GOVERNOR ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER TOURED A CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY FACILITY TODAY IN STOCKTON, AFTER WHICH HE MADE SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS. 2 RECENT BEATINGS OF YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS BY CYA STAFF, LEAD TO A LAWSUIT THAN WAS SETTLED. THE GOVERNOR SAID STATE OFFICIALS HAVE AGREED TO TAKE SEVERAL STEPS TO IMPROVE PROBLEMS IN THE CYA SYSTEM. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BOB LEE IS ENCOURAGED BY THE NEWS. DA LEE WILL BE MONITORING CYA IMPROVEMENTS WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCE JUVENILE OFFENDERS FROM OUR AREA, AS WELL AS ALL OF CALIFORNIA. CYA OFFICIALS SAID THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR MOST OF THE YEAR ON DEVELOPING PLANS TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS IN THE LAWSUIT. AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT, PLANS MUST BE EVALUATED BY A GROUP OF OUTSIDE EXPERTS BEFORE THEY ARE FILED WITH THE COURT IN JANUARY. ALSO THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE HIRING OF A MEDICAL DIRECTOR TO SUPERVISE HEALTH CARE IN THE CYA, AND DEVELOPING A PLAN FOR CLASSIFYING AND HOUSING INMATES ACCORDING TO SECURITY RISKS. ALTHOUGH NEW TO THE CYA, THESE MEASURES ARE CONSIDERED STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE IN MOST U.S. PRISON SYSTEMS.

A TOWN HALL MEETING IS SCHEDULED TO BE HELD IN CASTROVILLE ON THURSDAY. CAL-AM WATER IS SEEKING COMMENTS FROM THE COMMUNITY ON THE COASTAL WATER PROJECT (INCLUDING A PROPOSED DESALINATION PLANT NEAR THE DUKE ENERGY POWER PLANT IN MOSS LANDING). THE MEETING IS SLATED TO RUN FROM 6:30 UNTIL 8:30 P.M. IN THE CASTROVILLE WATER DISTRICT BUILDING ON GEIL STREET.

THE 18TH SALINAS HOMICIDE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED. 21-YEAR-OLD JAVIER GARCIA, WAS FOUND DEAD IN A CAR SATURDAY MORNING AT ALMOST 11 A.M. THE CAR WAS AT THE END OF CALIFORNIA ALLEY, AND GARCIA WAS SITTING BEHIND THE STEERING WHEEL. HE HAD A GUNSHOT WOUND ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HIS THROAT, AND HAD BEEN DEAD FOR SEVERAL HOURS. DETECTIVES WORKING THE CASE ARE TRYING TO LOCATE WITNESSES, AND ARE ASKING ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ON THIS HOMICIDE, TO CALL THE SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SANTA CRUZ CITY WORKERS REPLACED 16 STRANDS OF HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA YESTERDAY. THAT AFTER A VANDAL (OR VANDALS) SNIPPED THE STRANDS, JUST A WEEK AFTER CITY WORKERS FINISHED HANGING THEM (IN THE SYCAMORE AND CHERRY TREES) DOWNTOWN.