SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT KEEP ON TRUCKIN’ 10 | DLI CRACKS DOWN ON DIVERSITY 12 | SOLO SHOWS 32 | SKY-HIGH ACROBATICS 33 Monterey Jazz Festival 2026 The 69th Monterey Jazz Festival brings together a diverse array of performers that merge old and new. p. 18 Commission artist Meshell Ndegeocello is a composer/bassist/singer/poet. MUSIC THAT TRANSCENDS FALL ARTS CALENDAR pg. 24
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice ntereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE CASES We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • 831-318-0306 • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX We are honored and look forward to working with you to support your pets best health and quality of life. 1023 Austin Avenue, Pacific Grove • www.pacificgroveanimalhospital.com ’24 ’23 ’22 ’21 Four years in a row! A Gold Certified Cat Friendly Practice montereycountynow.com/bestof BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2024 XX PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE PREVENTATIVE CARE • REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE – NOW SEEING URGENT CARE+CASES PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM Five Years In A Row! SURGERY • DERMATOLOGY • FELINE AND CANINE MEDICINE • PREVENTATIVE CARE REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, PRP (PLATELET-RICH PLASMA) • LASER THERAPY • EXOTICS AND MUCH MORE – CONTINUITY OF CARE ’25 ’24 A NEW FREE, DAILY, DIGITAL NEWS SOURCE. • Telling the stories of Salinas and Salinas Valley • Community news, professionally crafted, available in Spanish ANNOUNCING Visit SalinasValleyNow.com to sign up for the newsletter to be delivered for free via email or WhatsApp
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 24-30, 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 24-30, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 • ISSUE #1991 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Ming Yu (Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM 10 MP) A pair of goldfinches feasts on seeds at Hilltop Park in Marina. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Bassist Meshell Ndegeocello appears at the Monterey Jazz Festival on Sept. 26 as the commission artist this year with compositions around the theme “America 250.” She believes in art as a form of learning. “You cannot legislate kindness, you cannot legislate critical thinking,” she says. Cover photo: Charlie Gross 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) ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Jeanette Bent jeanette@montereycountynow.com (x132) 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 WRITER Chrissa Olson (California Local News Fellow) chrissa@montereycountynow.com (x130) 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 24-30, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 FREE COMMUNITY FLU CLINICS Flu vaccines provided by Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic Wednesday, October 7 | 4:00pm–7:00pm Main Street Middle School 441 Main Street, Soledad, CA 93960 Monday, October 19 | 4:00pm–7:00pm Alisal High School 777 Williams Road, Salinas, CA 93905 No appointment needed We believe vaccinations save lives. Saturday, October 10 | 11:00am–2:00pm Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center 850 5th Street, Gonzales, CA 93926 Includes health fair and community resources Includes health fair and community resources Sunday, October 25 | 12:00pm–3:00pm Castroville Elementary School 11161 Merritt Street, Castroville, CA 95012 For more information about our FREE Community Flu Clinics, scan the QR code. Or, contact the Health Promotion Department at 831-759-1890. Aurora Robledo, MD Family Medicine
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH It’s no secret President Donald Trump hates news coverage that doesn’t gush over his administration, so on Sept. 18, he announced a ban on three organizations from entering the White House: CNN, MS NOW and Politico. Reporters from the news outlets had their press badges revoked by the Secret Service the day after. On Monday, Sept. 21, the outlets filed a lawsuit in federal court, calling the ban not only a “direct assault on the First Amendment,” but also a “blatant violation of our most fundamental constitutional principles.” “Without notice or process, the White House revoked our journalists’ credentials because it objected to our reporting,” the outlets said in a statement. “Left unchallenged, this threatens press freedom and the public’s right to independent journalism free from government interference.” Major TV networks ABC, CBS, Fox News and NBC announced they would suspend pooled coverage of the White House in solidarity. Trump has tried to restrict press coverage of the White House multiple times during his second term, which have been overturned by the courts. Good: Called the “bike lane to nowhere” by some locals and officially a Class IV bike lane by transportation planners, the separated bike lanes in the middle of North Fremont Street may soon be connected to the county’s broader biking infrastructure after the City of Monterey locked down approximately $2.9 million in grants from the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Regional Surface Transportation Program to support the construction of the North Fremont Gap Closure Project. The project would close the bike lane gap between Casanova Avenue and Canyon Del Rey Boulevard and connect to the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway. The project, which is currently at roughly 90-percent design, has a total cost of about $3.65 million. City officials will seek community feedback in the coming months and hope to have a final project design within the next six to 12 months. GREAT: After a nearly 20-year hiatus, Delta Air Lines is returning to Monterey Regional Airport with new nonstop flights to Los Angeles International Airport and Salt Lake City International Airport later this year, airport officials announced Sept. 18. “Welcoming Delta Air Lines to Monterey Regional Airport is a major achievement for our community and reflects the growing demand for air service in the Monterey Bay region,” Monterey Regional Airport Executive Director Chris Morello said. Beginning Dec. 19, Delta will launch its twice-daily nonstop flights to LAX and one daily nonstop flight to SLC. According to a Delta spokesperson, “The new flights come as Delta expands its position at LAX ahead of summer 2027, when the airline and its partners will offer more than 200 daily departures from Los Angeles, creating the largest and most premium operation in Delta’s LAX history.” GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many battery modules remain at Vistra’s Moss Landing Power Plant, about 5 percent of the total prior to the 2025 fire. A battery ignited on Friday, Sept. 18, leading to a shelter-inplace order in the vicinity (see stories, montereycountynow.com/news). Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 5,000 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Art has just been a great icebreaker.” -Texas artist Brian Keeper on his preferred approach to painting on location. An exhibit of his work is now open in Carmel (see story, montereycountynow.com/ entertainment). Two Cubic Yards of Mulch per Service Address • Only California American Water or Monterey Peninsula Water Management District customers are eligible to participate. • Must bring California American Water bill and photo ID showing where mulch will be used. • After entering ReGen Monterey on Charlie Benson Road, turn right at the four-way stop, follow Mulch Madness signs to Keith Day Landscape Supply. Stay in vehicle and drive through verification station before proceeding to loading area. Mulch will be loaded into pick-up trucks with assistance from a tractor. Bring your own tarp to cover mulch during transportation. • Bagged mulch will also be available in smaller quantities for those without a truck. Supplies may be limited and are on a first-come, first-served basis. For personal use only. Not for resale. Saturday, Oct. 3, 9am to Noon 14201 Del Monte Blvd. (one mile north of Marina) 831.658.5601 MULCH MADNESS FREE Truckload or Bags OCT3
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 BEGINS HERE GREAT CARE 24/7 Pediatric Services (831) 755-4111 natividad.com At Natividad, our pediatricians are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We’re the only hospital in Monterey County to have pediatric hospitalists on staff overnight. Natividad’s pediatricians cover all admissions and emergency department consults for ages 0 to 17, plus all newborns. Our pediatric nursing staff is specially trained to care for children and make sure each child and their family are as comfortable as possible. Natividad Pediatric Chief of Service Heloisa Junqueira, MD, MSc
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 Standing at the start of the Pajaro Valley Golf Club’s second hole, two friends who have known each other since high school prepare to tee off. Marty Chappell and Alan Heinzen now live in Monterey and Gilroy, respectively. They certainly have options to golf in their cities; on the Monterey Peninsula, there’s the world-famous but busy golf courses. In Gilroy, there’s Eagle Ridge Golf Club, but it’s often too hot in south Santa Clara County to enjoy a round on the links. So, Chappell and Heinzen choose to meet in the middle in Royal Oaks for their frequent golf outings. “It’s a great course,” Heinzen notes, adding that they often have the course to themselves, and don’t feel the pressure from marshals at other courses that often tell golfers to keep moving. “We get to talk about the affairs of the day and get some exercise,” Chappell says. “This is the best therapy on the Peninsula.” The 18-hole Pajaro Valley Golf Club attracts local and visiting golfers for its views of Elkhorn Slough and laid-back atmosphere. And it’s been doing so for 100 years. The golf course kicked off its yearlong celebration of its centennial in June, and plans to have a number of special events marking its history while looking toward its future. Despite its proximity to the hustle and bustle of Salinas Road and Highway 1, a jaunt on a golf cart deeper into the course leaves the noise of traffic behind. General Manager Brian Robbeloth, sitting behind the wheel of the cart, notes that nature is all around the golfers. Red-tailed hawks fly overhead, as mature Monterey cypress trees line the fairways, some of which have fallen down over the years and remain embedded in the landscape. At the 18th hole, the grand finale, the waters of Elkhorn Slough come into view. “We’re at the heart of Monterey Bay,” Robbeloth says. The golf course enjoys a loyal base, with roughly 70 percent of its golfers as regulars, according to Robbeloth. It also features a restaurant onsite operated by Carmona’s Grill (see story, p. 38). The course was built in 1926 as the Watsonville Golf and Country Club, with nine holes designed by Peter Hay of Pebble Beach fame. An additional nine holes were added two decades later. The area was once a hub for transporting agricultural crops throughout the Monterey Bay. Mine carts near Salinas Road would transport goods down to the nearby waterways, where they were loaded up onto barges. Dealing with the frequent fog that blankets the area, barges would aim for an oak tree to help them navigate, which remains on the property today. Fast forward to 2026, and like anything that’s 100 years old, the golf course is a little rough around the edges. Ground squirrels wreak havoc, digging holes in the fairways and paths. Irrigation frequently springs a leak. About half of the 110 acres of grass have gone brown, but that is by design, as the golf course looks at ways to save water, says Mark Swartz, director of development for Parks Legacy, the Arizona-based company that leased the property in 2021 and closed on the purchase in early 2023. Parks Legacy has a history of purchasing older golf courses and renovating them with new amenities. It plans the same for Pajaro Valley Golf Club. “The course itself is just beautiful,” Swartz says. “The rolling terrain, the maturity of the landscape, the views of Elkhorn Slough. It really is a special place.” Swartz says the company is working on a series of renovation projects and other development for the course. That includes building a new clubhouse with a swimming pool, pickleball courts and other features, along with a market that faces Salinas Road. Parks Legacy is also going through the process of adding 160 townhomes on a 20-acre piece of the property that’s already zoned for high-density residential, Swartz says, along with an RV park. He adds that the company began community outreach about three years ago, searching for ways to help solve infrastructure issues in the heavily traveled thoroughfare. He anticipates the project is still a few years away from approvals. “We have plans to negate the impact and do something that’s really good for the community,” Swartz says. Centennial Club A hundred years in, a makeover is in the works for the Pajaro Valley Golf Club. By Erik Chalhoub “This is the best therapy on the Peninsula.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Golfers putt on a green during a round at Pajaro Valley Golf Club. The Royal Oaks course, marking its 100th anniversary, is known for its views of Elkhorn Slough, seen in the distance.
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 H I L LT O P 871 JESSIE STREET 831-646-3975 EL ESTERO 777 PEARL STREET 831-646-3873 Pre-registration by appointment only. Please call the Preschool location of your choice for a registration appointment. Visit www.monterey.gov/rec for more info. learn - engage - play - socialize Tuesday – friday, 3 hours per day THE CITY OF MONTEREY must be “potty” trained years 3-5 for ages preschool p r o g r a m LET’S CONTINUE TO STAND WITH OUR YOUTH TO PUSH TOWARDS A HEALTHIER FUTURE. FOR THE FIFTH YEAR IN A ROW, TEEN USE OF MOST SUBSTANCES CONTINUES TO HOVER AROUND LOW MARK REACHED IN 2021. MONITORING THE FUTURE SURVEY 2025 PREVENTION•EDUCATION TREATMENT•RECOVERY WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS After taking the Monterey Jazz Festival to YouTube in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, the festival returned to the Monterey County Fairgrounds in 2021 to the excitement of fans. Demand for tickets was so high, the festival sold out two months in advance. That year the nonprofit recorded a record $1.8 million surplus, with another year of revenue exceeding expenses by $277,500 in 2022. Since then the organization has seen at least two years of deficits—in 2023 the festival was in the hole by nearly $466,000 and in 2024 it was down by more than $733,000, according to IRS records. It mirrored a time of transition, with longtime artistic director Tim Jackson retiring in 2023, followed by the sudden exit of his successor Darin Atwater in late 2024. “Last year we were rebuilding, this year we’re doing great,” says Managing Director Bobbie Young of the three-day festival, which opens Friday, Sept. 25, adding that by mid-September, ticket sales were already ahead of where they were last year. Donations are running above totals from the previous several years, she says. “We are seeing a growth in donations, in our ticket sales, a growth in interest and on social media,” Young says. They’ve advertised heavily on social media channels this year, where younger viewers can be found. Realizing festival acts can “skew a little older on occasion,” Young says they continue to invite acts that will appeal to a younger audience and even a broader one. At this year’s festival bestselling author Amy Tan is paired with successful jazz pianist Joey Alexander, 23, for a reading of Tan’s The Backyard Bird Chronicles. Uneven Tempo Monterey Jazz sees an upturn after a few years of deficits during a time of rebuilding. By Pam Marino A coalition of labor unions, educators and community leaders in the Salinas Valley launched a mobile pilot English program for Class A truck drivers, aiming to protect their livelihoods as a new federal language rule raises fears of license suspensions. On Aug. 7, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is moving to codify guidelines that enforce English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirements for commercial motor vehicle (CMV) drivers into a new rule. This means future administrations will not be able to weaken ELP requirements, the same way the Obama administration did in 2016 when it directed roadside inspectors not to place CMV drivers out-of-service solely for failing English proficiency evaluations. Instead of pulling drivers off the road immediately, inspectors issued administrative citations, allowing drivers to continue their trips. In April 2025, Duffy announced steps to rescind the Obama-era policy. Teamsters 856 representative Erik Larsen says the effort for an English learning pilot program began in October 2025, after reading about the changes in the federal regulations. The union convened local drivers from companies including Taylor Farms, Dole and D’Arrigo Bros. According to Larsen, drivers were alarmed to learn that if they are stopped and cannot communicate in English, their licenses would be suspended. They would be required to go to the DMV and take a test in English to be able to get back on the road. CHP’s two-part roadside ELP evaluation includes about 15 verbal questions in English and a sheet of 25 traffic signs, from which a driver must correctly identify at least four in English. “They have been working 20-plus years as truck drivers in the Salinas Valley. They know the rules of the road,” Larsen says. “We don’t think it’s fair to punish these drivers simply because they struggle with English.” With support from Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA), Hartnell College, the Salinas Valley Adult Education Consortium and the California Labor Federation, drivers can learn English using the app Cell-Ed, developed with about $150,000 from UC Merced’s Futuros Campesinos program. It gives practice questions a CHP officer might ask. The pilot launched on June 28 and now includes about 60 drivers from across the Salinas Valley. Gonzales resident Rogelio Aceves, 57, is one of them. “As truck drivers we are busy all day and there is no opportunity to physically go into a classroom setting to learn,” he says in Spanish. “I open [Cell-Ed] and learn during my lunch break or on Sundays when I don’t work.” Originally from Jalisco, Mexico Aceves has been working as a truck driver for D’Arrigo Bros. for almost 30 years. He works about 45-50 hours a week, with days starting at 7am. “We are worried because this is our livelihood,” Aceves says. “This is what feeds my family and many of my colleagues’ families.” The pilot program combines app-based modules with in-person roleplay at the Teamsters Union Hall, where local leaders such as Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo help simulate CHP stops. The next registration event for drivers is at 10am Sunday, Sept. 27 at the Teamsters hall in Salinas. Rogelio Aceves, second from left, with fellow drivers. “We are trying to be more proficient in English because we can’t risk losing our license and our job,” he says. Long Haul Salinas Valley truck drivers enroll in English pilot program to protect licenses. By Royvi Hernandez Attendees at the 2024 Monterey Jazz Festival enjoy a performance in the main arena. That year and the year before saw deficits. This year, ticket sales and donations are reportedly up. “They know the rules of the road.” ROBERT DANIELS DANIEL DREIFUSS Monterey Jazz Festival 2026
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 Kate Daniels Monterey County Supervisor District 5 Dan Baldwin President & CEO Community Foundation for Monterey County Join leaders from across Monterey County. Hear inspiring stories of hope after homelessness, discover our impact, and learn how together we can help create pathways forward for women in our community. Supporting Women. Rebuilding Lives. Strengthening Community. 2026 Community Luncheon MONTEREY MARRIOTT Reserve Your Seat WEDNESDAY Individual Tickets, group tickets, & sponsorships Available Now Gathering for Women OCTOBER 7, 2026 Everything started with a meal. Your participation helps provide essential services and resources that support women as they rebuild their lives. www.gatheringforwomen.org Featured Speakers 999 Y G ** O $ 999 Y k k 99 G ** G D M M W k M F D Y C XC U V 25% off x - ′ 999 G 99 G 99 T 99 SAVE N 0/10 C C NG NG F ® ** BU M , V M M x m m Q ® ® ™ ** $ 999 Y 1130 Fremont Blvd (831) • 215 • 6242 Located in Laguna Plaza “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
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Next to the nearly 80-year-old iconic Rocky Point restaurant on a calm Tuesday morning, roughly 20 people gather in a circle on Sept. 22, views of Bixby Bridge visible in the distance. Lorenzo Piazza, an associate architect with the firm working with developer Patrice Pastor, who acquired the property in 2021 through his real estate development company, Esperanza Carmel, stands in the center of the circle holding a poster board. On it are renderings depicting drafts of a new building that will replace the old restaurant—what, from a distance, looks like a glass tube with 47 wooden arches spaced nearly five feet apart. “Our goal is to limit the number of materials and to find a color tone which integrates as much as possible into the environment,” Piazza said to a full room of attendees at a Big Sur Land Use Advisory Committee meeting held later that day, following the morning site visit to Rocky Point. Comments received at the meeting will inform recommendations to the Monterey County Board of Supervisors for review. Most people in the room knew the restaurant intimately, either as frequent visitors or as former employees. One man said he went to prom there, another woman in the audience is the daughter of the original owners. Since 2021, the owner has been working to resolve violations inherited with the property, including issues involving access to public land and several unpermitted projects. In 2024, the California Coastal Commission approved an agreement addressing those violations, clearing a path for the project’s development plans. Rocky Point is the smallest of Renzo Piano Building Workshop’s current projects, the international firm on the project, led by famous architect Renzo Piano and eight partners. The restaurant’s name will remain unchanged, and two employee housing units will remain on the property. In accordance with the Big Sur Land Use Plan, the restaurant’s seating capacity will be reduced by 40 percent, from 200 to 120 seats. The plan also includes public access and restoration of the site, removing eucalyptus trees and replacing them with native vegetation. A picnic area, a parking lot with 55 stalls and public access trails are part of the plan. Major concerns from the public include light pollution, obstruction of views and insufficient staff housing, among others. “Our main issue is, ‘Does it fit the rustic character of Big Sur?’” said Marcus Foster of Keep Big Sur Wild. South Monterey County Joint Union High School District, located in Greenfield and King City, has been overseen by the state since 2009, when the district received an emergency state loan of $13 million after facing financial hardship, mainly related to collective bargaining during the Great Recession. State oversight will end in October because the district has repaid the loan in full and met Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team standards, including community relations and governance, financial management and pupil achievement. District Superintendent Caroline Cota says the district has until August 2029 to pay its debt, but it is ahead of schedule. “We had enough in our reserves to pay it off. There was no reason not to just pay off the loan early,” Cota says. During receivership, the superintendent departed, the district lost local control and the state oversaw spending. Over the past decade, the district regained partial local control but still has an appointed trustee overseeing the school board to ensure the district is making responsible financial/educational decisions. Duane Wolgamott, a trustee appointed by county and state education officials to oversee the district, and Christy White, an external auditor who reviewed the district’s finances, recommended starting the process to exit state control. In August, Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Deneen Guss sent a letter to the state announcing the district’s improvement. “This transition marks a significant step toward full local control and reflects a deliberate and evidence-based determination of SMCJUHSD’s readiness to independently manage its fiscal responsibilities,” Guss wrote. Cota says coming out of receivership will help Measure J, a measure that seeks to reorganize three school districts into TK-12 districts in Greenfield and King City, respectively. SMCJUHSD and MCOE will celebrate the district’s milestone on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at King City High School. Point Made New plans revealed for Rocky Point Restaurant in Big Sur. By Katie Rodriguez NEWS SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED The County of Monterey Veterans Stand Down and Resource Fair offers various services, including health care enrollment, legal help, education, VA claims and more. Veterans are invited to attend. 9am-3pm Friday, Sept. 25. Military and Veterans Affairs Office, 2620 1st Ave., Marina. Free. (831) 647-7613, mvao. org. MIND MATTERS Alzheimer’s Association presents a talk on brain health and how to care for a loved one. 10am-noon Saturday, Sept. 26. St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, 362 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove. Register at bit.ly/BrainHealthSept26. (831) 655-4160. MEET THE CANDIDATES League of Women Voters of Monterey County moderates candidate forums for Marina City Council District 4 and Seaside City Council and mayor. Marina forum: 10:30am-noon Saturday, Sept. 26 at Marina City Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave. Seaside forum: 6:30-8:30pm Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. (831) 648-8683, my.lwv. org/california/monterey-county. SAFETY FIRST For Child Passenger Safety Week, the County Health Department has certified safety technicians on hand to check car seat installations. Learn how to choose the right seat based on a child’s age and size. 10am-1pm Saturday, Sept. 26. 1441 Constitution Blvd., Salinas. Free. (831) 755-4575, bit.ly/MCCarSeatProgram. BE PREPARED Get ready for potential winter storms. The City of Monterey hosts a panel discussion with storm preparedness experts. 6-7:30pm Wednesday, Sept. 30. Monterey Conference Center, 1 Portola Plaza. Free. (831) 646-3760, monterey. gov/stormcenter. TALKING TAX 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. 6pm Wednesday, Sept. 30. Council Chambers, 211 Hillcrest Ave., Marina. Free. cityofmarina.org/measureq. BUILD IT UP The County of Monterey Economic Development Committee has an opening for a member representing the construction industry. This committee advises the Board of Supervisors on economic development issues. Applications due midnight Oct. 9. Apply at apps.co.monterey.ca.us/bccsite. A rendering produced by the architecture firm depicts a new Rocky Point Restaurant, a “lightweight structure” with 47 timber arches and panoramic 360-degree views. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “Does it fit with the rustic character of Big Sur?” RENDERING BY RENZO PIANO BUILDING WORKSHOP Paid Off South County high school district exits receivership three years early. By Celia Jiménez
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 Best Of Monterey County® Readers Poll results on newsstands October 8
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com The Defense Language Institute is reviewing class materials for terms deemed to be critical of the U.S. government or related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) as a result of President Donald Trump’s 2025 executive orders. Emails obtained by the Weekly show that at least some instructors were asked in March to translate terms into their subject languages in order to review or remove specific terms in the foreign language material. Twenty-three terms labeled as “Remove” include: “LGBTQ+, DEI/DEIA, Gender expression, Critical Race Theory, Oppression, Microaggression(s), Implicit Bias, Environmental justice, racial justice,” and more. In addition, 17 terms having to do with gender or sexual orientation, racism or equality are labeled for context review to determine compliance. According to a Sept. 2 email to faculty members, if DEIA-related language comes up during instructional time, the instructor is not required to end the discussion immediately, but should avoid expanding it into advocacy or instruction on the topic. “It’s going to kneecap our military, it hurts our military,” says a teacher at DLI who spoke to the Weekly on the condition of anonymity due to fears about impact to their job. “If our students cannot understand the language our adversaries speak, how are they going to collect intelligence?” The instructor notes that students are put through rigorous courses lasting several weeks to years, and at advanced levels, understanding criticism of the U.S. government is integral to courses. Especially in Persian Farsi and Arabic, the potential elimination of criticism of U.S. support for Israel would eliminate an important part of the course. The focus of the review and removals is on supplementary materials, which teachers often develop and personalize in addition to long-standing curriculum. A Microsoft 365 Copilot AI agent was developed to search supplemental materials and label them as compliant, or out of compliance with DEIAdirectives, according to emails. The AI agent description said it would flag supplemental materials for containing partisan U.S. political material, content favoring or attacking specific U.S. political candidates, parties or domestic partisan agendas. Content regarding non-U.S. politics was authorized. “DLI remains fully committed to complying with all executive orders and federal directives, and we continuously update our curriculum to align with current policy guidance,” DLI spokesperson Natela Cutter writes by email. A presentation provided to instructors notes that domestic U.S. partisan material is prohibited, and that foreign non-U.S. political material is allowed when needed for translating nuance or understanding foreign politics. “Do you want me to go to the government of Iran and tell them to write something really nice about the U.S. because Trump is not happy about what they write?” the teacher says. “We are supposed to teach authentic material. How are we going to do that?” Word Choice Defense Language Institute moves to remove perceived DEI language from classrooms. By Chrissa Olson A review checklist provided to language teachers at the Defense Language Institute notes that supplementary classroom material must align with U.S. Army policies regarding DEIA language. NEWS “It’s going to kneecap our military, it hurts our military.” DANIEL DREIFUSS ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $45,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play Ole! Learn the art of Flamenco with local teacher Jessica Iglesias, bringing Spanish dance to the community for 16 years. Flamenco dance classes are happening now! Call or text for class schedule 831-383-2663 myazaharflamenco@gmail.com All levels welcome Classes held in Marina
www.montereycountynow.com SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 15 Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano faced repercussions from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General for allegedly not following regulatory and operating agreements associated with a Bay Area assisted living facility he owned and operated until late 2017. According to a HUD audit report published in June 2017, the agency began a review of Malfitano’s Cypress Meadows Assisted Living facility in Antioch based on a referral that “asserted that the owner took distributions from Cypress Meadows for expenses other than the operation and maintenance of the project.” According to the review, HUD entered into an agreement with Cypress Meadows Antioch, LLC in 2004 to insure its mortgage of the 110unit facility of more than $14 million under Section 232 of the National Housing Act. HUD determined that Cypress Meadows “was not administered in accordance with its regulatory and operating agreements and HUD requirements.” The review found that Cypress Meadows “disbursed a total of $478,690 for ineligible expenses, was unable to support $65,232 in expenses, and recorded project debt liabilities of an additional $412,723 for ineligible expenses.” The audit noted that Cypress Meadows did not collect $620,937 in rent from residents and did not deposit $163,462 in lease agreement charges into its bank account. Examples of ineligible expenses include $1,352 for an onsite hair salon owned by Malfitano’s wife. “These expenses were not necessary for the operation and maintenance of Cypress Meadows and, therefore, should not have been paid for by the project,” the audit states. Malfitano also violated HUD requirements when he did not collect over $500,000 in rent for three family members residing in two Cypress Meadow units, the audit found. The audit states that Malfitano’s mother and father moved into a two-bedroom unit in 2009, and his mother-in-law moved into a one-bedroom unit in 2014. “HUD told the owner that his parents could not live at Cypress Meadows without paying rent,” the audit found. “However, the owner refused to charge his parents rent and did not include them on the rent rolls. This action reduced the bed capacity of the facility without HUD’s permission.” Additionally, Cypress Meadows did not make payments on its mortgage and was $2.8 million delinquent on its Federal Housing Administrationinsured loan, according to the audit. In a letter included in the report, Malfitano’s lawyers disagree with numerous charges outlined in the audit. Later in 2017, following the review, Cypress Meadows was sold and rebranded as the TreVista at Antioch. Malfitano declined to respond to the Weekly’s questions for this story. As he campaigns for mayor on a ticket of transparency and fiscal discipline, other concerns about his professional history have come to light. Bad Business HUD audit found money problems with Monterey mayoral candidate’s assisted living facility. By Aric Sleeper Vince Malfitano speaks at a candidate forum on Monday, Sept. 21. He is running for mayor against the incumbent, Tyller Williamson, who was elected to council in 2018 then as mayor in 2022. NEWS “The owner refused to charge his parents rent.” NIK BLASKOVICH Just Say NO to Proposition 39 California’s elections are secure. Passing Proposition 39 will lead to more rejected ballots, expose vote-by-mail voters to risk of identity theft, create a modern-day poll tax on Californians, and disproportionately harm women, voters with disabilities, naturalized citizens, and underrepresented communities. Learn more and get the facts at: https://lwvc.org/ballot-initiatives/
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==