AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT A GATHERING OF LEGENDS 5 | POST-PUNK—IN RUSSIAN 27 | INKED UP 32 | FRY FEVER 34 RIVER REDUX THE BENEFITS OF THE PAJARO RIVER LEVEE PROJECT CAN GO BEYOND FLOOD PROTECTION. p. 16 By Erik Chalhoub www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY XX MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR full schedule and insert
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 • ISSUE #1987 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Ellen Jahn (Olympus E-M10) The “wind phone” at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church in Carmel Valley is one of three that invite people to dial old numbers to voice unsaid thoughts, life updates, grief or final goodbyes (see more, p. 22). MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: CSU Monterey Bay graduate student Subi Nair takes water samples at the mouth of the Pajaro River in Watsonville. Nair is among the researchers studying the river to determine how the levee project can improve habitat and flood protection. Cover photo: Lauryn Tagashira 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
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4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH For the first time in more than 50 years, the New York Times lost a defamation lawsuit brought against it in the United States. An Alabama jury on Aug. 20 determined the Times defamed college basketball player Kai Spears in a 2023 article, which incorrectly reported that he was present during a fatal shooting. The article, written by Billy Witz, attributed Spears’ alleged presence to an anonymous source. Further reporting found that not to be the case, and the article was updated with a correction. Still, Spears sued the Times two months later, accusing it of libel and causing him emotional distress, saying in the lawsuit he had received death threats. The jury awarded $9.25 million in damages. “We’re disappointed the jury found the Times liable for an honest mistake,” Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said. “We thank the jury for its service, but believe the verdict and award of damages are contrary to law and not supported by the evidence.” Good: The Mobile Museum of Tolerance rolled into Seaside this week to teach local students how to combat hate and stand up for civil rights. The traveling bus is organized by the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and uses technology, films and workshops to teach history and empathy through various interactive sessions. Programs include a film about Anne Frank and the Holocaust, a workshop on how to identify online hate, and a history of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Educators with the Museum of Tolerance are also on hand to present programs outside of the bus in campus classrooms. The 45-minute sessions earlier in the week were geared toward middle and high school students, while later in the week is reserved for CSU Monterey Bay students and staff. The museum, stationed at CSUMB, wraps up its local run on Friday, Aug. 28. GREAT: After El Grito organizers, Tradición Por Siempre, announced the cancellation of the Salinas event amid financial and political strain, many people in the community were surprised. But with the help of Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo, the event will continue its annual celebration in 2026. Alejo announced on Aug. 20 that he committed $10,000 from his office’s discretionary funds to the event. The total event budget is about $80,000, according to Tradición Por Siempre President Adan Gomez Jr., who expressed gratitude for Alejo’s and the community’s help in reviving the event. “[The event] is moving forward, as the Salinas city manager has authorized it,” Gomez says. “It is happening.” El Grito, or the Cry of Dolores, is a celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain and it takes place annually on Alisal Street in East Salinas. The festival is set for Sunday, Sept. 13 from 11am-5pm. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY Miles that Catherine Breed has swum as of Aug. 25 upon her arrival to Pacific Grove, halfway through her mission to become the first person to swim the 900-mile California coast. She next continues south along Big Sur. Source: Swim California 454.76 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If you only use social media, are those the people you want to come here?” -Cathy Ritter of Better Destinations, telling a room of Carmelites why the city needs to manage tourism, rather than leave it up to influencers to promote Carmel (see story, montereycountynow.com/newsletter).
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 831 Anytime a group of retired guys gather around a table, there are bound to be a few tall tales and perhaps a little competition. For example, of Turn 9 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, dubbed the Rainey Curve, Carmel Valley resident Wayne Rainey suggests a dubious honor. “I have to come out and clean it,” he says with a laugh. Kenny Roberts smiles and leans back. “I have a road named after me in Japan,” he tells the group. These are not ordinary retirees. King Kenny became the first American to win a 500cc motorcycle Grand Prix world championship in 1978, following up with titles in ’79 and ’80. Rainey also claimed crowns in consecutive years, 1990-1992. He was leading again in 1993 until a crash at the Grand Prix in Italy left him paralyzed from the waist down. Joining them at the table on Aug. 15 during the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion were Steady Eddie Lawson, a four-time world champion, Fast Freddie Spencer, who took home two titles, 1993 winner Kevin Schwantz and Kenny Roberts Jr., champion in 2000. The six represent the only Americans to win 500cc world championships in Grand Prix history. And they dominated the sport, with the five older riders capturing 13 titles in a 16-year span. It was a feat media and race officials elsewhere in the world did not welcome—and one that binds the group together. “I didn’t mind finishing fourth,” says Lawson of the 1983 season, when Americans—Spencer, Roberts and Randy Mamola—finished one-two-three in championship points. Even a decade later before the Australian Grand Prix, there was talk that the interlopers could not keep pace with the local riders. Schwantz smiles and flashes an Aussie “up yours” gesture. He won the race ahead of Rainey and fellow American Doug Chandler. Then the era came to an end. Two years after Roberts Jr.’s championship, MotoGP was launched as global motorcycle racing’s top series. Only one American, the late Nicky Hayden in 2006, captured that crown. “We used to be one-two-three,” Roberts observes. “We took it for granted. Now we’re not in the show.” “I didn’t realize I got to be a part of history,” Lawson adds. “I don’t see that happening again.” Organizers of the Reunion brought the only six American 500cc world champions together for a weekend. It had been more than 20 years since they last gathered. And all six rode laps on the bikes they made famous—a special moment, as they once again watched individual riding styles. “I haven’t felt that since I raced,” Rainey says. But they also had time to relive the past and share stories. Roberts recalls coming to the pits following a cooldown lap after winning a race. He reported smoke in the Corkscrew, but was told there was no fire, just a lot of cannabis. He remembers the exchange: “Isn’t that illegal?” “Not at the Corkscrew.” The iconic corner was a bugbear. Spencer tells of the time in 1984 when he wheelied his bike and skidded off track, breaking a collar bone. What made matters worse was that it was a national race, not part of the Grand Prix calendar. “Honda was really happy with me,” he says. “We all broke our collar bones,” Schwantz points out—although Rainey, from his wheelchair, is quick to jump in: “I didn’t.” They laugh easily, but these riders changed the sport. Americans at the time were accustomed to motocross and flat track, where motorcycles churned dirt. Road racing was unfamiliar. When Roberts broke through on the international scene, he campaigned for sanctioning bodies to take responsibility for safety standards. Still, he admits to skinning as much padding from his suit as possible. Pointing to his son across the table, the King says, “My suit was 10 pounds lighter than his.” There are 139 Grand Prix wins sitting relaxed around the table on this rare Saturday at Laguna Seca. But the intensity that led to a period when a few American riders shook up the world has not diminished. After he won the national championship, Rainey recalls seeking a Grand Prix ride, only to be told he wasn’t ready for the big stage. “I remembered that,” he says. Six Guns The Americans who shook up the motorcycle racing world gather at Laguna Seca. By Dave Faries “Isn’t that illegal? Not at the Corkscrew.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE CHERYL BRUNO American motorcycle racing champions gathered at Laguna Seca with the author. Clockwise from far left: Freddie Spencer, Kevin Schwantz (hidden next to Spencer), Kenny Roberts, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, the Weekly, Kenny Roberts Jr.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS On Aug. 24, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) of Monterey County voted 7-0 to approve an appeal from the City of Gonzales on the completeness of its application for Vista Lucia, a plan for 3,498 homes to be developed on 771 acres of agricultural land northeast of the city over 30 years. Gonzales City Manager Carmen Gil is glad the project has moved a step forward. “The approval now gets us to hearings,” Gil says. Commissioners approved the application despite the City not providing the name of a third party that will oversee an agricultural conservation easement required as a condition of approval. The land developer Pembrook Development Group identified for that easement is nine miles away from city limits. LandWatch Executive Director Michael DeLapa was disappointed with the decision. “The biggest issue is that the ag mitigation they’re proposing is nine miles away, and the purpose of ag mitigation is to try to prevent future sprawl,” DeLapa says. Several people spoke in favor of Gonzales’ appeal including residents, CHISPA President Geoffrey Morgan and Jesus Estrada, a housing organizer with Center for Community Advocacy. Many noted the urgent need for more housing. “The last housing that was built there was by CHISPA 20 years ago. Let’s get it done,” Morgan said. (The plan would put CHISPA in charge of developing 200 affordable units in Vista Lucia.) Many units are single-family homes with prices expected to range from $555,000-$650,000. “Those kinds of homes are not going to be affordable to the people in the community,” DeLapa argues. Big Build LAFCO approves City of Gonzales’ appeal on Vista Lucia, a 3,500-home development. By Celia Jiménez With the mayoral seat and two council districts up for grabs, the Nov. 3 election could completely transform the makeup of the Monterey City Council. In the race for Monterey mayor, incumbent Tyller Williamson will face off against Vince Malfitano for a two-year term. Williamson, an HR specialist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has served on the City Council since 2018 and has been mayor since 2022. If reelected, Williamson said he will focus on addressing the structural budget deficit while maintaining infrastructure, expanding housing opportunities and supporting local businesses. Malfitano said in his candidate statement, “Our current leadership has failed us.” He says he also prioritizes the city’s financial health. On his website, Malfitano states he previously had a “successful dental practice in the San Francisco Bay Area,” then developed assisted living facilities after retiring from dentistry. However, public records raise concerns about his past business and dental practices. In the 2010s, Malfitano bought two casinos in Nevada, the Delta Saloon and Bonza Saloon, according to court documents, but he was denied licenses to operate them because the Nevada Gaming Control Board stated that he failed to demonstrate “adequate business competence.” The board found he had failed “to disclose a significant number of important items, including lawsuits, foreclosures, business interests, delinquent tax payments, tax liens and default notices” and had “significant employment-related issues with his assisted-living business and his prior dental practice.” “I disagreed with a number of those characterizations then and continue to disagree with them today.,” Malfitano writes by email. “Nevertheless, the application was my responsibility, and there are decisions from that period that, with the benefit of hindsight and experience, I would handle differently.” State Dental Board records show that in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Malfitano faced multiple accusations of misconduct. He was accused of sexual assault by a dental assistant, who claimed Malfitano grabbed her hand and placed it on his groin. A patient alleged Malfitano made inappropriate sexual comments and touched her breasts on at least two occasions during a medical procedure. He was also accused of gross negligence by multiple patients. Malfitano denied and continues to deny the allegations but agreed to a settlement that in 2001 led to the Dental Board placing him on probation for seven years, suspending him from practicing dentistry for 30 days, a requirement for him to perform community service, and an order to pay approximately $15,000 for investigative and prosecutorial costs. “Many years have passed since these events,” Malfitano writes. “Those experiences are part of my history, but they do not define the entirety of my life, my character, or the person I am today.” His campaign website states, “As mayor, I will bring the same discipline and accountability to City Hall that I have applied throughout my career—because Monterey’s families, businesses and neighborhoods deserve nothing less.” Challenger Vince Malfitano is seeking to oust Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, and so far has outfundraised the incumbent with $23,000 compared to $9,000. Full Docket In Monterey’s election for mayor, challenger Vince Malfitano seeks to unseat the incumbent. By Aric Sleeper Gonzales resident Roman Barba says some neighbors live in overcrowded conditions and he has relatives who moved. “Please help us. Our families need homes,” Barba told LAFCO. “I will bring the same discipline to City Hall.” ARIC SLEEPER CELIA JIMÉNEZ
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 BACK TO SCHOOL Promotion Indulge in a little time for yourself with a 20% off savings! monterey.gov/sportscenter 831.646.3730 301 E. Franklin St. Monterey, CA 93940 RECLAIM YOUR ROUTINE OFFER VALID 8/28/26 - 9/7/26 THE CITY OF MONTEREY 20% OFF NEW AUTOPAY SUBSCRIPTIONS (FIRST MONTH ONLY) PERSONAL TRAINING PACKAGES
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com With chants and a clanging cowbell, employees of the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey and members of SEIU Local 521 demonstrated outside HACM’s Salinas headquarters on Monday, Aug. 24. “We are the union!” workers chanted as they marched inside the building on Rossi Street before heading inside a conference room where they lined the walls holding signs that read, “Respect the workers who make it happen,” among others. The workers’ main complaints include low wages, contending that they themselves qualify for the housing subsidies that HACM is charged with providing to low-income residents. They also claim that management is hiring unqualified supervisors and providing little to no training to workers who are then penalized for not performing their duties as expected. The result, they say, is a “toxic” environment that translates into poor customer service for clients. On Monday, Housing Specialist Jonathan Stoney told commissioners there was a “gross disregard for the development and retention of high-quality front line workers.” When Executive Director Zulieka Boykin gave her report to commissioners, she challenged the union’s claim of low pay. “I did a payroll analysis and this is not true,” she said. To qualify for a voucher, someone must make 50 percent of the area median income, or $54,750, she said. Looking at union worker salaries, she said the average maintenance worker makes $67,649, and the average salary for a housing program specialist is $64,079. She said over 60 percent of HACM’s union workers make more than the area median income for a single person, $77,650. Boykin says HACM provides classes to new employees, backed up with training software. They also send employees for training to become certified in rules and procedures mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Managers are hired based on whether they meet job description criteria, she says. As to a toxic work environment, Boykin says the management team is working to find out where the complaint originates. “I would love for everyone to enjoy coming to work and be a part of the team,” Boykin says. Negotiations between the union and HACM management continue with a bargaining session on Thursday, Aug. 27. In the same oil field that experienced a 4,000-gallon spill less than a year ago, eight new oil and gas wells have been approved for Aera Energy in San Ardo. These are the first approvals for oil and gas wells in California outside of Kern County since 2025. The approvals are for six cyclic steam wells and two steamflood wells. These differ from a traditional well in that they are used to assist with oil recovery and means of production by injecting steam into the reservoir to make the oil less thick and more mobile. “These enhanced oil recovery methods come with all the risks of traditional production,” says Cooper Kass, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity, a watchdog organization which has filed multiple lawsuits regarding California’s oil and gas industry. “They also bring a number of additional risks, including the potential for the high-pressure injection to damage the wellbore and/or crack the surrounding rock, which could lead to migration and groundwater contamination.” The California Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) is responsible for the environmental review and permit approval for new wells in Monterey County. Hollin Kertzmann, an attorney with CBD, says that CalGEM’s environmental review considers the eight new wells in isolation rather than analyzing their cumulative impacts as part of an oil field with hundreds of other wells. In CalGEM’s mitigated negative declaration, an environmental document prepared for Aera Energy, the agency disagreed with CBD’s argument that its review “improperly piecemeals the project.” CalGEM wrote that the eight wells constitute a complete discrete project with “clear independent utility.” In approving the wells, CalGEM also referenced future projects in the works, including a 92-well project and a separate 100well project. Aera Energy did not respond to the Weekly’s request for comment on these projects by deadline. In the Fray Housing Authority workers make claims of low pay and a toxic workplace. By Pam Marino NEWS PARTY IN THE PARK The City of Salinas celebrates the newly renovated Closter Park with food, activities, music and more. The event also marks the five year anniversary of AMOR Salinas, a citywide beautification effort. 11am-3pm Saturday, Aug. 29. Closter Park, 401 Towt St., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-4233, salinas.gov. RENTAL REVIEW Marina City Council meets to discuss amendments to a short-term rental ordinance, among other city business. Public comment is accepted. 6:30pm Tuesday, Sept. 1. Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 884-1278, cityofmarina. org. HIRING NOW Monterey County Works hosts a job fair to connect local employers with job seekers. Attendees are encouraged to bring their résumés and dress to impress. 1-4pm Wednesday, Sept. 2. Career Center, 344 Salinas St., Suite 205206, Salinas. Free. (831) 796-3335. Register at montereycountyworks.com. TOP SPOT Pacific Grove is searching for its next city manager. Share your input on what qualities and experience this person should have through a survey. Survey is open through Sept. 6. Free. (831) 648-3106, cityofpacificgrove.org. GREEN WORKS Monterey County Works accepts applications for its Green Cadre program. The program provides those ages 18-30 paid experience on environmental projects, wildfire mitigation and other initiatives. Deadline to apply is Sept. 15. Apply at montereycountyworks.com/ Cal4AllGreenCadre. Free. (831) 7963510. LOCAL LEADERS The City of Salinas’ Community Leadership Academy is now accepting applications. The 12-session program is geared toward those ages 18 and over with a focus on the inner workings of government and building leadership skills. Application deadline is Sept. 22. Register at tinyurl.com/2026-CLA. Free. (831) 758-7019. LIVING SPACES Cities across Monterey County want to hear from accessory dwelling unit builders and owners their thoughts on the process to construct the tiny homes. A survey is live to accept feedback. Survey runs through Sept. 30. Free. bit. ly/MADUFeedback. Drill Deep Eight new gas and oil wells have been approved for San Ardo. By Katie Rodriguez Members of SEIU Local 21 lined up behind HACM commissioners on Monday, Aug. 24, including vice chair Maria Orozco. Higher pay is just one of the workers’ demands. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “I did a payroll analysis and this is not true.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 WeatherTechRaceway.com The 2026 season comes down to this: championship weekend. After 17 races and thousands of miles, a champion will be crowned at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Come be part of history. Tickets, hospitality, and camping at WeatherTechRaceway.com THE RACE TO THE INDYCAR CHAMPIONSHIP HAS A FINISH LINE. SEPTEMBER 4-6 Tasty recipes at missionfoods.com MissionFoodsUS ©2026 Gruma Corporation. Meet IndyCar drivers – including Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward– before they compete in the Mission Foods Grand Prix of Monterey! · Autograph Signing · Ticket Giveaways · Prizes and More Thursday SEPT 3 5:30-7:30 PM Downtown Monterey, Alvarado Street between Franklin Street and Del Monte Avenue Monterey, CA Pato O’Ward SEPTEMBER 4–6, 2026 MISSION FOODS GRAND PRIX OF MONTEREY
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com A sad but true fact: Landfills eventually fill up. Officials say that for Gonzales’ Johnson Canyon Landfill, which is 50 years old today, roughly 38 years are left—but that’s an estimate. A number of things can shorten or lengthen that lifespan; the most immediate is controlling the volume of waste sent into the landfill. On Aug. 20, the Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority board of directors discussed proposals for technology that could recover organics and recyclables from the waste stream. The proposals were submitted in response to a request for proposals released in February. “I know change is very difficult for people, myself included, but we are burying all the garbage,” said Mandy Brooks, SVSWA resource recovery manager. “The amount of bottles and cans that are still in the trash every day is unbelievable.” Three proposals were received; one of the three was dropped as it did not score high enough to be considered. Of the remaining two, Belgium-based company Dranco scored the highest, offering technology that would process 225,000 tons/year and extend the landfill’s lifespan by about 15 years. California company GreenWaste Recovery scored second highest, with a processing capacity of 75,000 tons/ year and would extend the lifespan by about six years. Despite the state’s Senate Bill 1383 organics mandate, which requires jurisdictions across California to divert food scraps from the landfill in an effort to reduce methane emissions, organic waste remains a majority of what is landfilled. Officials say this isn’t a matter of compliance—Monterey County has established the infrastructure to collect and process food scraps, but food waste that isn’t sorted properly at home still ends up in the landfill. “We’re the last stop on the train, there’s no going back,” SVSWA General Manager Cesar Zuñiga says. “That’s how it is with organics—whatever didn’t get recovered through the curb ends up at the landfill.” Though 38 years may seem like a long time, so are planning timelines. When landfills have 15 years left of remaining life, they hit a regulatory trigger where the operator must start formally reporting their plans to state officials. Advanced recovery technology is one way to extend the lifespan of the landfill, but would come with a cost. The current tipping fee for customers is $70/ton, which is low compared with neighboring regions. Use of GreenWaste’s technology would raise that fee to $120/ton, while Dranco would bring it to $175/ton. The board will assess other ways to prolong the landfill’s lifespan, including expanding its size or depth, which has already been done once before at Johnson Canyon Landfill. Zuñiga says a strategic planning session with the board will be held early November. “New landfills are very hard to permit in California. I think the last one that got permitted was in 2008,” Zuñiga says. “We want to make sure we have a solution for our ratepayers.” Waste Not Salinas Valley Waste officials explore advanced technology to extend Johnson Canyon Landfill’s lifespan. By Katie Rodriguez Johnson Canyon Landfill in Gonzales has an estimated 38 years left on its lifespan. Officials are planning for continued population growth in the Salinas Valley, meaning more trash is projected. NEWS “We’re the last stop on the train.” DANIEL DREIFUSS (831) 424-9003 1135 Westridge Pkwy, Salinas www.OasisCharterSchool.org An experience as unique as your child NOW ENROLLING! Oasis is a tuition-free Charter school that serves K-6th Grade. We feature enrichment and speciality classes including art, music and drama. Oasis is a non-profit public school not affiliated with any religion. If your child doesn’t fit the traditional model, try Oasis! sport coats soft coats outerwear shirting sweaters trousers carmel plaza carmel-by-the-sea new fall arrivals “I brought my Subaru to Hartzel on advice of a friend and I was so pleased with the service & attention I got from them. Not only finished on time, but under the estimate I was given. Very rare these days. So pleased with the whole experience & great peace of mind knowing it was done correctly. Highly recommend this guy.” —David F., Seaside 2/14/19 510 California Avenue | Sand City | 394.6002 hartzelautomotive.com EXPERT SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT. Subaru Mazda Lexus Infiniti Saab vintage MG SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT SERVICE ONLINE TODAY
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 This Nov. 3 is a historic election day for Pacific Grove, with three new districts up for grabs under a map approved last year that divides the town into six areas, one for each council seat. To implement the transition, districts 1, 3 and 5 were slated for election this year. Elections for districts 2, 4 and 6 will take place November 2028. With no one currently representing District 2, an additional at-large position on the ballot will be two years. Incumbent Lori McDonnell, who was first elected in 2022, is running for the at-large seat as her first term comes to an end. One of McDonnell’s main interests is the environment, both on land and off shore. She sees protection of environmental resources as “an important driver of our economic success to gain wider support for these protections.” Her challenger, artist James Ogle, could not be reached for comment. In District 1, incumbent Cynthia Garfield is being challenged by Kevin Hanley, who previously served on the Auburn City Council for 12 years, including as mayor. Garfield served on the Council from 2016 to 2020, and was appointed in January 2025 to fill a vacancy. She believes the current council is working effectively to tackle tough issues such as projected budget deficits and making it easier to build housing and wants to continue the work. Hanley says he didn’t intend to run for office after moving to P.G. six years ago, but after noticing issues that needed fixing he changed his mind. As a founder of the Greater Auburn Area Fire Safe Council, he is concerned about the maintenance of George Washington Park, which he calls a “tinderbox.” He actively worked to defeat Measure C in the June election, which would have raised council members’ compensation. Like nearly all the candidates, he believes the Council needs to balance the budget, fix infrastructure and revitalize the downtown. Three contenders are vying to represent District 3: Tara Leweling, Susan Goldbeck and Andrew Kubica. Kubica currently serves as the chair of the P.G. Planning Commission. He’s been involved for many years as a volunteer to the city, including on the Traffic Commission. His top priorities include “affordable housing for all.” Leweling is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has worked for the White House National Security Council. Motivated to run by a desire to protect Monterey Bay, she believes the city can take part in that process. Beyond that, among many issues she wants to work on is housing affordability by focusing on infill housing. Goldbeck, a resident for 30 years and a retired attorney, has previously served on the Council and Planning Commission. In her candidate statement she calls herself a “leader who knows that we must preserve what makes our town so special yet be open to changes that will keep our town dynamic and thriving.” In District 5 one candidate, Chris Thomas, is running unopposed. Voters will also choose a mayor between incumbent Nick Smith and former councilmember Luke Coletti. District Office Eight candidates are vying for four seats in P.G.’s first-ever district election. By Pam Marino Chris Thomas is running unopposed in District 5, in P.G.’s first phase of district elections. Thomas wants to help close a budget gap, manage the urban forest and support local businesses. NEWS A map divides the town into six areas, one for each seat. DANIEL DREIFUSS Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) are accurate as of 08/14/2026. 4.20% APY is for a 13-month term with a balance of $100,000 or more. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum opening deposit for the 13-month certificate is $100,000. The APY is based on an assumption that dividends will remain in the account until maturity. Any fee, withdrawal, or transfer reduces earnings and there may be penalties for early withdrawal. Call 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) for current rates. We reserve the right to change or discontinue this program at any time. Rates and term are subject to change without notice. 081426-MTW Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Earn up to 4.20% Limited-time offer with a Term Savings Certificate APY1 CUISINE California LOCATED INSIDE THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA COMPLIMENTARY SELF OR VALET PARKING (831) 649-7830 | JACKSATPORTOLA.COM EXPERIENCE JACKS MONTEREY INSIDE THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA Savor our revitalized menu by new Executive Chef, Pacifico Mata. Handcrafted cocktails and award-winning wines. Enjoy breakfast or dinner indoors or outdoors on our pet-friendly terrace with fire pits. REVITALIZED MENU
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com OFF CAMERA I recently started paying attention to the growing number of Flock license plate cameras around Salinas. The more I learned, the more concerned I became—not necessarily about the cameras, but about how little public discussion seems to have accompanied their expansion (“The Sheriff’s Office wants more Flock cameras, but it must convince the Board of Supervisors,” posted Aug. 24). There are legitimate law-enforcement uses for this technology. If a camera helps locate a stolen car or dangerous suspect, that’s a real benefit. But systems can also track where vehicles have traveled and allow information to be shared beyond the agency collecting it. This seems like another case where the “neat technology” arrived before we had a serious conversation about what it could eventually become. Technology has moved quickly. Public oversight needs to catch up. Matt Barclay | Salinas HUMANS V. CARS Reality of Car Week—accurate reporting, instead of hiding these sad facts (“Three people are killed in one weekend amid dystopian reality of Car Week,” Aug. 20-26). Ana Davey | Big Sur Sara Rubin fails to mention in her reporting of the three fatalities if any of them involved, or were caused by, any illegal activities by participants of Car Week. It doesn’t sound like it. If there wasn’t, then it’s unfair to create a false linkage to Car Week and use it to make her point about the dangers of driving distracted or drunk. There’s always a contingency of irresponsible people participating every year who break the rules and give the rest of us car enthusiasts a bad name. It’s a huge, unwieldy event and the surreal multi-million dollar auctions and exotic cars are part of it. Looking forward to next year with fellow enthusiasts in this “dystopian reality” called Car Week. Thanks for trying to throw the baby out with the bath water. Gary Hascall | Salinas They threw a few cars on Broadway for the peasants to see, but then charged $1,000 per ticket to get into the gated event that blocked off Del Monte. That stopped all those businesses from actually doing business and causing a traffic nightmare. Car Week stopped being fun years ago thanks to all the crypto, social media influencers and tech douchebags. Jennifer Deane-Woods | Monterey GUEST HOUSE The house in this article is on my street (“Pebble Beach Company and short-term rental applicants head toward an impasse,” Aug. 20-27). We now have five [short-term rentals] on our tiny street. I know Car Week is an anomaly, but it was awful. People gathered at the houses and we didn’t have quiet before 2am all week. I would love a resolution that everyone can be happy with. Ninety percent of the renters are quiet and respectful, but it has completely changed our neighborhood. I don’t think there is an easy answer. Dena Van Klompenburg Green | Pebble Beach Pebble Beach Company has only their own interests in mind. The fact that they won’t give out permits for shortterm rentals is selfish and greedy. Just because a homeowner has the ability to rent out a guest house or a house for short-term rental doesn’t mean it will cause problems for the neighborhood. If it does, take away the permit. Easily solved. Why do some bad apples have to ruin it for all? Suzanne Foulkes | Napa County GUNS OUT I commend Chief Nick Borges for his proactive approach this year (“Seaside Police Chief responds to concerns about Seaside Police officers on rooftop during Exotics on Broadway event,” posted Aug. 17). As we were reminded by the recent shooting in Morgan Hill and the tragic shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, mass-casualty events are a sad reality we cannot ignore. Seaside cannot afford to live in a bubble or assume that something like this could never happen here. Instead, we need to be prepared in case the unthinkable occurs. Being proactive and prepared is always better than being caught off guard. Alex Miller | Seaside Note: Miller is a member of Seaside City Council and candidate for mayor. I’m glad Chief Borges took a proactive approach to public safety. Car Week brings thousands of residents and visitors together at large public events, and sadly, today’s reality requires law enforcement to anticipate threats we all hope will never materialize. Bravo to Seaside Police Department for being prepared, vigilant and willing to put public safety first. Deborah Roberts | Monterey TIME TRAVEL Wonderful article! (“Historic preservationist Kent Seavey has spent six decades saving Monterey County’s past to preserve its future,” Aug 20-26.) Kent Seavey has done a tremendous good for generations of Monterey County residents and tourists alike, preserving the very essence of what has formed Monterey County communities [including] the Salinas Valley. I am grateful for his military service, too. Raymond Gonzales | Soledad Great local bio. I love stories about folks in our community who quietly just Get It Done. Kent’s as significant as the historical resources he helps preserve. Aengus Jeffers | Monterey Pam Marino’s profile of Kent Seavey is exemplary in covering the scope of his life. Having had the pleasure of working on a couple of projects with Kent since he taught at MPC, an equally long article could be written about his generous nature, commitment to doing what he says he will do, the creativity and expertise he brings to projects, his honest nature and sense of humor so apparent while doing them. Peter Hiller | Carmel Kent is a treasure in our community! A wealth of information and a real character. Michelle Magdalena Maddox | 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.
www.montereycountynow.com AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 It is easy to publish things on the internet. It’s a little more time-consuming to report, write, edit and fact-check things. So when a site called Royal Eagle News started publishing a large volume of what appeared to be local news stories a few months ago, I was curious. A few stories very closely resembled stories published in the Monterey County Weekly, where reporters (with their human brains) had attended meetings, interviewed other humans, read documents and written stories. But the facts are the facts—they cannot be copyrighted—so it might be unremarkable that Royal Eagle would have a similar story about a parking ban at Bixby Bridge in Big Sur or about immigration enforcement policy changes implemented by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. The writing was a little different, whether done by a person or an AI tool. But in a few cases, the quotes were the same. So I asked some of the people quoted if they’d ever heard from Royal Eagle News for an interview. County supervisors Wendy Root Askew and Kate Daniels both said no; same for advocate Adriana Melgoza. Sheriff Tina Nieto was named as declining to comment (as she did for a Weekly story), but she and her staff say they were never contacted for a comment by Royal Eagle for a remarkably similar story. It all started to look fishy, like the site was slightly remixing our original reporting and republishing it. That is plagiarism, and even if it was remixed just enough to avoid copyright infringement, it’s definitely unethical. Within hours after I called the site creator Rex Butler to ask about it, the site was removed. It had promised to be “independent local journalism for Monterey County and the 831, covering local news, politics, business, crime and safety, education, sports and culture.” Butler declined to answer specific questions about his process and just says the site is now defunct. There is, of course, a big range of what gets published with AI assistance, but it can be done without lifting other people’s work. A satirical site, The Sardine Sentinel, started posting on Instagram less than two months ago and quickly amassed a following. Produced by three friends (two writers and a graphic designer), they are aided by ChatGPT and Gemini in adding sarcasm to the tone and juicing up artwork (combining original photography and stock images). “Everything we learned in marketing, news and advertising—we threw it out the window and decided, let’s see how far and how ridiculous we can get with that on a local level,” says Michael, who previously worked for 20 years in sales at KSBW. (The group asked to be identified by first names only to protect their professional reputations.) The Sardine Sentinel can be a little mean-spirited, but it’s snarky and funny and most importantly, it is original—even as it mines local news outlets (including the Weekly) for ideas. Their take on some of the same stories: “Bixby Bridge no-parking signs being ignored, surprising absolutely nobody.” Some turn out to be kind of true. Inspired by graphic designer Thomas, who used to work in a hotel, they posted: “Tourists pay extra for ocean-view rooms, immediately complain ocean is too loud.” Then they heard from multiple readers who work in hotels that yes, this actually happens—as with effective satire, it has a kernel of reality. In another upstart site, MyPG News, creator David Ericksen says he is using AI to try to get at reality, with an agent he created via ChatGPT scouring the internet for stories. That includes everything from government documents to Reddit posts to published news stories in outlets like the Weekly. In many ways, it resembles an aggregator, with just a brief mention of keywords and then links to the original reporting (this is a game-changer compared to the plagiarizing style—without credit—of now-defunct Royal Eagle News). Ericksen, who is retired from the Navy, says he’s spending about five hours a day on the site, and reviews everything his AI agent grabs before he posts it. There’s obviously a massive volume of information out there swirling, and I think there’s a role for AI-driven aggregators or other types of platforms in finding, distilling and sharing it. But how people do that—and articulating what standards we are following—is going to be critical in maintaining the public’s trust. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Machine Learning A proliferation of AI-assisted local news sites runs the gamut. By Sara Rubin LINES DRAWN…Squid was heartbroken (in all three chambers of Squid’s heart) to read about the news of Squidpocalypse in Narragansett, Rhode Island, where on Aug. 16, a truckload of Squid’s relatives, otherwise destined for calamari platters, toppled into a road and started stinking. Turns out, a pile of dead squid in the heat smells like…a pile of dead squid in the heat. Sometimes it’s as obvious as that, and Squid thought an impasse on the politically charged Local Agency Formation Commission of Monterey County, aka LAFCO, was equally obvious. On Monday, Aug. 24, commissioners tried—for a second time—to appoint someone to a public member seat. The commission is composed of a mix of two county, city and special district representatives each, plus one public member. A previous 3-3 impasse in April meant that the current public member, Matt Gourley, stays on for now. (Gourley was an applicant then—and is now—to be appointed to another four-year term.) Fast-forward to Aug. 24, when LAFCO had a field of 13 applicants to consider, up from three in April, seemingly a good sign. But the same 3-3 impasse persisted. After voting no on Gourley, Commissioner and County Supervisor Kate Daniels nominated Ray Cancino, but that failed on the same 3-3 lines. She tried again with Murtaza Mogri—again, 3-3. Daniels then nominated Belinda Taluban, who failed on the same 3-3 roll call. And again and again, with Franco Pacheco then Yesenia Medina. No and no. After voting no on five qualified nominees, LAFCO chair and Monterey Peninsula Airport District board member Mary Ann Leffel, representing the yes on Gourley faction, showed no sign of compromise. “The person who is most qualified is Mr. Gourley, so he will continue to receive my vote,” she said. After the deadlocked non-decision, Leffel addressed the applicants: “You’re caught up in some things that are deeper, way deeper, than your applications.” That was as obvious to Squid as Squidpocalypse was to anyone with a sense of smell. What was less obvious was what Leffel told Squid’s colleague the next day. One of those deeper issues is the matter of whether to grant latent powers to the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District to pursue a takeover of California American Water, something Leffel and Gourley voted against. “It’s like an albatross around my neck,” Leffel says. She adds that she’d be open to reconsidering if there were a clear plan for how to handle tax revenue that would otherwise be lost that flows to other special districts. “I’m not in love with Cal Am, I’m not in love with the Water Management District, I just want to do what’s best for the community,” Leffel says. Hard to believe when what’s best for the community would be openness to a new public member—but maybe there’s a new day for the Water District. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. It all started to look fishy. SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Anti Social Quitting social media a year ago revealed its own kind of truth. By Caitlin Fillmore FORUM I made the decision to delete my Facebook and Instagram one year ago, on Aug. 27, 2025. I stopped posting to social media nearly four years before that. I stopped learning new social media products at Snapchat—15 years ago. I opened my Facebook account during a sleepover on St. Patrick’s Day weekend of my senior year of high school, 19 years ago. None of this seems like it should matter, but as I was getting ready to deactivate, I realized it does. Meta gives you a 30-day cooling-off period to rethink your decision, making this choice more weighty to Americans than a loaded gun. Why does this matter? I suppose the answers lie inside the waves of identity social medias have tried on over the last 20 years. If it exists to help you stay connected with friends and family, what happens when you withdraw? If it exists to build an online community around shared ideas, what happens when you stick to in-person instead? If it exists to inform and communicate, what happens when you disconnect? These websites and apps were silly time-wasters for me in the beginning, landing just as I was embarking on my college career. When I entered the workforce in the rural Midwest, I was the youngest in the office by decades. My supervisors understood social media mattered but were not interested in adopting the habit; the obligation fell to me. Then came a pandemic and social media was no longer a silly time-waster but was now the public square. After nearly two years of constant scrolling and 15 years of daily posts, I quit in December 2021 when I realized I felt obligated to elegantly respond to a family crisis publicly like I was some celebrity. During the Hamas attack in October 2023, I realized I was watching actual footage of hostages being taken and murdered while reclining on my couch. I abandoned my accounts after that. Social media is the last place I spoke to my ex-husband. It’s the place where I got the message that my brother had a stroke. It’s where a friend took a photo of a heartfelt, handwritten note and sent me a picture of it through Messenger, instead of popping it in the mail. I entered my relationship with social media before I had ever been in an actual relationship, and it took 18 years to realize it was an abusive one. Social media makes my heart race almost immediately at this point; the emotional noise is too much for me to absorb. For some reason, we believe leaders of technology companies who tell us they have the answer to questions no one is asking. I am now being told AI is just the next thing we must adopt, just like how it felt in the early 2010s with social media. But maybe we must reconsider our approach to technology’s endless cycle of Wild Wests. Because the people selling you the next big thing are the only cowboys in this analogy. You and I are just a pile of discarded buffalo skulls. Caitlin Fillmore is a native Midwesterner living in Monterey. She is a freelance writer of 20 years and her work can be found at caitlinslhfillmore. com, where this story originally appeared. OPINION For some reason, we believe leaders of tech companies. PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG NOW OPEN! Located on the beautiful Monterey Wharf, Sun Street Centers' new Outpatient Office offers accessible, compassionate treatment services designed to support lasting recovery and wellness for individuals with substance use disorders. DISCOVER CARE IN THE HEART OF MONTEREY NEW OUTPATIENT OFFICE PRIVATE INSURANCE & SELF PAY 245 Washington St, Monterey, CA Call Us for Other Locations! (831) 753-6001 THE SPARKLE IS HIDING GO FIND IT Every find funds a future. DIG a LITTLE FIND a LOT ccgoodwill.org Your purchase powers job training for 13,000+ Central Coast neighbors a year. Every jewelry case, freshly stocked. Summer Jewelry Hunt ONE DAY EVENT ONLY SATURDAY, AUGUST 29TH NORTH DAVIS STORE ONLY 1425 N. DAVIS RD., SALINAS
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