AN 11 YEAR-OLD GIRL, WHO WASN?T WEARING A SEATBELT, WAS INJURED WHEN HER MOTHER LET THE CAR SHE WAS DRIVING REAR-END A PICK-UP TRUCK IN SANTA CRUZ YESTERDAY MORNING. THE GIRL WAS AIRLIFTED TO STANFORD MEDICAL CENTER (AS A PRECAUTION), AND WAS TREATED AND RELEASED YESTERDAY. THE ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE ON BRANCIFORTE DRIVE AT WATER STREET.

AN FIRE, THAT BROKE OUT IN A SALINAS BUSINESS EARLY THIS MORNING, HAS DONE HEAVY STRUCTURAL DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING. THE 1 A.M. BLAZE DAMAGED THE MISSION LINEN FACILITY, AND CAUSED THE TEMPORARY EVACUATION OF 15 FAMILIES (WHO LIVED IN NEARBY HOMES). SEVERAL CARS (PARKED ON THE STREET NEAR THE MISSION LINEN) ALSO SUFFERED FIRE DAMAGE. THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

ALTHOUGH THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED YESTERDAY TO MAKE STATES VERIFY THAT THEY ARE NOT GIVING DRIVER?S LICENSES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?.JUST 2 DAYS BEFORE THAT, THE WATSONVILLE CITY COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A STATE SENATE BILL, THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS TO GET DRIVER?S LICENSES. THE BILL THAT PASSED IN THE HOUSE YESTERDAY (WITH A 261-161 VOTE, REPORTEDLY FACES STIFF OPPOSITION IN THE SENATE.

The Contra Costa Times is reporting that former senator Bruce McPherson, a longtime Republican legislator from Santa Cruz, is expected to be named today by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, as California's 29th Secretary of State.