SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT A CUP OF CONFIDENCE 8 | BUSY BALLOTS 12 | IT’S ALL GREEK 31 | THE SPIN ON YAMAGUCHI 36 Salinas Valley growers are still feeling the fallout of a cyclospora outbreak in iceberg lettuce this summer. p. 20 By Katie Rodriguez OH, SH*T Ariel Mar “Fremont Peak” Debbie Tanimura “Lilialanaikawai” Vol. 3 SEPTEMBER 12-13 & 19-20, 2026 SAT. & SUN. 11 AM - 5 PM Presented by EXPERIENCE ARTISTS OF MONTEREY COUNTY during this Free, Self-Guided Tour C M Y CM MY CY CMY K OSAT Magazine Guide Cover 2026 cmyk6a.pdf 1 6/11/2026 4:57:00 PM open-studios-guide_2026.indd 1 7/16/26 3:18 PM The official Open Studios Art Tour guide is inside
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com GROWING HOPE Marie Goulet and Wild Land Workshop Viridian Landscape Architecture/Rosemary Wells Sean Luster & Town and Country Gardening and Landscape Doug Chase Groza Construction Cypress Coast Fence Habitat Stewardship Project Monterey Bay Griggs Wholesale Nursery Tony Vastola Home Depot Seaside Bethlehem Lutheran Church Monterey Rotary Club of Monterey Growing Community because of the generosity of our community. As we thoughtfully plan for future expansion, we thank the volunteers who have helped us create a welcoming garden on our adjacent lot. Today, this space offers women a place to connect, heal and grow. Blue Moon Native Garden With Gratitude to Our Community Partners Tope’s Tree Service Gathering for Women Community Luncheon | Wednesday, October 7 | www.gatheringforwomen.org Jason Fann Only Monterey IN I I They played with Miles Davis here in 1963. Now Herbie Hancock & Ron Carter reunite for one night: For Miles. A one-time performance honoring the legacy they helped create — returning to the stage where it all began. Only in Monterey. From iconic reunions to Monterey’s own artists across the grounds stages, come enjoy moments that may never happen again, but are happening here. 3 days. 5 stages. 73 performances. Featuring Charles Lloyd Quartet, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis & Guest Cécile McLorin Salvant, Blues Jam with Christone “Kingfish” Ingram & much more. Montereyjazz.org
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 3 If you know Community Hospital, you know Montage Health. montagehealth.org The fact is, we’ve always been here. You’ve just known us by a different name. The people at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula created Montage Health to deliver exceptional care to more people, by expanding our services beyond the hospital. Today, we’re urgent care centers, wellness centers, primary care doctors, health insurance plans, and a groundbreaking mental health program for youth. Still independent, nonprofit, locally owned, and accountable only to the community we serve.
4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 • ISSUE #1989 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Betsy Brown (iPhone 13) There’s been some unique cloud formations as of late, leading to spectacular sunrises such as this over Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Tens of thousands of people were sickened by cyclosporiasis, a diarrheal illness, this summer in an outbreak linked to lettuce grown in Mexico. The outbreak also exposed gaps in the nation’s food-safety system. Cover photo: Shutterstock 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 SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 Protecting Kids. Expanding Access. Strengthening Our Community. According to the recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA), access to healthcare services is one of our region’s top health concerns. The Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic helps address this need by bringing essential health services directly to underserved communities. Our Mobile Clinic helps keep children healthy through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program – a federally funded initiative that provides vaccines at no cost to eligible children. Access to these important vaccines – regardless of a family’s ability to pay – provides children a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule and staying healthy. Eligibility • Children 18 years or younger Criteria (must meet one): • Medi-Cal • Uninsured • American Indian or Alaska Native “Some childhood vaccines don’t just protect your children, they can also help keep grandparents, older adults, and family members who are sick from getting very ill. Vaccinating children is one of the best ways to protect the whole family.” – Orlando Rodriguez, MD Family Medicine Specialist & Salinas Valley Health Chief Medical Officer For more information about our mobile clinic services, scan the QR code.
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH After Pacific Grove native Ben Jealous served as president and CEO of the NAACP and ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic candidate for governor of Maryland, he became the first Black executive director of the Sierra Club in 2022. It was a rocky tenure, ending in 2025 when the board of directors fired him. Jealous in turn sued the organization, alleging racial discrimination, retaliation and breach of contract. The Sierra Club made a counterclaim accusing him of encouraging other Black leaders to defame the organization. In August, a private arbitrator in the case dismissed the club’s allegations, saying they were akin to a “strategic lawsuit against public participation,” also known as SLAPP. Under California’s anti-SLAPP law, the arbitrator’s ruling sets aside the organization’s countersuit and allows Jealous’ suit to continue. “This ruling makes clear that the Sierra Club cannot bully Black leaders into silence for calling out racism and retaliation,” Jealous’ attorney David Clay Washington said in a statement reported by The Sacramento Observer on Aug. 20. Good: With two military installations in Monterey, it’s fair to ask: How ready is the community’s infrastructure to handle a disaster? What impact does it have on military readiness? That’s the focus of an 18-month military installation readiness review, made possible by a $635,900 federal grant announced on Sept. 1 by Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley. Panetta pushed for a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2026 to secure the funding. “When the City of Monterey and our military installations prepare together, they make our entire region safer and our national defense stronger,” Panetta said. The review will examine possible vulnerabilities in energy, water, wastewater, transportation and communications infrastructure supporting the U.S. Army Garrison Presidio of Monterey and the Naval Support Activity Monterey. GREAT: The Salinas City Council unanimously approved the launch of a new Financial Empowerment Center on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The program will be operated in partnership with United Way Monterey County, providing free financial counseling services aimed at helping community members tackle debt, build credit and increase savings. “Over the years, we have seen a huge and sustained demand for people wanting more information about how to manage their money and how to better navigate their financial future, and since moving to Salinas and acquiring our community impact center, we have seen more and more synergy with local organizations and partnership opportunities with the City of Salinas,” United Way President and CEO Katy Castagna said during the council meeting. Funding for the center’s first year comes through grants and the City’s general fund. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many Monterey County children are eligible for a CalKIDS scholarship, amounting to $40.5 million. The scholarship automatically awards money for college to all children born in California on or after July 1, 2022. Source: Bright Futures Educational Partnership 69,017 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “This exhibit has placed Salinas on the map.” -Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Colleen Bailey, on the Alebrijes & Nahuales Fantastic: Animals from Mexico exhibit that concluded Sept. 4 (see story, salinasvalleynow.com). Carmel Tasting Room San Carlos & 7th • 831.626.WINE (9463) Estate Winery & Tasting Room 1972 Hobson Ave, Greenfield SCHEIDVINEYARDS.COM Enjoyfriends. sips. Pouring daily from 12pm OCEAN AVE 7TH AVE 8TH AVE MISSION ST Carmel Plaza Sunset Community & Cultural Center SAN CARLOS ST DOLORES ST
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 Wednesday, September 16th 5PM–7PM For more information, visit DelMonteCenter.com Tickets $30 Enjoy wine sampling, lite bites, and exclusive shopping & dining perks throughout Del Monte Shopping Center. SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS Benefiting Seneca Family of Agencies Wednesday, September 16th 5PM–7PM For more information, visit DelMonteCenter.com Tickets $30 Enjoy wine sampling, lite bites, and exclusive shopping & dining perks throughout Del Monte Shopping Center. SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS Benefiting Seneca Family of Agencies Wednesday, September 16th 5PM–7PM For more information, visit DelMonteCenter.com Tickets $30 Enjoy wine sampling, lite bites, and exclusive shopping & dining perks throughout Del Monte Shopping Center. SCAN TO PURCHASE TICKETS Benefiting Seneca Family of Agencies casaofmonterey.org I’m a and a Business Owner CASA CASA volunteers are parents, professionals, students—people who once felt too busy. CASA becomes part of your life’s routine. You’re more ready than you think—become a CASA volunteer. Find out how you can impact the life of children and youth in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Karen W. Carmel Valley
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 When Central Coast High School opened its student-created coffee shop, Nepantla 831, in May, students gained a place to learn the practical skills of running a cafe. But selling coffee is only one part of its purpose. CCHS is an alternative public high school in Seaside serving students within the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. Community School Coordinator Chantelle Cafferata says chronic absenteeism is a significant challenge in alternative education, where many students have repeatedly been failed by the educational system. “We have to create the conditions where they feel successful,” Cafferata says. “Success breeds success.” Cafferata compares the school’s approach to success to a three-legged stool: building employable skills; community partnerships that bring real-world expertise to campus; and stability through assistance with food, housing and mental health needs. Nepantla brings together the pathway and partnership legs of the approach. The barista pathway gives students hands-on experience, while partnerships with local coffee businesses bring professional knowledge, behind-the-scenes tours and realworld guidance into their education. Students helped shape the cafe from the beginning, including choosing its name. Because many CCHS students have Mexican or other Latin American heritage, teacher Tracy Niewenhous guided them in researching words from Aztec and Mayan cultures. They chose Nepantla—the middle ground between one place and another. The word resonated at a school where students arrive after leaving traditional campuses and may spend a semester to two years preparing for what comes next. “We’re that place where they go through some transformation, which can be uncomfortable at times, but that we really try to support,” Niewenhous says. Nepantla became CCHS’ first linked learning project, bringing culinary, sustainable societies and English together around a shared goal. By contributing to the same project, the classes reinforced one another. In sustainable societies, for example, science teacher Hope True guided students in examining the waste generated by coffee shops, including disposable cups and coffee grounds. The school’s culinary teacher, known on campus as Chef, led the culinary side of its development. Chef worked with students to develop the menu. As students began making the cafe their own, they experimented with new drink recipes. “They’re really having fun with being creative, like thinking about new ways to make banana-strawberry matcha drinks,” Niewenhous says. “They have agency.” For an English project about change, students invited community partners to Nepantla to discuss changes the visitors had experienced in their lives. By welcoming the guests and leading the conversations, students stepped out of their usual role as learners and became hosts. The cafe also creates connections beyond campus. Students visited Acme Coffee Roasting Co. and Counterpoint Coffee (where they got an introduction to latte art) in Seaside. Captain + Stoker in Monterey offered an in-depth look at how the shop had grown. Aptos-based Cat & Cloud donated 10 pounds of espresso beans and plans to provide an on-campus demonstration. Smooth Coffee Company, a Sand City specialty roaster founded by Noah Reeves, supplies beans at close to cost. Reeves developed a blend for Nepantla, and students will help name it and create its product identity. Although Nepantla and its partnerships are still new, currently serving students and staff with a goal of opening to the public, staff say they have already helped shift the school’s culture, creating a more welcoming environment where students connect, contribute and take ownership. Students say the cafe is making a difference. “Nepantla helped me become more outgoing and confident because it’s a safe space, and I learned real work experience,” Keven Martinez says. For Angelique Arellano Torres, “Nepantla is really cool because it helps me learn skills that can lead to bigger things in life.” Confidence Brews Central Coast High School’s student-run coffee shop teaches practical skills in a real-world environment. By Tonia Eaton “It helps me learn skills that can lead to bigger things.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE ABRIANA YOUNGBLOOD Central Coast High School students (from left) Hannah Russo, Mareli Mendoza Ramirez, Angelique Arellano Torres, Lindsay Hernandez Diaz and Shylla Counsell stand at the front counter of Nepantla 831, ready to take orders. Annual Coastal Cleanup Day Saturday, September 19 9AM-12PM Sign Up! JOIN THE CLEANUP • VOLUNTEER AT SAVEOURSHORES.ORG
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 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 LEGACY I want to leave a legacy for future generations. The Community Foundation is a true partner in philanthropy.” – Tonya Antle Donor Advised Fund Holder & Legacy Society Member Tonya Antle with daughter Natalie and granddaughter Simone Donor Advised Funds • IRA Charitable Distributions • Charitable Estate Planning (CGAs, CRTs) • Family Philanthropy • Scholarships & More 831.375.9712 | cfmco.org/GiveBack | Tonya Antle is passionate about women helping women. She partners with the CFMC to simplify her giving now through her donor advised fund and make a meaningful difference in the future through her estate. Turn your generosity into lasting impact.
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS Monterey Bay has seen an uptick in California sea lions sickened with domoic acid poisoning, a neurotoxin that causes the marine mammal to exhibit erratic behaviors that include unusual head bobbing, twitching, disorientation and seizures. The Marine Mammal Center in Castroville has been serving as the triage center for which to handle these animals, most of which are subadults and adult California sea lions weighing anywhere from 125 to more than 300 pounds. “We’re getting anywhere from 300-600 calls to our hotline every single day,” says Giancarlo Rulli, spokesperson for the nonprofit. He adds that it takes anywhere from four to six volunteers to respond to each sea lion. Domoic acid is a neurotoxin produced by blooms of the algae Pseudo-nitzschia. In June, the state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife issued a health advisory after detecting high levels of the neurotoxin in Monterey Bay fish. Rulli says that although the cases of sickened sea lions have been relatively spread out, it has been most pronounced in Monterey County. Cases have largely been reported in Pajaro Dunes State Beach, Seaside and Del Monte beach, “mainly south of Watsonville,” Rulli says. While domoic acid is often associated with warmer water temperatures, Rulli says this is a misnomer, and that domoic acid toxicosis has been seen throughout the year and can thrive in both cold and warm conditions. “What has changed is that this neurotoxin has become more unpredictable and less seasonal than what we discovered back in 1998,” Rulli says. “Outbreaks trend more intense and more unpredictable.” Sea Sick Monterey County sees a surge in California sea lions sickened with domoic acid. By Katie Rodriguez A cheery poster of characters from Disney’s Lilo and Stitch adorns one wall and a smiling Squishmallow plush toy decorates one of the bunkbeds inside a family’s guestroom on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the SHARE Center in Salinas. Open since 2021, the center, created in partnership between the County of Monterey and the City of Salinas, hosts families and individuals experiencing homelessness. The room this family occupies is one of 12 family guestrooms inside the shelter, situated in the center of the building, with rooms for unaccompanied men lining the building to the right of the family area and rooms for unaccompanied women to the left, for a total of 128 beds. With no ceilings, all the rooms are open to the building and some of the rooms only have a curtain for a door. Noise travels easily throughout. “It can get a lot with a lot of guests,” says Flor Stoudenmire, a program manager with Community Human Services, which cares for guests inside the County building, during a tour that included a sparse patio with a lone picnic table where families can get away from the bustle inside. “Theoretically, integrating people into one space is a positive thing, but programmatically it’s nice to have separation between families and single adults living in a congregant shelter,” says Julius Mills-Denti, CHS’ chief operating officer. Ideally it’s good for children to be away from the noise, in more of a home-like atmosphere, he says. County officials are now planning to offer that atmosphere, by adding 12 sleeping cabins to the shelter property. Each cabin would hold families of five to six people, with bunk beds and full-size beds for parents, says County Homeless Services Director Roxanne Wilson. The hope is to include full bathrooms in each cabin, but that depends on water capacity, still to be determined. The proposed budget for the project is $6 million. If the budget allows, they’ll add a small outdoor play area to the project. Moving families to the cabins opens up an opportunity for a 30-bed recuperative care area where people without homes can recover after being released from nearby Natividad Medical Center. The plan is to create 30 recuperative care beds. “Living on the streets is not optimum for recovery,” says Mills-Denti. Readmission to the hospital is common—a place to recover is a much less expensive alternative for the County. Care guests would be offered interim housing for up to six months and care coordination with physicians, pharmacy services and other referrals. Care coordinators would also look for permanent housing. The plan for the cabins and recuperative care area are still in the early stages. It has yet to go to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, which could happen in the next month. Should the Board approve the project, Wilson estimates it would take about a year to finish the additions. A community meeting to discuss the possibility is scheduled for 5:30-7pm Wednesday, Sept. 16, in the Whitney Room of the Monterey County Health Department, 1270 Natividad Road, Salinas. To learn more, email HomelessServices@ countyofmonterey.gov. A bedroom at the SHARE Center in Salinas, where a mom and her kids were staying on Sept. 8. A plan is in the works to move families into private sleeping cabins. Rest Stop County officials seek to offer family sleep cabins and recuperative care at the SHARE Center. By Pam Marino Volunteers at the Marine Mammal Center in Castroville load up sea lions to be transported to the nonprofit’s headquarters in Sausalito for rehabiliatation. “It can get a lot with a lot of guests.” DANIEL DREIFUSS KATIE RODRIGUEZ
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Monster X Tour - Monster Trucks Wednesday & Thursday Evenings James Durbin & The Lost Boys KWAV 96.9 – NIGHT AT THE FAIR Saturday Evening (Separate Ticket - Grandstand) Andy Vargas & La Verdad KPIG 107.5 – NIGHT AT THE FAIR Friday Evening (Longtime Lead Vocalist for the Legendary Santana) Sunday Afternoon Escaramuza Charra Show With Lola Montes Sunday Evening Los Mismos LA MOVIDA 106.3 & LA BUENA 103.5 – NIGHT AT THE FAIR TICKETS & INFO SANTACRUZCOUNTYFAIR.COM DRONE SHOW FRI, SAT & SUN EVENINGS C M Y CM MY CY CMY K MC_WEEKLYS_PRINT.pdf 1 9/2/26 9:11 PM EVERYTHING NOVEMBER 30TH, 2026 STUDIO IN THE GARDEN Ocean Ave. Between Lincoln & Dolores Carmel, Ca 93921 (831) 624-3363 Studiointhegarden@Kinkade.com DECEMBER 15TH, 2026 THOMAS KINKADE MONTEREY 381 Cannery Row Suite Q. Plaza Hotel Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 747-2834 Tkmonterey@Kinkade.com EVERYTHING NOVEMBER 30TH, 2026 STUDIO IN THE GARDEN Ocean Ave. Between Lincoln & Dolores Carmel, Ca 93921 (831) 624-3363 Studiointhegarden@Kinkade.com DECEMBER 15TH, 2026 THOMAS KINKADE MONTEREY 381 Cannery Row Suite Q. Plaza Hotel Monterey, CA 93940 (831) 747-2834 Tkmonterey@Kinkade.com
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Salinas voters will have four options to choose from for the mayoral seat in November: current Mayor Dennis Donohue, caregiver Hezekiah Gonzalez, construction worker and rapper Daniel Muñoz and retired educator Peter Szalai. Only Donohue is a seasoned politician. He first served as mayor from 2006-2012 and was re-elected in 2024. If Donohue is again re-elected in November, he would serve his fifth two-year mayoral term. Muñoz and Szalai have become more civically active in recent years, attending and commenting during council meetings. The former is leading the recall efforts against District 1 representatives Supervisor Luis Alejo and Councilmember José Luis Barajas. Lack of housing and street and sidewalk repairs remain the City’s main issues. This election cycle, two Salinas measures are on the ballot. The first is Measure H, a “no” vote to keep, or a “yes” vote to repeal the rent registry, rent stabilization and tenant protection ordinances. Muñoz, Gonzalez and Szalai are in favor of keeping these four ordinances, but Szalai has reservations. Donohue is the only mayoral candidate who isn’t taking a stand on the measure; however, he voted to repeal the ordinances before voters called for a referendum and the council opted to let voters decide the ordinances’ fate. “I’m not taking a public position on H because as the mayor, I think it’s important to let the community weigh in and decide,” Donohue says, adding housing is a supply-and-demand issue. “I don’t believe this is good housing policy in the long run,” Szalai says, agreeing with Donohue. The other measure on the ballot is Measure G, a 1-cent sales tax Salinas voters passed in 2014 that is set to phase out in 2029 if it isn’t renewed. This measure is a vital source of income for the city, and last fiscal year it generated $34.5 million. The candidates have mixed feelings on Measure G. Muñoz and Gonzalez oppose Measure G, while Donohue and Szalai support it. Both Szalai and Muñoz say Measure G’s renewal will likely fail, as local tax measures in recent elections have had a tough time at the polls. Muñoz acknowledges the City needs Measure G revenue, but believes officials should increase transparency about how they spend these funds. “I understand we need the money, I’m not foolish,” he says. “I’m just saying no this year, [until] we can gain some trust back.” After eight years serving as mayor of Seaside, Ian Oglesby is seeking another term because he says he still has work to do and wants to see long-term projects through, such as the Campus Town and Main Gate developments. “We have Campus Town, now officially called Pacific Landing, which we are working to finish,” Oglesby says. “And we just put out a RFP (request for proposals) for our Main Gate area where we are looking for a potential hotel alongside the courthouse and more retail for our residents.” Promoting economic development in Seaside is one of Oglesby’s main priorities, with hopes to increase tax revenues that can then be invested in the city. “My priorities are driving economic development, keeping us safe, repairing our roads and parks and supporting small business owners,” he says. Oglesby is proud of his many endorsements such as those from Assemblymember Dawn Addis, and the other three members of the Seaside City Council, with the obvious exception of Councilmember Alex Miller, who is running against him. Miller says that the City of Seaside is ready for a change in leadership and that he was inspired to run for mayor after the term limits changed from two to four years with the passage of Measure BB in 2024. “I lose a lot of votes 4-1 or 3-2, and I can’t do this for four more years,” Miller says of his time on the council. Economic development is a priority for Miller, with a focus on improving downtown by filling commercial vacancies. Miller also wants to increase citizen involvement and improve the quality of life in the city. “That means supporting public safety, making sure that developers are accountable with their affordable housing unit numbers, working on homelessness and exploring the possibility of putting up tiny homes,” he says. Miller says that his campaign has been “an absolute joy” and that he hopes Seaside residents will give him a chance to prove his dedication to the city. Full Slate Salinas’ mayoral candidates have differing views on rent stabilization, tax measures. By Celia Jiménez NEWS KEEP IT CLEAN Help clean Salinas during an event within District 2. Amor Salinas is an effort that focuses on citywide beautification. 8:30am-noon Saturday, Sept. 12. Los Padres Elementary School, 1130 John St., Salinas. Free. Sign up at tinyurl. com/D2Cleanup. (831) 758-7096. IN THE PUBLIC Salinas City Council meets to discuss city business. Public comment is accepted. 4pm Tuesday, Sept. 15. Salinas Rotunda, 200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, cityofsalinas. org. ON THE ISSUES Hear from candidates running for Pacific Grove mayor and council. The Pacific Grove Chamber of Commerce and League of Women Voters of Monterey County host a forum. 6pm Tuesday, Sept. 15. Pacific Grove Middle School, Performing Arts Center, 835 Forest Ave. Free. (831) 373-3304, pacificgrove.org. RESERVE YOUR THOUGHTS The Elkhorn Slough Reserve wants to hear from the public on how it is meeting its obligations under the NOAA Coastal Zone Management Act. Share your thoughts with NOAA and Reserve officials at a meeting. 6pm Tuesday, Sept. 15. Castroville Library, 11160 Speegle St., Castroville. Also virtual. Free. (831) 728-2822, elkhornslough.org. BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOODS Salinas residents and groups interested in applying for a neighborhood beautification grant are invited to attend an information session, which will go over the guidelines and what projects are eligible. Noon-1pm Wednesday, Sept. 16. Virtual via Zoom. Free. Applications are due 5pm Friday, Sept. 18. bit.ly/NBG26-27. CUE THE QUESTIONS The City of Marina is asking voters to consider a 7-percent utility users tax on the November ballot. Ask questions of your own to city staff at upcoming meetings. 6pm Wednesday, Sept. 16. Virtual via Zoom at bit.ly/MeasureQSept16. 6pm Wednesday, Sept. 30. Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. cityofmarina.org/measureq. WRITE TO RUN The nomination period to qualify as a write-in candidate for the November election is now open. Candidates must meet the requirements of the office and file nomination forms. Nomination period runs through Oct. 20. Schedule an appointment at (831) 796-1499 or candidateservices@countyofmonterey.gov. countyofmonterey. gov/elections. Heads Up Seaside councilmember faces off against incumbent for the mayor’s seat. By Aric Sleeper Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue faces three other candidates in the November election as he vies to keep his seat for a fifth, non-consecutive term. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “It’s important to let the community weigh in and decide.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 License #270700110 – COA#082 Live here & add color to your life Many artists, like Jean, call Carmel Valley Manor home. We o er those 65+ a low-maintenance home, scrumptious meals, exceptional healthcare, and impeccable service. Our 28-acre campus is complete with manicured gardens, a putting green, a pool, a well-equipped fitness center, and a personal trainer. Experience it for yourself at 8545 Carmel Valley Rd in Carmel. For a tour, call Angie Machado at (831) 624-1281 or visit CVManor.com Hear the residents talk about it
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com A new report by the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust takes a look at the state of Monterey Bay’s commercial fisheries over four decades, finding that while the region’s commercial fishing industry has fundamentally shrunk, it has become more diversified over time. The Monterey Bay Commercial Fisheries: Status and Trends report, released Sept. 2, comes at a time when the local seafood economy faces increasingly unpredictable environmental, economic and regulatory challenges—factors that have pushed fishers to adapt. “I do really feel like it’s a critical moment,” MBFT Executive Director Melissa Mahoney says. “Our ocean is changing, our economy is changing. As a coastal community, if we lose our bridge to our fisheries, that’s huge in terms of our food security going forward.” Seven fisheries central to the region were examined from 1981 to 2024 across Santa Cruz, Moss Landing and Monterey: market squid, coastal pelagic finfish, groundfish, Chinook salmon, Dungeness crab, California halibut and spot prawn. Roughly 1,100 commercial fishing vessels landed at Monterey Bay ports in 1981, compared with an annual average of 313 from 2010–2024. But although there are far fewer boats on the water than there were four decades ago, the volume and value of those landings have fluctuated over the years rather than following a consistent decline. The organization also distinguished between fisheries that provide value (high participation and public interest) versus volume (fisheries dominated by exported fish that drive harbor activity.) Chinook salmon, for example, is a high value fishery that was once a pillar of the local fishing community. The fishery has notoriously faced substantial challenges from intermittent closures related to droughts, especially after 2008. Dungeness crab grew as a high value fishery in the early 2000s before running into issues with domoic-acid related closures, compounded by regulatory changes put in place to mitigate whale entanglements. Market squid has been the main revenue driver for the region’s harbors—when it shows up. It’s a high-volume fishery, and when landings are strong, the resulting wharfage fees help support harbor budgets and its ability to maintain infrastructure. Many fishers have diversified their operations in response to changing conditions. For example, the sablefish, California halibut and certain groundfish fisheries have expanded over the last decade. Bluefin tuna has also re-emerged in the region’s fishery network, associated with warming ocean conditions. Mahoney says environmental disruptions—heat waves, El Niño, La Niña and warming ocean temperatures— were among the toughest factors to analyze, but integral to understanding the future of the industry. “I hope this report is seen by the community itself as well as our electeds, as this is where we are right now. Where do we want to go?” Mahoney says. “That is a conversation I hope we will have in the next couple of months.” Future of Fish A report finds the Monterey Bay commercial fishing industry squeezed by a slew of pressures. By Katie Rodriguez Fish is processed at Moss Landing Harbor. A report found that although the number of boats landing at Monterey Bay ports declined over the decades, the value of the industry has fluctuated. NEWS “It’s a critical moment.” DANIEL DREIFUSS Savor California-inspired cuisine by Executive Chef Pacifico Mata. Handcrafted cocktails • Award-winning wines Breakfast & dinner • Indoor & terrace dining REVITALIZED MENU CALIFORNIA WINE MONTH California Wine Flight | $20 Sip & savor four California wines from local vintners. CUISINE California LOCATED INSIDE THE PORTOLA HOTEL & SPA COMPLIMENTARY SELF OR VALET PARKING (831) 649-7830 | JACKSATPORTOLA.COM Men, whats your mask? The mask you wear to act out your life instead of living it. The mask you're ready to take off. For 39 years Breakthrough has offered tools that help men create lasting change and form true friendships. Workshop Enrollment is open now Fall workshops start October 2026 Monterey, CA in person & Online everywhere Financial aid available Free weekly Men's Wisdom Circle Wednesdays on-line. “Breakthrough has been the single best decision of my adult life.” – Program Graduate M.C. Sign up at: breakthroughformen.org
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Best Of Monterey County® Readers Poll results on newsstands October 8
16 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com FOLLOW THE FLOW Seeing the Pajaro River navigate the intersection of government, environmental concerns and local needs in order to implement improvements is encouraging (“A levee project focuses on reducing Pajaro’s flood risk. Researchers say the benefits are bigger,” Aug. 27-Sept. 2). Hopefully this kind of long-term planning will protect Pajaro in the future. The same cannot be said of the Salinas River. Heading into an El Niño year, farmers and municipalities recognize the Salinas River is unprepared for a deluge, putting residents, roads and crops at risk. One of the problems with the Salinas River is that no single entity exercises holistic governance. Monterey County Water Resources Agency is the logical choice, which would allow long-term coordination with other agencies and the community—all of whom benefit from river maintenance. Bravo to the Pajaro for active management and planning. Without similar stewardship, the Salinas River will chart its own course, potentially resulting in destruction. We hope the Salinas Valley takes navigation lessons from the Pajaro. Christopher Bunn | Salinas Note: Bunn is on the Salinas River Management Unit Association. WATER WAR Mary Ann Leffel keeps trying to block the Cal Am buyout through her power on LAFCO (“Squid Fry: Lines Drawn,” Aug. 27-Sept. 2). Her votes have run up the cost of the buyout in legal fees and delays. Now she says she’d be open to reconsidering if there were a clear plan on how to handle tax revenue losses to the special districts. Then she adds, “I just want to do what’s best for the community.” Seriously, has Leffel forgotten that MPWMD offered a clear path forward on the issue of property tax losses through Revenue Neutrality Transition Agreements? The effect on local agencies is minimal; only six special districts are even impacted. For most, it would be a total revenue loss of less than 0.5 percent. If she feels this is so important, why has Leffel never offered to make up the losses to taxpayer-funded agencies when the Airport District purchased private land and took it off the tax rolls? How is blocking the will of 24,000 voters in Measure J doing what’s best for this community? Melodie Chrislock | Monterey Note: Chrislock is managing director of Public Water Now. DE-FLOCK I was stunned recently to find Flock citizen surveillance (license plate-reading) cameras installed in my Marina neighborhood (“The Sheriff’s Office wants more Flock cameras, but it must convince the Board of Supervisors,” posted Aug. 24). Let me chime in with a clear message to those in office: Public officials should not be investing our taxes to mass surveil law-abiding citizens. Mass surveillance fundamentally deviates from the U.S. Constitutional prohibitions against unwarranted searches. In Marina, items related to Flock technology should not be funded and the three-year contract the Council approved should be rescinded. Same goes for the County’s 10-year Flock contract. Mass tracking of citizens’ vehicles is un-American, the hallmark of authoritarianism, and represents a shameful lack of foresight and due regard for what it means to be an American on the part of elected officials supporting use of this technology. Cameron Binkley | Marina Roughly 50 speakers opposed the Sheriff’s proposed expansion of Flock cameras, and Supervisor Root Askew reported receiving about 400 comments, most in opposition. Those voices matter—but Monterey County has about 430,000 residents. Public policy should rest on evidence and the broader public good, not simply organized turnout. Privacy, accountability and misuse are legitimate concerns. But Salinas has used Flock since 2023 with trained users, individual logins, audited searches and limits to legitimate investigations. The cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics—not faces—and do not use facial recognition. An alert identifies a vehicle, not a driver, and is only one piece of evidence. Salinas Police report the system has assisted serious investigations and is not used for immigration enforcement. Greater public reporting and oversight are warranted. Accountability and public safety are not competing values. We should insist on both—and evaluate this policy on facts, not a historically misused Franklin quotation. Peter Szalai | Salinas VICTIM OF VIOLENCE Sheriff Nieto is yet another adult who should have protected this 14-year-old rape victim, but is instead choosing to treat her like an adult when she is a child (“Monterey County Sheriff’s Office searching for suspects allegedly tied to abandoned newborn found dead,” posted Sept. 1). Publicizing that this child is being raped by her father while her father still has her puts her life at risk. This conduct from law enforcement is not in keeping with a claim to care about the lives and safety of children. Claire Bresnahan | Pacific Grove This press release information from the Sheriff’s Office is making national news for many reasons: Announcing a warrant for a pedophile and his “Jane Doe” daughter for murder of a newborn, resulting from incest? There is no protection of the victim in the manner that this case information has been released—quite the contrary. She is now on par with her wanted pedo father. I can’t digest this. I am sick. Colleen Ingram | Pacific Grove GOOD VS. EVIL Just like any other technological (or other type) of development, there is always going to be somebody to exploit it (“A proliferation of AI-assisted local news sites runs the gamut,” Aug. 27-Sept. 2). Seems that is just the frailty of humans. Social media is another example. It certainly can be used for either good or bad. People choose to use such things for bad, evil or unethical means, not the vehicle itself. God gave us free will and if a few choose to use it maliciously, we all pay the price. Robert McGregor | Salinas 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 SEPTEMBER 10-16, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 17 At 8:30am Saturday morning, Aug. 1, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a report of a baby on the side of Struve Road in Moss Landing where they discovered a dead infant. Investigators started calling her “baby Angelita,” Spanish for little angel. Five days later, the Sheriff’s Office released images, captured by Flock cameras, of a vehicle of interest, a beige 2010 Mercury sedan. Then four weeks later, on Aug. 31, Sheriff Tina Nieto announced her team had made one arrest and obtained arrest warrants for two other suspects. Ofelia Garcia Ortega, a 36-year-old from Castroville, had been arrested on charges of child endangerment, booked in Monterey County Jail, and released. An arrest warrant was issued for Sergio Galvez Perez, 38, on charges of child endangerment, incest, lewd acts with a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse, among others. Jane Doe, 14, the mother, was suspected of murder, according to the Sheriff’s Office. The layers of horrors here are tragic in their proportions. Garcia Ortega is Jane Doe’s mother. Galvez Perez is Jane Doe’s father. He is also her suspected rapist and the father of her dead baby. This all means that whatever role Jane Doe did or did not have in ending her infant daughter’s life, Jane Doe is a victim of horrific crimes. Somehow, that seemed to get missed in the press release and some of the media frenzy immediately surrounding the sheriff’s request for assistance in locating Galvez Perez and his daughter, who he is believed to be concealing. “California father, teen mother wanted,” “A 14-year-old girl is wanted on suspicion of murdering her newborn,” headlines read. The whereabouts of Galvez Perez and Jane Doe are unknown, leading the California Highway Patrol to issue an Amber Alert on Sept. 6 at the request of the Sheriff’s Office. But two days after the arrest warrants were announced, on Sept. 2, District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni issued a very different kind of press release. “The District Attorney’s Office is providing the following clarification,” it stated. It went on to describe Jane Doe not as a murderer, but as a victim. “We recognize that the 14-year-old is a victim of her father’s abuse. No child should ever have to endure such horrific circumstances…children who have experienced abuse can face extraordinary barriers to safety and may be unable to seek help on their own, particularly when they are under the control or influence of an abuser,” the DA’s statement reads. “Our priority is to ensure that this young girl is safe and has access to the support and services she needs.” To be clear, this is not necessarily an exoneration but it is a critical reframing of a horrible circumstance. Jane Doe may be a perpetrator, but that does not mean she is not a victim. The DA has filed charges against Galvez Perez, and is reviewing potential charges against Jane Doe’s mother, Garcia Ortega. No decision about possible charges against Jane Doe has been made yet, and the DA had not yet received a request for charges or any investigative reports from law enforcement officers. Pacioni’s press release was an important reframing to put victims first, but it also communicates something else: a very public slapdown of one elected official, the sheriff, by another elected official, the District Attorney. It does not imply a vote of confidence. Nieto also elevated her own politics in announcing the warrants. In five minutes of remarks, she talked a lot about the value of Flock cameras, opening and closing with praise for the technology that is currently facing scrutiny as she prepares to ask the Monterey County Board of Supervisors for a $2.8 million, 10-year contract with Flock on Tuesday, Sept. 22. “These cameras do not replace deputies, they do not replace police work,” she said. “There will always be conversations about privacy safeguards and how technology is used… In this investigation of baby Angelita it meant detectives who started with almost nothing were able to develop critical leads. Behind every camera is not just a license plate—there may be a victim waiting for justice.” Nieto did acknowledge that Jane Doe, a child, is also a victim. Her life, and her baby’s very brief life at the side of the road, are surely what matters most here. Sara Rubin is the Weekly’s editor. Reach her at sara@montereycountynow.com. Horror Show A dead baby spurs an investigation into layers of victimhood. By Sara Rubin FIRE AND BRIMSTONE…Even if Squid isn’t covering an election in Monterey County Squidself, Squid still likes to research candidates running for local office to catch anything Squid’s fellow journalists may have missed. While looking into Vicki Nohrden, a candidate for Monterey City Council’s District 2 seat, Squid stumbled on her 2008 book: Breaking the Shield of Minerva: A Closer Look at California’s Destiny. Squid couldn’t tell what the book was really about, but according to the description on its cover, “This is a book about spiritual warfare and California’s history, both written and that which is yet to be recorded!” Under Nohrden’s bio, it states that she is “President and Founder of Wind and Fire Ministries, a prophetic and apostolic ministry voice to the nations. Vicki’s passion is to train, equip and encourage the body of Christ to stand up and take their place in the kingdom.” Squid was still confused by the cryptic wording until Squid saw that Squid’s old friend, Shredder, at New Times in San Luis Obispo had reviewed the book during Nohrden’s failed Assembly campaign against Dawn Addis in 2022. Shredder points out that in her book, Nohrden decries same-sex marriage and “Basically, she claims drought and wildfires are God’s wrath for letting The Gays get married.” Squid then shook Squid’s head and decided not to fork over Squid’s hard-earned coin for a used copy and to take Shredder’s word for it instead. LONG TIME COMING…Squid lives life to the fullest—oozing to a dance party here, observing a bad take at a city council meeting there. After all, cephalopods have a lifespan of about five years. Mayflies have it shorter. Once they reach adulthood, they only have a few hours to explore above their waters and have sex before they die. They wouldn’t even survive through one Marina City Council meeting. That the council has meetings that frequently extend to midnight is nothing new. But the council on Sept. 1 decided to do something about it by talking about it…for an hour and 20 minutes. The council reviewed its meeting procedures in a discussion that was originally scheduled for May, but kept getting punted down the road because, well, the meetings were too long. They came up with some ideas, such as having a three-minute timer for each council member, and limiting the number of times each member can speak on an item. It may shave off some minutes, but to get to an agreement, it will require more long meetings. Squid will quickly run out of appendages to count how many generations of mayflies died before the council makes a decision. THE LOCAL SPIN SQUID FRY THE MISSION OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY IS TO INSPIRE INDEPENDENT THINKING AND CONSCIOUS ACTION, ETC. “The 14-year-old is a victim of her father’s abuse.” SEND SQUID A TIP: squid@montereycountynow.com
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