News » July 2009

Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin resigns.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/04/us/politics/04palin.html?_r=1&hp ... read on»
By Staff posted July 04, 2009 12:59 AM
Comments: 0
 
No Need for Backup: Medics and police surround Francisco Torres in front of the Castroville fire station after he received a laceration above his eye during his arrest a couple of blocks away.
Cops crack down on Castroville gangs, some community members say it’s excessive force.
Cops and medics surround Francisco “Frankie” Torres in front of the Castroville fire station. His face bleeds after Monterey County Sheriff deputies arrested him at his nearby home. The Sheriff’s... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted July 02, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Office Space : Carmel Mayor Sue McCloud plays coy when asked if City Administrator Rich Guillen will be disciplined in response to a lawsuit accusing him of sexual harassment.
Rich Guillen is still at Carmel City Hall – but laying low.
In the morning of June 26, Carmel-by-the-Sea’s headquarters are calm. Administrative Coordinator Becky Reisdorf takes calls by City Hall’s service window. Employees occasionally cross the hall from the planning department,... read on»
By Kera Abraham posted July 02, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Sun Roof: Solar panels power this Elm Street home in Seaside. If approved by County Supervisors, a clean energy fund would give homeowners up-front money for eco-upgrades including solar panels.
County explores the hottest trend in clean energy financing.
Sign up for higher property taxes. It’s good for your wallet, your county and the planet. That’s the message from supporters of a local “clean energy revolving fund,” a pot... read on»
By Kera Abraham posted July 02, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Sustainable Showcase: Marina Mayor Bruce Delgado wants future development to “create an economic engine” for the city and maintain open space.
Cypress Knolls sues Marina for cost of extending California Avenue.
The senior housing developer Marina kicked to the curb is coming after the city for cash. Cypress Knolls LLC is suing Marina for more than $320,000, the amount the company... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted July 02, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
5,865: The number of days, as of Sunday, June 28, that Rep. Sam Farr has served locals in Congress, making him the longest-serving representative from the Central Coast – Leon Panetta served 5,864 days. Source – Monterey County Democrats, Wikipedia.
Updates
SHOVEL READY… Monterey County’s first federal stimulus project has broken ground, or, more accurately, been installed in the ground. It’s a traffic signal at Oak and Front streets in... read on»
By Staff posted July 02, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Michael Jackson Dies at 50.
The Los Angeles Times reports that pop star Michael Jackson died after being rushed to a hospital near his home.
... read on»
By Staff posted June 25, 2009 03:45 PM
Comments: 1
 
1 Billion +: The number of hungry people in the world, which just eclipsed such a sum for the first time ever. An estimated 5 million young children will die from hunger-related causes this year alone. Source - California Department of Health Services
Updates
MUSICAL RESUSCITATION… Last week we detailed the financial downfall of Monterey Live and the void its closure created in the local music scene. Blue Fin Café & Billiards on... read on»
By Staff posted June 25, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Winning Pair: Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were Monterey County’s two top grape varieties in 2008, valued at $92 million and $48 million, respectively.
In Monterey County, sometimes money does grow on trees (and on vines and in the dirt).
Last year’s wine grape season didn’t give Monterey County growers any reason to uncork a celebratory bottle. Because of extreme weather, wine grapes lost 5 percent in value last year,... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted June 25, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Carmel HR Manager alleges harassment and discrimination.
In recent years, the raciest public scandals in prim Carmel-by-the-Sea have involved a charity calendar of semi-nude senior women and a school superintendent who got caught driving drunk. ... read on»
By Kera Abraham posted June 25, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
First, Amendments: Jimmy White and Tracy Parker amend the Martin Park's sandy soil with compost to prepare it for a sumac sapling.
Neighbors unite to beautify Seaside’s Martin Park.
It’s an overcast, blustery Saturday, but Tracy Parker and Jimmy White are intent on getting a sumac sapling into the ground. ... read on»
By Kera Abraham posted June 25, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Debate about state parks closures focuses on economic value.
Campfire smoke coiled through late afternoon sunbeams as Alisa Fineman sang “Corridor,” an original song inspired by a drive down Highway 1, at Sunday’s Save the Parks rally at Pfeiffer... read on»
By Melissa Cessna posted June 25, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Fan Favorite: A full house packs in to catch Tornado Rider.
Lawsuits and loans kill Monterey Live.
Beneath the jazzy stage and revered concerts at Monterey Live was a rickety financial foundation. While touring bands passed through, an absent landlord accumulated debt and a club owner took... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted June 18, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 5
 
Carbon Calculations: California Energy Initiatives founder Tom Rosewall sees a chance to make a buck on soon-to-be-mandatory laws aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Locals see the business opportunities in climate legislation.
Tom Rosewall is an unlikely climate champion. He wears impeccable Italian leather shoes, slicks back his Bill Maher hair and has a propensity to talk about himself in the third... read on»
By Kera Abraham posted June 18, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Dems, GOP can’t agree on Cal budget crisis.
California’s countdown towards a “meltdown” continues. The joint legislative conference committee has been meeting this week – but has yet to come up with a solution to the state’s $24... read on»
By Jessica Lyons posted June 18, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Power Parking: Drivers can top off their EV batteries at the West Custom House Garage on Franklin and Tyler streets in Monterey.
Local stakeholders plan (and pray) for electric vehicle influx.
California’s aggressive climate change legislation calls for a reduction of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020. Hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) have the potential to cut emissions from passenger... read on»
By Melissa Cessna posted June 18, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 1
 
60: The weight, in pounds, of Tillman the skateboarding, snowboarding, skimboarding bulldog, who will appear as part of the June 20-21 Carmel Crossroads grand opening of Northern-Californian-born-and-bred Pet Food Express. Animal Friends Rescue Project, the SPCA and the Salinas Animal Shelter will also attend the 10am-2pm two-day event. Source – Thomas Brand Consulting.
Updates
Animal House… Last week we reported the Hartnell College Board of Trustees voted to ax its Animal Health Technology Program, despite allegations of Brown Act violations. The Monterey County... read on»
By Staff posted June 18, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
200,000: The estimated number of house calls that will be made to assist consumers struggling with the transition to digital television. The shift happens Friday, June 12. Call 1-888-CALL-FCC or visit www.dtv.gov for help. Source - The Federal Communications Commission.
Updates
KING CITY BAILOUT… A $13 million loan to bail out King City Joint Union High School District is slowly making its way through Sacramento. On June 8, SB 130... read on»
By Staff posted June 11, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Dogged Determination: Karen Ivey, a 4-H volunteer who takes Animal Health Technology classes at Hartnell, told trustees the program runs on a shoestring budget with two donated horses, three rodents and one full-time director in charge of 14 classes.
Hartnell College cuts veterinary program; students complain to the D.A.
Brushing off accusations of violating the Brown Act and muzzling student testimony, Hartnell College’s Board of Trustees axed its Animal Health Technology Program on June 8. Students, mainly women seeking... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted June 11, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 6
 
Balancing the Books: P.G. finance officials say the city’s considering reducing library hours or consolidating with Monterey’s library to save money.
P.G. budget shrinks with the recession.
They’ve already slashed staff, raised taxes and partly privatized the museum. Now, Pacific Grove city officials are digging even deeper to balance the 2009-10 budget. ... read on»
By Kera Abraham posted June 11, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 1
 
Spend Money to Make Money: Hotel taxes are down, so Monterey County should spend money to market itself as a vacation destination. “Right now when we have tough economic times we can do a better job targeting Bay Area tourists,” says Supervisor Simón Salinas.
Monterey County balances its budget, and waits for news from the state.
Monterey County’s 2009-10 budget is balanced – for now. But this is likely to change as the state struggles to fill its own nearly $24 billion deficit, according to county... read on»
By Jessica Lyons posted June 11, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 1
 
Eye on the Prize: Democratic Assemblywoman Anna Caballero’s got her eye on soon-to-be-termed-out Republican Sen. Jeff Denham’s seat in Sacramento.
Caballero eyes another term in the state Assembly – or Senate.
Assemblywoman Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) says she’s seriously considering a run for the California Senate. With Sen. Jeff Denham termed out and Supervisor Simón Salinas, a former assemblyman, recently bowing out,... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted June 11, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 1
 
Rare Catch: prickly shark
A very rare shark makes a very brief visit to the Aquarium.
Most don’t know that prickly sharks have spines on the scales of their upper bodies, that they live in deep, dark waters or that they are endangered. ... read on»
By Melissa Cessna posted June 10, 2009 04:00 PM
Comments: 0
 
Not Cutting It: As an undocumented immigrant, Sandra Rangel (right) says her job opportunities are largely limited to field work, hotels and restaurants. Rangel tried picking strawberries but says the work was too difficult.
Schwarzenegger’s plan would cut welfare money to low-income families and kids.
Sandra Rangel depends on a monthly state check to put a roof over the heads of her 13-year-old twin sons and 3-year-old daughter. The Castroville single parent lost her job... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted June 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 4
 
Alarm Bells Ringing: The state’s proposal to borrow money from cash-strapped local governments would mean cuts to services like police and fire.
Local governments buck state’s threat to borrow.
The financially desperate state of California may have the power to take more money from local governments. But the county of Monterey, and most of its cash-strapped cities, are crying... read on»
By Kera Abraham posted June 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 
Fields of Fury: UFW flags were a common symbol in Salinas fields during the ’70s when Chavista farmworkers went on strike after growers signed contracts with the Teamsters union.
Vinegar in the Valley documents Salinas’ labor struggles in the ’70s.
Salinas Valley growers feared a repeat of Delano. In 1970 Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers successfully won a contract with major grape grower Giumarra after violent clashes in... read on»
By Zachary Stahl posted June 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 2
 
Group says state gathering is needed to fix budget mess.
Staring down the $24.3 billion budget hole, the state’s facing cataclysmic cuts – slashing school funding, the wholesale elimination of welfare payments and medical coverage to kids, closing 80 percent... read on»
By Jessica Lyons posted June 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 1
 
0: The amount it costs kids 9-17 to attend the 14th annual Herm Edwards Football Camp at Monterey Peninsula College June 27-28. Call the MPC athletic office to register (646-4220). The deadline is June 19; enrollment is limited to the first 500 young athletes. Source - Monterey Peninsula College.
Updates
BIG-BOX BROUHAHA… Wal-Mart won – sort of. The Salinas City Council Tuesday, June 2 repealed its big box ordinance and directed staff to negotiate with the giant retailer over how... read on»
By Staff posted June 04, 2009 12:00 AM
Comments: 0
 

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