APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT AT PORSCHE SPEED 8 | DESAL REVIVAL 12 | AN AI LOVE STORY 31 | COCKTAIL PERSONALITIES 39 FIRST PLACE GENERAL EXCELLENCE • 2025 CA JOURNALISM AWARDS • Law enforcement agencies have deployed hundreds of license plate reader cameras throughout Monterey County. Records reveal violations of state law. p. 20 By Aric Sleeper WHAT THE FLOCK? FamilyFREE 2026-2027 BEST OF MONTEREY BAY ® PUBLISHED BY SUMMER CAMP LISTINGS ON THE BIG STAGE OUTDOORS APPRECIATION SMART MONEY MOVES TWO-WHEELED ADVENTURES FAMILY SUPPORT cover_family_26.indd 1 3/19/26 3:00 PM Best Of Monterey Bay® Family magazine inside
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www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 Magnet® designation is the gold standard for nursing excellence, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center to hospitals that demonstrate superior patient care, innovation, and leadership. It recognizes organizations where expert nurses are empowered and committed to delivering the safest, highest-quality care. Choosing a Magnet hospital means choosing a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Salinas Valley Health Medical Center has earned Magnet® with Distinction The Gold Standard of Nursing Excellence APPROXIMATELY 10% of U.S. hospitals have achieved Magnet designation ONLY ABOUT 1% of U.S. hospitals have earned Magnet with Distinction as of February 2026 MAGNET WITH DISTINCTION is an elite recognition that places our organization among the highest-performing hospitals in the nation “I’m immensely proud of our nurses and every member of our team whose contributions made this possible.” — Carla Spencer, MSN, RN, NEA-BC Chief Nursing Officer
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 • ISSUE #1966 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Steve Zmak (DJI Mavic 2 Pro with 28mm Hasselblad f/2.8 lens) A radiant sunset on Friday night, March 27, as seen from 400 feet above Marina. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: More than 300 automated license plate reading cameras have been placed around Monterey County by the company Flock Safety, contracted by local law enforcement agencies. Those agencies include Pacific Grove Police Department, which has 12 cameras, including one on Sunset Drive near Asilomar State Beach. Cover photo: Daniel Dreifuss 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 APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 You’re Invited! Join us for an open house and learn how Salinas Valley Health combines leading-edge cancer treatments with compassionate, personalized care. • Learn about our comprehensive cancer care services. • Take a special tour of our Cancer Resource Center and Infusion Center. • Meet our expert physicians, nurse navigators and care teams. • Explore the supportive services and classes available to cancer patients and caregivers. FREE COMMUNITY CANCER EDUCATION EVENT Expert Cancer Care Close to home Geetha Varma, MD Hematology & Oncology Thursday, April 9, 2026 5:00-7:30pm Salinas Valley Health Cancer Resource Center 501 East Romie Lane, Suite C Salinas 5:00pm Reception 5:30pm Presentation 5:45pm Tours start (until 7:15pm) FREE valet parking at the Medical Center parking structure. Register by scanning the QR code. WALK-INS WELCOME!
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Elon Musk’s X thought some major companies were conspiring against it by not advertising on the social media platform. A federal judge dismissed that claim on March 26. In 2024, X filed an antitrust lawsuit against the World Federation of Advertisers and some major companies, which include Mars, CVS Health and Colgate. When Musk took over the platform formerly known as Twitter in 2022, many companies pulled their advertising from X over concerns that safeguards protecting users had been removed, while previously banned users had their accounts reinstated. The lawsuit alleged the advertisers banded together to withhold “billions of dollars in advertising revenue” from X in a manner that violated antitrust law. The companies denied any wrongdoing, saying they had acted independently when making their business decisions, and instead argued that X could not prove they acted in unison. U.S. District Judge Jane Boyle agreed. “The very nature of the alleged conspiracy does not state an antitrust claim, and the court therefore has no qualm dismissing with prejudice,” she wrote. Good: March 26 was another day for Greenfield High School student Rodrigo Velasquez as he checked in to his shift as a lead at KFC in King City, until he found out he was awarded $20,000 for college. Velasquez was one of 11 students nationwide to be awarded the top scholarship from the KFC Foundation this year. Velasquez, a student pilot, plans to attend San Jose State University’s aviation program in the fall. Velasquez applied for the scholarship by writing an essay that demonstrated financial need. Also during the surprise celebration, King City High School student Eva Vicencio received $5,000, which she intends to use at UC Davis Medical Center as she studies for a career in nuclear medicine. The foundation is awarding more than 300 KFC employees nationwide a total of $2 million in scholarships in 2026. GREAT: For the first time in more than half a century, a crewed spacecraft will fly around the moon—and two of the four crew members on the 10-day space flight are alumni of Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. Artemis II, which was expected to launch on April 1 (after the Weekly’s deadline), is commanded by retired U.S. Navy Capt. Reid Wiseman and piloted by Navy Capt. Victor Glover, both alumni of NPS. They earned certificates in space systems fundamentals from NPS, while Glover received a master’s degree in systems engineering from the school. The two have been to space once before. “U.S. Navy Capt. Gene Cernan was the last astronaut to set foot on the moon. He commanded the Apollo 17 mission in 1972 and was also an NPS alumnus. So, it’s exciting to see us headed back,” NPS President Ann Rondeau said in an article on the school’s website. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many people work at La Playa Hotel, making it Carmel’s largest employer. The City of Carmel is second with 84. Rounding out the rest of the top 10 employers are restaurants. Source: City of Carmel 116 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “I’m very frightened for our future.” -Onette McElroy of Monterey, who was among the estimated thousands who attended a No Kings protest at Window on the Bay on Saturday, March 28 (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). fri-sun apr 3rd-5th carmel plaza handmade italian sportswear carmel-by-the-sea trunk show 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 ’21-’25 Best Vintage Clothing Seeking Volunteers Yellow brick road wants your help Merchandisers • Researchers • Cashiers Help us raise funds for scholarships and Grants In 2025, Yellow Brick Road gave $518,000 in grants $98,000 in scholarships in all in Monterey County. In 37 years we’ve given almost $10 million. Please visit our website yellowbrickroadbenefitshop.org or visit our store. Main Store & Bookstore, 26388 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel Furniture & Art Shop, 26344 Carmel Rancho Lane, Carmel 831-624-8480
INSIDER SQUID SAYS: SUPPORT LOCAL & INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM Join your neighbors and become an INSIDER HOW TO JOIN Go online at insider.montereycountynow.com Or by mail: 668 Williams Ave., Seaside, CA 93955 Your contribution level: $500 $150 $50 $20 $15 $10 Other $_ ______ Contribution schedule: Monthly (dollar match special) Annual One-time Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________________________ City, State_ ____________________________________________________________________ Email_ __________________________________ Phone________________________________ May we include your name in public acknowledgements? Yes How would you like your name to appear?__________________________________________ No, I would prefer to be anonymous Payment: Credit card number_ ____________________________________________________________ Expiration date __________________________CVV code_ _____________________________ Name/Billing address (if different from above)_ _____________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ DOLLAR MATCH SPECIAL Sign up as a monthly supporter by April 30 and your first month’s donation will be matched dollar for dollar. www.montereycountyweekly.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 040226 Local News Day: A national day of action connecting communities with trusted local news. APRIL 9, 2026 localnewsday.org @localnewsday
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 A man sitting next to me glances at his phone and chuckles. He shows me a directive from his wife, sent via text. “You can sit in one, but don’t drive,” it reads. Outside, a line of cars wait on pit lane in groups of three or four. The colors vary, but they are all Porsches, model 911 Carrera S, that need just a few ticks over three seconds to go from standing to 60 miles per hour. There is no way my neighbor—or anyone in the room—is going to follow her advice. We have gathered for the Porsche Track Experience, a new feature at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca that allows ordinary people to splurge on instruction from professional race car drivers—former Formula 1 and IndyCar star Roberto Guerrero, Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge champion Nick Galante, current IMSA sportscar driver Jade Buford and the like—and pilot a Porsche around the famed circuit. The experience, they reassure us, will be relatively easy, provided we follow instructions. Besides, “You’re driving someone else’s car on a race track,” Chief Instructor Cass Whitehead tells the group. “How can that not be fun?” He’s right, of course. Laguna Seca is a roller coaster. G-forces tug at you through the hairpin. The car flies through turn 4. It falls blindly into the Corkscrew and threatens to throw you forward as you brake hard into turn 11. And then there are the quirks of the track itself. As you tear toward the crest of the front stretch, it’s best to aim toward the third telephone pole in order to get in position for the hairpin. When the track plunges from sight as you turn into the Corkscrew, drivers put the car in line with the second tree from the left. The team has marked the corners from braking point to exit to guide participants. Further assistance comes over the radio as Buford, in this case, relays his observations: “Dave, you missed the apex…be patient through the corner…unwind the steering…that was better.” There is a lot to process, such as late apex cornering, active vision, weight transfer and string theory (which has nothing to do with the particles that make up the universe). We learn that dealing with understeer is relatively straightforward. But oversteer—when the rear end of the car breaks loose— requires a little CPR, an acronym for Correct, Pause, Recover. “The pause is something you are feeling for, not something you do,” Whitehead says during our classroom introduction. We are participating in the half-day experience, which is meant to introduce the concepts and give people a feel for them, while at the same time filling many bucket lists. Correcting oversteer happens on the skidpad— after several wild spins. “Unless you do this a lot, it’s hard to develop the muscle memory,” explains Jeff Purner, Porsche Track Experience manager. “But once those skills are ingrained, they are there for good.” The half-day program is divided into time learning braking skills, active vision (staying ahead of the car to pick out the racing line) and car control, the last being something that should be mandatory for every driver. Porsche Track Experience also offers a one- or two-day course at the track, as well as the three-day Masters RS program for a racing license. Even for the half-day, the schedule emphasizes time on the legendary track—around 45 minutes. Porsche has been operating the track experience at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama since 1999. For their inaugural season at Laguna Seca, the organization has 80 days on the calendar, including two Masters RS sessions—already fully booked at $14,000. (Only one spot remains available for the $2,000 half-day courses.) “It filled up immediately,” Purner says. “We figured that was going to happen. We poll people about which tracks they would like to see. Laguna Seca is always at the top of the list.” The Porsche Track Experience will keep 54 cars at the facility, as well as a garage and permanent local staff. Half a day of instruction did not make us race car drivers. But you do leave with a much-improved understanding of driving in general. You also leave wanting a Porsche 911 Carrera S for your own, which is unfortunate to bear for a writer. Purner just chuckles. “It’s a great marketing tool,” he says. Wheel Deal New to Laguna Seca, a program from Porsche gives people a chance to drive the track. By Dave Faries “You’re driving someone else’s car on a race track.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE MO SATARZADEH/PORSCHE TRACK EXPERIENCE The Porsche Track Experience provides instruction at Laguna Seca. While acknowledging that it is a once-in-a-lifetime deal for many, program manager Jeff Purner says the lessons “apply no matter what you drive.” BEYOND THE HANOI HILTON: A conversation with former naval flight officer and vietnam pow larry fries Enjoy light breakfast, an update from Monterey Bay Defense Alliance Chairperson Fred Meurer, and a conversation with Guest Speaker Larry Friese followed by a Q&A WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15 • 7:30 - 9:00 AM MONTEREY CONFERENCE CENTER TICKETS: $45 REGISTER AT: MONTEREY.GOV/MBDAEVENTS
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Transform Your Life w i th Break through Men ’s Community This time of year many men resolve to be a "better version" of themselves. For 28 years, Breakthrough has offered tools that help men create lasting change. It starts right here. Spring 2026 Workshops – In-Person & Online In-person starts April 2026, On-line starts March 2026 Monterey, CA in person & Virtual Worldwide Financial aid available Free weekly introductory sessions on-line. “At is core Breakthrough is about being the best man you can be.” – Program Graduate Sign up at: breakthroughformen.org Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are accurate as of 03/03/2026. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum opening deposit for the 7-month certificate is $500. The APY is based on an assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces earnings and there may be penalties for early withdrawal. Call 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) for current rates. We reserve the right to change or discontinue this program at any time. Rates and term are subject to change without notice. 0226-MTW 3.60% APY1 for 7 months Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Limited time offer Earn more with a Term Savings Certificate
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS It was a tense meeting and a sudden decision for A.W. Shucks and its landlords. On Feb. 11, the Carmel Planning Commission determined that A.W. Shucks operates more like a restaurant than a bar, effectively abandoning the intent of its special use permit—one of three in the city. Following that 4-1 vote, A.W. Shucks and TSD Carmel Properties filed appeals that will go before the Carmel City Council for an administrative hearing on Tuesday, April 7. “We’re just looking for due process at this point,” John Plastini, president of TSD Carmel Properties, says. Since 1993, A.W. Shucks has served both alcohol and food, after receiving City approval to add food service. The use permit runs with the land rather than with the business, and has remained with the property for decades, Plastini says. In 2015, however, the city changed its rules, placing a cap on the total number of such permits. “Once they changed the rules they created the problem. When you have the scarcity of one, it has a certain value,” he says. Plastini places that value at around $250,000. The appeal argues that neither the business nor the property owners were ever notified of a violation, and that during past reviews, staff never considered revoking the permit due to the addition of food service. If the use permit were revoked, A.W. Shucks would be required to resubmit an application for a full-line restaurant, which could change their hours and bar seating capacity. (The exact reduction in the number of seats remains unknown.) “It’s up to the city how this unfolds,” Plastini says. “The city usually works with you. It’s beyond me why this is such a difficult issue to resolve.” Permit Pawn A.W. Shucks and TSD Carmel Properties appeal Carmel Planning Commission decision. By Katie Rodriguez As part of the 13-year-old federal class action lawsuit regarding poor conditions at the Monterey County Jail, anyone incarcerated there from late 2016 through the end of 2025 is eligible for a payout. In 2013, former and current inmates of the Monterey County Jail sued the County of Monterey, Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and California Forensic Medical Group (CFMG) regarding medical, mental health and dental care at the jail, alongside issues related to safety and disability access. In August 2015, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California approved a settlement agreement that detailed how the jail should intake, screen and care for inmates moving forward, and entered the agreement as a court order. In September 2023, the court ruled that CFMG, at the time the jail’s health care provider, was in contempt of 43 requirements of the 2015 settlement agreement. As part of that ruling, CFMG—which later became Wellpath through a merger—was ordered to distribute $2.47 million to those who were incarcerated between May 27, 2016, and Dec. 31, 2025, to compensate for its inadequate care. Each qualified claimant will receive a fixed dollar amount from the settlement fund and will receive more money for each day they were incarcerated during the settlement period. The exact amount each claimant receives will depend on the number of people who file claims. Per court documents, if 20 percent of the settlement class submits claims by the April 20 deadline, the average award would be about $336 per person. The county’s contract with Wellpath ended on Dec. 31, 2025, after a 40-year run as the Monterey County Jail’s health care provider, and Correctional Healthcare Partners (CHP) took over with a five-year and five-month $139 million contract approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors last year. Sheriff Tina Nieto says the new provider is already proving to be a good choice, and staffing has increased from 57 to 90 full-time equivalents. “It doesn’t seem as chaotic,” Nieto says, “even though a jail is very chaotic.” Corrections Operations Bureau Chief Deputy Timothy Lanquist says, “Correctional health care is community health care. “The standards [CHP] have set for themselves have raised the bar to exceed that community standard. In the past, with Wellpath, we were driving the bus. We were pushing for change. It’s gotten to the point where they [at CHP] are pushing us.” Lanquist adds that caring for the well-being of the Monterey County Jail’s population, whether it’s their physical or mental health, helps incarcerated people better adjust when they are released, which is part of why they recommended CHP, despite the higher cost. “We know our incarcerated population and we know what they need, so getting a company like Correctional Health Partners that is more of a boutique correctional health care provider, they really come in and look at the needs of our incarcerated population and tailor a program for that population,” he says. “That’s what really sold us was that partnership.” An expansion at Monterey County Jail was completed in 2022 and includes 576 new beds, for a total capacity of 1,401 people. Settle Up More than a decade after incarcerated people sued the Monterey County Jail, some will be compensated. By Aric Sleeper Karen Basi and her husband, Randy Basi, are the owners of A.W. Shucks Cocktail & Oyster Bar in Carmel, which they purchased in 2023. “It doesn’t seem as chaotic, even though a jail is very chaotic.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Saturday, May 2, 2026 - 9AM Toro Park namiwalks.org/montereycounty Monterey County 559 PACIFIC STREET MONTEREY, CA 93940 MONTEREYART.ORG SATURDAY, APRIL 11TH 11 AM–4 PM SAVE THE DATE FOR MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART’S 4TH ANNUAL Free and open to all, this vibrant arts festival transforms downtown Monterey into a bustling hub of art and creativity. 2020 INFORMATIONAL SESSIONS AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT 2:00 PM AT THESE LOCATIONS THE SUPERIOR COURT URGES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPROVING YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT! Greenfield Tuesday May 12 Monterey Wednesday May 13 www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/grandjury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 Salinas Thursday May 14 Monterey Courthouse Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00 pm Salinas Courthouse Thursday, May 7 at 2:00 pm King City Courthouse Friday, May 8 at 10:30 am www.monterey.courts.ca.gov/general-information/grand-jury (831) 775-5400 Extension 3014 The 2026–2027 Civil Grand Jury Needs You! 2026 INFORMATIONAL SESSION AND INTERVIEWS TO BE HELD AT THESE LOCATIONS
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The desalination project at Marina State Beach was originally a pilot study in 1996—one that proved successful, though more expensive than pumping groundwater at the time. So, it was put on pause. In mid-March, after more than two decades and increasing pressure on local aquifers, the Marina Coast Water District (MCWD) began reviving that same desalination plant to help reduce reliance on groundwater. Now in Phase 1, parts of the plant infrastructure are being restored, and water quality tests are underway. Once online, the plant will add 300 acre-feet annually— enough to supply around 900 homes. “We’re executing on a series of projects that are meant to help the district diversify its water portfolio,” says Remleh Scherzinger, MCWD’s general manager. “We have to think in small bits.” Flanking the Marina State Beach parking lot, which remains open to the public, the desalination plant reconstruction is in full swing. The project will rehabilitate an existing beach intake well buried under the sand just 30 feet from the parking lot, which project managers say remains in very good condition. A new pipeline will be installed underneath the parking lot to transport water to a reverse osmosis filtration system. Phase 1 will also pump ocean water from the well and re-inject it into the beach sand to circulate and sample water quality. That data will be provided to design engineers so they can fine-tune the treatment process. A $1.2 million contract was awarded in 2023 for Phase 1 of the project; the cost for Phase 2 has not yet been determined. The project is expected to be online early 2027. “As soon as we have the water quality data, we’ll finish the design,” Scherzinger says. In an effort to mitigate overdrafted groundwater basins, the MCWD Groundwater Sustainability Agency is pursuing several water supplies, including desalination. MCWD is using treated recycled water from Monterey One Water’s Pure Water Monterey project, which last year delivered 417 acre-feet of its 600 acre-feet allocation to customers. The district is also pursuing additional supply through M1W via an indirect potable reuse project, which would inject unused treated water back into the groundwater basin for future use. “Marina Coast serves 10 land use jurisdictions—41,000 people,” Scherzinger says. “We’re a lot more than people think we are.” As the end of the rainy season approaches, a long-awaited study on Little Bear Creek and strategies to reduce flooding in the surrounding Bolsa Knolls neighborhood was presented to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors on March 24. There are between 60 and 80 residential properties prone to flooding in the area, Balance Hydrologics, a Berkeley-based consulting firm, found. The study’s authors recommend culvert enlargement at Paul Avenue and Rogge Road; sediment removal at culvert crossings; vegetation management; and building basins upstream to retain flow and sediment. The study includes four recommendations mixing and matching from those strategies at a total cost ranging from $550,000 to $1.2 million. The fifth alternative would be the most costly, up to $6 million, and aligns with FEMA’s Flood Insurance Study from the 1970s. It calls for channel grading. “Construction of upstream sediment retention and flow detention basins would be the most cost-effective strategy for providing broader flood protection benefits and protection from large storm events,” a report by a county hydrologist states. Various approaches would require cooperation with private property owners, “increasing the complexity of both design and implementation,” according to the study. The board asked the Public Works Department to return in two months with more detailed project costs, potential funding sources and information on possibly creating a special district. “[If] this place is going to continue to have some flooding, we have got to reduce the frequency and the severity of it,” said County Supervisor Glenn Church, who represents the area. Other alternatives include creating a special district or joint powers authority to manage the creek, and possible code enforcement actions on property owners who live upstream and aren’t controlling erosion. Table Salt A Marina desalination project is underway to add drinking water supply. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS WHARF WALK Historian Tim Thomas leads tours of the wharf. The theme of this one is “Azorean Fishermen: The Portuguese Legacy in Monterey Bay.” 10am-noon Saturday, April 4. Fisherman’s Wharf, near Harbor House Store, Monterey. Free. Reserve a spot at (831) 646-3933, monterey.gov/ library/events. LISTEN UP Supervisor Chris Lopez hosts a listening session for residents of Soledad. Share your thoughts about County government. 6pm Monday, April 6. Hartnell College, Soledad Education Center Community Room, 1505 Metz Road, Soledad. Free. (831) 755-5033, district3@countyofmonterey.gov. ON PARKING The City of Monterey Parking Division hosts a neighborhood meeting to review the residential parking permit program. Oldtown residents are invited to attend. 6pm Monday, April 6. City Council Chamber, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 646-3953, monterey.gov/ parking. MONEY MATTERS Learn about the County of Monterey’s budget for the next fiscal year. Departments will share their funding needs and priorities with the Board of Supervisors. 10:30am-5pm Tuesday, April 7. Board of Supervisors Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas. Free. Also via Zoom at montereycty.zoom.us/j/224397747. countyofmonterey.gov. PROTECT THE COAST Sand City City Council considers an ordinance to ban onshore facilities that support offshore oil and gas exploration and development. 5:30pm Tuesday, April 7. City Council Chambers, 1 Pendergrass Way, Sand City. Free. (831) 394-6700, sandcity. org. LUNCH AND LEARN The League of Women Voters of Monterey County welcome guest speaker Paige Siegel, a NOAA fellow with the Central Coast Wetlands Group. She speaks on climate change impacts on Monterey Bay’s wetlands. 11:30am Wednesday, April 8. Unitarian Universalist Church, 490 Aguajito Road, Carmel. Free/talk, $25/lunch. Make lunch reservations by April 6. (831) 236-1611, lwvmryco.org. TAX DOLLARS AT WORK Share your thoughts on the City of Salinas’ Measure G through a survey. A new website also covers what the tax measure has funded since it was passed by voters in 2014. Survey closes on April 30. bit.ly/ SalinasMeasureG. Stream In County supervisors explore strategies to address flooding in Bolsa Knolls. By Celia Jiménez Adjacent to the Marina State Beach parking lot, construction is in progress of a new pipeline to transport water from an intake well to a reverse osmosis plant. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “The projects are meant to help diversify its water portfolio.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 372 Corral de Tierra Road, Corral de Tierra 4 Beds, 4.5 Baths • $3,339,000 • www.372CorralDeTierraRd.com 2409 Schooner Avenue, Marina 4 Beds, 3.5 Baths • $2,499,000 • www.2409SchoonerAve.com 1171 Chaparral Road, Pebble Beach 4 Beds, 3 Baths • $2,350,000 • www.1171Chaparral.com 15181 Breckinridge Avenue, East Garrison 3 Beds, 3 Baths • $965,000 • www.15181Breckinridge.com Interested in a property? Contact us to schedule a showing! 831.624.2300 MontereyCoastRealty.com CalDRE #01871677 Locally Owned. Globally Connected. View all available listings by scanning the code presents The Pursuit of Liberty and America’s 250-Year Battle Over Power featuring JEFFREY ROSEN Acclaimed Author, Distinguished Professor, and CEO Emeritus of the National Constitution Center Tuesday, April 28th • Sunset Center, Carmel Program includes wine reception, program, book sale and signing. PURCHASE TICKETS AT www.CarmelPublicLibraryFoundation.org JOIN US! A compelling exploration of the U.S. Constitution
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com A letter from Carmel Mayor Dale Byrne to the California Department of Housing and Community Development that would upend a community effort to amend the city’s housing element sent shock waves through the village recently, just as HCD is about to rule on the amendment. “People felt personally hurt,” says Victoria Beach, a co-founder of Affordable Housing Alternatives, or AHA for short. The group has been working collaboratively with city staff, with input from HCD, for over a year to craft the amendment that seeks a creative solution to a state mandate to add 349 housing units to the city, including 149 low-income units. Byrne was part of AHA before he was elected in 2024. Last November, he and the rest of the council gave verbal approval to move the amendment forward to HCD. Byrne indicated at that time he had concerns but said the city had no other option. The original housing element, certified in 2024, included a requirement that the city issue a request for proposals by December 2025 for a housing development on at least one of the city’s two parking lots, the north Sunset Center lot or the Vista Lobos lot. Alarmed that it would result in a large low-income project concentrated on one lot, AHA members sought to find another way. The members paid for a consultant, a top expert in California housing elements, and spent hundreds of hours doing research and crafting a multipronged plan that includes transforming hotel rooms into apartments, encouraging accessory dwelling units, building above commercial sites and adding housing to church properties. Beach says HCD has been touting the plan to other cities as an example of how to tailor the state housing law to fit unique situations. In a March 20 letter to HCD, Byrne argued that parts of the AHA plan will not work and makes the case for pursuing an RFP to allow developers to build on the parking lots, presenting the lots as “the only locations capable of addressing both our housing needs and our long-standing parking constraints,” by integrating underground parking with development that would benefit senior citizens and workers. “By removing city-owned sites from this amendment before [the AHA] approach is tested, we risk closing the door on a once-in-a-generation opportunity,” he wrote. An attorney representing an unnamed client, Peter Prows of the San Francisco firm Briscoe, Prows, Kao, Ivester & Bazell, wrote to HCD that the city has “no substantial evidence to support a finding” that the hotel conversion plan will work. He urged HCD to find the amendment inconsistent with state housing law. Residents say the two letters combined leave them questioning Byrne’s motives and fear that the push to keep the RFP process for city lots will benefit developers. Byrne denies he’s trying to benefit anyone other than the city itself. In the meantime, the amended housing element was sent to HCD on March 27 for final approval. Face Slap Residents feel betrayed after Carmel’s mayor does a 180 on the city’s housing plan. By Pam Marino Carmel Mayor Dale Byrne says his argument to HCD is meant to benefit the city itself, not prospective developers, and he thinks all options should be on the table for housing. NEWS “By removing city-owned sites, we risk closing the door.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Landscape • Hardscape • Irrigation 831-624-4991 insideout1design@outlook.com f InsideOut Landscape Design CA LIC# 960809 w Landscape Design From An Interior Perspective Eliza DeCiantis believes that your landscape should be an extension of your interior space. Having received her Master Gardener’s Certification over 28 years ago, Eliza combines her 22 year career in television set design with her life-long passion for gardening to create beautiful custom landscape. Eliza is conscientious of our water management issues while creating a drought tolerant, deer resistant environment custom to your personal taste and budget. With a keen sense of attention to detail, Eliza will spruce up your existing landscape for a special event or create a new landscape to enjoy for years to come. InsideOut Landscape Design, Inc. can increase the value of your home, while enhancing the natural potential and beauty of your exterior space for your home or business.
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 There are more cats and dogs than there are loving homes for those pets, a reality that prompted County Supervisor Luis Alejo last year to request that the County explore a spay-and-neuter ordinance “to address pet overpopulation, euthanasia rates, and overcrowded shelters with minimal staffing.” On Tuesday, March 24, factions on both sides of the issue spoke up, urging the board to proceed or to back off. “There are other ways to help with animal overpopulation that doesn’t involve irreversible surgery,” Daniel Muñoz, a Salinas dog owner, said. “I’m very supportive and I would like the board to please take this into consideration because we are killing as many as we are adopting out,” said Anita Simone, a long-time dog owner. Cindy Burnham is chief administrator at Hitchcock Road Animal Services Agency, where an advisory committee is recommending against the proposed ordinance at this time, citing costs, staffing and access to care. Instead, the committee recommends sustainable funding, updating existing ordinances, increasing low-cost veterinary services and more. “If you don’t have access to care, having an ordinance is not going to help. We should focus on making sure there’s access to care before we mandate everybody to do that,” Burnham says, noting veterinarian services are scarce, especially in South County. Spay/neuter expenses can be $1,000. Spay and neuter ordinances have mixed outcomes, Burnham adds. In neighboring Santa Cruz County, Amber Rowland, general manager at Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter, opposes such an ordinance, noting data doesn’t show a direct link to reducing the shelter population. Seaside has a mandatory spay-andneuter ordinance for cats and dogs at 5 and 6 months of age, respectively. According to the nonprofit SNIP Bus, a mobile clinic, shelter intakes and overpopulation in the city have dropped by 50 percent. (SNIP offered a $25 spay/ neuter clinic for Seaside pet owners on March 31.) While this has been a positive outcome in the city, illegal breeding still occurs. On March 26, Seaside Police and Animal Control shut down a suspected illegal dog breeder on Amador Avenue where they say they found dogs living in hazardous conditions. Currently, the County requires residents to have a breeding permit (for more than two litters). “We don’t have sufficient staffing to really effectively enforce the ordinances that are on our books now,” Burnham adds. Other entities that offer spay and neuter services include SPCA Monterey County and South County Animal Rescue. SPCA fixes over 5,500 animals every year at prices usually ranging from $145 to $190. Its mobile clinics offer similar services starting at $25. In March, at Hitchcock Road Animal Services’ most recent free spay/ neuter clinic, nearly 600 people tried to secure 200 spots. On April 20, the Hitchcock board of directors will discuss the proposed ordinance before it goes to the Board of Supervisors on May 12. Snip It County supervisors consider a spay-andneuter requirement in unincorporated areas. By Celia Jiménez George Hayhoe, a volunteer, sterilizes instruments and assembles surgical packs at Hitchcock Road Animal Services in Salinas before the next furry patient arrives. NEWS “We are killing as many as we are adopting out.” CELIA JIMÉNEZ Camp Quien Sabe Overnight Camp >> Whispering Pines Day Camp >> Tiny Tots Summer Camp >> Summer Fun Playground Program >> Sports Camps >> Specialty Camps >> LEGO® Camps >> Gymnastics Programs >> And so much more! SUMMER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! MONTEREY.GOV/REC WHERE SUMMER BUILDS MORE THAN MEMORIES. Scan here for more info + online registration. Whispering Pines Day Camp and Camp Quien Sabe Overnight Camp ADVENTURE good vibes good vibes v Camp Counselors at Summer Programs LEADERSHIP POSITIVITY CONFIDENCE THE CITY OF MONTEREY friendship friendship f h COMMUNITY
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 2-8, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MEASURE FOR MEASURE Yep keep taxing the people…we have a City Council who gave themselves raises and can’t even get along like adults. I want them spending my hard-earned dollars (“Salinas advances a Measure G tax extension to appear on the November ballot,” March 26-April 1). Amanda Castro | Salinas HORSING AROUND Thank you for your report (“Marina evicts equestrian center operator as it ponders expanded uses of the property,” March 26-April 1). Perhaps dig deeper into the long history of the mismanagement of this property and what the City has done with the money that was supposed to go to the property. Maybe one day, someone will do an accurate, in-depth story about the property. After all, it is Marina’s largest public park and houses the largest and last U.S. Army Horse Hospital in the United States. Karen Hassan | Pacific Grove POWER TO THE PEOPLE I love it. So awesome! (“Local No Kings protests draw thousands of participants with a range of messages for the Trump administration,” posted March 30.) Cheryl “Rebelle” Robinson | Prunedale Waste of time. Al Macks | via social media Should be protesting the ludicrous “leadership” of this state and the resulting fuel prices. One-party rule for decades and no one else to blame but asinine “regulations.” Michael Steelman | via social media Kudos to all the volunteers organizing these events and to the thousands of Monterey County residents who are planning to attend on Saturday and rally in support of our democracy! (“Local organizers plan multiple No Kings protests around Monterey County on Saturday, March 28,” posted March 26.) Megan Whilden | Monterey Go get some exercise and enjoy the weather but remember when you’re all finished screaming and marching, Trump will still be your president. Jason Muscio | via social media Looking forward to gathering with motivated defenders of democracy, the Constitution, civil rights, women’s rights, voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant rights, human rights, compassion, kindness, and awareness of the precipice this incompetent, corrupt and criminal Administration has taken us to. Let’s make this the biggest protest in the history of the USA! Kelly Menehan | via social media Really? Don’t people have anything better to do? I would be willing to bet that 75 percent or more of the people don’t even know what they are demonstrating for. Sounds like a lot of people are suffering from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome). Robert McGregor | Salinas It’s wild how many so-called Americans are angry about people using their free speech to say they’re against any type of move toward a dictatorship. Back in the day, red-blooded Americans, Republicans and Democrats alike, would say hell yeah. We fought in wars against this kind of stuff. Now everyone’s just in love with the dude pushing us into it. Mike Rodriguez | Salinas FLY AWAY Thank you! We appreciate you (“TSA workers at Monterey Regional Airport continue to work without pay during shutdown,” March 26-April 1). Krista Carey | via social media IN FOCUS Great piece, thank you (“With the revival of MPC’s photography department and expanding annual PhotoCarmel festivities, the state of photography in Monterey County is strong,” March 26-April 1). Tiffany Velasquez Walker | via social media I took photography, film and theater classes at Monterey Peninsula College. We need to fund poor women in art; there are a lot of wealthy people with cameras, but that doesn’t make one a photographer. Denica De Foy | via social media I recently purchased a proper camera, and I’ve had to learn on my own (and YouTube) because it’s been difficult finding local resources such as workshops and interest groups. I had looked into enrolling at MPC, but I work full-time and most classes are understandably during the day. This article and festival came at a great time though, and I look forward to checking out some events! Tyrone Bell | via social media GOOD GRIEF With many thanks to Pam Marino and the Weekly for sharing Dr. Laura’s powerful story (“Dr. Laura Berman, noted sex therapist, turns her attention to grief after experiencing her own tragedy,” March 19-April 25). Erin White | via social media Note: White is president and CEO of the Hospice Giving Foundation. CARBO LOAD Chef Michele Cremonese is the reason why most of our local Italian restaurants win awards for their pasta (“Local chefs say that the trick to pasta is to make it from scratch and to do it right,” March 26-April 1). Shiho Fukushima | via social media THREADED TOGETHER Awesome! Beautiful work (“Artist J. Kai Maeda discovers a love of working with fiber and a particular type of power in making things,” March 26-April 1). Paul Richmond | Monterey PUPPY LOVE What a beautiful story (“Recovering addicts share love and care through foster pets at a Monterey rehab center,” March 26-April 1). Patty Kolb Hubble | via social media CORRECTION A column about new government agency chatbots (“Squid Fry: Talk to the Bot,” March 26-April 1) incorrectly stated that the County of Monterey’s chatbot, Monty, is a pilot project. It is the result of a previous pilot project. LETTERS • COMMENTSOPINION Submit letters to the editor to letters@montereycountynow.com. Please keep your letter to 150 words or less; subject to editing for space. Please include your full name, contact information and city you live in.
www.montereycountynow.com APRIL 2-8, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 You’ve probably heard local business leaders talk about Monterey County’s two leading sectors, the agriculture and hospitality industries. They are often presented side by side, but the $3.1 billion tourism industry makes up a much smaller piece of the pie than the $11.7 billion ag industry. Of course, many of the millions of tourists who visit Monterey County each year may have no clue about the scale of the ag industry. These two worlds are delineated along geographic and cultural lines sometimes derisively referred to as “the lettuce curtain,” the invisible separation between the Monterey Peninsula (the tourism center) and the Salinas Valley (the agricultural capital). There is really no reason it needs to be this way, and there are a few voices in the tourism world who are making that case consistently. Perhaps the most vocal is Craig Kaufman, director of the Salinas Valley Tourism and Visitors Bureau and California Welcome Center in Salinas. He sees a bright future for tourism in Salinas that is not in competition with the Peninsula. “In order for us to leverage the economic engine on the Monterey Peninsula, the wonderful job they have done [with tourism], we need to be able to lure them 35 miles inland,” Kaufman says. He talks about the mission of See Monterey, the county’s tourism bureau, to extend visitor stays—making a day-tripper into an overnight visitor, or a onenight stay into a two-night stay. That extra day of travel could be spent in Salinas—tourists just need a little bit more signage and guidance, especially compared to the inundation of information pushing them to destinations like Cannery Row. It’s a grand and worthwhile vision, and the leaders at See Monterey agree with it. (The bureau’s motto is “one more night,” which CEO Rob O’Keefe says should earn Phil Collins knighthood. Judge for yourself in the music section on p. 29.) “If you’re coming here to drink wine, we want you to go to the Aquarium; if you’re coming here for the Aquarium, we want you to go to Salinas,” O’Keefe says. That’s the vision. How the Salinas bureau executes on all of that is a different story. The story has been unfolding since it formed in 2008 and began operating in a shopping center. In 2013, Kaufman landed California Welcome Center designation, bringing in support from the state. In 2020, just before the pandemic tanked tourism, he moved into a city property next to the train station. And the lease for the property expired on July 1 of last year. Fast forward to last Tuesday, March 24, when the bureau came to Salinas City Council asking for a few things: $200,000 in cash and a two-year lease (replacing an existing lease that expired on July 1 of last year) for $1/month, down from the previous $2,104/month— plus free rent for the past year. “We are not doing a good job and that’s why we have asked for more money from the city, to allow us to do our job,” board member Don Chapin told City Council. “We need to hire people, we need better marketing, we need better brochures, we need to have pop-up tents so we can go to the Rodeo and car shows so we can tout Salinas and get more people into this city.” Chapin promised there are $1.7 million in private commitments pending the city’s seed money to initiate a public-private partnership. “Tourism is a big deal,” he said. “I don’t think Salinas has taken it seriously enough.” Council members had some tough questions, but ultimately they agreed—as do I—that tourism is a big deal and indeed, Salinas has not pursued it seriously enough. They voted 6-1 (with Andrew Sandoval dissenting) to approve the agreements. Council also approved an audit of declining tourism improvement district revenue, collected from hotels, a percentage of which funds the center. Kaufman has a grand vision to promote the heritage and history of the region, starting with the under-utilized Anza Trail, a 1776 expedition currently celebrating its 250th anniversary. “We are the fourth-largest economy in the world, and the most populous nation in the state. We are a success story, no matter how much people badmouth California,” he says. He’s ready to share that success with the world. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Tourist Trap Salinas City Council says yes to its welcome center, with tough questions. By Sara Rubin DRAG IT OUT…When Squid wants to bask in a little Marina fog, Squid oozes onto Fort Ord Dunes State Park. Squid has had to dodge bulldozers and dump trucks recently, with multiple projects happening simultaneously: a new campground and the SURF! busway. (Previously, Squid only had to dodge out-oftowners taking selfies on the Monterey Bay Branch Line in carts operated by the Museum of Handcar Technology.) The saga of Todd Clark, co-owner of the handcar company, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County and the City of Marina has been well-documented. Clark sued those agencies over alleged First Amendment and state law violations after he got evicted. Marina was later dropped from the lawsuit, and in October, Clark settled with TAMC when he realized the track would be torn up anyway. Squid thought the court drama was over. Clark did too. But Marina didn’t. The City felt it was entitled to attorney fees, and demanded Clark pay $146,400. That meant an additional three-plus months of court dates, with U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee finally saying on March 9: No, you don’t, Marina. Squid doesn’t need to remind Marina that it now has a bigger bill than if it had just dropped the matter. But like everything with the SURF! project, money keeps getting spent like water flows. LAWN GAMES…Speaking of the flow of water, Squid has watched with admiration as humans on the Monterey Peninsula learn about conservation. Gone are most lawns, replaced with decorative rocky landscaping. But that has not stopped the California Legislature from pursuing a crackdown on lawns; Assembly Bill 1572 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027 and will give water retailers the ability to impose penalties on anyone irrigating a nonresidential lawn. Squid thought the case was closed and water cops were empowered, but then Squid saw draft legislation that’s all about Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, giving it the same power that others would have if Senate Bill 1139 becomes law. Why does MPWMD need its own special legislative carveout to do something water retailer California American Water already has the authority to do? In this region, MPWMD gets to play water cop. As a utility that everyone loves to hate, Cal Am certainly doesn’t need to do anything else to piss off its customers. (Cal Am has no position on the bill, which is scheduled for its first committee hearing on April 7.) It’s a lot of legislative effort for one little water district that may not need to flex the authority it gets anyway. “We don’t have any intent to upset the applecart,” MPWMD General Manager Dave Stoldt says, noting the general lack of decorative, nonfunctional turf. “It’s not about coming for your lawn.” THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “Tourism is a big deal.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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