A 20 YEAR-OLD MAN, THOUGHT TO BE THE SHOOTER IN AN INCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE AT NORTHRIDGE MALL IN SALINAS 3 MONTHS AGO, HAS BEEN ARRESTED IN FRESNO. SALINAS POLICE OFFICERS HAVE GONE TO FRESNO TO BRING BACK HECTOR CHAVEZ, WHO FACES MULTIPLE COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED HOMICIDE IN CONNECTION WITH THE SHOOTING THAT LEFT 3 PEOPLE INJURED JANUARY 4TH.

A CARMEL WOMAN WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER TO THE SIXTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL TODAY. JUDGE WENDY CLARK DUFFY HAS SERVED AS A MONTEREY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE SINCE 1999. 53-YEAR-OLD DUFFY SERVED AS A MONTEREY MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE FROM 1989 TO 1999, WHERE SHE FOUNDED THE DRUG TREATMENT COURT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MONTEREY COUNTY DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH AND PROBATION. SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE APPOINTED TO THE MUNICIPAL AND SUPERIOR COURTS OF MONTEREY COUNTY. HER EXPERIENCE ALSO INCLUDES SERVING AS MONTEREY COUNTY DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FROM 1978 TO 1989, WHERE SHE WAS THE FIRST ATTORNEY ASSIGNED TO THE SPECIAL UNIT FOR THE PROSECUTION OF SEX OFFENSES. THE COMPENSATION FOR THIS POSITION IS $159,965 AND IT REQUIRES CONFIRMATION BY THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS.

AN OUTSTANDING ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES (AT U.C.S.C.) HAS RECEIVED A PRESTIGIOUS GRANT FROM THE ANDREW MELLON FOUNDATION. ERIKA ZAVALETA WILL USE THE MONEY TO INVESTIGATE THE ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS OF THE LOSS OF PLANT SPECIES, IN CALIFORNIA ECOSYSTEMS. ZAVALETA WILL RECEIVE $200,000 OVER 3 YEARS. HER WORK FILLS A GAP THAT PERSISTS , BECAUSE MOST STUDIES ON THE ECOLOGY OF SPECIES DECLINE (AND EXTINCTION), HAVE FOCUSED ON VERTEBRATE ANIMALS, NOT PLANTS. THE GRANT WILL SUPPORT OBSERVATIONAL FIELD RESEARCH AND AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY.

THE 18TH ANNUAL POLICE MOTORCYCLE COMPETITION WILL BE HELD IN PACIFIC GROVE ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. THERE ARE 2 PARTS TO THE EVENT. THE 1ST STARTS WITH THE U.S. MARINE CORPS THOROUGHLY INSPECTING THE MOTORCYCLES, OFFICERS, THEIR UNIFORMS AND WEAPONS. THE 2ND PART HAS THE RIDERS COMPETE AROUND A 600-FOOT LONG CONE PATTERN, WHILE EXECUTING VARIOUS MANEUVERS.