10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY may 18-24, 2023 www.montereycountyweekly.com Greenhouses, agricultural properties and homes are all mixed together in the unincorporated North County community of Royal Oaks. County officials say they discovered an illegal convergence of these things on the 1100 block of San Miguel Canyon Road, at Ruvalcaba Nursery, where they found 62 small, makeshift dwellings inside of two buildings, one of which is a greenhouse. More than 200 people, including children, were living there. “The unpermitted housing has serious implications for life, health and safety, and we are working with the property owner to address these concerns,” reads a statement from the Monterey County administrative office. County spokesperson Nick Pasculli says they received complaints about the issues there, triggering a multi-agency investigation. Code enforcement officials issued a red tag on May 3, prompting an evacuation of the dwellings, and a citation was issued on May 10, with orders to apply for a permit to demolish the structures. Investigating agencies include the District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Department of Labor. “The Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with its county partners on this humanitarian situation,” says Undersheriff Keith Boyd. Officials are fuzzy on details since the investigation is ongoing, but say more than 200 residents were impacted. Most are Spanish or Mexican Indigenous language speakers, county officials say, and most work in agriculture. (It’s unclear whether they worked at Ruvalcaba Nursery or at other locations.) Tenants told authorities they paid up to $2,000 in monthly rent. Authorities say there was little ventilation, lack of operable windows and no proper plumbing, bathrooms or kitchens, nor heat or smoke detectors. One of the buildings has only one exit, though the required minimum is two. “There’s a tremendous amount of dampness throughout” Pasculli adds, noting a problem with mold. The county is fining the property owners, Nicolas and Ana Ruvalcaba, $59,600 per day as long as violations continue, and to pay relocation assistance to displaced tenants—two months of market-rate rent. “It’s not a suggestion. It’s an order,” Pasculli says. (Representatives of Ruvalcaba Nursery declined to comment.) County officials are also offering assistance to the tenants. As to where they will go next, the North Monterey County Unified School District’s Family Resource Center and Coalition of Homeless Service Providers are providing assistance. From what did human life evolve from some 700 million years ago? Sponges, or comb jellies? This has long been a vexing question for scientists, but perhaps no longer: In a paper published May 17 in the scientific journal Nature, evidence uncovered by a team of researchers at UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and the University of Vienna shows a definitive answer—comb jellies, aka ctenophores (the c is silent). This discovery was achieved by mapping genomes going back 1 billion years to get a clear picture of what genes existed in that time, so as to understand the divergence in the tree of life, and fundamental questions about evolution. So what does this mean? Darrin Schultz, who was previously a graduate student researcher at MBARI and UC Santa Cruz and is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Vienna, says that is where the human branch in that tree developed neurons and muscles. Previously, it was assumed that sponges, which lack both of those things, were the earliest known ancestors to human life. A statement MBARI put out about the groundbreaking study reads: “The team compares this event to a genetic fork in the road of evolution that happened hundreds of millions of years ago. One lone single-celled organism, the ancestor of all animals, was traveling along that road with its two offspring. One child, which would evolve into comb jellies as we know them today, took one path. As it evolved, the genes on its chromosomes stayed in a specific order and did not change much.” Schultz, who is currently living in Vienna, puts it into perspective for those who live alongside Monterey Bay. “All the animals we used were collected in Monterey Bay,” he says. “You can go anywhere out on the beach, and all of these things are in [your] backyard. All of the unanswered secrets to life are all out there in Monterey Bay.” One Roof Authorities discover over 200 people living in unpermitted housing in North County. By Celia Jiménez news Sailing Onward The U.S. Navy is now accepting public input on the environmental assessment for a proposed Naval Innovation Center at Naval Support Activity Monterey, the installation where NPS is located. The proposed center would facilitate collaboration for applied research solutions with new technologies by partnering with the maritime industry. Comment deadline is May 31. Read more and submit comments at nicmontereyea.com. Parenting Plan The Parenting Connection of Monterey County is bringing back an eight-week class to help boost parenting skills and confidence and strengthen an emotional connection with your child. The class is bilingual, in English and Spanish. 6:30-8pm Thursdays May 18-July 6. In person at 1212 Riker St., Salinas, or via Zoom. Free. 647-3333, parentingconnectionmc.org. City Updates Chat with the city of Monterey’s top staffer and get an update on city news during Monterey Mornings with the Manager. It’s a live, virtual update with Hans Uslar, where the city manager will share current programs, policies and issues affecting the community. Get information about the economy and an overview of recent and upcoming City Council discussions and decisions. 9:30am Wednesday, May 24. Free. 6463799. youtube.com/cityofmonterey. Memory Making Fun crafts projects for seniors are happening every month in Greenfield. This month, you’re invited to a Memorial Art Workshop, where you can make memory pillows. Bring your own shirts, ties, handkerchiefs, and photos you would like to use. All other materials will be provided. 2pm Wednesday, May 24. Patriot Park Community Center, 1351 Oak Ave, Greenfield. Free. 277-0514, ci.greenfield.ca.us. Swim Sports The summer season is just around the corner. Get ready to enjoy time at the beach or pool by taking swimming lessons. King City’s recreation department offers a variety of water fun and activities for all ages and abilities. Sign-ups start this month, and events kick off in June. Registration is now open. King City Recreation Department, 401 Division St., King City. $3-$4/entrance fee; $100-$300/season passes; $20-$50/ swim lessons. 385-6748, kingcityrecreation.com. Fork of Life Local scientists have answered a longstanding question: What are our oldest ancestors? By David Schmalz The entrance to Ruvalcaba Nursery in Royal Oaks, where local and federal agencies are investigating unpermitted housing where more than 200 people were living. e-mail: publiccitizen@mcweekly.com TOOLBOX Tenants told authorities they paid up to $2,000 in monthly rent. celia Jiménez
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