A MORGAN HILL MAN - THE SUBJECT OF A YEAR LONG INVESTIGATION FOR PASSING COUNTERFEIT BILLS - WAS ARRESTED LAST WEEK. 23 YEAR OLD JASON LEE GALLARDO WAS ARRESTED ON 23 CHARGES BY HOLLISTER POLICE. THE CHARGES INCLUDED FELONY COUNTERFEITING, BURGLARY AND POSSESSION OF CRYSTAL METHAMPHETAMINE FOR SALE. GALLARDO WAS FOUND ON A SURVEILLANCE CAMERA AT THE HOLLISTER K-MART BUYING MERCHANDISE WITH 3 FAKE 20 DOLLAR BILLS IN NOVEMBER 2003. HE WAS NOT ARRESTED UNTIL LAST WEEK BECAUSE HOLLISTER POLICE ONLY RECEIVED NEEDED EVIDENCE FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE LAST WEEK. THE OTHER CHARGES STEMMED FROM VARIOUS INCIDENTS, INCLUDING A SHORT CHASE THE SUSPECT LED THE POLICE ON WHILE BEING ARRESTED.

A PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE HELD IN SALINAS BY A WATER FIRM CONCERNING A PROPOSED RATE INCREASE. THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION WILL HOLD THE MEETING WEDNESDAY FROM 4:30 TO 7 P.M. IN THE RODEO ROOM AT THE SALINAS SPORTS COMPLEX LOCATED ON NORTH MAIN STREET IN SALINAS. THE RATE INCREASE IS SOUGHT BY THE CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE COMPANY FOR ITS SALINAS DISTRICT.

A SOUTHERN MONTEREY COUNTY COMMUNITY WILL PRESENT A DRAFT OF A COMMUNITY GROWTH PLAN TO MONTEREY COUNTY SUPERVISORS ON TUESDAY. RESIDENTS AND COUNTY OFFICIALS OF CASTROVILLE DEVELOPED THE GROWTH PLAN OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. WHEN PRESENTING THE PLAN TO SUPERVISORS, THEY WILL ASK FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT ON IT. THE PLAN CALLS FOR DEVELOPING ROADS AND 1 THOUSAND 6 HUNDRED NEW HOMES AND APARTMENTS OVER THE NEXT 20 YEARS.

THE NEW YEAR WILL BRING RAISES TO SOME MONTEREY COUNTY EXECUTIVES. A NEW (SIX-TIER SALARY INCREASE SYSTEM) WILL GO INTO EFFECT THIS YEAR FOR 50 DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ASSISTANTS. THE MOVE WAS APPROVED IN NOVEMBER BY THE MONTEREY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. THE RAISES WERE IMPLEMENTED TO KEEP EXECUTIVE AND MANAGEMENT PAY AHEAD OF RANK-AND-FILE EMPLOYEES.