MONTEREY COUNTY NEWS
City may push state fire-sprinkler law
The city of Marina may ask California voters to decide whether to require fire sprinklers in small residential care homes. The Nov.
'View impact policy' questioned
A hearing today on a squabble between Monterey neighbors over a house addition that might block one's view of Monterey Bay could have more far-reaching impacts.
Rollover crash kills Pacific Grove man
A Pacific Grove man was killed when his car ran off Holman Highway, down a hillside and crashed into a tree Sunday , the California Highway Patrol reported.
Pacific Grove wins mock trial verdict
The defendant put on a convincing show on the witness stand Saturday, but a well-prepared team of prosecutors convinced a judge beyond a reasonable doubt that she stabbed her friend to death at a campground to protect her $20 million trust fund.
Desal EIR dealt blow
In an amended ruling, a Monterey County Superior Court judge has found that the environmental review for the failed regional desalination project neglected to properly consider a number of issues, including water rights.
Man arrested after standoff
Police responding to a domestic dispute in Salinas early Saturday ended up in a 2½-hour standoff with a man who waved a gun at them and later had a heart attack.
Class Notes, Military briefs, Births
Monterey Bay Charter School will hold an enrollment open house for students in first through eighth grade from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at 1004 David Ave., Pacific Grove. For information, call 655-4638 or see mbayschool.org.
Police briefs: Driver killed in Highway 101...
The driver of a pickup was killed early Saturday in a rollover accident near King City. The 47-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene, the California Highway Patrol said. The accident occurred about 12:45 a.m.
Basking shark tracked from Monterey Bay to Baja
SANTA CRUZ — Bobbing on a lonely stretch of ocean hundreds of miles off Baja California, a device the size of a singer's microphone transmits data to a satellite.
Your Town: League sponsors talk on desal project
CARMEL A panel discussion about the regional desalination project, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of the Monterey Peninsula, will be held Wednesday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Road.
Alzheimer's Association to hold three-part aging...
The Alzheimer's Association will hold a three-part aging parents series at the Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St. in Monterey on the following days: Part 1: "Help! Mom and Dad are Still Driving " 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10. Part 2: "Surviving the Stress of Caring For Parents" 1 to 3 p.m.
Boys basketball: Pacific Grove stops Soledad in...
The Pacific Grove boys basketball team won a 59-51 overtime thriller over Soledad on Friday night. Down nine in the middle of fourth, the Breakers went on a run to claim a two-point lead with two seconds left. But Soledad hit the game-tying bucket at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

Police question mother in abuse case
A woman wanted for questioning in a case of suspected child abuse turned herself in Sunday, Salinas police said. About 10a.m., Nelida Vega Gaytan, 28, accompanied by her three children and an attorney, showed up at the Salinas Police Department, where she was interviewed by detectives.
Weapons stolen from Salinas councilwoman's home...
An outlawed assault rifle stolen from a Salinas councilwoman's home was bought at an Arizona gun show, police say, and investigators are now looking into its origins. The gun was reported stolen in a recent burglary at the St. Michael Way home of City Councilwoman Gloria De La Rosa.
Your Town: Fireworks stand lottery now open
Applications for this year's July 4 fireworks stand lottery are available at the Salinas Fire Department's administrative office and the city's permit center at 65 W. Alisal St.
Salinas stormwater cost estimates questioned
After months of claiming that new stormwater rules would cost as much as $57 million, ruining the local economy and devastating the city's budget, Salinas officials struggled to justify their cost estimates at a public hearing Thursday.
Fletes case in hands of the jury
Jurors are set to begin deliberating today in the five-week trial of a Salinas body shop owner accused of aiming a gun at a police officer who then shot him.
High speed chase near Salinas
A Marina man and his passenger escaped injury after a Wednesday night chase at speeds up to 90 mph ended with their vehicle crashing and rolling several times, Monterey County sheriff's deputies said.
Three more top-level SVMH employees eligible for...
Two more top executives at Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and an executive assistant are eligible to receive supplemental pension benefits that include lump-sum payments when they retire, though the program was discontinued at the end of 2011.
Salinas Union High School District implements open...
The Salinas Union High School District has implemented an open enrollment policy which allows students to apply for enrollment at any school within the district. Interdistrict transfer requests for 2012-13 will be accepted during the enrollment.
MST changing schedules
Riders of Monterey-Salinas Transit buses should check the schedules for some changes starting Saturday. Transit officials say they are modifying service on several lines to improve on-time and safety issues. "We're just tweaking some things," said agency marketing analyst Zoe Shoats.
Three more top-level Salinas Valley Memorial...
Two more top executives at Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System and an executive assistant are eligible to receive supplemental pension benefits that include lump-sum payments when they retire, though the program was discontinued at the end of 2011.
Two SVMH executives get $1M
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, which came under heavy fire last year for hefty retirement package for longtime president Sam Downing, disclosed Monday pension amounts for five top executives leaving this year.
Alzheimer's Association to hold support groups
The Alzheimer's Association holds support groups for caregivers and family and friends of people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia at: · 12:30 to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, First Baptist Church, 1130 San Vincente Ave., Salinas. · 1:30 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb.
Suspected molester at large
Salinas police said Monday they were looking for a man wanted on child molestation charges who may be traveling with his girlfriend and two young daughters.
SVMH discloses pension amounts for top executives
Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System, which came under heavy fire last year for hefty retirement package for longtime president Sam Downing, disclosed Monday pension amounts for five top executives leaving this year.
Salinas police search for man wanted on child...
Salinas police said Monday they were looking for a man wanted on child molestation charges who may be traveling with his girlfriend and two young daughters.
Salinas police looking for bank robber
Salinas police say the same woman may have held up a bank Saturday and tried an earlier bank robbery the day before.
Famous Dave's hiring for new Salinas location
Famous Dave's BBQ, the nation's leading BBQ restaurant, is now hiring for about 150 positions for its new Salinas location opening in early March at 1391 North Davis Road. The restaurant has set up a one-day hiring center that will be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb.
Your Town
SALINAS Man receives 10 years for slaying An Arroyo Seco man will spend the next decade in prison for killing a friend with a rock during an argument in July. David Garcia Jr., 33, who was originally charged with murder in connection with the death of Walter K.
Girls basketball: Salinas beats Notre Dame 31-23...
Ken Anderson knew what he wanted to say. He just never got a chance to say it. That's because Salinas team captain Kate Dalman asked her basketball coach to leave the locker room at halftime. "It's not the first time we've asked him to leave,'' Dalman said. "He gets a little sore about it.
Police briefs: Salinas shooting victim identified
Aman shot dead on an East Salinas neighborhood street Sunday evening has been identified by police as Jose Almaraz Hernandez, 21. Hernandez was found lying fatally wounded with bullet wounds to the head in the 100 block of North Felice Street shortly before 5:45p.m., police said.
Victim identified in fatal shooting
The victim of Sunday's fatal shooting in Salinas has been identified as Jose Almaraz Hernandez, 21. Hernandez was shot to death in the 100 block of North Felice Street shortly before 5:45 p.m. and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
Police briefs: Man shot to death in Salinas
A man was shot dead while walking on an East Salinas neighborhood street Sunday evening. Police said the man was fatally wounded shortly before 5:45 p.m. in the 100 block of North Felice Street, possibly by a gunman firing from a vehicle.
At 100, work ethic still strong for Salinas man
After 100 years of life, Eliseo Felipe said he has too many things inside his mind, which explains why he occasionally has problems accessing the memory he wants.
SVMH, workers reach tentative pact
A yearlong contract dispute between about 750 service and technical workers and Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System appears to be almost over.
Man declared fit for trial in mother's killing
After reviewing a psychiatric evaluation, a judge ruled Tuesday that a Salinas man is mentally competent to be tried for allegedly killing his mother. Judge Mark Hood set a Feb. 10 preliminary hearing for Christopher Sorenson, 29, who is charged with murdering Janet "Nene" Sorenson in December.

  Your Town: Blue Cross cancels Natividad contract;...