AUGUST 13-19, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT SWAN SONG 5 | MOSS LANDING FALLOUT 6 | PORSCHE SUBSTITUTE 12 | HAVING GUMP-TION 38 REMEMBERING THE RACES THAT LAUNCHED CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE AND CAR WEEK. p.18 • TURNING JAPANESE: EVENTS CELEBRATE JDMS • AUCTION CARS ARE THE STARS • MAKING A STAND FOREST RUN Published by BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Haven HOME & LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE OFF-ROAD LUXURY VINTAGE STYLE IN-HOME WELLNESS READING ROOM HIGH TEA 2026-2027 FREE cover_HAVEN_26.indd 1 7/24/26 2:08 PM INSIDE: BEST OF MONTEREY BAY® Haven — a home and lifestyle magazine
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 13-19, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 13-19, 2026 • ISSUE #1985 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Daniel Dreifuss (Canon EOS R5 Mark II) Dancers Emiliya Suezaki and Rashaad Jones dazzle the crowd during Piazza Motor Nights at the Courtyard by Marriott in Sand City on Monday, Aug. 10, a new event in the Car Week lineup. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Sterling Edwards pilots his Edwards Special during the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Races in 1950. The day before, his car earned Best of Show at the first Concours d’Elegance. Cover photo: Julian P. Graham / Pebble Beach Company Lagorio Archives 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. The Weekly is an adjudicated newspaper of Monterey County, court decree M21137. Milestone Communications, Inc. is a California corporation based in Seaside, CA. Shares of the corporation are wholly owned by Bradley Zeve, Founder & CEO, Carmel Valley, CA and Erik Cushman, Publisher, Pacific Grove, CA. The Weekly assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials. Visit our website at http://www.montereycountynow.com. 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 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 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 AUGUST 13-19, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 PALLIATIVE MEDICINE AND SUPPORTIVE CARE 501 East Romie Lane Geetha Varma, MD Hematology and Oncology Comprehensive cancer care in our community. When you or your loved one is diagnosed with cancer, finding care is fundamental. Salinas Valley Health oers comprehensive, quality care to support you anywhere in your journey. Our dedicated team of local experts provide optimal treatments and compassionate cancer care close to home. SALINAS VALLEY HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER 450 East Romie Lane For more information, scan the QR code or call 831-759-1951. IMAGING 559 Abbott Street COASTAL RADIATION ONCOLOGY 1069 Los Palos Drive HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY 505 East Romie Lane SUSAN BACON CANCER RESOURCE CENTER 501 East Romie Lane GENERAL SURGERY 236 San Jose Street OUTPATIENT INFUSION 515 East Romie Lane NANCY AUSONIO BREAST HEALTH CENTER 240 San Jose Street
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 13-19, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Free speech advocates are threatening litigation against the Los Angeles City Council after it decided on July 30 to ban the N-word and C-word and their “variations” from public comment periods. But as offensive as these words are, the First Amendment Coalition and Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression argue that the policy is unconstitutional and an attack on free speech. In an interview with Westside Current, Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson said this is the first step toward other policies to regulate offensive speech. “The first target of censorship is never the last,” said David Loy, the FAC’s legal director. “Censorship anywhere gives aid and comfort to censorship everywhere.” A letter from the FAC and FIRE warns the council that if it does not repeal the decision by the end of August, the group will file a lawsuit. “A government that gets away with censorship won’t stop at just two words. It will target other speech, too—particularly criticism,” FIRE attorney Zach Silver said. Good: School is back in session across Monterey County, and depending if you’re a student or parent, summer was either too short or too long. As the homework assignments start rolling in, students will need assistance. Thanks to the California State Library and Pacific Library Partnership, anyone holding a card with Monterey County Free Libraries will have access to free online tutoring for K-12 students. With Homework CA, library patrons can receive tutoring on more than 250 subjects. “We know that students don’t always need academic support during traditional library open hours,” said Alison Day, manager for programs, outreach and youth services at MCFL. “Homework CA allows us to extend our services beyond the library walls and give students access to free, on-demand tutoring and educational resources 24 hours a day.” GREAT: Monterey County residents who rely on free legal services will now have an office closer to home. Watsonville Law Center is opening a satellite office in Salinas at 106 Central Ave. The grand opening is on Monday, Aug. 17 from 4-5:30pm. Watsonville Law Center has provided legal services to low-income families in the tri-county area for 25 years, from its office in Watsonville and through clinics in various communities, including Salinas and Soledad. Nearly half of the people the nonprofit serves are from Monterey County. “When a farmworker or service employee has to sacrifice a day’s wages and navigate transportation just to access legal help, that is a barrier to justice. By planting roots in Salinas, we are removing that barrier and meeting our community exactly where they are,” says Adriana Melgoza, the nonprofit’s executive director. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many nominations were cast in 277 categories for the Best Of Monterey County® Readers’ Poll. It’s now time to vote for the finalists at montereycountynow.com/bestof through Aug. 28. Source: Monterey County Weekly 23,494 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “It’s beautiful to see many people come to see this art.” -Romain Greco, director of the Alebrijes y Nahuales: Fantastical Animals of Mexico exhibit that is now on display throughout Salinas (see story, montereycountynow.com/newsletter).
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 13-19, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 On an early Tuesday morning in August on Lovers Point in Pacific Grove, Dennis Tarmina and volunteers are busy putting another coat of paint on the iconic white swan boat, the Margruss, a three-quarter replica of the original glass-bottomed boats that sailed in the cove beginning in the early 1890s. They had already spent much of July doing restoration work to rescue the rotting boat. “The swan heads were mush inside,” Tarmina says. Decades ago, the two heads adorned the original red-and-white boats that took tourists out into the cove off Lovers Point to view the sealife below in what is now the Pacific Grove Marine Gardens State Marine Conservation Area. The boats were operational for more than 80 years until the mid-1970s. “A trip in the glass bottom boat will take you into a Marine Fairyland of fantastic shapes, a wealth of color and undreamed of strange creatures of the plant and animal world,” a postcard from the 1950s promoting the concession declares. According to the Monterey Boat Heritage website, local realtor William Smith, who had rowed the boats for guests back in 1963, purchased the last two remaining glass-bottom boats in 1986 before they could be sent off to Oregon to decorate a restaurant. He donated one of the boats in 1996 to the Friends of the Heritage Society of Pacific Grove, but it was deemed too fragile to be saved. The two wooden swan heads were saved and restored. Master boatbuilder Frank Siino of Monterey Bay Boatworks designed the 20-foot steel replica boat, without a glass bottom, which was fabricated by a local welder. It was christened the Margruss in 1997, combining the names of Margaret and Russell Sprague, owners of the boat business starting in 1948, taking over for Russell’s father, Nathaniel Roscoe “Dad” Sprague. The elder Sprague owned and operated a small fleet of the boats for more than 50 years. The Margruss reportedly had only one trip the day it was christened, with dignitaries there for the event taking turns rowing or riding in the boat. With that it was hoisted out of the water and placed on a rolling platform and transported to the Pacific Grove Public Works Corporation Yard on Sunset Drive. It then sat for over 10 years as city officials and members of the Heritage Society’s board of directors struggled to agree on where to display it. The board turned to other projects and the Margruss remained hidden. Around 2006, Tarmina and his late wife Marsha discovered the boat in the back of the corporation yard rusting away. Wanting to see the boat finally on display, the two—both members of the Heritage Society—asked the board to take up the challenge once again. To raise money for its placement, Society members placed the boat on a trailer and entered it into the annual Good Old Days Parade in 2007 with a sign asking for donations. The boat was taken back to the corporation yard and Tarmina and another volunteer, Steve Honegger, went to work on preparing the boat. A site was finally chosen along the Rec Trail above Lovers Point Beach and it was unveiled on July 26, 2008. The current restoration project came about after Heritage Secretary Jean Anton mentioned she thought the swan boat sign was looking shabby. Tarmina raised his hand: “‘I’ll take care of it,’” he recalls saying. Once that project was completed, the new sign made the boat “look like hell,” he says. At first P.G. Public Works employees were going to give it a new coat of paint, but Tarmina says that after close inspection he realized it was a much bigger job. Tarmina is part of what’s known as the “Lighthouse Crew,” a group of volunteers that spend every Tuesday from 8am-noon doing anything that needs to be done at the Point Pinos Lighthouse. He recruited a few members of the crew—Bob Bourk, Bob Gunn and Ken Hinshaw—to switch over to the swan boat every week until they completed the project. The refurbishment was completed on Aug. 7, so now it’s back to the lighthouse for the crew. The Margruss in its new, crisp, red-and-white paint is looking sharp, a reminder of when Pacific Grove was home to a fleet of graceful, glass-bottomed boats revealing the natural wonders below. See Worthy Margruss, the Lovers Point swan boat, gets its first makeover in years thanks to volunteers. By Pam Marino He raised his hand: “I’ll take care of it.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Dennis Tarmina puts the finishing touches on Margruss, a replica of the swan boats that once graced the cove off Lovers Point in P.G. from the 1890s to the mid-1970s. Tarmina and three other volunteers worked Tuesdays through the summer to refurbish the boat. A NEW FREE, DAILY, DIGITAL NEWS SOURCE. • Telling the stories of Salinas and Salinas Valley • Community news, professionally crafted, available in Spanish ANNOUNCING Visit SalinasValleyNow.com to sign up for the newsletter to be delivered for free via email or WhatsApp
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 13-19, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Within days of the 2025 Moss Landing fire, Ivano Aiello, a Prunedale resident and a marine geologist at Moss Landing Marine Labs, noticed something was off. Most obvious were the chunks of battery material, visible to the naked eye, scattered around Elkhorn Slough, pieces that had once been part of Vistra’s Battery Energy Storage System at Moss Landing. Aiello, who had years of restoration data from before the fire, did what any curious scientist might: collected samples to look at what changed under a microscope, only to find metals concentrations 1,000 times higher than before. The battery storage facility, the largest in the world, caught fire in the center of a global academic hub, so where state and local agencies failed to study the impacts tied to a growing industry, local researchers and community groups stepped in. “That we had all of this before data was lucky,” says Kerstin Wasson, research coordinator of the Elkhorn Slough Reserve. On Friday, Aug. 7, nine researchers presented their latest findings on the battery fire’s fallout at a symposium at Moss Landing Marine Labs. The researchers, working with full schedules and shoestring budgets, presented over the course of seven hours to roughly 70 people, with hundreds more registered to watch online. The Estuary Monitoring of Battery Emissions and Residues (EMBER) research group received additional financial support totaling $300,000 in grants over the past 18 months, according to Wasson, including donations from members of the Packard family, CDFW and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Deep Dive Local researchers fill gaps left by state and local agencies after the Vistra battery fire. By Katie Rodriguez On Saturday, Aug. 8, sometime in the evening, a fire at Timber Top, a popular camping destination in Big Sur’s Ventana Wilderness, began to spread. It was reportedly slow-moving, at first. To the best of Josh Silveira’s knowledge, battalion chief with Cal Fire in Monterey County, all campers in the area self-evacuated that night. As of press time, Aug. 12, the fire had grown to more than 3,150 acres and was 5 percent contained. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, and evacuation orders are in place for five zones encompassing popular areas including the Henry Miller Memorial Library, Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn and Alila Ventana Big Sur. More than 500 structures were threatened, according to Cal Fire, with no reports of structure damage. The fire has been burning to the northeast into the Ventana Wilderness, Silveira says. Weather conditions are expected to remain similar, warmer at higher elevations and cooler at lower elevations. Cal Fire is watching a 15 to 20 percent chance of thunderstorms and precipitation through the week. To keep the roadway clear of traffic, a concern as Car Week is underway, Caltrans announced the closure of a 10-mile stretch of Highway 1 on Tuesday for an undetermined period of time. Pebble Beach representatives worked with local officials to develop a contingency plan for their Tour d’Elegance, which typically traces the coast from Pebble Beach into Big Sur. Casey Cushing, a Big Sur resident under evacuation orders, says she could see the fire come within 1,000 feet from her house after hiking up the hill to catch a glimpse. The smoke was deceiving, she adds, as it’s been foggy at lower elevation areas and near the coast. “My cats were basically giving me the signal like it’s time to go... they were kind of limp,” she says, “and I was not feeling great either from the smoke.” Cushing, who also experienced the Dolan Fire in 2020, says one major concern among locals has been monitoring illegal campfires during the summer. Like many other residents who evacuated, Cushing relocated to an area north of Big Sur. She’s now staying with family in Carmel Valley and has been helping organize community support runs for Big Sur Fire. She and Emily Rose Peck, a Big Sur local who recently moved to Carmel Valley, have been gathering goods for fire crews, who requested everything from electrolytes, protein drinks and beef jerky to additional safety equipment and phone chargers. Nepenthe, Deetjen’s, Ventana and Post Ranch Inn have evacuated staff and guests. See Monterey has compiled a list of hotels in Monterey offering discount rates to evacuees. The County of Monterey, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, opened an emergency evacuation shelter at Carmel Middle School, 4380 Carmel Valley Road, for residents displaced by the fire. “We’re not in code red right now. We’ve been blanketed by fog,” Matt Glazer of Deetjen’s says, “but we’re listening to all the fire scientists, we talk to firefighters and we look at our escape routes. “Big Sur needs wise travelers, which means study what’s happening before you get here and don’t come during wildfires.” For updates, visit montereycountynow.com. After Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn staff evacuated guests, firefighters moved in as a place of respite during the Timber Fire. The inn also provided meals and coffee. Timber Burning Big Sur responds to the Timber Fire, which continues to spread amid Car Week events. By Katie Rodriguez Ivano Aiello and other researchers of the battery fire emphasized that timing and methodology of the sampling matter, helping explain why many reports found little to no fallout while others did. “My cats were giving me the signal it’s time to go.” DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS DEEP continued on pg 8
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 13-19, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Mission St. & 7th Ave. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 831-626-3368 girlboygirlboutiquecarmel Open 7 Days COMPLIMENTARY PARKING and more ... NILI Lotan ZIMMERMAN TWP La DOUBLEJ ISABEL MARANT ALEMAIS Cara Cara SPRWMN PETER COHEN A.L.C. Sea ny DÔEN Anine Bing Ann Mashburn SABLYN GUEST IN RESIDENCE JONATHON SIMKHAI LISA YANG BROCHU WALKER VINCE XiRENA Cara Cara Saloni The GREAT SMYTHE ALIX OF BOHEMIA LOUIZA BABOURYAN Hunter Bell WHITE & WARREN Helmut Lang KUTJEN MOTHER R 13 MOUSSY VINTAGE CITIZENS of HUMANITY AGOLDE RE/DONE AMO ATM FREECITY and many more … HANDBAGS Isabel Marant Jerome Dreyfus Golden Goose Maria La Rosa Clare V. SHOES Isabel Marant Golden Goose Loeffler Randall Dear Frances IRO JEWELRY Single Stone Retrouvai Jacquie Aiche Renato Cipullo Logan Hollowell Lionheart By Pariah zofia day EF collection GIgi Clozeau Girl Boy Girl SU26.qxp_Layout 1 5/18/26 12:34PM Page 2 GBG_FP_VG26_ec.indd 1 6/17/26 12:16 PM Girl Boy Girl SU26.qxp_Layout 1 5/18/26 12:34 PM Page 2 and more ... Mission St. & 7th Ave. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 831-626-3368 girlboygirlboutiquecarmel Open 7 Days COMPLIMENTARY PARKING NILI Lotan ZIMMERMAN TWP La DOUBLEJ ISABEL MARANT ALEMAIS Cara Cara SPRWMN PETER COHEN A.L.C. Sea ny DÔEN Anine Bing Ann Mashburn SABLYN GUEST IN RESIDENCE JONATHON SIMKHAI LISA YANG BROCHU WALKER VINCE XiRENA Cara Cara Saloni The GREAT SMYTHE ALIX OF BOHEMIA LOUIZA BABOURYAN Hunter Bell WHITE & WARREN Helmut Lang KUTJEN MOTHER R 13 MOUSSY VINTAGE CITIZENS of HUMANITY AGOLDE RE/DONE AMO ATM FREECITY and many more … HANDBAGS Isabel Marant Jerome Dreyfus Golden Goose Maria La Rosa Clare V. SHOES Isabel Marant Golden Goose Loeffler Randall Dear Frances IRO JEWELRY Single Stone Retrouvai Jacquie Aiche Renato Cipullo Logan Hollowell Lionheart By Pariah zofia day EF collection GIgi Clozeau Girl Boy Girl SU26.qxp_Layout 1 5/18/26 12:34 PM Page 2 Mission St. & 7th Ave. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 831-626-3368 girlboygirlboutiquecarmel Open 7 Days COMPLIMENTARY PARKING and more ... NILI Lotan ZIMMERMAN TWP La DOUBLEJ ISABEL MARANT ALEMAIS Cara Cara SPRWMN PETER COHEN A.L.C. Sea ny DÔEN Anine Bing Ann Mashburn SABLYN GUEST IN RESIDENCE JONATHON SIMKHAI LISA YANG BROCHU WALKER VINCE XiRENA Cara Cara Saloni The GREAT SMYTHE ALIX OF BOHEMIA LOUIZA BABOURYAN Hunter Bell WHITE & WARREN Helmut Lang KUTJEN MOTHER R 13 MOUSSY VINTAGE CITIZENS of HUMANITY AGOLDE RE/DONE AMO ATM FREECITY and many more … HANDBAGS Isabel Marant Jerome Dreyfus Golden Goose Maria La Rosa Clare V. SHOES Isabel Marant Golden Goose Loeffler Randall Dear Frances IRO JEWELRY Single Stone Retrouvai Jacquie Aiche Renato Cipullo Logan Hollowell Lionheart By Pariah zofia day EF collection GIgi Clozeau Girl Boy Girl SU26.qxp_Layout 1 5/18/26 12:34PM Page 2 GBG_FP_VG26_ec.indd 1 6/17/26 12:16 PM Mission St. & 7th Ave. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 831-626-3368 girlboygirlboutiquecarmel Open 7 Days COMPLIMENTARY PARKING and more ... NILI Lotan ZIMMERMAN TWP La DOUBLEJ ISABEL MARANT ALEMAIS Cara Cara SPRWMN PETER COHEN A.L.C. Sea ny DÔEN Anine Bing Ann Mashburn SABLYN GUEST IN RESIDENCE JONATHON SIMKHAI LISA YANG BROCHU WALKER VINCE XiRENA Cara Cara Saloni The GREAT SMYTHE ALIX OF BOHEMIA LOUIZA BABOURYAN Hunter Bell WHITE & WARREN Helmut Lang KUTJEN MOTHER R 13 MOUSSY VINTAGE CITIZENS of HUMANITY AGOLDE RE/DONE AMO ATM FREECITY and many more … HANDBAGS Isabel Marant Jerome Dreyfus Golden Goose Maria La Rosa Clare V. SHOES Isabel Marant Golden Goose Loeffler Randall Dear Frances IRO JEWELRY Single Stone Retrouvai Jacquie Aiche Renato Cipullo Logan Hollowell Lionheart By Pariah zofia day EF collection GIgi Clozeau Girl Boy Girl SU26.qxp_Layout 1 5/18/26 12:34PM Page 2 GBG_FP_VG26_ec.indd 1 6/17/26 12:16 PM Mission St. & 7th Ave. Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921 831-626-3368 girlboygirlboutiquecarmel Open 7 Days COMPLIMENTARY PARKING and more ... NILI Lotan ZIMMERMAN TWP La DOUBLEJ ISABEL MARANT ALEMAIS Cara Cara SPRWMN PETER COHEN A.L.C. Sea ny DÔEN Anine Bing Ann Mashburn SABLYN GUEST IN RESIDENCE JONATHON SIMKHAI LISA YANG BROCHU WALKER VINCE XiRENA Cara Cara Saloni The GREAT SMYTHE ALIX OF BOHEMIA LOUIZA BABOURYAN Hunter Bell WHITE & WARREN Helmut Lang KUTJEN MOTHER R 13 MOUSSY VINTAGE CITIZENS of HUMANITY AGOLDE RE/DONE AMO ATM FREECITY and many more … HANDBAGS Isabel Marant Jerome Dreyfus Golden Goose Maria La Rosa Clare V. SHOES Isabel Marant Golden Goose Loeffler Randall Dear Frances IRO JEWELRY Single Stone Retrouvai Jacquie Aiche Renato Cipullo Logan Hollowell Lionheart By Pariah zofia day EF collection GIgi Clozeau Girl Boy Girl SU26.qxp_Layout 1 5/18/26 12:34PM Page 2 GBG_FP_VG26_ec.indd 1 6/17/26 12:16 PM
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 13-19, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Roughly seven months after a Marina Police officer fatally shot Seaside resident Ronald Chyron Tinsley during a traffic stop, a $25 million wrongful death claim has been filed on behalf of his four children. On Jan. 18, 2026, while patrolling the Marina Heights neighborhood at 4:50pm, Marina Police Officer Shivdev Dhillon noticed someone driving a van without a front license plate, and recognized the driver as Tinsley, who Dhillon had arrested in June 2025 for felon in possession of ammunition, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. Dhillon then pulled Tinsley over and, as shown in body-cam footage of the exchange obtained by the Weekly, two additional Marina Police officers arrive before Dhillon ultimately asks Tinsley to step out of the car. The back and forth between Tinsley and Dhillon then escalates into a physical struggle that ends when Dhillon shoots Tinsley. Attorney Rodney S. Diggs with the Los Angeles-based law firm Ivie McNeill Wyatt Purcell & Diggs—who didn’t respond to the Weekly’s comment requests—filed the claim against the city and police department, dated July 16, on behalf of Valencia Richardson-Whittington, Tinsley’s four children and their guardians, named as Cherish dela Victoria, Ashley Fulton and Ivania Melendez. “The claim includes both wrongful death claims on behalf of the decedent’s (Tinsley’s) heirs and a survival action on behalf of the decedent’s estate,” the claim reads. The document further asserts that Dhillon, “while acting under color of law and within the course and scope of his employment with the City of Marina and Marina Police Department, negligently assessed the circumstances presented to him and violently confronted Mr. Tinsley without having reason to believe, based on the totality of the circumstances, that Mr. Tinsley was a danger to the lives of officers or others.” The $25 million claim also alleges that Dhillon was “negligently hired, trained and retained,” by the city and police department “in that it was or should have been plainly obvious to the City of Marina and Marina Police Department that Respondent Dhillon was a dangerous and violent employee,” and that the fatal shooting of Tinsley was the result of “unconstitutional policies, claims and practices.” According to the City of Marina Human Resources Analyst Catrina Scharf, the claim has not been denied but sent to a third-party risk management group. Each scientist examined something different, providing evidence as to whether or not battery cathode material—namely, nickel, cobalt and manganese—was found in sediments, plant material, invertebrates, human hair and more. Two questions guided their research: Was there evidence of contamination from the battery fire? A resounding yes. Did that contamination have negative impacts on wildlife or people? That answer is more complicated. “I would advise you not to believe anyone—or any report—that provides a simple ‘no,’ or a simple ‘yes’ answer to this question,” Wasson said at the symposium. “What you will hear today instead is the sausage-making of real science.” For example, Don Smith, an environmental and neurotoxicologist at UC Santa Cruz, studied hair follicles from 85 volunteers—160 hair segments—organized through the community group Never Again Moss Landing. While the metal levels varied substantially from person to person, Smith found “clear evidence of elevated exposure to battery-related materials.” “When accidents like this happen, counties and local jurisdictions turn to the state,” County Supervisor Glenn Church said. “We do not have a toxicologist on hand employed by the county.” Just a week before the symposium, the County’s Environmental Health Bureau released its 343-page Preliminary Environmental Assessment report which found that the battery fire did not pose long-term risks to people or the environment. The report was prepared by Vistra’s environmental consultant Terraphase Engineering, in response to County of Monterey directives and reviewed sampling done by the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Toxic Substances, County of Monterey and others. County and state scientists studying the fire were invited to participate in the symposium, but all declined. “Environmental Health’s role has largely been that of an intermediary and information portal,” Karen Smith of the County’s Environmental Health Bureau said in a written statement explaining the decision. Vistra and the DTSC did not respond to the Weekly by press time. “Money or no money we’re going to do [this research] because we know it’s the right thing to do,” Aiello said. “But our offer is to create a model…a framework applicable to future battery fires.” Claim It Family members of Ronald Tinsley file a wrongful death claim against Marina. By Aric Sleeper NEWS IN CLASS North Monterey County Unified School District Board of Trustees meets and accepts public comment. 6pm Thursday, Aug. 13. North Monterey County High School library, 13990 Castroville Blvd., Castroville. Free. (831) 633-3343, nmcusd.org. UP TO CODE Salinas City Council meets to discuss changes to the zoning code, among other agenda items. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Aug. 18. Council Chamber Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, salinas. gov. ON THE DAIS Monterey City Council meets and accepts public comment. Tell your elected officials what they are doing well and what you think they can do better. 4pm Tuesday, Aug. 18. Colton Hall, 580 Pacific St., Monterey. Free. (831) 6463799, monterey.gov. COMMUNITY MATTERS Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church hosts a town hall meeting for the communities of Bolsa Knolls and Natividad. Ask questions and express concerns about issues in the communities. 5:30-7pm Wednesday, Aug. 19. Rancho Cielo Youth Campus Vocational Center, 710 Old Stage Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 755-5022, glennchurch.com. PUBLIC TOUR Tour Marina’s City Hall and public safety facilities. A ballot measure in November asks voters to consider a utility users tax to fund new facilities. 6pm Thursday, Aug. 20. Marina City Hall, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina.org. FAIR HELP The Monterey County Fair is in need of volunteers. Opportunities are available Aug. 23 through Sept. 8. Sign up at bit.ly/MoCoFairVolunteers. WATER WORKS Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency seeks applicants for the Langley Subbasin Committee seat on its Advisory Committee. The committee helps shape groundwater policy. Applications due 5pm Friday, Aug. 21. svbgsa.org. IN DEPTH City of Monterey residents are invited to apply for the First City Academy, which is designed to show how local government operates. The program runs for seven sessions in the fall. Application deadline is 5pm Aug. 24. (831) 646-3799, bit.ly/ FirstCityAcademy2026. A memorial stands near the spot where Ronald Tinsley was shot and killed by a Marina Police officer in the Marina Heights neighborhood on Jan. 18. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN A $25 million wrongful death claim was filed on July 16. DANIEL DREIFUSS DEEP continued from pg 6
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 13-19, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 WeatherTechRaceway.com CELEBRATING JAPAN’S RACING HERITAGE AT 190 MPH. AUGUST 12-15 For 2026, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is proud to honor icons of Japanese motorsport. Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime collection of authentic and historic Japanese race cars. It is a museum revving to life as legendary cars race at top speed around our storied track. Because the most fitting way to celebrate Japanese racing excellence is at full throttle. AUGUST 12-15. Tickets and camping info at WeatherTechRaceway.com We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! 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A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. ’24 Four years in a row! 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A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. ’24 Four years in a row! 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A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. Four years in a row! We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! 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A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice We are honored ’24 Four years in a row! We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. ’24 Four years in a row! PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. Four years in a row! and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM Five Years In A Row! SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE • PREVENTATIVE CARE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE ’25 ’24
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 13-19, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The owners of a Royal Oaks nursery accused of housing workers in makeshift dwellings and tax evasion agreed to settlement terms on Aug. 3, bringing a three-year-long court saga to its end. Husband-and-wife Nicolas and Ana Ruvalcaba, owners of Ruvalcaba Nursery on San Miguel Canyon Road, agreed to pay $450,000 to their former tenants and serve time in home confinement. In May 2023, authorities reportedly discovered the nursery was housing 270 people in squalid conditions. Nearly 30 tenants sued the Ruvalcabas, alleging dangerous housing conditions. The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office got involved in March 2024 when it filed criminal and civil charges against the Ruvalcabas, with felony counts of tax evasion, as well as misdemeanors for failing to secure workers comp insurance and counts related to housing conditions on the property. The civil and felony cases stalled in 2025 and earlier this year when Nicolas Ruvalcaba’s attorneys argued that he was not fit to stand trial, as he is facing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. On July 30, William Pernik, the attorney representing Nicolas Ruvalcaba, withdrew the motion for a mental health diversion after multiple warnings from Monterey County Superior Court Judge Mark Hood about further delays. The Ruvalcabas had earlier pled not guilty to the charges, with Nicolas writing in court documents, “We have not done any act which causes harm.” A trial was scheduled to begin on Aug. 3 until the couple agreed to the settlement. They also pled no contest to tax evasion and failing to secure workers compensation insurance, among other charges. Attorney Leigh Rodriguez, representing the Ruvalcabas in the civil case put forward by the tenants, declined to comment. Pernik, representing Nicolas Ruvalcaba in the felony case, did not respond to a request for comment as of press time. The Aug. 3 order by Judge Ian A. Rivamonte states the two sides agreed to a “compromise and settlement...for the purpose of furthering the public interest.” According to the settlement, the nursery owners must pay each of the 10 couples in the lawsuit $45,000, in addition to more than $300,000 in penalties to the California Franchise Tax Board, County of Monterey agencies and the court. The order also states that if 95 percent of the $127,678 civil penalty to the court is not paid by Oct. 28, then the court will appoint a receiver to sell the Ruvalcabas’ property in order to pay the fine. The Ruvalcabas are also barred from constructing a structure without a permit and allowing people to live in buildings that have not been approved by the County of Monterey, as is the law. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 29 at Monterey County Superior Court. According to court documents, the DA’s office will recommend a four-year probation term and 240 days in home confinement for Nicolas Ruvalcaba, and 40 days of home confinement for Ana Ruvalcaba. Door Shut Nursery owners settle with tenants who lived in illegal structures on the property. By Erik Chalhoub Soon after a lawsuit was filed against the owners of Ruvalcaba Nursery in 2023, the Ruvalcabas installed a gate blocking access to their San Miguel Canyon Road property. NEWS The owners must pay each of the 10 couples $45,000. ERIK CHALHOUB Douglas sunDe, M.D., F.A.C.S., Plastic surgeon “suPerb Patient care is my sPecialty.” - Dr. SunDe 856 MUNRAS AVENUE, MONTEREY 831-372-0200 DRSUNDE.COM 2016– 2025 Best Plastic Surgeon
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 13-19, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 For many, smartphones have become an important tool for everyday tasks. They can also have adverse effects, such as impacting young people’s mental health and ability to learn in the classroom. In 2024, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed The Phone-Free School Act, or Assembly Bill 3216, requiring school districts, charter schools and county offices of education to adopt policies to limit or prohibit the use of smartphones by July 1, 2026. “This new law will help students focus on academics, social development and the world in front of them, not their screens, when they’re in school,” Newsom said when he signed the bill. Local educators say it’s important to limit the use of cell phones in the classroom. “It’s critical to prioritize and protect the learning process, and to limit communications that may post liability out of inappropriate use of technology,” says Esteban Hernandez, Salinas City Elementary School District’s executive director of student services. Hernandez adds the exceptions in the state policy are reasonable, which include the teacher’s permission for instructional purposes, for health reasons such as tracking glucose or blood pressure, or in case of an emergency. At SCESD, students keep their phones turned off with them at all times during the school day. The district implemented its policy in 2025, and it has not heard concerns from parents or guardians. “We haven’t seen pushback,” Hernandez says. Monterey Peninsula Unified School District had a phone-free policy before AB3216 was signed into law. “We’ve banned cell phones within the classroom instructional period many, many years ago,” Monterey High School Principal Thomas Newton says. At Monterey High, classrooms have “phone caddies” where students place their phones, and they get it back once class ends. Students have access to their cell phones during break and lunch periods. Monterey High School students face a penalty if they use their phones during class. With the first violation, they must turn their phones off. If the violations continue, they will have their phones confiscated and will be banned from having a phone on campus. Middle schools within Salinas Union High School District have been phone-free since the 2024-2025 school year. Students keep their phones at all times locked away in a Yondr pouch. According to the district’s annual survey, the Yondr Education Program has had a positive impact on campus culture, increasing student engagement in the classroom, reducing fights and improving student behavior. In June, Carmel Unified School District approved its own mobile device policy. Before adopting it, the district already had some protocols in place. High schoolers had limited use and their phones were stored during instruction. Middle and elementary students had phones turned off and stored away. Phonefree Zone Statewide bill limiting classroom smartphone use goes into effect. By Celia Jiménez Middle school students at SUHSD schools each place their smartphone in an opaque Yondr pouch that remains locked throughout the school day, including lunch and break time. NEWS “We’ve banned cell phones in class many, many years ago.” DANIEL DREIFUSS The McIntyres like to give where they live through their donor advised and company charitable funds. Turn your generosity into lasting impact. Donor Advised Funds • IRA Charitable Distributions • Charitable Estate Planning (CGAs, CRTs) • Family Philanthropy • Scholarships & More 831.375.9712 | cfmco.org | We appreciate the flexibility and support to easily give where we live and work.” – Steve and Kim McIntyre Kim and Steve McIntyre Fund and Monterey Pacific Company Fund Simplify your GIVING Steve & Kim McIntyre Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are accurate as of 07/14/2026. 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 19-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. 0726-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 AUGUST 13-19, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com While he was working as a general sales manager for Mercedes-Benz of Monterey in 2023, then34-year-old Pacific Grove resident Christopher Darnell decided to branch out and start a luxury car-selling business of his own, which he called Exclusive Collection MRY LLC. The online profile for Exclusive Collection MRY, which is still an active business according to the California Secretary of State, asserts that the company was “founded by a team of experienced professionals with a passion for the automotive industry,” and that “With a wealth of expertise in areas such as sales, marketing and operations, the team at Exclusive Collection is well-equipped to provide comprehensive support to clients across the industry.” Roughly 2,500 miles away in Guatemala, car enthusiast Jose Andres Moreno heard about Darnell’s nascent business through a mutual friend, Eduardo Samayoa, who met Darnell at the Culver Academies High School, a boarding school in Indiana, which they both attended from 2005 to 2008, according to a lawsuit filed by Moreno against Darnell in August 2025. The complaint alleges that in December 2023, Darnell and Moreno entered into an oral agreement for Moreno to purchase a 2024 Porsche 911 S/T, an anniversary edition based on a race-oriented sport-touring model. Only 1,963 of the vehicles were made to commemorate the first year Porsche launched the unique model. Darnell allegedly acted as the sales agent for Exclusive Collection MRY and told Moreno that the rare sports car would be made to order. The cost would be roughly $390,000, including the $346,670 purchase price of the vehicle along with a seller’s fee of $43,333. Darnell sent Moreno an invoice in January 2024 with all the terms and conditions of sale along with the vehicle’s specifications, including that it would be the special heritage design package with an extended-range fuel tank and painted shore blue metallic, among other specs. According to the court documents, Darnell told Moreno that the Porsche would be delivered to him at the finale of Car Week, the Concours D’Elegance, in August 2024. Moreno then began to make plans to travel from Guatemala to Monterey County for the iconic car show and to pick up his newly purchased Porsche 911 S/T. An agreement signed by both parties in May 2024 states, “Upon purchase, the vehicle will be transported to the Exclusive Collection’s storage facility.” The agreement, included in court filings, added, “The Exclusive Collection will provide free storage for the vehicle for up to one year.” Storing the Porsche came at no cost to Darnell, however, because the Porsche 911 S/T, custom-built for Moreno, was never in his possession. The alleged scheme is documented in a criminal case filed against Darnell in Monterey County Superior Court in April 2025 and the August 2025 civil suit, which claims that in the months following the agreement, Moreno wired multiple payments to Darnell. He wired the first payment of $35,000 in January 2024, an additional $50,000 in May and the final payment of $276,350 on July 16, 2024. Moving toward Monterey Car Week, Darnell, Moreno and their mutual friend Samayoa were “in constant contact regarding the Porsche S/T,” court records state, with Darnell assuring Moreno that it would be delivered on time—providing status updates and forwarding Moreno photos of a vehicle he would ultimately never own. With all signs pointing toward a done deal, Moreno flew to Monterey to attend Car Week 2024 and retrieve his Porsche. Once Moreno was on the Peninsula, Darnell allegedly broke the news to Moreno that there were complications and the car would be delivered late. According to the lawsuit, Darnell “made questionable and highly concerning excuses,” which made Moreno suspicious of the transaction, and he began to investigate whether the deal was legitimate. Moreno soon discovered that the customized 2024 Porsche S/T only existed on paper. When Moreno confronted Darnell, he admitted to the deception, according to the lawsuit. Darnell allegedly told Moreno that he used the money Moreno wired him for the Porsche S/T to purchase a gray 2024 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4-RS, valued at about $205,000. To pacify Moreno, Darnell allegedly said he would transfer ownership of the GT4-RS to him and would repay Moreno the full amount he’d already transferred, for a total remuneration of $566,250. Darnell wired $34,000 to Moreno on Aug. 15, 2024, as a show of good faith that the wrong would be made right. But Moreno’s complaint states the con continued. On Aug. 23, 2024, Darnell signed a written agreement that he would pay Moreno the $566,250 within 60 days or by Oct. 22, 2024, and credited the $34,000 already paid to the balance. Along with the agreement, Darnell attached an auto bill of sale document to confirm the ownership transfer of the gray GT4-RS Porsche from Darnell to Moreno. However, the lawsuit states that before the car could be physically transferred to Moreno, it was repossessed. After the wire transfer of $34,000, Darnell never made an additional payment to Moreno. Through the civil suit, Moreno is seeking the $566,250 specified in the written agreement along with “interest to the fullest extent permitted under the law,” court costs and punitive damages of $350,000. The civil case is ongoing. The next hearing in Monterey County Superior Court is set for early September. In the criminal case, Darnell is facing felony charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and embezzlement. Monterey County Deputy District Attorney Rebecca Garcia says the case was brought about after the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office received a police report from the Pacific Grove Police Department following their investigation into the car salesman. A jury trial is tentatively slated for late September in Monterey County Superior Court. Darnell denies each accusation in the civil suit and pled not guilty to the criminal charges. Darnell’s attorney told the Weekly that he would not comment on the pending case. Moreno also declined to comment. Darnell was also recently sued by Mercedes-Benz Financial Services regarding an unpaid lease balance. According to Darnell’s LinkedIn profile, he began working at Land Rover Monterey as a general sales manager in February 2024 until his employment ended in September 2025, around the time the allegations surfaced publicly. On LinkedIn, Darnell claims that he is currently a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual Monterey, where he aims “to make a significant impact in clients’ lives by preparing them for future goals and uncertainties.” Car Con A Pacific Grove resident allegedly attempted to sell a fictitious car, spurring civil and criminal claims. By Aric Sleeper NEWS A former sales manager at Land Rover Monterey agreed to sell a 2024 Porsche 911 S/T to a Guatemalan man, who claims he was duped and that the rare vehicle never existed. “Darnell made questionable and highly concerning excuses.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
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