10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY september 19-25, 2024 www.montereycountynow.com Sunday, Sept. 22 marks the twoyear anniversary that Arelie Garcia, a 25-year-old woman from Salinas, was reported missing. To continue raising awareness and remind the community that there are still questions left unanswered, Garcia’s family has organized a march at 3:30pm at the Salinas Amtrak station on Market Street. “We don’t want her to be forgotten,” says Ely Garcia, one of Arelie’s older sisters. “It’s not that the police are not doing their job. We just want answers, we need our sister back. It’s been too long and we still don’t know what happened that day.” On the day of her disappearance, Arelie’s red Honda Accord was found in Big Sur near the Little Sur River Bridge, over 50 miles south of her home and work, with her purse, phone and keys inside. Her sisters used the “Find My” app to locate her after she failed to show up at work. The bulk of the information that’s been uncovered happened in the days following her disappearance. The Salinas Police Department and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team joined together to search for her using search dogs, drones and a helicopter. Since, they have exhausted all leads. SPD recently announced that the investigation is still ongoing and active. “We have not stopped, nor will we until we have answers about the disappearance of Arelie Garcia,” SPD wrote. They encourage the public to come forward with any information that could be relevant. “We’re trying our best to keep her name out there and spread awareness,” says Ely. “We never thought we would be in this position to begin with.” Arelie’s friends and family, especially her sisters Veronica and Ely, have been at work over the last couple years to find answers. They’ve created a Facebook page (Find Arelie Garcia), an Instagram account (@areliegarcia_2022) and a website (areliegarcia. com). They have also been raising funds for a billboard to share photos of Arelie and offer a cash reward to anyone with tips. For now, Ely says the billboard plans have stalled due to complications with billboard companies agreeing to post a non-business-related advertisement. Arelie is 27 years old, 5-foot-6 with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information is encouraged to call Detective Edwin Cruz with the Salinas Police Department at (831) 758-7393 or the anonymous tip line at (831) 7754222. Katie Rodriguez is a California Local News Fellow. Carmel, it seems, is not quite ready to enter the 21st century. Despite pleas from a growing number of residents who find it increasingly difficult to live a life without street addresses in a world that demands them, a Carmel City Council majority decided on Sept. 10 to not make a decision, but rather to kick it to the voters over a year from now. There were emotional pleas on both sides during the meeting: Those who wanted to protect Carmel’s village character and the 108-year tradition of no addresses versus those who miss package deliveries, struggle to get insurance or Real IDs, or who have had to flag down first responders in an emergency. Those against addresses asked for more public input leading to a vote by residents. Mayor Dave Potter, currently in a race against two challengers in the Nov. 5 election, obliged, making the motion to put the issue to the voters in November 2025. He said the council will decide later whether to make it an advisory vote or a measure. He was joined by councilmembers Bobby Richards and Alissandra Dramov in the 3-2 vote. A visibly frustrated Councilmember Karen Ferlito voted against it, along with Councilmember Jeff Baron, who is running for mayor against Potter. They wanted the process of adding street addresses to begin immediately. “We have people whose lives depend on this and their health depends on this,” Ferlito said. “It’s criminal to delay this past February or March.” Ferlito noted that the “world changed” after 9/11 and Covid, leading to requirements by the government and companies for an exact home address instead of a post office box. She said she and her husband had difficulty securing car insurance because their “car does not live at a P.O. box.” Ferlito and Baron argued the city should come into compliance with the state’s fire codes, as well as conform to U.S. Post Office rules. No Trace Arelie Garcia’s sisters are organizing a march two years after her disappearance. By Katie Rodriguez news Rent Control Salinas City Council meets to vote on a rent stabilization ordinance. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Sept. 24. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. 758-7381, cityofsalinas.org. Disaster Prep Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) presents a series of training sessions on emergency skills. The program educates people on disaster preparedness, training them on skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue and more. 8:30am-5:30pm Saturdays, Sept. 21, 28 and Oct. 5. Downtown Monterey. To enroll, email training@montereycert. org. bit.ly/MontereyCERT. Honoring Veterans Wreaths Across America accepts applications to donate for a wreath. The annual ceremony to place wreaths on veterans’ graves will be at the King City Cemetery Dec. 14. 10am-2pm Saturday, Sept. 21. Safeway, 530 Canal St., King City. $17/ wreath donation. (408) 802-4437. City Outlook The City of Marina hosts a workshop on the proposed general plan land use alternative to guide the city’s development for the next 20 years. The public can weigh in on topics, including parks and open space, transportation and conservation. 10am-noon Saturday, Sept. 21. Marina Community Center, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. marina2045.org. Healthy Aging Monterey Sports Center and Montage Health present a series of events to emphasize a holistic approach to health and preventative medicine. The first, “Healthy Aging,” covers topics of interest to older adults and their families, including wellness resources, diet and exercise, prescriptions and more. 1-3pm Saturday, Sept. 21. Monterey Sports Center, 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey. Free. ataide@monterey.gov, montereysportscenter.org. Donate Blood Upcoming blood drives invite donors to help combat a shortage. Noon-4pm Wednesday, Sept. 25. Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. Free. Make an appointment at (877) 258-4825 or vitalant.org. Legendary Lobos Monterey Peninsula College accepts nominations for the Lobo Legends awards. A March 15 celebration honors achievements of alumni, retirees and rising stars whose work has benefited MPC and the community. Nominations are open until Sept. 30. mpcfoundationinfo@mpc.edu, mpcfoundation.org. Return to Sender A Carmel City Council majority punts a decision on addresses to the voters—next year. By Pam Marino For Arelie Garcia’s friends and family, momentum is still key. They believe that continuing to share her photo and story will help keep the search going. e-mail: toolbox@montereycountynow.com TOOLBOX “We don’t want her to be forgotten.” Daniel Dreifuss
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