A MAN DIED IN SALINAS AS THE RESULT OF INJURIES OBTAINED IN A FRIDAY NIGHT BEATING. THE 58 YEAR OLD UNIDENTIFIED MAN WAS BEATEN BEHIND A GAS STATION ON NORTH MAIN STREET. THE VICTIM WAS FOUND BY POLICE AFTER SOMEONE REPORTED THE BEATING. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND DIED SHORTLY AFTER HE WAS ADMITTED. ANYONE WITH INFORMATION IS ASKED TO CALL THE SALINAS POLICE.

CALIFORNIA MAY SOON HAVE ITS OWN WORLD CLASS CYCLING EVENT. PLANNERS HAVE NOT FINALIZED DETAILS BUT ARE HOPING THE TOUR DE CALIFORNIA WILL PREMIERE NEXT YEAR. A FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS EXPECTED IN ABOUT A MONTH. CURRENTLY, SANTA CRUZ IS INCLUDED AS PART OF THE RACE?S ITINERARY. THE ROUTE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE, AS ACCESS TO ROADS AND THE DIFFICULTY AND EACH STAGE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE RACE WILL BE SHORTER THAN THE FAMED TOUR DE FRANCE, AND WOULD LAST 9 DAYS.

THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION HAS GIVEN THE PAJARO VALLEY WATER MANAGEMENT AGENCY CERTIFICATION FOR ITS BASIN WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN. THE FEDERAL CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION MEANS? THE AGENCY?S PLAN, MEETS FEDERAL REGULATIONS. HOWEVER, FOR THE AGENCY TO CONTINUE WITH ITS PLAN, THE COASTAL COMMISSION MUST ALSO APPROVE A PERMIT FOR THE PROJECT TO CROSS THE PAJARO RIVER (WHICH WOULD CONNECT THE SANTA CRUZ AND MONTEREY COUNTY SIDES OF THE 10.8 MILLION DOLLAR PIPELINE KNOWN AS THE ?J-LINE?. THE COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE PERMIT IN THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS.

2 PEOPLE (WHO WERE INJURED IN TUESDAY?S EARLY MORNING CRASH ON HIGHWAY 1, THAT KILLED 22 YEAR-OLD WATSONVILLE RESIDENT MICHAEL CAMPOS), HAVE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL. ONE SUFFERED INTERNAL INJURIES, AND THE OTHER SUFFERED FRACTURES TO HIS JAW AND FACE. SERVICES FOR CAMPOS ARE SCHEDULED TO BE HELD MONDAY AT 10 A.M. AT SAINT PATRICK?S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WATSONVILLE.