THE MONTEREY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS THAT A BURGLARY OCCURRED AT SOUTH COUNTY PACKING THIS MORNING . THE THIEVES PRIED OPEN A TIN WALL TO GET INTO THE BUILDING. THE CRIME OCCURRED OVERNIGHT, WHEN VARIOUS BIG RIG TRUCK PARTS WERE STOLEN. THE VALUE OF THE MISSING PARTS HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

A CAPITOLA 16-YEAR-OLD IS RANKED AT THE TOP OF HIS DIVISION IN THE INTERSCHOLASTIC SURF FEDERATION SCHOOL LEAGUE. AUSTIN SMITH-FORD ALSO MADE THE COVER OF THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF SURFING MAGAZINE, ONE OF THE SPORT'S MAJOR PUBLICATIONS. INSIDE THERE IS AN INTERVIEW ALONG WITH MORE PICTURES OF THE SURFER. SMITH-FORD IS THE YOUNGEST SURFER OUT OF SANTA CRUZ TO ATTAIN SUCH RECOGNITION. HE IS A SOQUEL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHERE HE GETS ALMOST STRAIGHT A'S. HE HAS BEEN A SPONSORED SURFER SINCE HE WAS ABOUT 13. THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF SURFING MAGAZINE SHOULD BE IN STORES BY EARLY JANUARY.

LAST WEEK STATE AUDITORS RELEASED A STINGING REPORT ON THE CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE'S HANDLING OF SOME FEDERAL FUNDS. THE AUDITORS ALLEGED SECRETARY OF STATE KEVIN SHELLEY POORLY MANAGED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS RECEIVED FROM THE "HELP AMERICA VOTE ACT" . AUDITORS SAID THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE AVOIDED COMPETITIVE BIDS FOR SERVICES, PAID CONSULTANTS FOR WORK THAT HAD LITTLE TO DO WITH THE FUND'S MISSION, AND FAILED TO FULFILL MUCH OF THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MODERNIZE VOTING SYSTEMS. THE NEW CHAIR OF THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE (ASSEMBLY-MEMBER NICOLE PARA) SAYS SHE WILL BE HOLDING MEETINGS ON THE MATTER IN JANUARY. IF THE ALLEGATIONS PROVE TRUE, THE STATE MAY HAVE TO REIMBURSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SOME THIEVES GET DESPERATE THIS TIME OF YEAR.....BUT AREN'T GOATS A LITTLE DIFFICULT TO WRAP? A ROYAL OAKS RESIDENT ON ELKHORN ROAD REPORTS THAT SOMEONE TOOK 20 OR 25 GOATS FROM HIS PROPERTY. THESE WEREN'T JUST ORDINARY GOATS EITHER, THEY WERE SOUTH AFRICAN BOAR GOATS. THE ESTIMATED VALUE OF THEIR LOSS WAS 6 THOUSAND DOLLARS.