Monterey County Weekly (formerly Coast Weekly) 831-394-5656 news/articles

News » May 28, 2009

Monterey scales back library hours, among other proposed cuts, as city leaders try to plug a $7.6 million budget gap.
Jessica Lyons -

John Steinbeck would not have wanted to see any city cut its library hours. But for storytelling purposes, he likely would have appreciated the irony: In 2004, Salinas, Steinbeck’s birthplace,... read on»
A new state rule teases biodiesel consumers who want more.
Kera Abraham -

A huge red arrow points toward a fuel pump at Alliance Mart gas station in Monterey, advertising “BIODIESEL HERE NOW.” But the fuel that flows from the pump is only... read on»
Environmentalists and organic farmers collect signatures to ban genetically modified organisms in Monterey County.
Zachary Stahl -

A group of environmental activists and organic farmers are stepping up their campaign to ban genetically modified organisms in Monterey County – and they’ve got Supervisor Dave Potter’s attention. ... read on»
Crucial local music haven Monterey Live to suddenly shut its doors Monday.
Adam Joseph & Walter Ryce -

At 7:15pm Saturday night, a text message was received by the Weekly, stating: “Monterey Live is closing down this Monday so come in tonight and tomorrow and give your support.” ... read on»
Updates
Staff -

SUPREME BLOW… The California Supreme Court on May 26 decided that voters legally outlawed same-sex marriage through Proposition 8. The much-anticipated decision doesn’t dissolve the unions of 18,000 gay... read on»

News » May 21, 2009

Court upholds Prop. 8 but lets marriages stand
Staff -

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/26/BAE017PTAD.DTL&tsp=1 ... read on»
Superintendent’s DUI is a lesson for Carmel High journalism students.
Kera Abraham -

On a recent Monday afternoon, the reporters for Carmel High School’s biweekly newspaper, The Sandpiper, lean into their laptops. Two girls sit shoulder-to-shoulder and answer questions in unison. A boy... read on»
Voters in Salinas might not get to weigh in on Wal-Mart.
Zachary Stahl -

With Wal-Mart bankrolling the campaign and cash-strapped Salinas footing the bill to put a big-box ban on the ballot, some councilmembers are reconsidering sending this fight to voters. ... read on»
King City school district tries to plug a multi-million dollar hole with help from the similarly cash-strapped state.
Zachary Stahl -

King City Joint Union High School District is broke, and trying to put education on layaway. The district is set to run out of cash in July, and is counting... read on»
Voters soundly reject budget-related measures.
Jessica Lyons -

It didn’t sound like a tweet of defeat: “A big thank you to the pollworkers who are still finishing a long day in service of democracy! (I was a pollworker... read on»
Updates
Staff -

LEAD WEIGHT… As we reported online May 12, one of the oldest condors released in Pinnacles National Monument recently died of lead poisoning at Los Angeles Zoo. Ventana Wildlife... read on»

News » May 14, 2009

KRML may become Carmel’s emergency radio station.
Kera Abraham -

Fans of KRML radio know it for its live jazz concerts, Carmel-centric talk shows and robust blues repertoire. But when the station owner went bankrupt this spring, KRML’s identity dissipated... read on»
County investigates alleged mortgage fraud in South County.
Kera Abraham -

It looked fishy to Monterey County Assessor Steve Vagnini. Eleven houses in Soledad and Gonzales were deeded to Antonio Gomez for prices ranging from about $4,000 to $20,000 each over... read on»
U.S. Supreme Court decision on Voting Rights Act case may affect Latinos in Monterey County.
Zachary Stahl -

The U.S. Supreme Court may strike a section of the Voting Rights Act intended to protect minority voters, in Monterey County and elsewhere, from discrimination. ... read on»
Updates
Staff -

CITIZENS ON PATROL… The same day the Salinas Police Department announced a series of high-profile arrests in gang-related shootings and armed robberies, a 34-year-old man became the city’s 13th... read on»

News » May 07, 2009

Karl Rove plays hardball, performs standup at CSU Monterey Bay.
Zachary Stahl -

Rove sidestepped this one. “Let’s get a real question,” he said to enthusiastic applause. ... read on»
$Jones Town: Gay-rights activist Cleve Jones, at the Salinas Center for Change last week, says rights for the queer community have improved but “there is no such thing as a fraction of equality.”$
Former Harvey Milk aide talks about change in Salinas.
Nic Coury -

“Please don’t divorce my daddies!” reads one sign among the many multicolored banners that plaster the paint-chipped walls inside the Salinas Center for Change, where a full house of about... read on»
Monterey County employees petition to leave SEIU and join National Union of Healthcare Workers.
Zachary Stahl -

County officials are still verifying the petitions internally, says NUHW spokeswoman Sadie Crabtree. (County spokeswoman Maia Carroll declined comment because “it’s a very sensitive environment.”) An election requires at least... read on»
What California can look forward to after the budget-related measures fail on May 19.
Jessica Lyons -

The most recent polls show Propositions 1A-1E – the budget fix Sacramento lawmakers came up with in late February, when they approved a plan to balance the $42 billion deficit... read on»
Superior Court rules in favor of planned Sand City ecoresort.
Kera Abraham -

Ed Ghandour of Security National Guaranty scored a legal victory April 29, when a Superior Court judge invalidated the local water board’s denial of Monterey Bay Shores’ water distribution permit.... read on»
Updates
Staff -

SEASIDE DOT FINALLY… At long last, the city with the seahorse logo has unveiled a new website, featuring pretty pictures, readable fonts and user-friendly tabs. A community events calendar tracks... read on»