AFTER 13 YEARS ON THE JOB, HARRY ROBINS JUNIOR, ENDED HIS CAREER WITH THE MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES. HE RETIRED AS MANAGER ON JANUARY 31ST AT THE AGE OF 66. HE CAME TO MONTEREY COUNTY AFTER A LONG CAREER IN THE NAVY. THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES COORDINATES THE ACTIVITIES OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND VARIOUS COUNTY AGENCIES IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, WHILE CONSTANTLY TRACKING LOCAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. FORMER ASSISTANT MANAGER FOR THE OFFICE, PAUL IRELAND, IS INTERIM MANAGER. IN RETIREMENT, ROBINS IS ACTIVE WITH THE BOY SCOUTS, WHILE HE CONTINUES TO TRACK THE WEATHER EACH DAY AS A FORCE OF HABIT.

WATSONVILLE STRAWBERRY GROWERS ARE LAUNCHING A HEALTH-BASED ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN. THE WATSONVILLE-BASED CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY COMMISSION IS USING RESEARCH THAT SUGGESTS EATING EIGHT STRAWBERRIES A DAY CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF SOME TYPES OF CANCER, LOWER THE INCIDENCE OF HEART DISEASE , PRESERVE MEMORY, AND LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE. THE GROUP IS SPENDING $1 MILLION ON THE NATIONAL AD CAMPAIGN THAT BEGINS JUST BEFORE THE LOCAL STRAWBERRY HARVEST GOES INTO FULL SWING, RUNNING FROM MARCH UNTIL JUNE.

CALTRANS ENTERED PHASE 9 OF THE HIGHWAY 68 REHABILITATION PROJECT TODAY, WITH SCHEDULED PAVING IN SALINAS. NORTH SPRING STREET WAS CLOSED TODAY, AND WILL REMAIN CLOSED 24 HOURS A DAY THROUGH THURSDAY. ABBOTT STREET WILL HAVE SIDES CLOSED ONE AT TIME STARTING TODAY THROUGH THURSDAY. ALSO BOTH SIDES OF JOHN STREET WILL BE CLOSED ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY. CONSTRUCTION WILL TAKE PLACE AROUND THE CLOCK, WEATHER PERMITTING, FOR 5 DAYS. THE ENTIRE PROJECT IS SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETE IN THE SPRING OF 2006.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE CONFIRMED THE FIRST BIRD DEATH FROM WEST NILE VIRUS. THIS YEAR'S FIRST CASE WAS FOUND WEST OF PINTO LAKE, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE FOLLOWED BY MANY MORE. BECAUSE OF ABOVE AVERAGE RAINFALL, MOSQUITO AND VECTOR CONTROL OFFICIALS ARE GEARING UP FOR A BUSY SEASON. THEY ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO DRAIN ANY POOLS OF STANDING WATER THEY FIND ON THEIR PROPERTY.