A MAN LOST CONTROL AND SLAMMED INTO A SALINAS HOUSE TODAY. THE ROADWAY WAS SLICK WITH RAIN AS THE MAN LOST CONTROL AND FISHTAILED. THE CAR HE WAS DRIVING ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A DAVIS STREET HOME, ENTERING ONE OF THE BEDROOMS. THE ONLY REPORTED INJURY WAS TO THE DRIVER, WHO WAS TAKEN TO SALINAS VALLEY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL.

AN ENERGY COMPANY SUED BY MONTEREY COUNTY HAS AGREED TO PAY. THE D.A. FOR MONTEREY COUNTY REPORTS THAT AREA ENERGY LLC HAS AGREED TO PAY OVER $140 THOUSAND DOLLARS TO SETTLE AN ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUIT. THE COMPANY IS OWNED JOINTLY BY AFFILIATES OF SHELL AND EXXON MOBIL. THE LAWSUIT WAS BASED ON A 2002 BREAK IN AN UNDERGROUND STEAM INJECTION WELL SYSTEM INSTALLED BY THE COMPANY. AS A RESULT HUNDREDS OF GALLONS OF HAZARDOUS STEAM AND WATER WERE RELEASED INTO THE AREA AROUND THE SAN ARDO OIL FIELDS IN SOUTHERN MONTEREY COUNTY. UNDER THE SETTLEMENT TERMS, THE COMPANY PAYS $50,000 IN PENALTIES, $10,645 IN AGENCY COSTS AND $80,000 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING BUT DOES NOT ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CHARGES, WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN PROVEN.

THE MONTEREY COUNTY GRAND JURY CONCLUDED (IN ITS FINAL REPORT FOR 2004), THAT FIRE PROTECTION AGENCIES IN MONTEREY COUNTY DO A GOOD JOB BUT SOME DON'T GET ENOUGH MONEY. THE REPORT SAID A REDUCTION IN THE SALINAS DISTRICT'S FUNDING WILL KEEP THE DISTRICT FROM REACHING ITS STAFFING GOAL. THE CITIZEN WATCHDOG PANEL APPOINTED BY COUNTY JUDGES, CHOSE TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THE SALINAS RURAL FIRE DISTRICT AFTER A CITIZEN COMPLAINT. IN ADDITION TO ADDRESSING BUDGET PROBLEMS, THE GRAND JURY RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNTY ALSO UPDATE METHODS USED TO FIND THEIR WAY TO FIRES, SUCH AS GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS.

THE CITY OF GREENFIELD IS TRYING TO ENCOURAGE WINE-RELATED BUSINESS IN THEIR AREA. THE CITY COUNCIL IS ALLOWING ABOUT 140 ACRES OF LAND, TO NOW BE USED FOR ARTISAN AGRICULTURE AND SMALL VINEYARDS. THE LAND CAN ALSO BE UTILIZED FOR VISITOR LODGING AND DINING FACILITIES. ACCORDING TO THE MAYOR, THE CHANGES ARE PART OF AN UPDATE OF THE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN.