4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MAY 28-JUNE 3, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH In the latest attempt by the Trump administration to rewrite history it deems inconvenient, the Department of Justice announced it has removed press releases from its website related to the Jan. 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters. A post on X by the Justice Department stated the move strips the “DOJ’s website of partisan propaganda.” “We are proud to reverse the DOJ’s weaponization under the Biden administration,” the post states. “We will do everything in our power to make whole those who were persecuted for political purposes.” Eight people died, including five police officers, during and after the riot. More than 1,500 people were charged with crimes related to the attack, but Trump pardoned or commuted the prison sentences of all those people during his first day back in office. Some of the posts removed from the website included those announcing charges against members of far-right groups Proud Boys and Oath Keepers. The Justice Department in April was granted a request to vacate those convictions. Good: Good news for parents of young children and for entrepreneurs interested in providing care to those children: The Monterey County Business Council, nonprofit Nurture and Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Initiative have launched a program to aid new, at-home child care businesses. The goal is to address a need in Monterey County, with a focus on South County. The Business Council is investing $150,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds via the County of Monterey. “We are not only creating jobs and businesses but also providing the essential support systems that allow working parents in Monterey County to participate in the local economy,” said Richard Vaughn, County economic development manager. The program provides training and technical assistance for entrepreneurs; the first cohort will finish a 12-week program in June. New cohorts begin in August and November. GREAT: Do you know what to do with that moldy cheese or stale bread? Thanks to an outreach campaign by ReGen Monterey, Salinas Valley Recycles and consultant Blue Strike Environmental, you should. Out of more than 500 entries statewide, their Sort With Heart campaign took home three awards at the 2026 Annual California Association of Public Information Officials conference in San Diego on May 12, recognized for bilingual public service announcement, best communications campaign in California, and the big win, best in show across all categories. The $266,000 campaign on how and what to compost included newspaper ads, TV commercials, murals painted in Seaside and Marina, and more, funded with grants from CalRecycle. If somehow you missed all of that outreach, the answer to the question above (but we know you know it): Put in the green bin. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY Number of students who graduated on May 22 from Hartnell Community College, the largest cohort in the school’s history. They are mostly earning associate degrees, but this graduating class included seven bachelor’s degrees in respiratory care, the first BA program at Hartnell. Source: Hartnell Community College 2,347 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “This was a radical change.” -Tony Malokas, who has worked as a caddy at Pebble Beach for 26 years, speaking about a change in which caddies became employees rather than independent contractors of Caddiemaster. The group will vote on whether to unionize in June (see more, montereycountynow.com/ news). The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2 nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) FOR MONTEREY COUNTY AUDITOR-CONTROLLER Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. The only CPA in this race! Vote on or before June 2nd The only CPA in this race! nd BURCU MOUSA, CPA Accountability. Integrity. Transparency. FOR AUDITOR-CONTROLLER MONTEREY COUNTY ELECT MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) MOUSAFORAUDITOR.COM E-mail: burcu@mousaforauditor.com Phone: (831) 321-8606 PA in this race! r before June 2 nd MOUSA, CPA ntegrity. Transparency. FOR CONTROLLER REY COUNTY LECT OR.COM rauditor.com 8606 ENDORSED BY gement Association (CEMA) Controller (Former) r-Tax Collector (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) f Supervisor (Former) ea (Former) tendent of Schools ember ember ember ing list of endorsements visit: usaforauditor.com eadership for Monterey County nce in governmental accounting, auditing, to ensure transparency and accountability n Qualifications (CPA) County of Monterey er, County of Monterey PROUDLY ENDORSED BY County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasurer-Tax Collector (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Ben Caldera City of Soledad Council Member Steve Vagnini Monterey County Assessor/Clerk-Recorder (former) To view the full and growing list of endorsements visit: www.mousaforauditor.com Trusted Experienced Leadership for Monterey County With 17 years of specialized experience in governmental accounting, auditing, and financial reporting, I am ready to ensure transparency and accountability on day one. Proven Qualifications Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Former Assistant Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, County of Monterey Former External Auditor (Specializing in Government & Nonprofits) B.S. in Business Administration (Professional Accounting), Magna Cum Laude – CSU, Chico Paid for by Burcu Mousa for Monterey County Auditor-Controller (FPPC#1486536) Monterey County Weekly County Employees Management Association (CEMA) Michael J. Miller Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb Monterey County Treasure-Tax Collector (Former) Steve Vagnini Monterey County Assesor/Clerk-Recorder (Former) Jane Parker Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Barber City of Monterey Council Member Alexis Garcia-Arrazola City of Seaside Council Member Rita Burks City of Seaside Council Member Monterey County Weekly County Employees Management Association (CEMA) ELECTED OFFICIALS Michael J. Miller, Monterey County Auditor-Controller (Former) Mary Zeeb, Monterey County Treasure-Tax Collector (Former) Steve Vagnini, Monterey County Assesor/Clerk-Recorder (Former) Jane Parker, Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Mary Adams, Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) Dave Potter, Monterey County Board of Supervisor (Former) & Mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea (Former) Dr. Deneen Guss, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kim Barber, City of Monterey Council Member Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, City of Seaside Councilmember Rita Burks, City of Seaside Councilmember Alex Miller, City of Seside Councilmember Rosalyn Green, Monterey Peninsula College Trustee Ben Caldera, City of Seaside Councilmember Brad Imamura, Marina Coast Water District Director
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