THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF MONTEREY COUNTY IS INVESTIGATING OPTIONS FOR THE (MOSTLY ELDERLY) RESIDENTS OF MONTE DEL LAGO MOBILE HOME PARK. THE NORTH COUNTY RESIDENTS COMPLIAN THEIR RENT HAS BEEN INCREASING UNFAIRLY, AND IS EXCESSIVE. THE BOARD HEARD VARIOUS ALTERNATIVES DURING A MEETING CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. ONE SOLUTION DISCUSSED WOULD USE EMINENT DOMAIN ACTION AGAINST THE CORPORATE OWNERS, THEN TURN OWNERSHIP OVER TO THE RESIDENTS. THE AGENCY BOARD PROMISED RESIDENTS THAT THE ISSUE WILL BE INCLUDED ON A FUTURE BOARD AGENDA, FOR OPEN DISCUSSION.

73 PEOPLE WILL BE SPLITTING A 3 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT. THAT AFTER THEY SUED THE OWNER OF A WATSONVILLE NAIL SALON, BECAUSE THEY CONTRACTED LESIONS AND BOILS (AS THE RESULT OF A BACTERIAL INFECTION, THEY GOT WHILE HAVING A PEDICURE). THAT AFTER THE OWNER REPORTEDLY FAILED TO PROPERLY CLEAN NEWLY PURCHASED SPA CHAIRS.

THE ACTIONS OF A RECKLESS DRIVER CAUSED ANOTHER DRIVER TO ROLL HIS VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY 1 JUST NORTH OF 41ST AVENUE TUESDAY MORNING. JODY ANN WHITSELL, FROM LOS GATOS, WAS AGGRESSIVELY DRIVING HER HONDA CIVIC SOUTHBOUND AS SHE MADE HER WAY TO WORK. WITNESSES OBSERVED 29-YEAR-OLD WHITSELL TAILGATING, FLASHING HER HIGH BEAMS, AND PASSING CONGESTED TRAFFIC IN THE CENTER MEDIAN. AFTER PASSING TRAFFIC, SHE SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES FORCING ANOTHER VEHICLE TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. THAT DRIVER LOST CONTROL AS HIS VEHICLE AND ROLLED OVER TWICE. WHITSELL DROVE ON TO WORK, BUT C-H-P OFFICERS LATER LOCATED HER AND PLACED HER UNDER ARREST. THE OTHER DRIVER, A 55 YEAR OLD MAN FROM SANTA CRUZ, ONLY SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND STATED SEVERAL TIMES "IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY SEATBELT ON, I'D BE DEAD."

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BOB LEE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT DONALD JAMES GILBERT JUNIOR PLED GUILTY TO MULTIPLE CHARGES RELATED TO THE DEATH OF JERRY LEE HUGHS. 54-YEAR-OLD HUGHS WAS KILLED IN JUNE OF 2003, AND HIS LIFELESS BODY WAS FOUND IN THE MIDDLE OF EAST ZAYANTE ROAD. HE DIED OF STRANGULATION AND A BLUNT FORCE TO THE HEAD. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION GILBERT WAS ULTIMATELY ARRESTED BY SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF?S DEPUTIES, AT THE END OF A HIGH SPEED CHASE. GILBERT HAS A HISTORY OF DRUG USE. HE WILL BE SENTENCED IN FEBRUARY.