JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT WILL SOLEDAD PRISON CLOSE? 12 | FIREWORKS UNDER FIRE 16 | PRIDE MARCH 28 | RADIO WAVES 37 With a deadline for groundwater sustainability fast approaching, local leaders look for buy-in on solutions. p. 22 By Katie Rodriguez GO WITH THE FLOW
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com ANNIE BOSKO AARON GOODVIN JAKOTA WASS FESTIVAL INFO & TICKETS SEPTEMBER 12, 2026 4:00PM-10:00PM BAYONET BLACKHORSE SEASIDE, CA Boots on the green A TASTE OF MONTEREY BAY EVENT FEATURING BEER, WINE & RTD COCKTAILS VIP EXPERIENCE COW CUDDLE CORRAL GOLF SIMULATOR A 21+ EVENT MECHANICAL BULL FOOD VENDORS CORNHOLE FIELD FREE LINE DANCING LESSONS Country music festival FREE PARKING MERCHANDISE PATCH KENTUCKY MULE www.tastemb.com
www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 MONTEREY FIREFIGHTERS CHARITY PANCAKE BREAKFAST Pancakes, Eggs, Sausage & Coffee 7:30–10:30 am Fire Station #11, 600 Pacific St. TICKETS $17Purchase at MyMuseum.org/July4 Benefits MY Museum & the Monterey Firefighters Community Foundation CITY OF MONTEREY’S CELEBRATION & FOOD FEST Live Music, Food Vendors. Fun for All! Immediately following the parade until 4:30 pm. Colton Hall Lawn, 580 Pacific St. FREE Monterey.gov/July4th MONTEREY STATE HISTORIC PARK’S LIVING HISTORY DAY Early California Activities: Rope Making, Leather Craft, Tortilla Making, Games, Guided Tours and more 11 am–4 pm. The Memory Garden, behind the Pacific House Museum at Custom House Plaza FREE SATURDAY, JULY 4, 10 AM Downtown Monterey OldMonterey.org PRESENTED BY MONTEREY FIREFIGHTER Carolyn B. Harris★U.S. Bank | Mechanics Bank Big Sur Marathon Foundation ★ Monterey Marriott Monterey Credit Union ★ Monterey Museum of Art West Coast Community Bank | BFS Landscape Architects ★ Adventures by the Sea ★ C3 Engineering Copy King ★ Del Rey Car Wash ★ Eugene Ganeles, CPA ★ Merritt House Hotel ★ Monique Kaldy, Realtor Midici–The Neapolitan Pizza Company ★ Monterey County Bank ★ Rosine’s Restaurant & Caffè by Rosine’s Om Studios ★Paul Mortuary ★Team Beesley–KW Coastal Estates | Alvarado Street Brewery★Integrated Physician Services Arts for MC–Monterey County Arts Council ★ Belardo Family ★ Carmel Bach Festival ★ Cooper-Molera Adobe ★ Foolish Times Nacho Bizness ★ InterContinental The Clement Monterey ★ League of Women Voters of Monterey County ★ Manasiri’s Crepes Marotta Properties ★Monterey Bay Parent Magazine★Monterey Hotel Apartments ★Silverie Properties, LLC★Trader Joe’s Peter Boggs, Realtor ★Shelley Bennett Skincare★Walker and Reed P.C. ★Veterans for Peace Chapter 46 Monterey Inc. The Paul Davis Partnership ★T.A.S.K. 4 U + ME FOUNDATION, INC. S P O N S O R S
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 • ISSUE #1978 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Mike Sheehan (Nikon D850 with a 600mm lens) A female red-tailed hawk tends the nest while a young chick stretches its fluffy new wings, as seen in the foothills of the Gabilan Mountains. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Guillermo Diaz-Moreno, a hydrologist with Monterey County Water Resources Agency, measures the depth to the water table. This is checked regularly throughout the year to monitor groundwater levels across the Salinas Valley. 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, pre-paid. 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) EDITOR/SALINAS VALLEY NOW Joseph Treviño joseph@salinasvalleynow.com STAFF WRITER/SALINAS VALLEY NOW Royvi Hernandez royvi@salinasvalleynow.com (x140) 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 JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 *Sources: 2025 PRC Community Health Survey, PRC, Inc. [Item 106] Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): 2023 California data. 2023 PRC National Health Survey, PRaC, Inc. Notes: Asked of all respondents. Excludes gestational diabetes (occurring only during pregnancy). Caring for Our Community Fighting Diabetes Together Diabetes continues to impact Monterey County at alarming rates. According to the recent Community Health Needs Assessment, it is one of the region’s top health concerns. MONTEREY COUNTY IN 2025 11.1% OF ADULTS REPORT A DIABETES DIAGNOSIS* while another 19.0% OF ADULTS ARE LIVING WITH PRE-DIABETES* The Salinas Valley Health Diabetes & Endocrine Center is a leading resource dedicated to caring for adult, pediatric, and gestational diabetes patients. We oer services in both English and Spanish to meet the needs of our diverse community. Serving our community by: • Delivering advanced medical management and personalized education with our team of clinical experts, lifestyle and technology specialists, social workers and child life specialists • Providing local Type 1 and Type 2 pediatric diabetes care through our partnership with UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes Together, we’re improving the health of our community— one patient at a time. Gina Capodanno, MD, pediatric endocrinologist with patient Scan for more information about our diabetes services.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH The California News Publishers Association revealed the winners of its 2025 California Journalism Awards on June 22, and the Monterey County Weekly team was well-represented. The Weekly took second place for General Excellence, the top prize in its division. Of the 17 awards the Weekly received, seven of those were first-place honors. Those included best newsletter for the daily Monterey County Now, as well as for Editor Sara Rubin’s and Staff Writer Katie Rodriguez’s breaking news coverage of the December 2025 fatal shark encounter at Lovers Point; a collaborative story on the amount of federal dollars that pours into Monterey County; and Staff Writer Celia Jiménez’s series of articles on the local impacts of the federal immigration crackdown. Features Editor Dave Faries’ coverage of the wine grape industry, Rubin’s investigation into alleged nepotism in the local Head Start program and weekly Local Spin columns rounded out the first-place awards. The honors also included five second-place awards for public service journalism and business reporting, among other categories. Good: Monterey County residents are losing access to Medi-Cal due to changes at the federal and state levels, but it is a good week for 500 of them because the County of Monterey’s Esperanza Care is back, starting July 1. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted in January to revive the program, which previously ran from 2013 to 2015, before the Affordable Care Act took effect. Esperanza offers medical care through Natividad Medical Center, which is administering the program, and Monterey County Health Department clinics. Adults who make less than 138 percent of the poverty level, do not have insurance and do not qualify for Medi-Cal are eligible. People must apply in person at Natividad, 1441 Constitution Blvd., Salinas. More information is available by calling (831) 755-4165. Anyone who applies once the 500-person limit is reached will be placed on a waiting list. GREAT: In celebration of Juneteenth and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, California State Parks is offering a special free version of its Historian Passport, normally $50 for the year, for admission of up to four people per pass at more than 30 state historic parks across the state. Visit local historic parks for free for the remainder of 2026 including Monterey State Historic Park and Pigeon Point Light Station, as well as some further away like Shasta State and Fort Humboldt state historic parks. The state historic parks offer a way to immerse oneself into nature and explore a new place, while gaining a deeper understanding of the history that defines our state. Californians can download the pass for free until Monday, July 6 at parks.ca.gov, and use it for an unlimited number of visits to participating historic parks. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s the County of Monterey’s budget for fiscal year 20262027, passed by the Board of Supervisors on June 16. It represents a balanced budget, despite the County’s $40.6 million structural deficit. Source: County of Monterey $2.35 billion QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It’s a win for caddies across the country.” -Pebble Beach caddie Danton McMullin, after 76 percent of caddies voted in favor of unionizing on June 18 (see story, montereycountynow.com/ news). MyMCB Mobile Banking Made Simple. Secure. Wherever You Go. Download MyMCB Mobile Today! With MyMCB Mobile, you can: • Check balances and transactions. • Deposit checks with your phone. • Transfer funds quickly. • Pay bills on the go. • Set custom account alerts. • Use secure biometric login. Disclosure: MyMCB Mobile requires Online Banking enrollment and a compatible mobile device. Certain features such as Mobile Check Deposit may be subject to eligibility, daily limits, or processing times. Message and data rates may apply. Some account restrictions may apply. [MCB. 2026.0311 montereycountybank.com We’re continuing to build something special at MRY. Through the MRY Metamorphosis, the airport team is working every day to deliver nonstop flights, facilities, services, and amenities to transform your travel experience. Follow us as we deliver a world-class experience with a hometown airport feel. Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) thanks our community for trusting and supporting us for your business and leisure travel needs over the past 85 years. montereyairport.com/transform Scan the QR code and join the journey!
www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Ten-year-old Sophia Luquin wasn’t sure what after-school program to enroll in until she came across the Invention Convention program at Sherwood Elementary in Salinas. Her decision changed how her school year ended. “I decided to join because I was bored, and then it turned out that I ended up going to nationals for all the hard work I had put into it,” Luquin says. Luquin, along with other students in kindergarten through sixth grade from Salinas City Elementary School District, worked for months to turn a concept into a tangible product. For her invention, Luquin created a berry-picking tool, a scoop shaped like a mailbox with a blade, attached at the end of a long handle. Her grandparents were farmworkers, which inspired her to develop a device to improve working conditions. “They come from the agricultural environment and I noticed the longterm effects, especially with the back pain and how their posture just changes over time,” Luquin says. Invention Convention is a program the Hartnell College Foundation offers for K-12 students in the Salinas Valley along with NASA MUREP Aerospace Academy for high school students, NASA Saturday academies for K-6 and intro to coding and robotics. Students’ projects varied depending on their age and interests. Those included a blanket designed to reduce tossing and turning during sleep, and a shoe that changes temperatures. They were tasked with creating an invention that answers three questions: Who is the end user? Has it been created before? What problem does it solve? Luquin made several prototypes and tested them in strawberry fields at Antonio Gonzalez Farm and then made adjustments so users could use the tool without having to lean forward too much. “The first prototype was like a little plastic bag with a string under it,” Luquin says. The final design evolved to include the scooper shape. “I honestly hope that my invention will be able to become a real product,” she adds. Locally, 89 projects entered the Invention Convention showcase at Hartnell College in March. Of those, 22 students and 18 projects were selected to attend the California Invention Convention for Northern and Central California in Sacramento in April. Luquin was the only student from SCESD to qualify for the National Invention Convention in Dearborn, Michigan, at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in early June. “I was actually in shock when we were watching the video from Sacramento, that said she was a finalist and was invited to Michigan,” Luquin’s mother, Hermelinda Villareal, says. “Going all the way cross-country is something new, we’ve never flown before, so this is definitely going to be an exciting time for us, because we’re experiencing something new that we’ve never done before.” For Luquin, the Invention Convention was more than an activity: “I found my real passion,” she says. Lupita Arroyo-Lozano, K-12 STEAM Program coordinator at Hartnell College Foundation, says the judging metrics in Sacramento and Dearborn were different. For Sacramento, students didn’t need working prototypes, but they had to show a clear understanding and explanation of their product. In Michigan, however, expectations were higher and working prototypes could give students an advantage. The National Invention Convention was eye-opening for Arroyo-Lozano, who was attending it for the first time. “I was able to see what could happen potentially for our students here in Salinas,” she says. While Luquin didn’t place at the national level along with more than 500 K-12 students, Arroyo-Lozano says Luqin showed a lot of perseverance when she presented her project. Next year, the after-school program, based on feedback, will separate students into two groups, focusing on younger and older students. It will also form a club so the young inventors will have more opportunities to work on and finish their projects. Arroyo-Lozano says the Hartnell College Foundation is open to expanding the program. “We want other students to feel like Sophia,” she says. Show and Tell An after-school program expands kids’ creativity as they create solutions for everyday challenges. By Celia Jiménez “I found my real passion.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE CELIA JIMÉNEZ Sherwood Elementary School student Sophia Luquin shows off her invention that aims to help reduce the back-breaking work of harvesting berries. She took her creation to the National Invention Convention in Michigan. July 23 Business Excellence Awards Celebrating the best in business October 28 Monterey Bay Business Expo Meaningful business connections September 18 Leadership Luncheon Inspiring leaders strengthening our community See the full calendar & register at montereychamber.com SAVE DATES the CONNECT. GROW. BELONG.
www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 This a ordable housing developement is a part of the larger KB-Bakewell Campus Town/Pacific Landing at Seaside Development MAYOR PRO TEM DAVID R. PACHECO COUNCIL MEMBER RITA BURKS COUNCIL MEMBER ALEXIS GARCIA-ARROZOLA COUNCIL MEMBER ALEX MILLER Mayor Ian Oglesby, the Seaside City Council and City Manager, Greg McDanel for Breaking Ground on 21 New Aordable Housing Units on the Greater Victory Temple Site. A lot of people talk about what needs to get done. YOU GET IT DONE! T nk Yo
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS A community of renters living at 450 Jayne St., a 3.3-acre property with 30 two-bedroom apartments and three mobile homes located on the outskirts of King City, are fed up with the state of the apartments they live in. They organized a protest outside of their homes on Monday, June 22 demanding improved living conditions after what they say are months of no response from the property manager, Salinas-based TGO Co. Ofelia González, a tenant who lives there with her husband and three children, pays $2,000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Their unit has holes in the floor, a wobbly toilet and outdoor faucets were shut off. The tenants are low-income families, many of them farmworkers from the Mixteco community. The nonprofit Center for Community Advocacy helped tenants get in touch with TGO in an effort to address more than 50 issues they have found, including broken or unsafe heaters, mold, electrical issues and cockroach infestations. CCA became aware of the issues about a year ago and began working intensively with the tenants in March. In April and May a lawyer sent letters on behalf of the tenants seeking to get the issues addressed, to no avail. In cases where repairs were made—as was the case with González and Elizabeth, a neighbor who asked to be identified by first name—electrical wiring got needed attention but tenants say they were charged for the service the following month. Some tenants lack legal immigration status and are reluctant to speak up. “TGO Co. has shown lack of concern for the issues brought forth by the families,” CCA said in a statement. TGO did not respond by the Weekly’s deadline. Homing In Tenants of a property in King City demand better living conditions. By Celia Jiménez Over the last month, videos have proliferated on social media linking one company, Driscoll’s, to increases in childhood cancer tied to toxic strawberries. “So your favorite strawberries are giving you cancer,” Luke Hillman, who posts as @lukestoptalking, said in an Instagram video that garnered nearly 3 million views and thousands of comments. “We just allow our food to be sprayed with poison and kill kids cause we can’t get a boycott together.” This video is one of many that erupted online after the release of a report in May by Mamavation, a consumer advocacy website founded by Leah Segedie to help women make safer purchasing decisions. Driscoll’s is the world’s largest berry marketer, working with a network of independent growers around the world, from Europe to Mexico, who produce both organic and conventionally grown fruit. The company then sells that fruit to major retailers like Whole Foods and Safeway. For its report, Mamavation tested two boxes of Driscoll’s strawberries—one organic and one conventional—from a grocery store in Southern California. The samples were screened for over 500 pesticides, including pesticides approved for organic use. The conventional strawberries tested positive for 12 pesticides, eight of which contained PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” No pesticides were detected in the organic sample. The report states that scientific review was performed by Dr. Craig Downs, a forensic ecotoxicologist and environmental chemist based out of Virginia, and that testing was performed at an EPA-certified laboratory. Misinformation swirled online alongside long-standing environmental and public health concerns in agricultural communities. “We are here today to send a message to Driscoll’s, to the Santa Cruz County Agricultural Commissioner and California regulators,” Omar Dieguez told a crowd gathered outside Driscoll’s headquarters in Watsonville on Wednesday, June 17. Dieguez, an activist from Greenfield, completed a 30-day fast in 2025 to draw attention to pesticide use near schools and residential areas. “Protect our children, protect our farmworkers, protect our air, water, land. For too long, communities in Pajaro Valley have carried the burden of an agricultural system that relies on toxic pesticides, while corporations continue to profit,” he said. Other speakers described multiple cancer diagnoses in their families, asthma and more. Pajaro Valley, which straddles Monterey and Santa Cruz counties, is home to a significant share of strawberry production. Monterey County alone produces roughly one-quarter of strawberries consumed nationwide. Driscoll’s large market share, coupled with high cancer rates in Santa Cruz County, has drawn scrutiny. Far fewer strawberries are grown in Santa Cruz County—about 2,640 acres—but data from the National Cancer Institute show it ranks third in California for cancer incidence across all ages and races. Monterey County ranks 42nd among 58 counties. Driscoll’s responded by pointing to an updated review by Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency clarifying childhood cancer rates were not significantly higher than rates seen across California. People gathered in front of Driscoll’s Watsonville headquarters on Wednesday, June 17, protesting pesticide use in the Pajaro Valley and protection for nearby schools. Mixed Berries Debate over strawberry safety grows amid viral videos and pesticide reports. By Katie Rodriguez A resident at 450 Jayne St. in King City shows a broken cabinet in an area of the kitchen affected by mold. Tenants say complaints have gone unaddressed, or those that do result in a bill. “We are here today to send a message to Driscoll’s.” KATIE RODRIGUEZ DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY THIS SUMMER? JOIN THE STEPS PROGRAM THIS SUMMER AND RECEIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS OR JOB OPPORTUNITIES. MEETINGS ARE TAKING PLACE IN SALINAS, SEASIDE, & SOLEDAD. WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are accurate as of 05/27/2026. The dividend rate and APY may change at any time. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum deposit for the 16-month certificate special 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. This certificate is not extended to organization accounts. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Call 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) for current rates. 0526-MTW Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Limited-time offer 4.15% with a Term Savings Certificate Earn up to APY1
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com With projections that California’s prison population will decline each year until 2030 and to reduce spending by roughly $150 million annually, the state’s Legislative Analyst Office has suggested closing an additional prison. One of the prime candidates for closure, according to the LAO, is the Soledad Correctional Training Facility. “In our analysis of the Governor’s 2026-27 budget proposals for CDCR (California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation), we found that the state is on track to have enough excess prison capacity to close an additional state prison,” says LAO Principal Fiscal & Policy Analyst Caitlin O’Neil. She added that the Correctional Training Facility is “a strong candidate for closure.” “This was for four primary reasons,” O’Neil says. “First, unlike many prisons, CTF does not fulfill a unique function within the prison system—such as providing specialized health care services—that would be difficult or costly to relocate.” The CTF, approximately four miles north of Soledad, has existed on the property in various forms since the late 1940s, and “does not have modern housing facilities, which are generally considered safer and more flexible to house a wide range of populations as they offer greater visibility for officers,” O’Neil adds. Third, she notes that CTF is not located near hospitals where people could be transported to receive specialized care, and that it is not equipped to house people who require higher levels of mental health care. Lastly, the aging facility has “high identified infrastructure needs.” California’s budget bill, Assembly Bill 109, which has been approved by both houses of the State Legislature and is still waiting on approval from Gov. Gavin Newsom, states that, “the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation shall select a prison for closure and notify the chairperson of the Joint Legislative Budget Committee of its choice no later than Nov. 1, 2026. The department shall close the selected prison by the end of the 2027-28 fiscal year. The department shall not undertake facility improvements at any prison that is a candidate for closure.” Although the LAO recommends closing CTF, the budget bill includes a roughly $1 million infrastructure project for a new potable water well at the facility, so whether it will actually be sentenced for closure in the budget bill’s final form remains to be seen. Costs are rising for Monterey One Water (M1W), a public utility that provides wastewater treatment for 285,000 residents in northern Monterey County, treating about 17 million gallons daily. Energy costs are going up, aging infrastructure needs improvements, and regulatory requirements related to equipment and operations are compounding. As a result, M1W is proposing a five-year increase in monthly service charges, with rates rising up to 8 percent annually in years two and three, and 9 percent in years four and five. The proposed increases would affect roughly 63,000 residential and commercial customers and are scheduled for a vote by the M1W board at 6pm on Monday, June 29. If approved, the new rates would take effect July 1. “We have about $1.5 billion worth of infrastructure out there…and about a $540 million capital expenditure plan over the next 10 years,” said Paul Sciuto, executive director of M1W, at a public information session on June 3. “That is much of what’s driving our entire budget.” Proposed monthly wastewater rates are fixed but vary significantly by customer class. For occupied residences, rates would increase from $54 to $57.27 monthly for fiscal year 2026-27, regardless of home size or occupancy. Vacant homes are a separate class, with rates set to rise from $32.60 to $35.95. Sciuto explained the agency evaluated alternative models, like charging based on the number of fixtures in a home or square footage, but found this was not legally permissible under California law. Commercial customers vary widely depending on use. For example, restaurant charges are based on meals per day per seat, while hotels are per room. Hotel rates will increase from $21.65 to $23.33 per room, while other businesses, like nightclubs, are charged a flat rate that would rise from $238.40 to $247.09 per month. Under Proposition 218, customers have until 6pm on June 29 to file a protest to the increase. If more than half oppose it, it would not go into effect. Verdict Out To cut costs, state legislative office suggests closing a Soledad prison. By Aric Sleeper NEWS UP TO CODE Salinas City Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa will be joined by officials from the police department and code enforcement during a District 4 community meeting. Learn about public safety and code enforcement efforts. 5:30-7:30pm Thursday, June 25. Laurel Wood Elementary School multipurpose room, 645 Larkin St., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7019, salinas.gov. HEALTHY SUMMER Interim, Inc. hosts its Summer Wellness Fair. Various agencies will be on hand to share information on programs and services, along with snacks, games and more. 10am-2pm Friday, June 26. 617 Bayonet Circle, Marina. Free. (831) 800-7530, ext. 461, jshaw@interiminc. org. IN THE PUBLIC Salinas City Council meets to discuss city business. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, June 30. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, cityofsalinas. org. ART FOR ALL Help guide the creation of artwork at Marina’s upcoming all-inclusive playground. The public is invited to a meeting to learn about the playground and future artwork. 6-7:30pm Tuesday, June 30. Rocky Han Community Center gymnasium, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1253, cityofmarina.org/1387/AllInclusive-Playground. FLOOD ZONE Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency hosts a forum on flood risk reduction projects for Pajaro and Watsonville. The public is invited to provide feedback. 6pm Tuesday, June 30. Pajaro Middle School multipurpose room, 250 Salinas Road, Pajaro. Free. (831) 535-3788, prfma.org. CREEK CLEANERS Monterey Waterkeeper seeks volunteers for weekly cleanups at Gabilan Creek. Learn about local watersheds as you clean up trash. 3:30-4:30pm Wednesday, July 1. 1900 Independence Blvd., Salinas. Free. (831) 601-3962. RSVP at montereywaterkeeper.org/events. PUBLIC PROCESS Monterey-Salinas Transit seeks comments on its draft Public Participation Plan. The federally-mandated document outlines how MST includes the public in its decision-making process. Comments due 5pm Friday, Aug. 7. (831) 264-5917, bit.ly/ MSTPublicParticipation. Wallet Watch Monterey One Water proposes increases to monthly rates to begin July 1. By Katie Rodriguez The Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad currently houses 4,255 inmates, over the 2,800-person design capacity, according to CDCR reports. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “CTF does not fulfill a unique function within the prison system.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Before of end of the school year, 14 out of 17 teachers at Pajaro Middle School sent a letter on May 8 to Pajaro Valley Unified School District Superintendent Heather Contreras, declaring a no-confidence vote against their principal Nicole Killian, citing lack of leadership and failure to ensure a safe environment for students and staff. Since then, parents and teachers have shown up at PVUSD board meetings demanding Killian’s reassignment. On the verge of tears and in a faltering voice, Maria Cortes, a mother of two students at Pajaro Middle, demanded the removal of Killian during a board meeting on June 17. She wants a new principal “that gives us peace that our children are safe. We have to make a change now,” Cortes told the board. Crystal Martin, a fifth-grade teacher at Ohlone Elementary School, spoke as well. “My own son has reported concerns about students drinking and using drugs in bathrooms and locker rooms on campus,” she told the board. “Every family should feel confident that their children attend a school where concerns are addressed, staff are respected, and students’ well-being comes before protection of an ineffective administrator.” In the letter, teachers alleged Killian doesn’t adequately investigate altercations and doesn’t properly follow safety protocols. The letter cites two cases. One was on March 5, when Watsonville Police and Monterey County Sheriff’s officers were in pursuit of Sergio Rangel, a man with several warrants, through Pajaro. “Witnesses reported that law enforcement had weapons drawn,” the letter states. It also alleges Killian didn’t respond to radio calls during the incident and criticized staff who launched lockdown procedures. Another incident is a threatening email a student sent to one of the teachers. “You better change my grade, or I’m gonna shoot you,” the student reportedly wrote. Brandon Diniz, president of the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers Local 1936, says proper procedures were not followed. (California education code requires reporting the incident to law enforcement.) Diniz says the teachers’ position is in response to the lack of addressing staff concerns for the past two years. “They had no trust in the leadership of their principal,” he says. Diniz adds that students have been caught selling drugs or drinking alcohol on campus. “There have been instances where students have brandished a dagger or knife,” he says. PVUSD said in a statement that the information circulating doesn’t offer a whole picture of the situation. “The district takes all reports related to safety and school operations seriously. Student and staff safety remain our highest priority, and concerns brought forward are reviewed through established processes to ensure they are addressed appropriately,” the statement reads. “We remain confident in our site leadership and their commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and positive learning environment.” School Day Pajaro Middle School teachers and parents demand the principal’s removal. By Celia Jiménez Brandon Diniz says teacher concerns include safety, prompting them to push for the removal of a principal. “They had no confidence that she was able to keep the staff and students safe,” he says. NEWS “They had no trust in the leadership of their principal.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 In mid-May, six handicap parking signs crafted from giant, oldgrowth redwood and painted in bright blue appeared in the parking lot at Carmel’s Outdoor Forest Theater. “Made to look like authentic Carmel signage,” an invoice reads. They cost $865 each, for a total of $5,191. City officials never reviewed the signs’ design nor saw them until they were installed, along with 13 other signs totaling $23,493 at the entrances and elsewhere around the 116-year-old theater. The source of the signs appears to be Mayor Dale Byrne, the co-founder of nonprofit Carmel Cares, who was elected in 2024 largely thanks to his popularity due to the success of the group. Byrne stepped down from the board after the election but retained the title Chief Caring Officer until December when he became the volunteer leader of the group’s Forest Theater project. He has faced criticism for a potential conflict of interest since the City has an agreement with Carmel Cares to pay half for the group’s improvement projects—Carmel Cares pays for materials and the City pays vendors directly for labor, according to City Administrator Brandon Swanson. Byrne has denied any conflict of interest. Byrne is listed as the point of contact on an invoice from the Castroville company Signs by Van dated April 21 for the 14 signs. Byrne requested that the city reimburse the company half, or $11,746, which Swanson authorized on June 3. According to emails obtained by the Weekly through a California Public Records Act request, internal questions were raised about the payment, citing concerns that there was no design review and that three quotes were not obtained for an expense exceeding $5,000. Questions were also raised over whether the handicap parking signs were compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act standards. The handicap signs were removed the week of June 15, Swanson says. The City is being reimbursed until all the signs go through a formal review process. Carmel Cares is paying the full bill for now. Byrne says there is nothing suspicious about what happened, that the signmaker “got very excited about this job and jumped the gun while making signs that were a bit out of scope from what was intended as like for like,” he says. “They were beautiful and much more effective, but our test of them triggered a couple of folks.” Some residents did raise objections after the “Forest Theater” entrance signs were installed, contending the entire project should have been reviewed by the city’s Historic Resources Board and Planning Commission. Signs by Van owner Jeremy Vander Kraats says they did “jump the gun” on the three entrance signs, in part to get public input but also to replace the failing signs. They removed the new signs after the complaints. His father, Phil Vander Kraats, the original owner, was Carmel’s second signmaker, creating most of the distinctive sand-blasted signs around town, the son says. Sign Out Carmel’s mayor leads a volunteer project that placed controversial signage at the Forest Theater. By Pam Marino The redwood handicap parking signs replaced non-compliant metal signs that were in poor condition, according to signmaker Jeremy Vander Kraatz. The city removed them after questions. NEWS “Our test of them triggered a few folks.” PAM MARINO EARN3.50APY*% 9-MONTH CERTIFICATE LIMITED-TIME OFFER 831.647.1000 www.montereycu.com APY = annual percentage yield. Minimum opening deposit $10,000. Maximum $20,000,000. Limit to one promotional share certi cate per member. O er available for limited time starting 06/16/2026 and subject to change or cancellation without notice. Early withdrawal penalties apply. casaofmonterey.org I’m a Former and a CASA CASA volunteers are parents, professionals, retirees—people who once felt too busy. They then realized the moments were already there: a ride home, a day-o visit, an evening check-in. CASA becomes part of your life’s routine. Find out how you can impact the life of a child in foster care and juvenile justice systems. Foster Youth
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com As the country gets ready to celebrate its 250th birthday, public safety officers throughout Monterey County are bracing for the challenges posed by the use of illegal fireworks. The City of Salinas authorized 18 community groups out of 41 applicants to operate “safe-and-sane” fireworks booths for the 2026 season, according to Fire Marshal Christopher Knapp. No fireworks may be discharged within 300 feet of a fireworks sales booth and nobody under the age of 18 is allowed to sell or participate in the sale of fireworks in Salinas. Since June 1, signs have been posted throughout the city in 17 locations in English and Spanish reminding residents that only safe-and-sane fireworks purchased from approved nonprofit stands are allowed, while all other fireworks are prohibited. Fines for violations in Salinas start at $1,500. According to the enforcement plan Knapp presented to City Council on April 7, roaming marked and unmarked patrol units will be deployed throughout the city during the July Fourth season and drone teams will monitor fire safety hazards. They will gather potential evidence of illegal firework possession and use. “The goal is to gather evidence through video or photos, to then bring that evidence back and during the processing create administrative citations that are then mailed to the addresses we identify are using the illegal fireworks,” Knapp said. Seaside similarly allows the use of safe-and-sane fireworks from noon on June 28 through noon on July 6, with a nightly 10pm curfew. (Seaside voters rejected a 2024 ballot measure that would have banned all fireworks, including the safe-and-sane variety.) The Seaside Police Department plans to use drone surveillance in highrisk areas, Flock Safety cameras to identify involved vehicles and on-theground enforcement along with the fire department, according to a letter to Seaside property owners from the office of the city manager. Both departments have already posted firework “hot spots” and patrol zones from past reporting data. In Seaside, these hotspots include Mescal Heights, Lincoln Cunningham Park and Highland Otis Park. As a new addition this year, Seaside police are offering a $50 reward for residents who help enforce illegal fireworks. The use of any fireworks illegally, including outside of the permitted dates, may result in a $1,000 fine in Seaside. Citations in both cities go to property owners, a strategy law enforcement says is working. “The landlord’s responsible for what happens on their property,” says Seaside Police Cmdr. Matt Doza. “Some landlords did pass the cost down to their tenants, and we are going to continue this year as well.” Compass Church will host a celebration at the Salinas Sports Complex starting at 3pm on July 4 featuring music, food trucks and family events. A sanctioned fireworks and drone show will end the night. Seaside’s celebration at City Hall runs from 11am-4pm and does not include fireworks. Fire in the Sky Public safety officers prepare for illegal fireworks crackdown during Fourth of July. By Royvi Hernandez So-called “safe-and-sane” fireworks are allowed in Seaside starting at noon on June 28. The smaller, legal fireworks have a curfew of 10pm nightly through July 6. NEWS “The goal is to gather evidence through video or photos.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Now Open! 201 FRONT ST 831-621-2821 1214 SOQUEL AVE 831-457-2222 849 ALMAR AVE 831-426-7650 1130 FREMONT AVE 831-215-6242 2 DAY GRAND OPENING JUNE 27-28TH JOIN US FOR DEMOS: INCLUDING A GREEN EGG DEMO, GOZNEY PIZZA OVEN DEMO, AND TRAEGER BBQ DEMO FREE GIVEAWAYS FOR THE FIRST 100 KIDS THEY WILL RECEIVE A FREE PAIR OF GLOVES FROM G.O.A.T GLOVES, AND A FREE ABALSA WOOD PLANE! 20% OFF everything that that fits in the bag Sign Up For Ace Rewards and be entered to win a Weber® Grill 8108718 Sign Up For Ace Rewards and be entered to win a Blackstone® Grill 8093917 Exclusions apply. See store for details. Exclusions apply. See store for details. Exclusions apply. See store for details. June 27th June 28th LSJosh061426PPC-061526.indd 2 ɐ30 Exclusions apply. 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June 28th 201 FRONT ST 831-621-2821 1214 SOQUEL AVE 831-457-2222 849 ALMAR AVE 831-426-7650 1130 FREMONT AVE 831-215-6242 2 DAY GRAND OPENING JUNE 27-28TH JOIN US FOR DEMOS: INCLUDING A GREEN EGG DEMO, GOZNEY PIZZA OVEN DEMO, AND TRAEGER BBQ DEMO FREE GIVEAWAYS FOR THE FIRST 100 KIDS THEY WILL RECEIVE A FREE PAIR OF GLOVES FROM G.O.A.T GLOVES, AND A FREE ABALSA WOOD PLANE! 20% OFF everything that that fits in the bag Sign Up For Ace Rewards and be entered to win a Weber® Grill 8108718 Sign Up For Ace Rewards and be entered to win a Blackstone® Grill 8093917 Exclusions apply. See store for details. Exclusions apply. See store for details. Exclusions apply. See store for details. 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www.montereycountynow.com JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 SHOP at unique and locally owned boutiques and stores DINE and DRINK at family-owned and operated eatieries and bars EXPLORE the National Steinbeck Center, Saturday’s Farmers Market, or one of the locally owned theaters Discover Downtown Salinas DRIVE CUSTOMERS TO YOUR BUSINESS PUBLICATION DATE: August 7, 2026 AD DEADLINE: July 20, 2026 FOR MORE INFO: 831-394-5656 sales@montereycountynow.com DURING CAR WEEK Published by BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Haven HOME & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE 2025-2026 FREE FINE LOCAL WINE DECORATING WITH ANTIQUES SEASONAL SPA TREATMENTS GOING BOUTIQUE AUTOMATING THE HOME cover_HAVEN_25.indd 3 7/24/25 11:51 AM Welcome to the Best Of Monterey Bay® Haven, where your business can be showcased next to lifestyle trends amid the luster of Car Week.
18 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JUNE 25-JULY 1, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com ON THE BOOKS Well look at that, they did their damn job (“Monterey City Council approves budget following the failure of the Measure D tax increase,” June 18-24). Miguel Renteria | Monterey Congratulations to the Monterey City Council for coming up with a balanced budget in these challenging times, certainly not an easy task. Your dedication and hard work is sincerely appreciated Derek Dean | Monterey No more quick fixes! Early retirements need to be looked at! [City Manager] Dante [Hall] is the right man to do the job. Uwe Grobecker | Monterey It would be great to get the group [Friends of Alvarado Street] to fund street powerwashing, planters, benches, flowers etc. (“The First Amendment can be expressed in countless ways, such as painting a crosswalk,” posted June 18). Our downtown is so grimy—it doesn’t give tourists a reason to come or locals to hang out. Anna Wilson | Monterey OVER TAXED I’m not surprised (“Board of Supervisors pass on luxury real estate transfer tax, citing lack of support,” posted June 19). Taxpayers are tired of our leaders continuing to raise our taxes due to their fiscal mismanagement. Budgets are created and approved every year for a reason. Our leaders should treat the tax payers budget as their own and not over spend! Enough is enough! Jose Mendoza | via social media IN THE WEED Wow, that isn’t fair (“The winner of P.G.’s first cannabis license lottery is a company with multiple entries,” June 18-24).. Eight out of 10 were the same company? That’s BS! Cheryl “Rebelle” Robinson | Prunedale Chain weed stores, like Starbucks and McDonald’s. Chad Castle | Carmel Valley Good! Just open something already! As a consumer, I could care less about “fairness.” I just want to buy some smoke without having to drive. Kevin Stoll | Monterey TECH TITANS It’s Jeff Bezos’ world, we just live in it (“The arrival of Amazon ushers in the Silicon Valley era of Salinas, and all the impacts that come with it,” June 18-24). Arno Featherstone | Seaside The view used to be so beautiful. I can’t believe they let this happen. Kristina Solorzano | via social media What an eyesore. Used to be a beautiful agricultural field. Eric Palmer Sr. | Monterey Monterey County doesn’t need any of this. Ted Glennon | via social media Beginning of the end. Brad Copeland | via social media I sure hope the Salinas Planning Department has done their homework, researched and planned for the massive water usage and water pressure limitations, in case there is a huge Amazon warehouse fire. In the last week alone, there have been several huge warehouse fires that did not have enough water supply or water pressure to put out their fires, one in LA and one in Tracy. If that were to happen here in Salinas then we will have thousands of acres of agricultural crops and people’s air, homes and yards being contaminated and poisoned. Shauna Lynn Davis | via social media ANIMAL PLANET This is fantastic (“Spay-and-neuter ordinance in unincorporated areas moves a step forward,” posted June 17). Karen Sheppard | Pacific Grove Can we instead support funding for spay and neuter at an affordable cost? How can this be enforced? I feel like people will be less likely to reclaim and keep their pets. I want all pets spayed and neutered so I support the idea, but wondering if this is the best way. Kari Wolf | via social media This is sure to provide relief to Hitchcock Road Animal Services down the road and hopefully it will become easier to hire and retain employees. I advocate for the shelter workers as much as the animals. What a heartbreaking job they have. I just received Seaside’s May 2026 intake report to the SPCA. May 2024: 55 animals (before ordinance); May 2025: 25 animals (six months into ordinance); May 2026: 15 animals (one-and-a-half years after ordinance). One animal control officer for a [33,000-person] population, big results! Thank you to the City of Seaside for showing what is possible! Thank you Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo and all of the Board Of Supervisors for voting! Lisa Nall Sears | Monterey Long overdue! Martina Shaw | Salinas TAKE ROOT Yikes! Salinas’ Adopt-a-Tree sounds like a great program, but has a grossly ill-advised tree list (“Good Week,” June 18-24). Of the 36 recommended, only a whopping five are natives, and way too many of the others are either highly invasive pest trees or extremely messy. Imagine sidewalks littered with tripping hazards, stained by debris, requiring near daily clean-up by the hapless homeowner, and “volunteers” sprouting up everywhere you least want them. Salinans, do your homework, so you don’t end up paying to water your worst nightmare. To the City: Vet your preferred list more thoughtfully to create the urban oasis you hope for. Nancy Howden | Monterey MENU PLAN All of that plus she is funny, kind, humble and exudes grace (“Food and giving have always been a part of Les Dames d’Escoffier board president Rachel Mueller’s life,”June 11-17). Our Les Dames chapter is lucky to have you Rachel! Tamie Aceves | Pacific Grove 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.
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