A CONTROLLED BURN IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE TODAY (FROM 9 A.M. UNTIL 2 A.M.) IN MONTEREY COUNTY. BY CLEARING OUT THE BRUSH THE INDIAN SPRINGS BURN THE DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE CHANCE OF WILDFIRES THERE LATER IN THE YEAR. THE SMOKE FROM THIS CONTROLLED BLAZE IS EXPECTED TO BE VISIBLE FOR SEVERAL MILES FROM THE ACTUAL BURN SITE.

FREE DOG BEHAVIOR/TRAINING SESSIONS ARE HELD REGULARLY FOR SELECTED DOG OWNERS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. PEOPLE WHO HAVE RESCUED A DOG FROM A SHELTER (OR RESCUE GROUP) ARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE SESSIONS, WHICH ARE HELD IN THE LIVE OAK SENIOR CENTER, THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (831) 475 - 1580.

THE STATE ASSEMBLY HAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED ASSEMBLYMAN JOHN LAIRD?S LEGISLATION AB - 983. THE BILL WOULD EXTEND (BY TWO YEARS) THE PILOT PROGRAM CURRENTLY IN PLACE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, THAT PROVIDES LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS WITH DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE. AB - 983 NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE FOR CONSIDERATION.

A WOMAN WAS INJURED LAST NIGHT, WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED BY 4 PEOPLE WHILE SHE WAS AT WORK. REPORTEDLY 2 HISPANIC MALES (AND 2 HISPANIC FEMALES), BETWEEN THE AGES OF 20 AND 30 YEARS-OLD, ATTACKED THE 42 YEAR-OLD WOMAN JUST BEFORE 9 P.M., AT PRESTIGE SALON ON FREEDOM BOULEVARD. THE WOMAN WAS TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT OF HEAD INJURIES SHE SUSTAINED DURING THE ATTACK. THE 4 PEOPLE FLED IN A BLACK FORD TAURUS, TAKING WITH THEM SOME MONEY AND PROPERTY FROM THE SALON. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION ON THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE WATSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.