A NEW TRANSFER STATION HAS BEEN OPENED BY A LOCAL WASTE AUTHORITY. THE SUN STREET TRANSFER STATION, IN SALINAS, OPENED IT?S DOORS RECENTLY. IT IS BEING USED TO ACCEPT SELF-HAUL AND RESIDENTIAL WASTE (THAT WAS GOING TO THE MADISON LANE TRANFSER STATION). THE NEW FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO PROCESS UP TO 100 TONS OF WASTE PER DAY. THERE IS ALSO HAS A RECYCLING CENTER AND A HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF CENTER ON SITE. THE NEW FACILITY IS OPEN FROM 8 A.M. UNTIL 5 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL (831) 424 - 5520.

A 24 YEAR-OLD MAN IS BEHIND BARS, AND A 43 YEAR-OLD WOMAN IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THAT AFTER MARCO ANTONIO RUIZ HIT BELINDA OLIVERA WITH THE STOLEN MINIVAN HE WAS DRIVING. AS THE RESULT OF THE HIT-AND-RUN ACCIDENT, THAT OCCURRED AROUND 10 P.M. WEDNESDAY NIGHT, OLIVERA SUFFERED THE LOSS OF HER RIGHT EYE, HER PELVIS WAS BROKEN, AND SHE HAS RIB FRACTURES AND HEAD INJURIES. WHEN OFFICERS FINALLY GOT RUIZ TO STOP DRIVING, THEY BOOKED HIM INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF HIT-AND-RUN, DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE, FAILURE TO YIELD TO A POLICE OFFICER, RESISTING ARREST, AND POSSESSING A STOLEN VEHICLE.

MANY BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, IN HONOR OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR DAY. THEY INCLUDE COUNTY OFFICES IN THE TRI-COUNTY AREA, AS WELL AS CITY OFFICES AND LIBRARIES. MANY SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED AS WELL. THE POST OFFICES AND BANKS WILL BE CLOSED, BUT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY METRO BUSSES WILL BE RUNNING ON THEIR REGULAR WEEKDAY SCHEDULE.

A SEASIDE MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED FOR STALKING HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND. 21 YEAR-OLD PATRICK SPILLET WAS ARRESTED AFTER HE CONFRONTED THE 17 YEAR-OLD GIRL, AND PREVENTED HER FROM LEAVING HER CARMEL VALLEY RESIDENCE. HE WAS BOOKED INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL.