FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT PINING FOR MONTEREY 13 | READING THE EPSTEIN FILES 15 | SOUNDING OFF 25 | UNIVISION CHECK 34 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • Pebble Beach is an artist’s dream, Spyglass Hill can be a golfer’s nightmare. p. 16 By Dave Faries A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE • PUTTING GOLF ON CANVAS P. 18 • A QUICK COURSE CORRECTION P. 20 2026 AT&T PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 • ISSUE #1959 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Erik Chalhoub (iPhone 16 Pro) A random display of action figures doing battle can be seen on Trail 15 in Fort Ord National Monument. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: “Midsummer Dream” by artist Shelley Cost depicts the famous 7th hole at Pebble Beach Golf Links, host to the AT&T Pro-Am from Feb. 12-15. Many of Cost’s landscape paintings focus on golf courses. Cover art: Shelley Cost etc. Copyright © 2026 by Milestone Communications Inc. 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, California 93955 (telephone 831-394-5656). All rights reserved. Monterey County Weekly, the Best of Monterey County and the Best of Monterey Bay are registered trademarks. No person, without prior permission from the publisher, may take more than one copy of each issue. Additional copies and back issues may be purchased for $1, plus postage. Mailed subscriptions: $300 yearly, prepaid. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountynow. com. Audited by CVC. FOUNDER & CEO Bradley Zeve bradley@montereycountynow.com (x103) PUBLISHER Erik Cushman erik@montereycountynow.com (x125) EDITORIAL EDITOR Sara Rubin sara@montereycountynow.com (x120) ASSOCIATE EDITOR Erik Chalhoub ec@montereycountynow.com (x135) FEATURES EDITOR Dave Faries dfaries@montereycountynow.com (x110) SENIOR STAFF WRITER Pam Marino pam@montereycountynow.com (x106) STAFF WRITER Celia Jiménez celia@montereycountynow.com (x145) STAFF WRITER Agata Pope¸da aga@montereycountynow.com (x138) STAFF WRITER Katie Rodriguez (California Local News Fellow) katie@montereycountynow.com (x102) STAFF WRITER Aric Sleeper aric@montereycountynow.com (x127) STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Daniel Dreifuss daniel@montereycountynow.com (x140) DIGITAL PRODUCER Sloan Campi sloan@montereycountynow.com (x105) CONTRIBUTORS Nik Blaskovich, Rob Brezsny, Robert Daniels, Tonia Eaton, Jesse Herwitz, Luz Rimban, Jacqueline Weixel, Paul Wilner CARTOONS Rob Rogers, Tom Tomorrow PRODUCTION ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER Karen Loutzenheiser karen@montereycountynow.com (x108) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Kevin Jewell kevinj@montereycountynow.com (x114) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Annie Cobb annie@montereycountynow.com (x114) GRAPHIC DESIGNER Lani Headley lani@montereycountynow.com (x114) SALES SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Diane Glim diane@montereycountynow.com (x124) SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE George Kassal george@montereycountynow.com (x122) SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE Keith Bruecker keith@montereycountynow.com (x118) CLASSIFIEDS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Keely Richter keely@montereycountynow.com (x123) DIGITAL DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA Kevin Smith kevin@montereycountynow.com (x119) DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTION AT Arts Co. atartsco@gmail.com DISTRIBUTION CONTROL Harry Neal BUSINESS/FRONT OFFICE OFFICE MANAGER Linda Maceira linda@montereycountynow.com (x101) BOOKKEEPING Rochelle Trawick 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 831-394-5656, (FAX) 831-394-2909 www.montereycountynow.com We’d love to hear from you. Send us your tips at tipline.montereycountynow.com. NEWS • ARTS • ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD • DRINK • CALENDAR Subscribe to the newsletter @ montereycountynow.com/subscribe READ MORE NOW ONLINE NEWSLETTER Go to montereycountynow.com LOCAL NEWS EVERYDAY AT MONTEREY COUNTY NOW
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 SalinasValleyHealth.com Protect yourself and your loved ones. Get your flu shot. Salinas Valley Health Board Member Isaura Arreguin receiving a free flu shot at Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center ten-year anniversary celebration in Gonzales on October 25, 2025. “I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors for this outstanding healthcare organization. Salinas Valley Health delivers exceptional resources across our entire region, focused on enhancing the health and well-being of all.” – Isaura Arreguin Salinas Valley Health Board of Directors STOPPING THE FLU BEGINS WITH YOU Questions about vaccines? Talk with your doctor or healthcare provider, or scan the QR code.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH What do teens think of the news media? It’s “Biased, Boring and Bad,” as the title of a report by the News Literacy Project states. In 2025, the nonprofit surveyed 750 teens between the ages of 13-18, asking them for their take on journalists. The vast majority—84 percent—had a negative sentiment when they were asked what word best describes the media, with “Fake,” “False” and “Lies” among the most frequently used words. Roughly half of the respondents believed that reporters engage in unethical behaviors, such as making up details and doing favors for sources. In light of the sobering responses, the News Literacy Project recommended news organizations educate teens on how journalism works. Students should be taught how to recognize facts versus other types of information, such as social media commentary. “Equipped with a healthy skepticism, young people can more effectively hold the press (and other institutions) accountable, participate in civic life and protect themselves from misinformation, conspiracy theories and low-quality information sources,” the study states. Good: CSU Monterey Bay Professor Jose Pablo “JP” Dundore-Arias was recently recognized on a national scale, receiving early-career teacher honors from the 2025 Excellence in College and University Teaching Awards for Food and Agricultural Sciences. The awards, presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, celebrate professors who use innovative teaching methods. Dundore-Arias, director of CSUMB’s agricultural plant and soil science program, was one of two teachers across the nation to receive the award. “This award is recognition of the work that I’ve done, not by myself, but with the community,” he said. “For me, the importance is the motivation and impact it can have for my students. We’re doing great things and people are watching.” The award comes with a $2,000 stipend to be used for students’ educational experience. GREAT: A tragedy was averted when a U.S. Marine living in Pacific Grove experienced a mental health crisis on Feb. 1, thanks to two Pacific Grove Police officers who successfully deescalated the situation, according to PGPD Chief Casey Day and Col. Dana Demer, senior Marine representative at the Naval Postgraduate School, who spoke at a P.G. City Council meeting on Feb. 4. Sgt. Orlando Perez and Officer Kevin Shum were lauded by Demer who told the council it was his “honor to help recognize some of your finest that helped some of our finest.” He said he reported to his commanding general that “we would have had a much sadder situation had it not been for your officers,” adding that the Marine in question was receiving care. “I can’t thank you enough,” he said, handing each PGPD officer a special military challenge coin that recognizes outstanding performance. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many hours of notice the City of Salinas will give before clearing an encampment. The time was reduced from 72 hours on a 6-1 vote by the Salinas City Council on Feb. 3. Other changes include banning camping within 25 feet of “critical infrastructure,” such as roads and bridges. Source: City of Salinas 48 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I’m not comfortable with just having supervisors submit district pet projects.” -Supervisor Wendy Root Askew, questioning how the projects recommended for Measure AA funding were chosen (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). Happy Valentine’s Day From Gathering for Women - Monterey gatheringforwomen.org ~ 831-241-6154 #gatheringforwomen We’re sending love to all of our supporters! Your generosity, whether through donations or volunteering, helps us spread joy and care to the women we serve.
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 STAY NEW, STAY NOW AND SAVE UP TO 35% Experience the best of the Central Coast at Monterey County’s newest destinations— Courtyard Sand City Monterey and Residence Inn Sand City Monterey, now open! From modern rooms to spacious suites with full kitchens, both hotels offer vibrant amenities like fire pits, onsite dining, heated pools, electric bike rentals, and live entertainment at The Lido Stage. Celebrate our grand opening with an exclusive local offer available to California residents. Call (831) 855-4100 and ask for the “Discover Monterey” rate by March 31, 2026. TWO UNIQUE EXPERIENCES. ONE ADDRESS. *Offer valid for California residents only. A valid government-issued ID must be presented at check-in. Limited number of rooms are available for this promotion. Tax is additional. Offer does not apply to groups of 10 or more rooms. Offer cannot be combined with any other promotions. Blackout dates may apply. Advance reservations required. Other restrictions apply. Rates are per room, per night and based on availability at the time of reservation.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 On a recent Friday morning, a white van arrives at Sabino Lopez’s home in Salinas, ready for a crew to load up boxes. They are full of materials collected by the community organizer over decades and are set to be transported to Stanford. Earlier, Lopez had turned to the Archival Collections at Stanford University, an extensive historical archive with documents, journals, photographs and more, seeking to preserve and share his documents with future generations. Lopez says he originally thought these documents collecting dust were just junk that he had accumulated over the years, some of which were even recovered from the dumpster. In reality, those boxes contain the paper trail that put him at various places advocating for many causes on the Central Coast and San Diego, documenting his long-standing career as a community advocate and organizer with various organizations, including the United Farm Workers, California Rural Legal Assistance and Center for Community Advocacy, where he has worked since 1990. The boxes contain complaints from farmworkers about their living conditions, their demands and records of decision-making around those issues. Also included are flyers and documents about his time with the UFW as well as his journals and notes in Spanish. In Mexico, Lopez says he saw union workers had a better quality of life, and he wanted the same for American farmworkers, which was what motived him to get involved. He remembers thinking, “I have to do something to change my future.” Lopez says his time at the UFW helped him solidify his path. “Thanks to it I grew, I advanced,” he says. “What I do, who I am, is part of it.” His advocacy and activism grew in the 1970s during the conflict between the UFW and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters to represent farmworkers, which led to the Salad Bowl strike, the largest farmworker strike in the U.S. He’s one of the voices in The Union of Their Dreams: Power, Hope, and Struggle in Cesar Chavez’s Farm Worker Movement by Miriam Pawel. The book describes UFW’s rise, fall and aftermath. “I was a troublemaker,” Lopez recalls as he struggled to find a job in the fields. It led to depression that later turned into determination to go to school and learn English and develop his organizing skills. Ignacio Ornelas Rodriguez, a historian who works in the Department of Special Collections and University Archives at Stanford, met Lopez while researching locals who were involved in social justice causes. In 2014, Ornelas Rodriguez invited Lopez to be a panelist at Stanford where he talked about “El Cortito,” a now-banned tool that caused severe back injuries for farmworkers. Ornelas Rodriguez says he invited Lopez because of his unique perspective as a former farmworker who moved from the fields to become a community leader and civil rights advocate. “Sabino has always been someone that is a very strong collective person, who tries to bring key players to the table to settle issues and negotiate agreements,” Ornelas Rodriguez says. He adds that sometimes it is hard for people to let go of their personal archives, but says Lopez seriously considered it after the Covid-19 pandemic. “There are agendas of meetings he attended, who was in the meetings, the minutes of those meetings,” Ornelas Rodriguez says. “A lot of different types of notes and writings that are a part of the archive that will allow historians like myself and researchers to really find evidence.” The goal is to preserve the archives for posterity and make them available for others to research and learn. “The archive gives visibility to a population that can often get demonized: the immigrant community,” he says. Lopez’s archive will become part of the Special Collections at Stanford, which also acquired the collections of other prominent figures in the region, including Crecencio Padilla, a civil rights activist and former LULAC president, and Joaquin Avila, a voting rights activist. In a time where history is being erased or diluted, Ornelas Rodriguez says it is important to preserve it and have tangible evidence of the past. “If people try to erase history, we can remind them,” he says. On the Record Longtime organizer Sabino Lopez donates his extensive archive of historical documents to Stanford University. By Celia Jiménez “If people try to erase history, we can remind them.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE CELIA JIMÉNEZ Sabino Lopez kept part of his photographic records, including those when he was at La Paz, UFW’s former headquarters in Keene, California which is now the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument. Lopez hopes to include some of them in a book he is writing. Retired Lt. Colonel Anthony Aguilar and Dr. Rolla Alaydi will discuss the violation of international humanitarian law by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation and the connection between Israeli counterterrorism tactics and those being used by ICE and CBP agents on the streets of Minneapolis and other U.S. Cities. Free event. Monday, Feb 16, 4-6 pm Peoples Center for Progressive Change 1238 Fremont Blvd, Seaside kazu 90.3 a community service of CSU Monterey Bay NPRsm for the Monterey Bay Area
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 The County of Monterey’s Family and Children’s Services is recruiting Resource Parents to help protect foster youth and support family reunification. Spread the love—learn how you can help keep families together, visit fcsmc.org Foster Youth in Monterey County Partner. Protect. Support. Cornucopia Community Market offers quality nutritious and environmentally safe products, free of artificial additives and preservatives. CURATED FOOD FROM THE HEART Your Local Health Food Store OPEN MON-FRI 9AM-7PM SAT & SUN 10AM-6PM 831-625-1454 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Carmel (at the mouth of Carmel Valley) •Natural, Organic Produce •Fresh Bakery and Deli •Olive Oil/Vinegar/ Local Honey •Wine, Beer, Juice, Coffee and Tea •Fresh, Organic Dairy Products •Healthy Snacks •Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements •All Natural Bath and Body Products •Gifts and Gift Basket Ideas MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 26 MONTEREY PENINSULA Col lege NEW YEAR. FRESH START. SPRING AHEAD! mpc.edu/findaclass Spring Classes Start January 27th ENROLL TODAY! *Early Spring Classes: Jan 6-25 *Early Spring Classes: Jan 5-24
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Every late fall along the California coast, hundreds of trained volunteers crane their necks to look up into trees and count a precious pollinator, western monarch butterflies. This year’s 29th annual count, led by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, yielded the third-lowest tally since counting began in 1997, with 12,260 monarchs across 249 sites during the peak overwintering period, between late November and early December. In “Butterfly Town,” Pacific Grove, the official number was 188 inside the city’s Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary, down from 228 in 2024 and 6,508 in 2023. One week later, on Dec. 12, the sanctuary peaked at 226, reports Natalie Johnston, education manager at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History. Johnston says the hope was for a rebound this year, similar to 2021 when numbers in P.G. jumped to over 13,000, a year after the count was zero. Monarch populations can be “bouncy,” she says, but this year the bounce for P.G. didn’t happen. A Xerces biologist signaled an alarm on Jan. 29. “Western monarchs are in serious trouble. The migration is collapsing,” Emma Pelton, senior conservation biologist with Xerces, said in a statement. Scientists believe pesticides and destruction of overwintering habitats are contributing to low numbers. More than 60 overwintering sites have been destroyed since 1997, according to Xerces—three in the last year were damaged through tree removal. Two years ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was preparing to list western monarchs as a threatened species which would have brought protection. That decision is now on hold under the Trump Administration. Numbers Crunch Low counts of overwintering monarchs trouble experts who see a potential species collapse. By Pam Marino There are 12 weeks until ballots are mailed for the primary election, when registered voters will cast their votes in several races, including Monterey County supervisor for Districts 2 and 3. While three candidates have so far filed papers to enter the District 2 race— including incumbent Supervisor Glenn Church—information about the two challengers and their reasons for running remains slim. According to campaign filings, the candidates running against Church to represent North County are Derek Satterlee, a technician at Vistra’s Moss Landing Power Plant, and Ramon Gomez, chief of staff for Santa Cruz County Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, whose district includes most of Pajaro Valley and the city of Watsonville. Gomez also serves on the North Monterey County Fire District board and on the Monterey County Planning Commission. The Board of Supervisors reappointed him on Feb. 10 as planning commissioner to a four-year term through 2030. “I’ve always figured there’s going to be opposition,” Church says. “It’s a district that has a lot of political activism, and that’s a good thing.” Candidates will face several hot-button issues, including future plans for battery energy storage at Moss Landing following the fire in January 2025. Flooding in Pajaro has complicated efforts to expand affordable housing while levee work continues, and wildfire risk remains a concern. Among these, Church sees water as a top priority. “There are some expensive projects coming down, and I’m really concerned about the affordability of it, for the entire county,” he says. According to a biography provided to the Board of Supervisors, Gomez lives in Prunedale with his wife and children and was raised in North Monterey County and Watsonville. He earned degrees in economics and history from UC Santa Cruz, and served as president of the board of directors of the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments. He’s also served on Watsonville City Council and has been involved with North County Parks and Recreation District, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Manzanita Little League, among other organizations. Gomez did not respond to requests for comment. Satterlee is a Prunedale resident, according to campaign statements. He began working for Vistra in 2024 and recently applied to be appointed to the Monterey County Regional Fire District board. (His application was denied because his residence is located outside MCRFD territory.) Satterlee launched a GoFundMe campaign in December and has raised more than $2,000 for Monterey County election filing fees. He wrote: “I’m running for Monterey County District 2 Supervisor to build economic progress, strong communities, and protect individual freedom.” Satterlee declined to be interviewed. “From the input I have from the community, I feel pretty good about things. I really don’t know the issues that either one of them is running on,” Church says, “so it’s kind of hard to know what the criticism is.” In South County’s District 3, no challengers have filed; incumbent Chris Lopez is so far unopposed. The filing deadline for the June 2 election is March 6. As of Dec. 31, Lopez reported a formidable campaign fund balance of $138,000. Church had $43,000. Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church is seeking a second term. So far, two challengers have filed papers to run to represent North County’s District 2. Quiet Campaign The race for District 2 county supervisor has begun, but challengers remain elusive. By Katie Rodriguez Natalie Johnston of the P.G. Museum of Natural History says more residents are pledging to forgo pesticides and advocate for monarchs. “I’m really proud of our local community,” she says. “I’ve always figured there’s going to be opposition.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
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10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com With the proliferation of e-bike riders zooming around Monterey County, sometimes speeding down sidewalks or weaving through pedestrians, the Pacific Grove City Council is exploring what it can and cannot do to regulate e-bikes. At a City Council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 4, the city’s special counsel, Elena Gerli, broke down the current regulations for electric bike riders, who, like people-powered bicyclists, are obliged to follow similar rules of the road as motorists, such as always yielding to pedestrians. Gerli described the three classifications of e-bikes—with classes 1 and 2 able to reach speeds of 20 miles per hour and class 3 e-bikes able to travel at a maximum of 28 mph. In Pacific Grove, e-bikes are prohibited in Perkins Park, Lovers Point Park, P.G. Golf Links, El Carmelo Cemetery, and property on the ocean side of Ocean View Boulevard, except on paved portions of the Rec Trail. To further regulate e-bike use, Gerli said the city can prohibit the operation and parking of bicycles and e-bikes on sidewalks, paths and other public property. But the city cannot limit the use of e-bikes on bike paths that are on or adjacent to roadways, or regulate operation on public streets and highways. (City Council directed city staff to conduct a deep dive and revisit the topic at a later date.) From a multimodal perspective, Monterey County Sustainability Program Manager Cora Panturad said that making the roads safer for all— whether e-bike riders, motorists or pedestrians—comes down to improved infrastructure, education and awareness. “For safe ridership, having more programs starting in schools on how to ride bikes safely would be beneficial,” Panturad said. “And the best thing to do [as a bike or e-bike rider] is to just slow down when you see that you’re going down a crowded path. Being able to instill that sense of civility in people is something we need to concentrate our efforts on.” For Panturad, e-bikes are far from a problematic form of travel; they are a critical component in a sustainable transportation future. “E-bikes are part of a solution for our transportation problems, our climate problems and for our municipal budget problems,” Panturad says. “And finding a way to rebalance our infrastructure so that pedestrians, bicycles and cars can coexist is in everyone’s best interest.” Automatic license plate reader cameras have become a source of controversy with camera systems like those from Flock Safety being dropped by cities such as Santa Cruz and Los Altos Hills following public pushback. But the cameras have other uses than assisting law enforcement, such as helping parking attendants determine who parked where and when. On Tuesday, Feb. 3, Monterey City Council approved a $182,300 contract with ComSonics, Inc. for the purchase and installation of six mobile automatic license plate reading (ALPR) camera systems and services for the city’s parking division. “The City’s use of ALPR technology supports parking operations by streamlining how enforcement officers verify paid parking, time limits and virtual permits, reducing the need for manual chalking or license plate entry,” Monterey Parking Superintendent Cristie Steffy says. “The ALPR cameras are used solely for authorized parking and operational purposes and do not provide access to personal information,” Steffy adds. This acquisition will expand the use of cameras—in place for parking enforcement since 2001—to all parking division scooters. The city will likely acquire the new cameras in late spring. According to ComSonics’ website, “Checking permits and tire-chalking manually is overly time-consuming. Operators can mount the AutoVu camera on a vehicle, and automate city or university parking enforcement for many types of permits and time limit zones at once. Operators will become more efficient at covering vast areas, and AutoVu will help improve the collection of unpaid vehicle infractions.” The city acquired the camera system through an existing competitive bid contract by the City of Seal Beach through a process known as piggybacking. The money comes from the city’s parking fund capital improvement project enterprise fund, and ongoing annual services will be included in the parking division’s operating budget. Slow Down Pacific Grove City Council explores options to regulate problematic e-bike use. By Aric Sleeper NEWS IN CLASS North Monterey County Unified School District Board of Trustees meets and accepts public comment. 6pm Thursday, Feb. 12. North Monterey County High School Library, 13990 Castroville Blvd., Castroville. Free. (831) 633-3343, nmcusd.org. CLIMATE CONCERNS Pacific Grove’s draft Climate Action and Adaptation Plan is available for public review. The plan outlines ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions, protect the national environment and more. Deadline to submit comments is Thursday, Feb. 12. cityofpg.org/climateplan. CELEBRATING LEGACY City of Seaside hosts a program for Black History Month. The event honors the ongoing contributions of Black leaders. 3-6pm Sunday, Feb. 15. Oldemeyer Center, Laguna Grande Room, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. (831) 8996800, ci.seaside.ca.us. ON THE DAIS Monterey City Council meets and accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, Feb. 17. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 6463799, monterey.gov. DRIVE SAFE A workshop focuses on how cannabis affects driving and the legal consequences of driving under the influence. The workshop, presented by the County of Monterey Health Department, is geared toward teens and their parents. 5:30-7:30pm Tuesday, Feb. 17. Government Center, 1441 Schilling Place, Salinas. Free. Register at bit. ly/DUIworkshopMC. (831) 796-2871, covarrubiasL2@countyofmonterey.gov. ELECTION SEASON The candidate filing period for the June 2026 election is now open. Candidate forms will be available only during this period. Deadline to file is 5pm Friday, March 6. Make an appointment at candidateservices@countyofmonterey.gov or (831) 796-1499. countyofmonterey.gov/ elections. SCOPE OUT The U.S. Army plans a project to control erosion on a slope along the Lighthouse Avenue portion of Lower Presidio Historic Park. A draft environmental report is being circulated for public review and comments. Deadline to submit comments is March 9. View the report online at bit. ly/PresidioParkEA or a hard copy at Monterey Public Library, 625 Pacific St., and Pacific Grove Public Library, 550 Central Ave. Parking Watch City of Monterey to acquire automatic license plate reader cameras for parking enforcement. By Aric Sleeper Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are permitted on the paved portion of the Recreation Trail in Pacific Grove, as long as riders do not exceed a speed of 12 mph. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “E-bikes are part of a solution for our transportation problems.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 TRUST Birt and Kathleen Johnson, Jr. (above) give through the Birt and Kathleen Johnson Jr. Fund, a donor advised fund of the CFMC. Read their story: cfmco.org/Johnson Simplify your giving. We can help. Donor Advised Funds • IRA Charitable Distributions • Charitable Estate Planning (CGAs, CRTs) • Family Philanthropy • Scholarships & More 831.375.9712 | cfmco.org | We trust the Community Foundation as a partner in philanthropy because they care.” Gf'HE Q,UILL O! JOIN US FOR OUR Sunday, February 15, 2026 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 553 Lighthouse Avenue I Pacific Grove SWEET TREATS • RAFFLES • GIVEAWAYS The first 100 guests will receive a tote bag and anything that fits inside is 30% off! (excludingJellycat) FOR MORE INFO: 831-394-5656 sales@montereycountynow.com Published by FREE BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Wedding GUIDE 2025-2026 cover_WG25.indd 1 2/27/25 3:03 PM Connect with eager couples and their families to make their Monterey County wedding even more memorable. Photo: Evynn Levally HAPPILY EVER AFTER BEGINS IN MONTEREY COUNTY Best of Monterey Bay® Wedding Guide COMING MARCH
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Issues with unpermitted food vendors have continued in Monterey County, with 223 complaints being filed in the past 18 months to the county’s Environmental Health Bureau. Most of them are pop-up taco vendors that operate in unincorporated areas (clustered in Pajaro, Castroville and near Salinas) selling food out of a cart, truck or tent without permits and may not follow procedures such as maintaining proper temperatures. Ric Encarnacion, the county’s director of environmental health, says it is dangerous and could cause illness resulting in symptoms ranging from stomachaches and vomiting to death. (There are no reports of illnesses from eating at unpermitted food vendors in Monterey County, but one person died while on their way to or from an unpermitted food pop-up.) The Board of Supervisors voted on Feb. 3 to make enforcement a priority and allocated $50,000 to the District Attorney’s office. (Enforcement is a collaborative effort among the DA, Sheriff and Environmental Health.) Environmental Health has focused on education and encouraging vendors to obtain permits. But since the issue persisted, enforcement escalated to include issuing citations and impounding vehicles and equipment. Fines can be up to $1,000 per violation. Encarnacion says unpermitted food operations have always existed; the issue now is a coordinated scheme operated from Merced County in which vendors fan out across the region selling unrefrigerated food from booths with no handwashing stations. In May of 2025, the DA alerted the public about this issue and estimated it generated about $100,000 in monthly profits for Merced “kingpins.” The DA described food stands recognizable for their blue-and-red tents, and said vendors were selling food made over two hours away in Merced and transported without refrigeration. Chief Deputy DA Emily Hickok says they continue investigating these operations and the people who organize them. The DA’s office is also looking into further enforcement that could include criminal and civil charges. Orlando Osornio, a food truck event organizer in Salinas and former city councilmember, says enforcement is necessary to protect vendors who are following the law. “When I was with the city of Salinas, we invested money into more enforcement and made it a priority to take these places out,” Osornio says. One of the county’s goals is to have staff working outside 9-to-5 hours when much of the illicit activity occurs, with a program similar to Salinas’ task force that launched in 2024. The city has invested $250,000 and hired retired police officers to work after-hours. Since then, complaints have dwindled in Salinas, but vendors have moved into unincorporated Monterey County. The Environmental Health Bureau currently has 10 inspectors for both restaurants and food trucks. The department is in the process of hiring two more workers who will be dedicated to enforcement. Danger Zone Monterey County pushes for a crackdown on unpermitted food vendors. By Celia Jiménez One issue with unpermitted food vendors is unsanitary conditions. Environmental Health Bureau officials attribute the proliferation to the decriminalization of sidewalk vending in 2023. NEWS It generated about $100,000 in monthly profits. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BUREAU COUNTY OF MONTEREY The Oven Pizzeria is here to help! Whether it’s a corporate event, family gathering, or a graduation party, we’ve got the perfect pizzas to please everyone. Choose from our classic East Coast thin crust or signature West Coast sourdough for that unique slice. Let us handle the meal, so you can enjoy the time. Craving Pizza? Catering made easy visit www.TheOvenOnBroadway.com for our menu Call us at 831-899-1762 to order! FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
www.montereycountynow.com FEBRUARY 12-18, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 It wasn’t until the Palisades Fire that Karen Strickland began looking at her own home through the lens of wildfire risk. She noticed characteristics similar to those that fueled the catastrophic 2020 fire in Chico—poorly maintained forests, limited roads out of the area, droughts that left trees less healthy— now visible in her own neighborhood. In 2023, she and her partner got to work. They started making their Monterey home in the Sierra Vista neighborhood more resilient, replacing gutters and reworking their front and back yards. They removed all the ice plants that covered their sloped surroundings and climbed the oak trees in their backyard. They’ve invested tens of thousands of dollars, hoping that their efforts will help them retain their fire insurance—a major issue for many of their neighbors—and ultimately, protect their house. The real challenge came when she looked beyond the first five feet of the house, examining their fence and neighbors’ yards and considered whether they could remove an oak tree growing through the fence. Last year, Cal Fire updated defensible space mandates, including recommendations to reduce tree and vegetation fuel loads, helping homeowners determine how many trees their properties can safely support. “We’re the Altadena fire waiting to happen. We’re sitting right in the red area on the Cal Fire maps,” Strickland says, referencing the fire hazard severity zone maps released in March 2025. “We’ve seen it happen in other communities, but we have a chance to change it. But you have to give the city the tools to allow people to do that.” Strickland is one of a number of residents who feel the city’s tree ordinances are too restrictive. At a Monterey Appeals Hearing Board meeting on Jan. 29, residents shared stories of struggling to take action on trees of concern. Vicky Williams recalled a pine tree that had been repeatedly deemed healthy despite her concerns, only to fall on her garage two years ago. “Most trees are older than our homes,” Williams said. “Many aging, leaning trees are now hazardous to human lives and homes.” The City of Monterey has a detailed tree ordinance that aims to preserve and protect the trees in public and private spaces. Residents must obtain a permit from the city forester to remove, relocate or do any significant pruning. Thys Norton, the city’s park operations manager, says there is reasonable wiggle room in the tree ordinance, noting few permits are denied. Over the past year, city officials held two town hall events and solicited community input through surveys to update the ordinance. He adds the city is awaiting more guidance from Cal Fire before bringing a draft to City Council. “There are several elements that could lead to a tree removal,” Norton says, “but in the upcoming ordinance change, we are trying to make it easier for folks to remove trees when necessary.” Forest for the Trees Citing safety concerns, Monterey residents advocate for flexibility in the city’s tree ordinance. By Katie Rodriguez Karen Strickland shows fire-resistance updates to her backyard. The Monterey Vista Neighborhood Association member is one of several advocating for more flexibility to remove trees. NEWS “We’re the Altadena fire waiting to happen. We’re sitting right in the red area.” DANIEL DREIFUSS 2026 Orbea Wild - In Stock OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY In Downtown Santa Cruz – 585 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz See website or phone for details • 831-621-2309 • www.currentebikes.com EVERY BIKE INCLUDES: • 2 YEARS FREE TUNE-UPS • PROFESSIONAL ASSEMBLY • ASSISTANCE WITH SIZING & ADJUSTMENTS • DISCOUNTS ON ACCESSORIES, RACKS, ETC. • COMPLETE POST SALE SERVICE MENTION THIS AD FOR AN ADDITIONAL $50 OFF ANY BIKE IN STOCK ELECTRIC BICYCLES new spring arrivals carmel plaza sport coats sweaters shirting outerwear carmel-by-the-sea 622 LIGHTHOUSE AVE. MONTEREY. @HULASTIKI • (831) 655-HULA (4852) the original
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