The Californian from Salinas, California • 4

Tuesday, April 21. 2009 NEWS SCHOOL TO ATTEND The Salinas Adult School will host an open house May 18. Information: www.SalinasAdult school.com. TOATTEND The Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets at 10:30 a.m. today, 168 W.

Alisal St, First Floor, Salinas. BY THE NUMBERS Percent change in the number of applications for food stamps, direct cash, Calworks and other programs over the past two years in Monterey County. December 2007 to December 2008:44.2 percent increase December 2006 to December 2007: .9 percent increase the local Adult School is lucky compared with other adult schools in the state. While other districts are taking from their adult school funding to try to balance their own budgets, the Salinas Union High School District has found the money to lend its Adult School the $500,000 to make it through the year. The district was able to keep its adult school afloat thanks to a 7 percent reserve in the district's $125 million annual budget.

Even with that deficit covered in the short term, the Adult School still has difficult choices to make. The loan wasn't enough to save theToy Lending Library, which is slated to close May 22. TheToy Lending Library has been a fixture at the Salinas Adult School Parent Center at 20 Sherwood Place in east Salinas for years, a valued resource for parents and children. "It's really sad to see the library close," said Ami Park of Seaside, a mother of twin don't usually buy new toys. It saves me a lot of money." Continued from page 1A popularToy Lending Library.

Cutting programs and resources at a time when the unemployment rate is high will not help the community, said Principal Bob Harper. The Adult School's enrollment has increased by about 15 percent this year, Harper said. "When the economy is in recession the number of students we serve expands," Harper said. "When people don't have work they tend to come back to get their GED and basic educational skills." That's what happened to 20-year-old Samantha Sanchez of Salinas. Sanchez said it has been difficult to find a job without a high school diploma, so she went back to school to get her GED.

Meanwhile, Harper said WELFARE Continued from page 1A and direct cash aid are up 44 percent over last year, according to Monterey County Department of Social and Employment Services data. In December there were 29,303 food stamp, general assistance and CalWorks cases in the county. As more people request services, programs face cuts. State lawmakers already decided to reduce welfare benefits by 4 percent. "As the pressure builds, these systems in many counties have started to fray," Robinson said.

Social services directors want local leaders to understand that cutting back while demanding more makes it difficult to sustain services and mandated programs, he said. And they hope that county boards will encourage state lawmakers to return some funding because counties say they won't be able to make up the difference. Not everyone backs increased welfare spending. The conservative Heritage Foundation, for example, issued research papers critical of increased welfare cash in the federal stimulus package, arguing that it would lead to larger welfare roles. But the executive director for the County Welfare Directors Association of California said that support is needed now more than ever.

These are year-over-year increases, the magnitude of which we have never seen Mecca said. Applications for aid throughout the state are coming from applicants with whom departments haven't worked in the past, including people of varying economic backgrounds, first-time applicants and two-parent families, Mecca said. Economic benefit A study commissioned by the association's lobbying arm shows that every dollar spent on food stamps or direct cash aid generates $1.32 in economic activity. That would mean the $6.3 million in general aid, food stamps and Calworks given to Monterey County families and individuals in January generated $8.3 million in local spending. "Those who receive the benefits shop in local stores, and that provides jobs for people who then spend their income in the local economy," said Roger Dickinson, California State Association of Counties board member and Sacramento County supervisor.

Santa Rita schools chief set to retire The superintendent of Santa Rita Union School District will retire at the end of June, and the search for his replacement starts today. James Fontana will retire June 30 after working 29 years for the district four of them as superintendent. RJ Gatti Associates has been hired to help the district find a new leader. At 7 p.m. today, the district will hold a community forum at its offices at 57 Russell Road.

False eyebrow gives up bank robbery suspect A Salinas man was found guilty of armed robbery and burglary after DNA testing of a fake eyebrow used in his disguise during the incident confirmed he was one of the robbers, officials said Monday. Armando Navarette, 22, was found guilty on two counts of armed robbery and one count of burglary a year and a half after he and an unknown accomplice robbed the Union Bank of California in Prunedale, according to the Monterey County district attorney. Navarette, wearing masks and disguises, held a gun to a teller's head and demanded money, officials said. The robbers left with $40,000, but as Navarette was leaving the bank, part of his disguise, a fake eyebrow, fell off and was found by one of the tellers. DNA testing of the eyebrow confirmed Navarette was one of the robbers.

He faces up to 20 years in prisoa His sentencing is on May 22. three students attend the school, but were not in class. Principal Darin Hersh-berger said the school had already been in students were in the middle of state testing. As a precaution, Hershberger said the school will increase extra law-enforcement presence for the time being. Four vehicles collide on Highway 156 Two BMWs, one Honda and a Dodge truck were involved in a crash on Highway 156 about 1 p.m.

Monday east of Cathedral Oak in Prunedale, officials said. One of the cars fled the scene in an apparent hit-and-run. Kyle Rhodes, 20, of Hollis-ter was driving a BMW SUV heading westbound on the road when he crossed over onto oncoming traffic, said officer Brian Wiest of the California Highway Patrol. Leslye Schneider, 54, of Prunedale was driving a Honda Pilot and heading east when she saw the BMW but was unable to swerve away before the two cars collided, Wiest said. A BMW Sudan behind the Pilot attempted to brake, but was rear-ended by a Dodge Ram pickup truck, shoving the Sudan onto the other BMW, officials The drivers of the Pilot and both BMWs were transported to local hospitals but no serious injuries were reported, Wiest said.

The driver of the Dodge Ram fled the scene, but officials said they won't speculate why. The truck is described as white without a camper and with damages: to its front end. AROUND THE COUNTY Staff reports King City schools cut clerks, staff hours The King City Union School District board unanimously voted to lay off three office clerks and reduce the hours of eight food-service employees on Monday night. The district voted to reduce the total hours of eight food-service workers by 23 hours a day. The layoffs and reduced hours are part of a budget reduction plan to close the $2.5 million shortfall the district faces this year, said Kim Williams, interim director for human resources.

The layoffs and reduced hours would save the district $175,000. In March, the district laid off 16 instructional assistants. The cuts started in December and included eliminating home-to-school bus services for about 200 students, Williams said. The district is expected to make another round of cuts before the end of the fiscal year in June. Monning's property lien bill advances SACRAMENTO -Homeowners would receive notices when a lien is placed on their property by unpaid contractors under the terms of a bill that passed the Assembly on Monday.

AB 457 creates nevr notices that contractors must provide if they record what's called a "mechanic's lien" on property seeking to cover unpaid bills for work or materials delivered. The bill by Assemblyman Bill Monning, D-Monterey, also requires contractors to file notice in the county recorder's office if they file a lawsuit to alert anyone else interested in the property to the claim. Right now these notices aren't mandated and liens can cloud titles and jeopardize future financial transactions involving the property, Monning said. No one spoke against the bill that passed 76-0 and goes to the Senate. Three teenagers shot at escape injury Three 16-year-olds walking along Nantucket Boulevard near Everett Alvarez High School were the target of an attempted murder about 9:20 a.m.

Monday, police said. The teenagers were walking when a white pickup truck drove past them, made a U-turn and stopped, police said. One of the passengers made a gang-related comment before stepping out of the truck and pointing a handgun at the teenagers, police said. The three ran when one shot was fired, but no one was struck, Salinas police Cmdr. Al Ruiz said.The truck, described as a white extended-cab pickup, left the scene heading east on Nantucket Boulevard.

The shooting is being investigated as a gang-related incident, Ruiz said. About 15 police cars arrived at the scene within 10 minutes of the incident, a school official said, adding that the TRIP real value of lobbying lies in the future, he said. "There are no off-the-shelf opportunities," Donohue said.The more critical thing is to understand where the federal government is going in new priorities and programs. To think strategically, bring new resources to an old problem and get things in the queue for a couple years out. "We've got to get out of a reactive mode," he said.

"If you're always finding funding, it's too much crisis management and not setting up shop to go on offense and win." Continued from page 2A the group will visit the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. They will also meet California senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, as well as U.S. Rep. Sam Fair, D-Carmel. Donohue, on his third annual trip, points to past funding successes like a $532,000 grant used to update police cars.

But the OBITUARIES DEL REY OAKS SALINAS Abbott Salinas, Calif. 93901. Arrangements: Healey Mortuary Crematory www. Healeymortuary.com SALINAS Marvin S. Dunagan py birthday! Today is also your son's birthday Monie.

We miss you and love you. Love always, your wife Chavela, sons Monie, Chicho, Papas girls Elizabeth and AnKd WE REMEMBER GREER, S.C. Howard D. Swope of along with several nieces and nephews Visitation: 1-9 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Salinas, Calif.

93905. Graveside services: 1 1 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, Calif. 93907. Arrangements: Healey Mortuary Crematory www.healeymortuary.com WE REMEMBER SALINAS I I l.f tr- Marvin S. Dunagan, 77, of Salinas, passed away Sunday, April 19,2009, Marvin was born Aug.

12, 1931 in Miami, resided in Salinas for 58 years and served in the U.S. Army. Visitation: 1 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Salinas, Calif. 93905.

Private graveside services: Will be held Wednesday, April 22, at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas, Calif. 93907. Memorial services: 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 5, at Echoes from Calvary Church, 1025 Post Drive, Salinas, Calif, 93906. Arrangements: Healey Mortuary Crematory www.healeymortuary.com Howard Delbert Swope, 73, of Greer, S.C, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2009, at his residence. Howard was born Mar.

25, 1936 in Eastland County, Texas. He is the son of Walter Alton and Mary Louise Bogges Swope, he was a U.S. Army Veteran and a retired truck driver. Survivors: Wife, Ida Elora Meers Swope of the home; three daughters: Teri Rogers of the home; Katheryn Swope of Lyman, and Katrina Swope of the home; two sons, Richard Barber of Travelers Rest and Raymond W. Swope of Inman, S.C; two brothers, W.A.

Swope of California and Henry Swope of Texas; sister, Dorothy Garner of California; 14 grandchildren and 12 greatgrandchildren. Mr. Swope was preceded in death by a son, Raymond C. Swope. Services: Private memorial services were held by the family- Online condolences: May be made at www.thewoodmortuary.com Maria C.

Ramirez Maria C. Ramirez, 70, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2009 in Salinas. Visitation: 1 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 21, at Healey Mortuary, 405 N. Sanborn Salinas, Calif. 93905 Graveside services: 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 22, at Garden of Memories Cemeter, 850 Margaret "Margie" Ralph Margaret "Margie" Ralph, 79 of Salinas, a beloved wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 18, 2009 at 8:20 AM, following a brief illness.

Margaret was born in Johnson County, Ark. and has lived in Salinas for 59 years. She was a member of the Church of the Rock. Surviors: Husband, Jack Ralph of the family home in Salinas; son, Danny Ralph and family of Salinas; daughter, Carolyn and Leon Connor of Prunedale; grandchildren: Jason, Jacob and Joseph Connor, Brian, Brittni and Brandon Ralph; two great-granddaughters; sisters, Mildred Tillman and Brenda Hays Francis Alma DeFont Francis "PeeWee" Alma DeFont, 81, of Del Rey Oaks, passed away Friday, April 11, 2009, after a courageous battle with cancer. Francis was born Aug.

2, 1927 in Keif, N.D. She was a resident of Monterey County for over 50 years, working for Rod McClellan Nurseries until her reitrement. After retirement Francis spent many hours volunteering at the VFW Watsonville post. Survivors: Sons: Leon, Jay, Gary (Terrie), and Rif (Molly) DeFont; grandsons, Keith DeFont and Randy Thurman. Francis was preceeded in death by granddaughter, Christina DeFont Services: Private service will beheld.

Memorials: Donations in Francis' memory be made to Hospice of the Central Coast. Ramon Herrera Crossing the Miles on Your Birthday, it really would be wonderful to be with you on your birthday- to laugh with you, and talk with you- but since that isnt possible, just wanted to wish you a very hap- I I i rnnw i vnnmiuiG Local McSHANE'Sl Natural Legacy.com offers you a full listing of local funeral homes Stone Valid only for new patients with insurance. Please call for details. Offer expires: 4-3Q 03 a P) Til (F) 455-1876 New Patients Welcome llzzl7r.z2 Flcir Cera Tcrtillss Most Insurance Accepted r.rus Cccf LcccI It. TT CREEK BRIDGE I)E Check Our Daily Specials Like Pozole Verde, Chicken Tinga and The Freshest Ceviche V) 2U)CAn0NST0ai00SEFB0M Tax Deduction Free Pickup No DMV Filing No Smog Cert Running or Not 'Restrictions Apply The California Council of the Blind has helped the blind become productive in the workplace since 1 934.

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