE SALINAS OWNERS OF 4 CARL'S JUNIOR RESTAURANTS. RESIDENTS GARY AND BECKY VICK, WHO OWN 4 RESTAURANTS IN THE CITY, ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT MAYOR ANNA CABALLERO'S DRIVE TO KEEP SALINAS LIBRARIES OPEN. THE VICKS WILL DONATE 50 CENTS TO THE RALLY SALINAS FUND, FOR EACH SIX DOLLAR BURGER SOLD THROUGH FEBRUARY 28TH . THE 3 BRANCH LIBRARY SYSTEM IS SCHEDULED FOR CLOSURE, UNLESS 500 THOUSAND DOLLARS CAN BE RAISED BY THE RALLY SALINAS CAMPAIGN.

A BABY SEA OTTER (IN DISTRESS) WAS RESCUED IN MONTEREY BAY LAST NIGHT. THE U.S. COAST GUARD WAS DIRECTED TO THE SANTA CRUZ LIGHTHOUSE AREA BY A PEDESTRIAN WHO THOUGHT THE SOUNDS WERE COMING FROM A HUMAN BABY. A HELICOPTER CREW DISCOVERED THE ANIMAL AROUND 7 P.M. SUFFERING FROM AN INJURY OR SICKNESS. THE BABY SEA OTTER WAS TAKEN TO THE MONTEREY BAY AQUARIUM AT ABOUT 10:15.

THE WATSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL WILL SEND 4 MEMBERS TO A CONFERENCE IN SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO THIS SUMMER, MOSTLY AT THE CITY'S EXPENSE. THE CITY WILL PAY FOR ROUNDTRIP AIRFARE, LODGING AND FOOD AT THE HILTON FOR MEMBERS ANTONIO RIVAS, OSCAR RIOS, RAMON GOMEZ AND MAYOR ANA VENTURA PHARES. THEY WILL TAKE PART IN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LATINO ELECTED OFFICIALS CONFERENCE, FROM JUNE 23RD TO THE 25TH . 3 THOUSAND DOLLARS RAISED BY THE COMMUNITY FOR THE TRIP WAS PRESENTED TO THE COUNCIL, AND THE MAYOR WILL USE ALMOST $600 IN REMAINING CAMPAIGN FUNDS TO PAY FOR HER FLIGHT. IN ADDITION, OVER 6 THOUSAND DOLLARS OF CITY FUNDS WERE AUTHORIZED TO PAY FOR EXPENSES.