SAN BENITO COUNTY SUPERVISOR-ELECT JAIME DE LA CRUZ COULD GO TO PRISON FOR 5 YEARS IF CONVICTED ON ALL THE ILLEGAL CAMPAIGN CHARGES BROUGHT AGAINST HIM. THIS WEEK ADDITIONAL CHARGES WERE FILED WHICH INCLUDE ILLEGAL USE OF VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION, HARASSING A WITNESS, AND THREATENING A POLICE OFFICER. DE LA CRUZ WON A NARROW VICTORY FOR A SPOT ON THE SAN BENITO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. IN RETALIATION TO THE D.A'S ACTIONS, DE LA CRUZ FILED A $5 MILLION LAWSUIT AGAINST HIM SAYING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS OUT TO GET HIM. HE IS ALSO CALLING FOR THE D.A.S RESIGNATION.

MONTEREY PENINSULA WATER RATES COULD SPIKE IN ABOUT A YEAR, BECAUSE THE CALIFORNIA AMERICAN WATER COMPANY HAS ASKED THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION FOR PERMISSION TO RAISE WATER CUSTOMER?S RATES NEARLY 33 PERCENT ON THE PENINSULA, AND 108 PERCENT IN FELTON. CAL-AM HAS ALSO ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL INCREASES IN 2007, AND 2008. A CAL AM SPOKESMAN SAID THE PROPOSED ARE NEEDED TO PAY FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, AND A REQUIRED INFUSION TO ITS PENSION FUND.

THE PROPOSED INCREASE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ENTIRE COST OF THE SAN CLEMENTE DAM PROJECT, OR ANY OF THE COSTS OF CAL AM'S PLANNED DESALINATION PLANT.

CAL AM ALSO WANTS TO BRING THE AMBLER PARK, BISHOP, AND PASADERA DISTRICTS UP, TO EQUALIZE COSTS FOR CAL AM RATE PAYERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

THE COMPANY HAS APPLIED TO THE P.U.C. TO MERGE THE SANTA CRUZ MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY'S RATE STRUCTURE, WITH THE PENINSULA'S.

THE STATE HAS SETTLED A LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED BY THE SIERRA CLUB. THE SUIT CLAIMED THAT CALIFORNIA PARKS DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS (AT THE OCEANO DUNES VEHICULAR PARK, IN THE CITY OCEANO) PUT 3 SPECIES AT RISK, INCLUDING THE THREATENED WESTERN SNOWY PLOVER. AS PART OF YESTERDAY?S FINAL DEAL, THE STATE WILL PROVIDE NEARLY HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO PROTECT THE SHORE BIRD, (AND A HALF-MILE STRETCH OF BEACH AT OCEANO DUNES WILL BE CLOSED TO OFF-ROAD ENTHUSIASTS DURING THE MARCH-TO-OCTOBER SNOWY PLOVER BREEDING SEASON). THE SIERRA CLUB ALLEGED THAT THE PARKS DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT AT OCEANO DUNES PUT THE SNOWY PLOVER, THE CALIFORNIA LEAST TERN, AND THE STEELHEAD TROUT AT RISK.

THE PACIFIC COAST POPULATION OF SNOWY PLOVERS IS CURRENTLY LISTED AS THREATENED UNDER THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT.

3 SALINAS MEN WERE ARRESTED YESTERDAY ON GANG AND NARCOTICS CHARGES. 20 YEAR-OLD GUILLERMO CASTILLO, 22 YEAR-OLD DAVID VARGAS, AND 23 YEAR-OLD BENJAMIN BONILLA WERE BOOKED INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL, AFTER OFFICERS DISCOVERED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF METHAMPHETAMINE, COCAINE, AND MARIJUANA LANG STREET HOME. AN ADDITIONAL ENHANCEMENT FOR DEALING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES WITHIN 100 YEARS OF 2 SEPARATE SCHOOLS WILL BE SOUGHT AS WELL.