OFFICIALS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SAY THAT THE FINAL TALLY FROM THIS YEAR?S ELECTION SHOULD BE COMPLETED TUESDAY. THIS MEANS THAT THE FINAL TALLY WILL BE FINISHED IN TIME FOR THE SWEARING IN OF SEVERAL SANTA CRUZ CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS. THE REMAINING BALLOTS FROM NOVEMBER 2ND?S ELECTION WILL BE COUNTED AT 10 A.M. ON TUESDAY. THE COUNT HAS TAKEN LONGER THAN NORMAL THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF A HIGH NUMBER OF MAIL IN BALLOTS.

SKATEBOARDERS AT A LOCAL SKATE PARK CAN EXPECT LOWER FINES IF THEY ARE TICKETED FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS. THE SCOTT?S VALLEY CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO REDUCE FINES GIVEN FOR SAFETY GEAR VIOLATIONS AT THE CITY?S NEW SKATEPARK. THE FINES FOR THOSE TICKETED HAD PREVIOUSLY BEGUN AT 100 DOLLARS AND ADDED UP TO 360 DOLLARS WITH COURT COSTS. THE FINES WILL NOW START AT 30 DOLLARS PLUS COURT COSTS. THE CHANGE CAME AFTER AN APTOS FAMILY OBJECTED TO THE 360 DOLLAR FINE LEVIED AGAINST THEIR 16 YEAR OLD SON, CALLING IT EXCESSIVE.

A SALINAS RESTAURANT WAS ROBBED AT GUNPOINT YESTERDAY EVENING. THE SUSPECT, WHO ROBBED THE DENNY?S ON DE LA TORRE, WAS DESCRIBED AS A HISPANIC MALE WHO WAS BELIEVED TO BE IN HIS 20?S. HE WAS A LITTLE OVER 6 FEET TALL, AND APPEARED TO WEIGH ABOUT 180 POUNDS. HE REPORTEDLY HAD A SMALL SILVER HANDGUN IN HIS RIGHT HAND, AS HE GRABBED CASH FROM THE CASH REGISTER DRAWER. THE ROBBER FLED THE EATERY ON FOOT AFTER THE 5:30 P.M. ROBBERY. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION ON THIS INCIDENT IS ASKED TO CONTACT THE SALINAS POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THE CENTRAL COAST SECTION (C.C.S.) HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS WILL BEGIN TONIGHT AS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED. THIS ACCORDING THE TO THE C.C.S. WEBSITE, AFTER A GROUP OF SCOTTS VALLEY PARENTS HAD SOUGHT LEGAL ACTION. THE PARENTS HAD SOUGHT AN INJUNCTION, BUT ACCORDING TO THE C.C.S. WEBSITE, THE DECISION WAS TO DENY THE INJUNCTION.