STARTING NEXT WEEK A LOCAL AGENCY WILL BE OFFERING HELP TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES THAT SPEAK ONLY SPANISH. CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY WILL BE USING A 9 HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT TO EXPAND TAX PREPARATION SERVICES INTO GILROY. THE AGENCY WILL OFFER 2 TAX CLASSES NEXT MONTH, FOLLOWED BY FREE TAX PREPARATION DURING MARCH AND APRIL. TEHSE CLASSES WILL BE HELD AT THE FIRST 5 FAMILY ACADEMY CENTER, LOCATED AT 485 EIGHTH STREET, NEXT TO GLEN VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FREE TAX PREPARATION, CALL 325-5124.

A MEMORIAL WILL BE HELD SATURDAY FOR FORMER DISTRICT ATTORNEY PETER A CHANG JUNIOR, WHO PASSED AWAY IN MID-DECEMBER AT TEH AGE OF 67. THE SERVICE IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN AT 1 P.M., AT HOLY CROSS CHURCH IN SANTA CRUZ. A SCHOLARSHIP FOR CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEYS (REPRESENTING INDIGENT CLIENTS) HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN HIS NAME, AT MERCER LAW SCHOOL IN MACON GEORGIA.

A LOCAL BAND'S TRIP TO CHINA WAS SAVED BY A LOAN FROM THE COMMUNITY BANK OF CENTRAL CALIFORNIA. THE NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BAND TRIP WAS IN PERIL BECAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE EDWARD PIO TRAVEL AGENCY . THE MONTEREY COUNTY D.A. HAS FILED 58 CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE FIRM'S OWNERS. BANK OFFICIALS APPROVED A $100,000 LOAN FOR THE TRIP AT NO-INTEREST. THE BANK EXPECTS THE BAND WILL EVENTUALLY GET HELP FROM A STATE FUND SET ASIDE FOR THOSE WHO LOSE MONEY TO FRAUDULENT AGENCIES. THE BAND TOUR IS SCHEDULED TO START ON MARCH 5TH.

THE SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT REPORTS TODAY THAT AN ADMITTED GANG MEMBER WAS ARRESTED. MEMBERS OF THE VIOLENCE SUPPRESSION UNIT STOPPED HECTOR PEREZ A WANTED PAROLEE. THE 23-YEAR-OLD IS A NORTENO GANG MEMBER , AND DURING A TRAFFIC STOP OFFICERS SAW A GUN PROTRUDING FROM UNDER THE CAR SEAT. PEREZ WAS ARRESTED AND HIS 21-YEAR-OLD PASSENGER WALTER JOHNSON JUNIOR, WAS ALSO TAKEN INTO CUSTODY FOR A CALIFORNIA YOUTH AUTHORITY PAROLE VIOLATION.