Chief Turnaround…While Seaside's police chief and city manager lock horns, their counterparts in Pacific Grove are getting cuddly. Three and a half months after announcing he’d quit in January—a decision he blamed on budget cuts—P.G. Police Chief Darius Engles withdrew his resignation, crediting new City Manager Thomas Frutchey. [KA]

Ugly Record…A 27-year-old Salinas man became the city's 25th homicide victim on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 29. Carlos Anthony Alfaro was walking to his apartment on the 700 block of Williams Road at 1am when, Salinas police say, at least one shooter unloaded several rounds into his face, chest and torso. [ZS]

Butterfly Crash…The Thanksgiving monarch count is in, showing a shocking 96 percent decline at the Pacific Grove Monarch Grove Sanctuary. Despite what appears to be a long-term monarch population decline, neighboring colonies fared better than P.G.’s. The estimate feeds fears that late September tree trimming is to blame. [KA]

Treasurer Candidate Emerges …Mary Zeeb, Monterey County’s assistant treasurer, announced her plans to run for the county’s top tax collector in June 2010. A 23-year county veteran, Zeeb hopes to take the reins from Treasurer-Tax Collector Lou Solton, who is stepping down after holding the post for 25 years. [ZS]

On the Alert…Eighteen Monterey County cities plan to launch a joint SWAT team with expertise in crisis medicine and negotiations.  Currently the cities depend on the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for such services. [RU]

Muse Passes…Nationally known photographer’s muse Charis Wilson, ex-wife of Carmel-based Edward Weston, died in Santa Cruz at age 95.  Both The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times marked her passing. [RU]

Check Ball…California Sea-Kings, a brand new team in the reprised American Basketball Association professional league, plays its first game in history Sunday, Dec. 6, against the Clayton Showtime. After two more games on the road, the Sea-Kings play a home opener against the S.F. Rumble Dec. 13, followed by a gala event at the National Steinbeck Center. [MCA]