Budget Downer…The city of Salinas may eliminate 79 full-time positions and 132 temporary jobs to address an growing budget shortfall, according to a budget framework the City Council approved March 2.

The plan lays out $9.8 million in cuts and still leaves a shortfall that could reach $1.5 million. [ZS]

Marina Homicide…Juan Guillen, an 18-year-old Seaside resident, was found dead near the Marina police station Feb. 27, the apparent victim of a violent assault. Police are still investigating and aren’t releasing further details. [ZS]

In the Ring…Jose Mancera, a Salinas Realtor and Gonzales resident, says he will challenge south county supervisor Simón Salinas in the June election. Mancera, a registered Republican who has never held public office, will likely have a hard time knocking out the former Democratic Assemblyman. [ZS]

Weed Whackers…The P.G. City Council is still mulling medical pot regulations. On March 3 it considered extending its temporary moratorium on marijuana dispensaries—a nod to Daniel Maniscalco’s hopes to open one on Central Avenue—while the Carmel City Council explores an outright ban. [RU]

Aced It…Monterey County's electeds in Washington are doing alright, according to the League of Conservation Voters. LCV's National Environmental Scorecard for 2009 gives California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein and Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel) perfect scores, while 15 of the state's 19 GOP politicos scored under 10 percent. [KA]

Cross Resurrected…The Del Monte Beach cross, which was struck down by vandals, will rise again—in the Catholic Church-owned San Carlos cemetery. The announcement by Monterey Mayor Chuck Della Sala and Bishop Richard Garcia satisfies civil libertarians who threatened to sue if the cross was rebuilt on public property. [RU]

Waves of Protest…Feb. 24 saw the "United We Fish" protest in D.C., echoing calls for fishing regulation reform at a Feb. 20 rally in Monterey’s Window on the Bay Park. At the local demo: Assemblyman Bill Monning (D-Carmel), Monterey City Councilwoman Nancy Selfridge and activist fisherman Jiri Nozicka. [KA]

Money Move…The Big Sur Land Trust is moving out of Carmel's Clock Tower Place and into downtown Monterey's First Federal Court Adobe at 509 Hartnell Street in September. The building includes an adobe, built in 1841, that may have been the site of California's first federal courthouse. [KA]