THE OPPONENTS OF THE CONTROVERSIAL RANCHO SAN JUAN PROJECT GOT ENOUGH VALID SIGNATURES TO PUT THE PROJECT TO A COUNTYWIDE VOTE. MONTEREY COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS, TONY ANCHUNDO, SAID ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE VERIFIED THE SIGNATURES, AND THE CERTIFIED COUNT WILL BE SENT TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THE BOARD WILL THEN DECIDE WHETHER TO REPEAL THEIR APPROVAL OF THE RANCHO SAN JUAN PROJECT, PLACE A REFERENDUM ON THE JUNE 2006 BALLOT, OR SET A SPECIAL ELECTION.

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.

A 20 YEAR-OLD GILROY MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH A MORGAN HILL STABBING, THAT TOOK PLACE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. ANTHONY AGUILERA IS SCHEDULED TO BE ARRAIGNED ON FEBRUARY 22ND. HE FACES CHARGES OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AND EVADING ARREST.

HE ALSO FACES OTHER CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH SEVERAL OTHER UN-CONNECTED INCIDENTS. HE IS BEING HELD WITHOUT BAIL, IN A SANTA CLARA COUNTY JAIL FACILITY.

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.