TRUCE FOR CHIEF…The city of Seaside and Police Chief Steve Cercone have reached a settlement that ends the months-long saga that began in August, when City Manager Ray Corpuz placed Cercone on paid administrative leave. The settlement, reached Dec. 18, awards Cercone more than $287,400; Cercone, in turn, agrees not to sue the city or seek employment with Seaside. [KA]

WAR OF WORDS…Local civil rights leaders announced a three-tier probe into excessive force allegations against Monterey County Sheriff's deputies at a Dec. 26 press conference. The North Monterey County chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens has filed complaints concerning “Operation Disrupt” with the U.S. Department of Justice, county grand jury and Sheriff's Office. [ZS]

CHRISTMAS RECYLING…For the next two weeks, residents from Big Sur to Moss Landing can put their Christmas trees on the curb or take them to drop-off locations for recycling. Waste Management and Monterey Disposal are providing the curbside pick-up service for free. Monterey Regional Waste Management expects to grind more than 20,000 trees into mulch. [KA]

COLINAS CONSERVATION…The Stoney family has donated a conservation easement on the 1,107-acre Colinas Ranch in the Gabilan foothills to the Big Sur Land Trust, which “will ensure the protection in perpetuity of some of the Central Coast’s most significant oak woodlands habitat, large intact native grasslands, riparian forests, and critical wildlife corridors.” [ZS]

INTERIM NO MORE…Colleen Bailey is officially leading the National Steinbeck Center into the New Year. The Steinbeck Center's board recently appointed Bailey executive director. She filled in as acting director after former CEO Steven Hoffman resigned in September amid lingering financial problems. [ZS]

COS IN COPENHAGEN…Throughout the climate negotiations, the Stanford/Center for Ocean Solutions delegation posted regular dispatches on its COP15 blog. In one video, Stanford scientist Dr. Stephen Schneider argues for immediate action on climate change. In another, COS Director Meg Caldwell calls for more integration of science in policy-making. [KA]

END OF THE TRAIL?...Big Sur’s Pine Ridge and Terrace Creek trails will be closed Jan. 11-Jan. 22

while crews remove trees and improve conditions.  See the Visitor’s Center at Big Sur Station and the Monterey Ranger District office for daily updates on the closures. [RU]

A FREE RIDE…Monterey Salinas Transit will give a lift gratis to passengers wearing a First Night Monterey New Year’s Eve button beginning at 2pm on Thursday, Dec. 31.  Otherwise MST will operate on a Sunday schedule on New Year’s Eve. [RU]