A 70 ACRE-SUBDIVISION OF 5-ACRE ?RANCHETTES? HAS BEEN APPROVED BY MONTEREY COUNTY SUPERVISORS IN A 4-1 VOTE (WITH SUPERVISOR DAVE POTTER DISSENTING). THE AVILA PROJECT WOULD CARVE THOSE ACRES INTO 14 RESIDENTIAL LOTS. THE LAND IS LOCATED SOUTH OF SALINAS.

IN VOTING AGAINST THE PROJECT, POTTER QUESTIONED WHETHER THE PROPERTY HAS AN ADEQUATE WATER SUPPLY, BECAUSE THE LOTS DON'T HAVE THEIR OWN WELLS. HE ALSO SAID THE PLAN WAS NOT CONSISTENT WITH PROPOSED PLANS TO TURN THE AREA INTO A WINE CORRIDOR.

MONTEREY COUNTY SUPERVISORS ARE SLATED TO DISCUSS THEIR NEXT MOVE REGARDING THE RANCHO SAN JUAN PROJECT WHEN THEY MEET MARCH 1ST. BASED ON THE FACT THAT ENOUGH VALID SIGNATURES WERE GATHERED BY OPPONENTS TO THE PROJECT, THE BOARD WILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO REVOKE THEIR APPROVAL OF THE PLAN, OR PUT IT UP TO A POPULAR VOTE. RANCHO SAN JUAN WOULD DEVELOP 27 HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND JUST NORTH OF SALINAS.

A SOLEDAD HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, WHO IS ACCUSED OF ENTICING A 15 YEAR-OLD GIRL TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTIVITIES OVER THE INTERNET, REMAINS IN CUSTODY IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY JAIL. 66 YEAR-OLD PAUL GRENNAN WAS IN COURT FOR A DETENTION HEARING, BUT THAT HEARING HAS BEEN CONTINUED UNTIL MARCH 1ST. GRENNAN COULD FACE BETWEEN 5 AND 30 YEARS IN PRISON, IF HE IS CONVICTED ON THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.

A WOMAN SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES YESTERDAY, AFTER SHE REAR-ENDED A SCHOOL BUS ON HIGHWAY 183 OUTSIDE CASTROVILLE. A FEMALE BUS DRIVER, AND 1 STUDENT, WERE ON THE SCHOOL BUS DURING THE 3:50 P.M. ACCIDENT. NEITHER WERE INJURED.