AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INCREASED AND TARGETED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT TODAY, IN THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ. THE B.A.D.G.E.S. ENFORCEMENT TEAMS ARE DIRECTING THEIR EFFORTS TOWARD MOTORISTS, BICYCLISTS, AND PEDESTRIANS WHO COMMIT COLLISION CAUSING VIOLATIONS IN THE CITY. THE B.A.D.G.E.S. ENFORCEMENT TEAM INCLUDES MEMBERS FROM THE SANTA CRUZ, WATSONVILLE, CAPITOLA, U.C.S.C., AND SCOTTS VALLEY POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AS WELL AS THE C.H.P., AND SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

SAN BENITO COUNTY SUPERVISOR JAIME DE LA CRUZ PLEADED NO CONTEST TO CHARGES OF RESISTING, DELAYING OR OBSTRUCTING A PEACE OFFICER. THE SAN BENITO COUNTY D.A. REPORTS THAT DE LA CRUZ ALSO AGREED THE COURT COULD CONSIDER A 2ND CHARGE OF MISUSE OF A VOTER REGISTRATION DATA BASE, AT THE TIME OF SENTENCING. ACCORDING TO THE AGREEMENT, DE LA CRUZ MUST PERFORM 40 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. HIS SENTENCING WILL BE CONTINUED FOR 12 MONTHS, DURING WHICH TIME ANY MISDEMEANOR OR FELONY OFFENCE, WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE SENTENCING. TUESDAY'S PLEA DOES NOT AFFECT THE CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT FILED BY DE LA CRUZ AND HIS CAMPAIGN MANAGER AGAINST THE COUNTY.

THE TRANSPORTATION AGENCY OF MONTEREY COUNTY IS MAKING PLANS FOR A NEW TRANSPORTATION CENTER. THE CENTER WOULD BE LOCATED OFF WEST MARKET STREET AND LINCOLN AVENUE IN SALINAS. IT WOULD BRING TOGETHER INTO ONE LARGE COMMUTER CENTER, REGIONAL RAIL SERVICE, MONTEREY SALINAS TRANSIT BUS SERVICE, AMTRAK TRAIN SERVICE AND GREYHOUND BUS SERVICE. THE BLUEPRINT WHICH WAS REVEALED FOR THE 1ST TIME THIS WEEK INCLUDES ROOM FOR 13 BUSES, A 177-SPACE PARKING LOT, AND RENOVATION OF THE CURRENT TRAIN STATION.

THE MONTEREY PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD GAVE THEIR SUPERINTENDENT A POOR PERFORMANCE REVIEW THIS WEEK, AND AFTER A VOTE OF 4 TO 3 HE WILL SOON BE OUT OF A JOB. SUPERINTENDENT DAN CALLAHAN'S LAST DAY ON THAT JOB WILL BE JUNE 30TH . THE BOARD IS KEEPING THE REASONS FOR HIS UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE REVIEW CONFIDENTIAL. SEARCH FOR A NEW SUPERINTENDENT IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT THE BOARD'S NEXT MEETING ON MONDAY.