A micro earthquake occurred at 6:21 A.M. this morning. The magnitude 2.9 event occurred 7 miles NNE of Morgan Hill. The hypo-central depth of the quake was 3 miles).

NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING AN OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING IN SALINAS YESTERDAY AFTERNOON. THE SHOOTING OCCURRED AFTER A MOTORCYCLE OFFICER TRIED TO STOP A VEHICLE (THAT HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT), AND THE DRIVER BACKED UP TOWARD THE MOTORCYCLE INSTEAD. BELIEVING THE MOTORIST WAS GOING TO HIT HIM, THE OFFICER REPORTEDLY DROPPED HIS MOTORCYCLE AND FIRED A ROUND THAT STRUCK THE REAR DRIVER?S SIDE WINDOW. THE SUSPECT WAS BOOKED INTO MONTEREY COUNTY JAIL ON CHARGES OF ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, HIT AND RUN, D.U.I., AND DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE. THE OFFICER IS ON PAID ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE, PENDING THE COMPLETION OF AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE 2:40 P.M. INCIDENT ON MARKET STREET.

A NORTENO GANG MEMBER WAS SENTENCED TO PRISON WEDNESDAY, FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON. 23-YEAR-OLD CESAR PEREZ, WILL SPEND THE NEXT 9 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ASSAULTING A RIVAL GANG MEMBER WITH A BOX CUTTER. THE SEASIDE RESIDENT RECEIVED THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE ALLOWED FOR THE CRIME, AFTER BEING CONVICTED BY A JURY.

AN AMENDMENT PASSED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY THAT WILL IMPACT THE CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA. THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS PRESERVATION ACT WAS ORIGINALLY AUTHORED BY CONGRESSMAN SAM FARR. THE ACT AUTHORIZES THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR TO MAKE GRANTS TO THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS FOUNDATION, A SECULAR, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION ESTABLISHED IN 1998. THE FOUNDATION FUNDS AND OVERSEES THE RESTORATION OF THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS. THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE $10 MILLION OVER 5 YEARS. THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS FOUNDATION WOULD HAVE TO MATCH ALL FEDERAL GRANTS WITH PRIVATE AND STATE FUNDING. THE ACT WILL NOW GO TO THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS SIGNATURE.