6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 17-23, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH The nationwide shortage of local journalists is more severe than previously thought, according to a new study. Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News recently released the Local Journalist Index, which introduces a metric called Local Journalist Equivalent (LJE) that estimates how many journalists are covering local news based on publishing frequency, outlet type and geographic focus. Using Muck Rack’s database of journalists, which tracks more than 3.5 million articles daily, the study found that across the country, there are 8.2 LJEs per 100,000 residents—a 75-percent dip from 2002, when there were about 40 journalists on average for that same number of residents. More than a third of the counties in the nation have less than one LJE. Monterey County ranks 1,574th out of 3,141 counties, with 5.1 LJEs. “This new data confirms that the local journalist shortage is more severe and far-reaching than we feared,” said Steven Waldman, president of Rebuild Local News. Good: Walk Every Street PG has successfully done what it set out to do: walk every street in Pacific Grove. The group, led by Ashley Edge and Amy Burkman launched on Jan. 8, ended their Wednesday treks 25 weeks later on July 9, logging a total of approximately 90 miles. More than accomplishing a fixed goal, the group fostered community, with members making new friends, creating a book club and planning other get-togethers outside of the walks. “It’s been so much more than we could have imagined,” Edge says. They followed up the feat with a bonus walk on July 16, ending at Pacific Grove City Hall where the walkers were recognized by P.G. Mayor Nick Smith. In a survey, members said they were interested in walking P.G. all over again—they are starting anew at 4pm Wednesday, Sept. 3. Follow them at instagram.com/ walkeverystreetpg for the schedule. GREAT: More than 20 years in the making, construction has finally started on the first new State Parks campground in Northern California for decades, and it’s going in at Fort Ord Dunes State Park. It will be staffed 24/7, and feature 43 traditional tent campsites, 45 RV campsites, 10 walk-in or bike-in campsites and improved coastal access that includes a walkway over the dunes to a viewing platform. There will also be a campfire center pavilion and a visitor center. The $33 million project is expected to open in two years. Dan Shaw, acting superintendent of the Monterey District, credits the “tremendous effort” of State Parks staff past and present, as well as State Parks’ partners, in getting the project to this point. “We’ve had millions of new people added in California [in recent decades], and the camping opportunities just haven’t kept up,” he says of the project’s significance. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many patient visits Salinas Valley Health’s Mobile Clinic has experienced since its launch in January 2020. All the services the clinic offers are free, including preventive and primary care, simple urgent care, screenings, sports physicals and women’s health services. Source: Salinas Valley Health 20,000 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I’m not high-falutin’. I’m not even mediumfalutin’.” -Firefighter Pete Koeman, speaking about his humble culinary experience (see story, p. 40). MULCH MADNESS FREE Truckload or Bags JULY 26 Two Cubic Yards of Mulch per Service Address Only California American Water or Monterey Peninsula Water Management District Customers eligible to participate. Must bring water bill showing where mulch will be used and photo ID. Stay in vehicle and drive through verification station before proceeding to loading area. Mulch will be loaded into pick-up trucks with assistance from a tractor. Bring your own tarp to cover mulch during transportation. Bagged mulch will also be available in smaller quantities for those without a truck. Supplies may be limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. For personal use only. Not for resale. Sat., July 26, 9am to 2pm / 14201 Del Monte Blvd. in Salinas 831.658.5601 MONTEREY PENINSULA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT
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