TWO LOCAL FIRE DISTRICTS ARE RECIPIENTS OF GRANTS FROM THE 2004 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTER GRANT PROGRAM. THE PROGRAM AWARDS 8 THOUSAND GRANTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE SCOTTS VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT RECEIVED 170 THOUSAND DOLLARS AND THE ZAYANTE FIRE DISTRICT RECEIVED 85 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE MONEY WILL BE USED FOR STANDARDIZED BREATHING EQUIPMENT AND MOBILE DATA TERMINALS WHICH ENHANCE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN DISTRICTS.

SANTA CRUZ POLICE ARE INVESTIGATING A BATTERY THAT OCCURRED LATE LAST WEEK, IN A DOWNTOWN SANTA CRUZ PARKING STRUCTURE. A 24 YEAR OLD WOMAN WAS OPENING HER CAR DOOR ON THE 2ND STORY OF THE PARKING GARAGE AT THE CORNER OF CEDAR STREET AND WALNUT AVENUE - WHEN A WHITE OR HISPANIC MALE TAPPED HER ON THE SHOULDER. WHEN THE WOMAN TURNED AROUND, THE SUSPECT PUSHED THE VICTIM INTO THE CAR - AND BEGAN CHOCKING AND PUNCHING HER. THE SUSPECT MADE NO COMMENTS, NOR DID HE ATTEMPT TO ROB OR SEXUALLY ASSAULT THE WOMAN. THE WOMAN WAS ABLE TO FIGHT BACK AND BREAK FREE. ANYONE WHO HAS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE SANTA CRUZ POLICE.

LAST WEEK?S STORMY WEATHER HAS PUT A CALTRAN?S REHABILITATION PROJECT - IN SALINAS - A FEW WEEKS BEHIND SCHEDULE. THE PROJECT STRETCHES FROM RESERVATION ROAD TO WORK STREET AND HAS LIMITED ACCESS TO SOME BUSINESSES IN THE AREA. THE WORK - WITH A PRICE TAG OF 12 MILLION DOLLARS - IS TO REPAVE STREETS, REDO SIDEWALKS, REPLACE DRAINS AND GUTTERS, AND PLANT TREES. THE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO FINISH IN THE WINTER OR SPRING OF 2006.

A MONTH-LONG INVESTIGATION INTO CRYSTAL METHAMPETAMINE SALES CONDUCTED BY WATSONVILLE POLICE CULMINATED IN THREE ARRESTS. WHEN OFFICERS SERVED A NARCOTICS SEARCH WARRANT AT 1859 BEACH STREET, THEY FOUND 7 GRAMS OF CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE AND NARCOTICS PACKAGING MATERIALS. 26 YEAR OLD RAUL JIMENEZ WAS ARRESTED FOR 3 DRUG-RELATED CHARGES, 20 YEAR OLD JOSE GARCIA AND 20 YEAR OLD HUGO RIVERA WERE BOTH ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF METHAMPHETAMINE. ALL THREE MEN WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY JAIL.