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Staff

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Felix Wins by a Hair…Seaside’s mayoral race was a nail-biter to the finish. With the votes finally tallied Nov. 29, challenger Felix Bachofner edged out incumbent Ralph Rubio by a mere 21 votes. Bachofner and new Councilman (and outgoing Seaside Fire Captain) Alvin Edwards are to be sworn in at the Seaside City Council meeting Thursday, Dec. 2. [KA]

Insurers Slapped…The California Department of Managed Health Care levied nearly $5 million in fines against the state’s seven largest health plans for violations in paying claims. The fines, along with restitution to health care providers and an order to change payment practices, cap an 18-month investigation. [MD]

Mayor Mourned…Lance McClair, who held Seaside’s top elected post from 1982-1994, died Nov. 26 at age 68, reportedly after a long illness. [KA]

Zooming Out…Keith Raybould, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute’s chief operating officer, is headed to Pasadena to take a new job with the Giant Magellan Telescope Organization, overseeing construction of the world’s largest terrestrial telescope. [KA]

Monarchs Return…The good news: Butterfly numbers in Pacific Grove’s Monarch Grove Sanctuary are way up from last year’s dismal low. The bad news: Activists say the city is still bungling management of the potted trees brought in to mitigate damage from last year’s heavy pruning. [KA]

Butts Out in P.G.…On Dec. 1, the Pacific Grove City Council swore in new Councilman Rudy Fischer and voter-approved incumbents Alan Cohen, Robert Huitt, Dan Miller, Ken Cuneo and Mayor Carmelita Garcia. The council also took a final look at a ban on smoking in public spaces. [KA]

17 Mile Drive Slaying…Forty-six-year-old Judith Salazar was stabbed to death at her P.G. home Nov. 21. Police report the father of her grandchild, 26-year old Sunny Nguyen—who was also stabbed the night of the murder—has been arrested as a suspect. [RU]

Otis park revival…Neighbors are still shoveling and planting together to beautify Seaside’s Highland-Otis Park. Volunteers report that two children of the park’s namesake, J. Vincent Otis, will join them on their Dec. 4 planting day. Their next goal is new playground equipment for the kids. [KA]