OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 MONTEREYCOUNTYNOW.COM LOCAL & INDEPENDENT WEED WARS IN MONTEREY 12 | THE BELLY OF THE BEAST 35 | INNER RAPPER 37 | WINE, OFF THE VINE 42 THEN AND NOW How cultural traditions and institutions in Monterey County have transformed over time. p. 20 By Dave Faries, Agata Popęda and Tonia Eaton ALGAL BLOOM Kelp gets a more prominent spot in art and popular consciousness, celebrated at the California Seaweed Festival. p. 30
2 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com H YES ON MEASURE LOWER RENT MORE HOUSING STRONGER SALINAS THE WEEKLY RECOMMENDS YES ON H SALINAS POLICE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION SALINAS VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MONTEREY COUNTY ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS “Salinas needs more housing.” — MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY EDITORIAL BOARD REPEALS THE REGISTRY “A yes vote repeals four ordinances: a rental registry, enacted in 2022...” We completely agree. STATE RENTER PROTECTIONS STAY “A yes vote would send Salinas renters back under state law: Assembly Bill 1482’s 5-percent-plus-CPI cap...” ✔ Real support for affordable housing. New workforce and affordable housing in Salinas, starting now. ✔ Emergency rent funds. So a bad month doesn't become an eviction. ✔ End the rental registry. No government database of renters' personal information. ✔ Cash deposit assistance. Help with the biggest barrier to getting into a home. ✔ Strong protections, kept in place. Every renter keeps AB 1482’s statewide rent cap and just-cause eviction protections. Ad paid for by Protect Salinas Residents 2026 – Yes on Measure H Ad Committee’s Top Funders UDR, Inc. California Association of Realtors Issues Mobilization PAC THESE ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT YES ON MEASURE H THE RENTERS’ DATABASE: The city’s on line registry holds personal information on every renter household in Salinas. No one asked renters, and there is no way to opt out. See the proof at ProtectSalinasResidents.com. Yes on H ends it for good. WHAT YES ON H DELIVERS VOTE YES ON H NOVEMBER 3 Protect SaIinas Residents.com PROUDLY ENDORSED BY MONTEREY COUNTY ENDORSED BY
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 22-28, 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 OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 • ISSUE #1995 • ESTABLISHED IN 1988 Brad Wright (Sony A7R3, Lens: Sony 24-105mm F4 Lens, 1/8 second, F18, ISO 50) The smooth water of Breakwater Cove in Monterey reflects a colorful sunrise. MONTEREY COUNTY PHOTO OF THE WEEK Send Etc. submissions to etcphoto@montereycountynow.com; please include caption and camera info. On the cover: Photographer Josie Iselin illuminates seaweeds on a flatbed scanner to capture their detail and transluscence, as in this piece, titled “Egregia Radiance.” She speaks about her work as an artist, author and storyteller during the California Seaweed Festival. Cover art: Josie Iselin 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 OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 5 Vote For PACIFIC GROVE MAYOR COLETTI Luke Susan Kevin PACIFIC GROVE COUNCIL GOLDBECK HANLEY PAID FOR BY Annette Corcoran & Lee Willoughby PG Tide Pool Coalition. WHAT IS A TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX? Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) is a local tax levied on travelers who stay in temporary lodgings like hotels, motels, and short-term rentals. This tax is paid by visitors and supports vital community services. 5 Key Community Benefits • Supports Roads, Bridges, and Waterways Upkeep • Funds Local Emergency Services • Helps Create a Strong Economic Climate • Encourages Investment & Local Job Growth • 100% of these Funds Stay Local The Transient Occupancy Tax ensures our county thrives, funded almost entirely by the people who come to visit. Learn more at CountyofMonterey.Gov Scan QR Code to learn more about the Transient Occupancy Tax 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/
6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Seaside mayoral candidate and current City Council member Alex Miller was fined $7,000 for posting campaign signs a day before the City’s code allowed. After Miller pushed back, officials decided not to enforce the violation. The code requires candidates to not post signs more than 60 days before the election, or Sept. 4 for this cycle. Miller argued the sign ordinance is unconstitutional and breaches the First Amendment. Seaside City Attorney Sheri Damon says that after Miller raised legal concerns, citing cases that dealt with the issue in other cities—such as in the City of Antioch, where a 60-day pre-election restriction directed specifically at political signs was found unconstitutional—Seaside leaders began reconsidering the rules. However, Miller still faces fines for right-of-way sign violations. “The distinction is important: the City declined to pursue the specified time-and-size citations, but did not agree that the constitutional objections required it to set aside the separate right-of-way violations,” Damon says. “The City’s objective is to respect protected political expression while administering lawful sign-placement requirements fairly.” Good: It’s a good week for some elementary school students in Monterey, Salinas and Soledad who are being treated to special jazz concerts via Jazz Uplifts!, an education program by Monterey Jazz, the nonprofit behind the Monterey Jazz Festival. Bassist, bandleader and educator Corbin Jones is bringing an ensemble from Los Angeles to entertain third- through sixth-graders as well as encourage musical exploration. “He knows how to break it down for younger students,” says Claire Kim-Shin, director of education for Monterey Jazz, adding that Jones is a great storyteller who puts on an engaging performance for young students. He has played with Beyoncé and Leon Bridges, among other greats, and was featured in NPR’s Tiny Desk series. Created in 2023, the hope is to do four Jazz Uplifts! concerts next fall, bringing an additional performance to Gonzales, along with music workshops in conjunction with performances. GREAT: It’s sobering to look at the rising numbers of pedestrians killed in vehicle collisions in Salinas: It’s grown from three in 2023, to six the following year and seven in 2025. Two grants the Salinas Police Department recently received from the California Office of Traffic Safety aim to educate drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians about the rules of the road. On Oct. 15, the department received $100,000 from the OTS to support bicyclist and pedestrian safety initiatives, such as bike training for young people and educational outreach to older residents and the unhoused. It comes on the heels of another $83,000 grant to fund DUI checkpoints and patrols, along with distracted driving enforcement operations. “We’re excited to expand bicycle and pedestrian safety education, increase awareness, and promote safe riding habits to help prevent injuries and make our streets safe for all users,” Sgt. Seth Morten said. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many minutes it is expected for a Joby Aviation aircraft to travel the 67 miles between the Monterey Regional Airport and San Jose Mineta International Airport, compared to 97 minutes by vehicle with no traffic. A study also found that cost and weather conditions could impact service. Source: Monterey Bay Drone, Aviation and Robotics Technology 30 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “One day someone is going to wind up in a very bad situation.” -George Nunez, West Division chief with Cal Fire’s San BenitoMonterey Unit, on the Highway 1 congestion near Point Lobos. The Planning Commission moved forward with a visitor shuttle plan (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). ’26
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 7 ENDORSED BY: Paid for by Nick Smith for Mayor 2026, FPPC #1492151 WWW.NICKSMITHFORMAYOR.COM Cynthia Garfield Pacific Grove Council - District 1 Vote Endorsed by: Monterey County Weekly Monterey Bay Action Committee Monterey County Hospitality Association Monterey County Democrats Monterey County Democratic Women PG Progressives LOCAL experience LOCAL knowledge LOCAL committment Years of service Caring for parks, shore and bay Honoring our city’s history and character Strengthening city finances Supporting businesses Supporting housing options for seniors, young families, residents Addressing visitor impact www.CynthiaGarfieldDistrict1.net Garfield for Council 2026 FPPC#1492380 ENDORSES Incumbent Kim Barber is our choice for Monterey City Council District 1. She demonstrates a commitment to the plight of renters, and doing the people’s business in the open. Her advocacy for the rental assistance program and affordable housing developments have produced tangible results and we think she deserves another term to continue this work. electkimbarber.com SUPPORTING RENTERS ADVANCING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRANSPARENT COMMUNITY-FOCUSED LEADERSHIP Paid for by Team Barber 2026 for Monterey City Council - FPPC#1486618 RENEW MEASURE S Not a New Tax! FIX MONTEREY STREETS YES ON MEASURE S APPROVED BY OVER 82% OF VOTERS Paid for by the Committee for Yes on Measure S FPPC# 1495795 PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY OVER 82% OF VOTERS TAXPAYER PROTECTIONS • Residential Sidewalks will now be included • Over 62% of all sales taxes are paid by other than Monterey residents, (visitors or tourist) • Sunsets after 8-years in 2035 • 12 million dollars (per year) towards a designated specific Measure S fund for Streets, Sidewalks, (residential & commercial), Storm Drains and Accessibility-ADA • Measure S is Fair and Reasonable for continuing to Fix Monterey’s Streets • Previous Measure S in 2019 approved by over 82% of Monterey Voters • Citizen’s oversight Committee and Audits available to the public ENDORSED BY: All current City Councilmembers and the Mayor Former Mayors Clyde Roberson and Chuck Della Salla Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce Monterey County Hospitality Association Monterey Peninsula Taxpayers Association Monterey Commercial Property Owners Association Monterey Firefighters Local #3707 Paid for by the Committee for Yes on Measure S FPPC# 1495795 Endorsed by Monterey County Weekly
8 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com 831 The caffè Americano may have been technically born in Italy, but as the name suggests, it was made for Americans. The addition of hot water to strong espresso was a favorite among American GIs during World War II, simply because it made them feel like home while they were fighting Mussolini’s fascists abroad. Such is the subject of a language lesson taught by Marisa Elia on Saturday, Oct. 10, to a group of about a dozen students at Monterey Peninsula College. Specifically, she’s teaching them how to order an Americano— or anything else one might find at a “bar”—in Sicily. However, this is not an Italian language class; it’s Sicilian, and there are several differences, even within the triangular island off the toe of the boot. One student asks why such differences exist between saying the number five, which is “cinque” (pronounced chinke) in Italian but “cincu” in Sicilian. “Because it’s Italian,” Elia says, as light chuckles emerge from the rest of the class. One of Monterey’s sister cities is Isola delle Femmine in Sicily which, according to the City of Monterey’s website, is a relationship that highlights the cultural and historic ties between the two communities, particularly in regard to the many Monterey residents of Italian heritage. Sicilians specifically are a significant part of Monterey Bay’s fishing and canning history, which is celebrated annually during Festa Italia in Custom House Plaza. Just after that celebration, MPC began offering the Sicilian language class on Saturdays from Sept. 19 through Oct. 31. “It’s good for folks to participate in this,” says Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, who visited Isola delle Femmine in June 2025. “It’s so important not to lose that sense of culture.” Williamson’s mayoral challenger Vince Malfitano, often seen bearing a Sicilian flag pin on his lapel at public events, also visited Sicily last year, and participated in coordinating the creation of the class with Elia. The class begins this Saturday morning with students trickling into the lower-level classroom in the Humanities building by 10am. As they find their seats around the U-shaped table, Elia announces, “buongiorno” (Italian for “good morning”) as each comes in. Everyone responds in kind. While settling into their seats, a conversation about Sicilian and Italian idioms surfaces. Elia uses this as a teaching moment when the word “giufà” (with a soft “g”) is spotlighted. “We change the letters sometimes,” Elia explains. The pronunciation discussion evolves into a conversation about what the word can mean. Colloquially, it can refer to “the town idiot,” but also describes a fish that jumps out of the water onto a fishing boat—a stupid move. “Andiamo,” Elia says to bring the class back to attention. “Amunì o bar” reads at the top of the projector screen. To begin the lesson, Elia describes historical caffès in Sicily, often found in “u salottu di Palermu,” or in a square in Sicily’s largest city, Palermo. Sicilians often enjoy traditional breakfast in places such as these, with brioche bread and coffee drinks adorned with whipped cream. But first, Elia explains that to order in Sicilian, it’s important to learn numbers so the class can know how to pay for breakfast. The class repeats numbers in Sicilian after her, with several of the pronunciations ending in “-u.” After the counting exercise, Elia moves on to words for the several different coffee drinks that a customer might find in a Sicilian bar. “‘Bar’ is not an American bar,” Elia said. “It’s a foreign word.” She goes on to explain that “caffè” means “espresso” in Italian and a “bar” is the place to get it. Speaking with the raddoppiamento sintattico—the syntactic doubling in an Italian accent that “bridges” one word to another using a vowel (like “a”)—Elia explains: “It’s not because the concept is completely different. They open early in the morning and close in the evening.” Elia says several students in the class can speak Italian, while others have no experience at all. The throughline is the language’s history, which Elia uses the later part of the class to teach. As one student raises his hand for help, he involuntarily says, “Scusa.” Clearly, the language is setting in. Living Language Monterey Peninsula College offers a Sicilian language class to those interested in Monterey’s sister city. By Sloan Campi The word “giufà” can refer to “the town idiot.” TALES FROM THE AREA CODE DANIEL DREIFUSS Marisa Elia (left) speaks with students at Monterey Peninsula College during a weekly Sicilian language class. Elia incorporates Sicilian history as a way to teach the language. Advocate for Patients Clinical Quality Expert promoting best practices Assisted hospital to achieve CMS 5 Star rating in 2024, & current 4 Star Understands hospital operations & finances after 40 yrs experience Added a dashboard with safety and clinical metrics to monitor harm to patients Was on the CEO Search Committee for Dr. Radner Supported SVH becoming an Age-Friendly hospital Please Vote on or before NOVEMBER 3rd Re-Elect Catherine Carson, RN, BSN, MPA, CPHQ To Board of Directors, Salinas Valley Health Paid for by Catherine Carson, FPPC# 1451953
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 9 Council Meetings Pushed for fewer meetings Fought for a schedule that complies with the City Charter Council Pay Led the effort to increase Council pay Authored a referendum that gave voters the final say on the pay raise Election Costs Supported a costly special election for the pay increase Fought for a regularly scheduled November vote with negligible cost Council Benefits Supported taxpayer-funded medical benefits for elected officials Authored a City Charter amendment requiring voter approval for City Council pay raises and new benefits Paid for by Bobby Richards for Carmel City Council | FPPC#1496344 Local leaders and educators agree: Megan Whilden is the trusted choice for Monterey County Board of Education, Area 1 ElectMeganWhilden.com @ElectMeganWhilden Endorsed by Paid for by Megan Whilden for Area One Trustee for the Monterey County Board of Education 2026 FPPC#1497182
10 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com NEWS After months of relative quiet, the renewal of a proposed development on the long, grassy airfield in Carmel Valley has reminded residents that it’s not going anywhere. Proposed by developer Patrick Orosco, the project would include 90 housing units. The refiling on Sept. 29 came before the County of Monterey approves and submits its plan to zone for housing, known as a housing element, to the state. Final state approval of the housing element would eliminate “Builder’s Remedy,” a tool that allows developers to bypass local caps on units. (The County Planning Commission approved the housing element on Oct. 14, and it will go to the Board of Supervisors in November.) Builder’s Remedy is what allows for Orosco’s project, initially filed in early 2026. While the old and new proposals are the same, the developer has until March 28, 2027 to submit changes, says Fionna Jensen, a planner in the County Department of Housing and Community Development. Orosco could increase or reduce units by 20 percent before then, Jensen says, without having to refile for a new project. Orosco declined to comment. The development has faced backlash from residents who believe it would change neighborhood character, clog fire evacuation routes, and strain water and sewer systems, says Charlie Wahle, vice president for policy of the Carmel Valley Association. He acknowledges that a lack of housing needs to be addressed. “It’s a chronic problem and it’s getting worse for everyone,” Wahle says. “We believe the way to approach that is a thoughtful process with public input…and Builder’s Remedy throws that whole idea out the window.” Build On The developer of the Carmel Valley Village airfield refiles for a 90-unit development. By Chrissa Olson Jennifer Blevins, owner of Mad Dogs & Englishmen, a coffee bar and bike shop in Carmel, stands in the upper level of her business Monday, Oct. 19, surrounded by a group of mostly men in suits: an architect, another Carmel business owner, attorneys and city staff accompanying the Building Code Board of Appeals. She leads the group on a tour of her shop at the corner of Mission Street and Ocean Avenue, showing them the coffee bar before ushering them through the double doors down the stairs to the bike shop. Blevins aims to demonstrate that, since opening her business in 2018, the occupancy and use of the building has not changed significantly, its current use permitted by the city. For the past two years, she has been in a dispute with city officials over the building’s use and whether the space requires upgrades, including fire sprinklers, a change she says could cost her more than $800,000. “We’re over $100,000 in fees to do something the city should have done,” she says. Blevins has sought professional advice and assembled a team to challenge the city’s position, including attorney Derric Oliver; architect David Beauchamp with Fuse Architects; and Steve Guarino, a former chief of the fire and life safety division at the California State Fire Marshal’s Office. Following the site tour was a lengthy, nearly five-hour discussion about her appeal over the city’s notice of violation. The notice alleges that, because Blevins’ use of the space had changed, the business had fire-sprinklers and restroom requirements that had not been met. After much debate and an initial failed vote, board members unanimously agreed to return within 30 days with a resolution granting the appeal on fire sprinklers and denying it on restrooms. They will also require a fire inspection. During the hearing, Carmel city staff’s central argument was that adding the coffee shop changed the building’s occupancy classification from mercantile/retail to an assembly use, a category that generally includes places where people gather, such as restaurants and event spaces. Staff recommended denying the appeal, arguing the coffee shop could not be considered merely an “accessory” to the bike shop but instead constituted a separate business that increased the number of people it could accommodate. Blevins gave a lengthy testimony presenting a timeline of correspondence with the city, arguing that problems with its permitting process had led to sometimes impractical asks. One, she said, would have prevented the coffee bar from being visible from outside, an obvious impossibility given the upper level’s almost entirely glass walls. She said she had consistently followed the city’s instructions, obtained the necessary permits, passed health, water and electrical inspections and built according to approved plans. She maintained that the alleged violations are not supported by the work she completed and that city officials raised some of Carmel’s requirements long after the original permitting and construction. “You know the old saying: History doesn’t repeat itself but it rhymes,” says Oliver, who represented the owner of A.W. Shucks in recent permitting disputes. “This is a significant rhyming.” Jennifer Blevins, owner of Mad Dogs & Englishmen, leads a site tour of the shop on Oct. 19 for members of the Carmel Building Code Board of Appeals. Code Clash Mad Dogs & Englishmen battles the City of Carmel over building permits and fire sprinklers. By Katie Rodriguez The proposed project would include 70 market-rate single-family homes and 12 low-income and eight moderate-income duplex units on about 17 acres of land owned by Grigg’s Nursery. For two years, she has been in a dispute with city officials. DANIEL DREIFUSS DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 11 LOREM IPSUM Create your own story. Love unconditionally, communicate, ask questions. Just be present through it all. Family and Children’s Services gives you the tools to show up as your best self for those who need you most—especially on the hard days. As a resource parent, you become the backbone of reuniting families. Be the support a child needs. Become a resource parent. HER EXPERIENCE SCAN TO WATCH | fcsmc.org 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 Insured by NCUA 1The dividend rate and Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 10/01/2026. The dividend rate and APY may change at any time. There is no minimum balance required to earn the stated APY. The minimum deposit for the 9-month, 4.30% APY New Money Certificate special is $500. The special 9-month new money term savings certificate can only be opened in-branch or by phone and funded with new money. New money is defined as funds not on deposit at Golden 1 in the 30 days prior to the certificate account opening. 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. These certificates are not extended to organization accounts. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Call 1-877-GOLDEN 1 (1-877-465-3361) for current rates. 100626-MTW Visit a branch, call 1-877-465-3361 or scan to learn more Earn up to 4.30% Limited-time offer with a Term Savings Certificate APY1
12 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com In 2023, the Monterey City Council established four cannabis retail zones on North Fremont Street, downtown, in the Wave Street area, and in the Lighthouse/Foam Street area. Since then, two dispensaries have opened: Off the Charts on Lighthouse Avenue and Element 7 in downtown Monterey. A third dispensary, operated by Monterey Organics LLC, is slated to open at 845 Wave St., once permits are finalized and construction on the building is complete. Despite the Wave Street property’s location in the cannabis retail zoning district, neighbors are pushing back. Brent Waldman, property manager for the building next door, which houses Bistro Moulin, filed a lawsuit on Oct. 15 against the City of Monterey, claiming that it improperly issued zoning clearances and building approvals for the project. As part of the lawsuit, Waldman sought a temporary restraining order to immediately halt construction and commercial development of the property as the case continues through the court system. One of Waldman’s primary arguments against the establishment of a dispensary at that location is its proximity to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, which Waldman argues is “a primary youth educational, enrichment and cultural facility.” According to city code, “No cannabis business may be located within a 600-foot radius measured from property line to property line of a school, day care center, or youth center.” Waldman reports the property is about 450 feet from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. At the Oct. 20 hearing regarding the temporary restraining order, Judge Ian Rivamonte was not convinced that the Aquarium is legally considered a school or youth center because it is not primarily used to host recreational or social activities for minors, per the legal definition. Waldman argued that the Aquarium meets the legal definition because of its robust youth programming and said he is currently conferring with state officials to home in on the definition. In the City’s defense, Monterey City Attorney Christine Davi highlighted a years-long public process that began in 2020 to establish the four cannabis retail zones, including Wave Street. Rivamonte said he recognized the Aquarium has educational programming and activities for children and teens, but “the same can be said for Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.” He denied the temporary restraining order. The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 17. Most school bonds are focused on raising money for facilities, including classrooms, HVAC and athletic fields. Monterey County voters will decide on four school bonds Nov. 3. Pacific Grove Unified School District’s Measure K is the only bond measure focused on instruction and direct student services— including English and math programming, services for students with disabilities and mental health services. The measure would add an $85-per-parcel tax for five years, raising an estimated $800,000 annually. Superintendent Linda Adamson says that if Measure K passes, it would keep before- and afterschool programs affordable. There are 200 elementary students enrolled in these programs and the rates increased from $7 to $8 per hour this school year. “The challenge is that these fees do not cover the full cost of operations. To keep the program running, we must subsidize it each year with a significant contribution from our unrestricted general fund,” Adamson notes. For two years in a row, PGUSD has faced a budget shortfall and made cuts to address them. This year, the board eliminated four teacher positions and a school librarian. Adamson says these reductions weren’t enough and the district is looking for other options. The PGUSD board will also see two new members, since Elliott Hazen (Area 3) and Laura Ottmar (Area 1) aren’t seeking reelection. (In Area 5, incumbent Jennifer McNary will be reappointed with no challengers. Likewise in Area 3, where parent Nicole Rivera is the only candidate.) There are three parent candidates for Area 1: Charles Brinker, a small business owner; Dan Miller, a former P.G. City Council member; and Stephen Bennett, an electronic systems technician who served in the Navy. Miller, who was periodically combative during his time on council, is campaigning on a promise to reverse PGUSD’s shrinking and cutting trend. PGUSD hosts a forum to discuss Measure K on Monday, Oct. 26 from 5-6:30pm at the district office, 435 Hillcrest Ave. Smoke Out Property manager sues to stop cannabis dispensary on Wave Street in Monterey. By Aric Sleeper NEWS BALLOT BOXES Monterey County Elections host a series of “Books & Ballots” events to offer pop-up voting locations. 1-5:45pm Thursday, Oct. 22 at Greenfield library, 315 El Camino Real. 1-6pm Friday, Oct. 23 at King City library, 402 Broadway St. 1-5:45pm Tuesday, Oct. 27 at Carmel Valley library, 65 West Carmel Valley Road. 1-6pm Wednesday, Oct. 28 at CVS, 17579 Vierra Canyon Road, Prunedale. Free. (831) 796-1499, countyofmonterey.gov/elections. EMERGENCY ROOM Pajaro Valley Health Care District holds a town hall about the future of Watsonville Community Hospital. District officials warn the hospital could close within a year if its financial situation is not addressed. 5:30-6:30pm Thursday, Oct. 22. Watsonville Civic Plaza, Community Room, 275 Main St., Watsonville. Free. (831) 724-4741, pvhcd.org. GET VACCINATED Salinas Valley Health offers a community flu clinic. The clinic is open to all. Noon-3pm Sunday, Oct. 25. Castroville Elementary School, 11161 Merritt St., Castroville. Free. (831) 759-1890, salinasvalleyhealth.com/flu. WINTER IS COMING City of Salinas hosts a panel discussion and emergency readiness fair about how to prepare for winter storms. 6-8pm Monday, Oct. 26. Sherwood Hall, 940 North Main St., Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, salinas.gov/Events/ Emergency-Readiness-Expo. PARK OF THE PROCESS Salinas City Councilmember Jose Luis Barajas and the Public Works Department host a meeting on the Preferential Parking Program. Residents are encouraged to ask questions about the program that may affect residential parking. 6-8pm Wednesday, Oct. 28. Alisal High School, multipurpose room, 777 Williams Road, Salinas. Free. (831) 758-7381, salinas.gov. AROUND AROMAS Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church joins San Benito County Supervisor Kollin Kosmicki and guests from local agencies for an update on issues in Aromas. 5:30-7pm Thursday, Oct. 29. Aromas Grange Hall, 361 Rose Ave. Free. (831) 755-5022, glennchurch.com. NAME OF THE GAME Help name three parks in Marina: City Park at the Dunes, City Park at Sea Haven and Hilltop Park. The City of Marina is taking submissions from residents. Submissions accepted through Dec. 31. Free. (831) 844-1253, bit.ly/ MarinaParkNaming. Tuition Rate Pacific Grove Unified seeks to raise funds for student programming with Measure K. By Celia Jiménez Monterey Organics LLC has filed for a permit to open at 845 Wave St., next door to restaurant Bistro Moulin and a block up from the Monterey Bay Aquarium entrance. E-MAIL: publiccitizen@montereycountynow.com PUBLIC CITIZEN “The same can be said for Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm.” DANIEL DREIFUSS
www.montereycountynow.com OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY 13 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 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. • 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 ’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 ’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 • 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 PACIFIC GROVE ANIMAL HOSPITAL Thank You So Much for Voting Us BEST VETERINARIAN Dr. Brynie Kaplan Dau, MS, DVM Six 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 ’26 ’24 ’25 WWW.SUNSTREETCENTERS.ORG Whether you're seeking support for yourself or a loved one, Sun Street Centers offers personalized treatment services designed to help individuals build healthier lives. - PRIVATE INSURANCE & SELF PAY - Compassionate Outpatient Services Now Available on the Monterey Wharf! 245 Washington St, Monterey Call Us for Other Locations! 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (831) 753-6001 Certification No. 270003KN. Expires 4/30/2028 Sant a Luci a Apar t ment s Grand Opening & Ribbon-Cutting Join us as we celebrate 20 new units for Soledad Teachers and District Staff! Sol edad Uni f i ed School Di st r i ct Tuesday, October 27, 2026 4:00 P.M. 183 Soledad Street, Soledad, CA 93960 I n Par t ner shi p Wi t h Soledad Unified School District invites the community to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon-cutting of its new 20-unit Workforce Housing community. Built exclusively for District employees, the project was funded by Measure N, a bond approved by Soledad voters in November 2020.
14 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com Only one board seat is up for grabs on the Salinas Valley Healthcare Memorial District Board of Directors on Nov. 3. The other three seats had no challengers, so those candidates will automatically be appointed. In Zone 4, covering South Salinas and parts of Monterey County to the west and south, incumbent Catherine Carson is facing challenger James Dacus, a retired SVH internal medicine physician and U.S. Army veteran. In the last several weeks, Dacus has amassed donations from the agricultural industry of over $50,000, which could prove a formidable challenge to Carson, who loaned nearly all of her campaign cash to herself in her first election cycle, totaling $37,100. Earlier this year, a report filed for that campaign noted a deficit of $25,868. Carson was elected in 2022, beating an incumbent and two others. She ran on her experience of more than 45 years as a registered nurse and hospital administrator overseeing quality control. She says she’s running for another term to complete several projects, including helping SVH achieve a five-star rating with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, as well as maintaining a key federal accreditation. “This is an ‘all hands-on deck’ effort with participation of all levels of hospital and medical staff,” she says. The effects of the federal H.R. 1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” passed in 2025, will bring one of the biggest challenges to SVH, she says, adding she is engaged with the hospital’s leadership, as well as leaders at other hospitals and clinics to develop strategies on how to handle the increasing number of uninsured and underinsured patients. Dacus, who retired last year after practicing in Salinas for 40 years, says he was encouraged to run by some SVH medical staff members who said the board needed a physician’s voice. They turned to Dacus who had served as chief of staff twice at SVH. He believes the next few years are going to be tough on the district. He sees Kaiser Permanente’s move into the county as a possible threat, taking privately insured patients away from SVH. Dacus sees his decades-long connection to important community leaders, like Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms, as potentially helpful in the hospital’s future. “I have taken care of a lot of the descendants who made the hospital, who put the shovels in the ground the first time. Those are the kind of people who made the hospital and are probably going to help save [it],” Dacus says. As for the three board seats where there are no challengers, Joel Hernandez Laguna will serve for a third term in Zone 5, having first been appointed in 2020 and reelected in 2022. In Zone 3, Isaura Arreguin, who was appointed in 2025 to fill an unexpired term, will serve two more years. Kathie Haines, who serves as president of the board for Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley, will begin a fouryear term in Zone 1. New Upstart A longtime Salinas doctor is challenging the incumbent, a retired nurse, for the SVH board. By Pam Marino Dr. James Dacus decided to run for the SVH Board of Directors after members of the medical staff urged him to do so. He worked for 40 years as an internist and primary care physician. NEWS Dacus has amassed over $50,000 in donations from ag. DANIEL DREIFUSS A working-class Mayor who understands Marina Our Community. Our Voice. Our Future. “Join me in Building a stronger Marina where diverse voices are heard, respected, and valued” —Mike Moeller MikeforMarina.com 831-769-6383 PAID FOR BY MOELLER FOR MAYOR 2026 • FPPC #1491273 carmel plaza carmel-by-the-sea trunk show fri-sun oct 23rd-25th New Amflow PX & PR Bikes OPEN TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY In Downtown Santa Cruz – 585 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz See website or phone for details • 831-621-2309 • www.currentebikes.com ARRIVING IN SEP / OCT PRE-ORDER YOURS TODAY MENTION THIS AD FOR AN ADDITIONAL $50 OFF ANY BIKE IN STOCK ELECTRIC BICYCLES
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