THE SANTA CRUZ POLICE DEPARTMENT IS HOSTING A DUI CHECKPOINT ON SATURDAY FROM 11 P-M UNTIL 3 A-M  ON THE OCEAN STREET CORRIDOR.     DRIVERS PASSING THROUGH THE CHECKPOINT WILL BE ASSESSED FOR ANY SIGNS OF ALCOHOL OR DRUG IMPAIRMENT.     THE PRIMARY PURPOSE FOR THE CHECKPOINT IS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND DETER IMPAIRED DRIVING.      DRIVERS CAUGHT UNDER THE INFLUENCE CAN EXPECT POSSIBLE ARREST,  LICENSE SUSPENSION AS WELL AS FINES AND FEES THAT COULD EXCEED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS.

THE OWNER OF “PARTY BUS OF SANTA CRUZ” HAS BEEN

CHARGED WITH VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER (IN CONNECTION WITH

THE JULY 2012 DEATH OF 25 YEAR-OLD NATASHA NOLAND).

56 YEAR-OLD JON RENO SAINT JAMES IS ACCUSED OF

HAVING BEEN NEGLIGENT IN MAKING SURE THE COMPANY BUS

WAS APPROPRIATELY MAINTAINED. NOLAND SUFFERED FATAL

INJURIES WHEN SHE FELL OUT OF THE SIDE DOOR OF THE BUS

AS IT TRAVELED ON SOUTHBOUND HIGHWAY 17.

THE QUAIL AND THISTLE TEA ROOM OF CAPITOLA WILL HOST A “DOWNTOWN ABBY” THEMED BENEFIT DINNER FOR THE GRADUATING CLASS OF SAN LORENZO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL ON SUNDAY MAY 19^TH.      THE DINNER WILL INCLUDE A THREE COURSE MEAL, FOUR ROUNDS OF TRIVIAL PURSUIT AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEAR COSTUMES INSPIRED BY THE POPULAR TELEVISION SERIES.      DINNER WILL BEGIN AT 5:30 AND WILL INCLUDE SCOTCH QUAIL EGGS, ENGLISH SAUSAGE ROLLS TARTLETS AND TOFFEE.     THE COST IS 30 DOLLARS PER PERSON AND RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.     TO BOOK YOUR DINNER CALL 831-477-1798 OR VISIT QUAILANDTHISTLE.COM.

18 YEAR-OLD BARBARA GARCIA OF WATSONVILLE WAS ARRAIGNED, TUESDAY ON FELONY ATTEMPTED MURDER AND CHILD ABUSE CHARGES.      VIDEO SHOT BY A CONCERNED NEIGHBOR SHOWS A PREGNANT GARCIA ALLEGEDLY HITTING THE 15 MONTH-OLD CHILD KNOCKING HER OFF HER FEET.      THE CHILDS FATHER ASKED GARCIA, HIS GIRLFRIEND, TO WATCH HER WHILE HE WAS WORKING A NIGHT SHIFT.        POLICE ARRIVED TO FIND THE CHILD UNRESPONSIVE WITH BRUISING AROUND HER EYES.    SHE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL WITH A POSSIBLE TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURY.     THE CHILD HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES     GARCIA IS BEING HELD ON ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS BAIL.     GARCIA IS DUE BACK IN A SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COURT ROOM ON FRIDAY.