A 24 YEAR-OLD MAN IS BEHIND BARS, AND A 43 YEAR-OLD WOMAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THAT AFTER MARCO ANTONIO RUIZ HIT BELINDA OLIVERA WITH THE STOLEN MINIVAN HE WAS DRIVING. AS THE RESULT OF THE HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT, THAT OCCURRED AROUND 10 P.M. WEDNESDAY NIGHT, OLIVERA SUFFERED THE LOSS OF HER RIGHT EYE, HER PELVIS WAS BROKEN, AND SHE HAS RIB FRACTURES AND HEAD INJURIES. WHEN OFFICERS FINALLY GOT RUIZ TO STOP DRIVING, THEY BOOKED HIM INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF HIT-AND-RUN, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, FAILURE TO YIELD TO A POLICE OFFICER, RESISTING ARREST, AND POSSESSING A STOLEN VEHICLE.

A SEASIDE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR STALKING HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND. 21 YEAR-OLD PATRICK SPILLET WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE CONFRONTED THE 17 YEAR-OLD GIRL, AND PREVENTED HER FROM LEAVING HER CARMEL VALLEY RESIDENCE. HE WAS BOOKED INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL.

MANY BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, IN HONOR OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAY. THEY INCLUDE COUNTY OFFICES IN THE TRI-COUNTY AREA, AS WELL AS CITY OFFICES AND LIBRARIES. MANY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED AS WELL. THE POST OFFICES AND BANKS WILL BE CLOSED, BUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY METRO BUSSES WILL BE RUNNING ON THEIR REGULAR WEEKDAY SCHEDULE.

MONTEREY COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSIONERS HAVE SAID THEY NEED MORE INFORMATION, BEFORE THEY CAN VOTE ON A 17-LOT SUBDIVISION (TO BE LOCATED OFF SAN BENANCIO CANYON). COMMISSIONERS NOW WANT THE DEVELOPERS TO PREPARE A FULL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE 344-ACRE ENCINA HILLS SUBDIVISION. THAT DECISION PRODUCED CHEERS FROM A NUMBER OF SAN BENANCIO AND HARPER CANYON RESIDENTS, WHO HAVE OPPOSED THE SUBDIVISION.