4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 23-29, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH If you’re reading this newspaper, you’re already a step ahead in celebrating Free Speech Week (Oct. 20-26) and Media Literacy Week (Oct. 27-31). The Monterey County Board of Supervisors celebrated the former with a resolution adopted on Oct. 21, proclaiming, in part: “The County of Monterey reaffirms its commitment to uphold, defend and protect these constitutional freedoms for all who live, work and visit here…Free Speech Week provides an opportunity to reflect on the vital role of free expression in our schools, workplaces, media and civic institutions, and to encourage respectful discourse in our communities.” On Friday, Oct. 24 the Monterey County Media Literacy Coalition welcomes high school students from various districts to the second annual MisInfo Day with a curriculum meant to help participants discern truth from misinformation and disinformation. Among the activities: an escape room concept designed by media literacy experts at the University of Washington (you can check out their latest games at lokisloop.org) that requires assessing the credibility of information to advance—and, ideally, “escape.” Good: For nearly a decade, students, teachers and staff at Fremont Elementary School in Salinas have had to contend with active construction zones on their campus. But when the newly reconstructed school was unveiled on Wednesday, Oct. 15, all of those headaches were worth it. Alisal Union School District celebrated the grand reopening of its second oldest school, which originally opened in 1941. The phased project included a rebuilt two-story classroom building in 2021, followed by demolition of its oldest building in 2023. The project is paid for by Measure M, a $70 million bond approved by voters in 2016, which also funded the renovation of Alisal Community School. That school celebrated its grand reopening in September. The third phase, with a price tag of $17.6 million, included a new administration building and more classrooms. GREAT: Thanks to quick thinking and being in the right place at the right time, Seaside resident Jonathan Ahmadi prevented a home from being destroyed by fire. He was out knocking on doors in Seaside on Saturday, Oct. 18 to encourage residents to get out and vote in support of Proposition 50, the redistricting ballot measure. Ahmadi, an elected official serving on the Monterey Peninsula Airport District board, says he had a list of 50 doors to knock on and was approaching his last on Trinity Avenue around 11:30am when he heard a smoke alarm inside and then smelled burning. Ahmadi quickly called 911 after no one responded to his shouts and says Seaside police and fire responders were there in just a few minutes. They broke down the door and came out of the house with a burnt pot. No one was home. Seaside Fire Chief Paul Blaha confirmed Ahmadi’s account. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how much the California Strategic Growth Council recently awarded to the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County to preserve 9,818 acres of land. The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program grant was among $128 million distributed across the state. Source: California Strategic Growth Council $6 million QUOTE OF THE WEEK “This is a blatant attempt to try to change the rules of the game.” -Amanda McAllisterWallner, executive director of Health Access California, on a lawsuit filed by a hospital group against spending caps (see story, montereycountynow.com). This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $57,688 with 100 percent funding by ACL/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government. 2026 MEDICARE UPDATES Worried about next year’s premiums, deductibles, or out-of-pocket costs? Curious if more affordable Medicare coverage is available? Medicare costs—including Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)—change every year. Join one of our free seminars to explore your options and find out if it’s time to re-evaluate your coverage! King City: King City Library - Tues. 10/28 at 2pm (English) and 3:30pm (Spanish) Salinas: Alliance On Aging (The HUB) - Wed. 10/29 at 3:00pm (English) Salinas: Alliance On Aging (The HUB) - Thurs. 10/30 at 3:00pm (Spanish) Monterey: Scholze Park Center - Mon. 11/3 at 10:00am (English) Pacific Grove: Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula - Tues. 11/4 at 12:45pm (English) Call to learn more about our FREE service in your area! 800-434-0222 www.allianceonaging.org Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program - ‘HICAP’
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