Basin Complex Fire Update: Highway 1 Closed South of Palo Colorado — Fire 200 Yards from Ventana Inn

By Bradley Zeve posted July 03, 2008 05:56 PM

Fire Update: July 3, 6pm

More than 10,000 acres burned today, with the size of the fire now at more than 64,000 acres.

The evacuation in Big... read on»

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Big Sur residents meet nightly for updates on the Basin Complex fires.

By Mark C. Anderson & Zachary Stahl posted July 03, 2008 12:00 AM

Mike Gilson drops two big stacks of hot pizzas on the wooden bench outside Big Sur Station on Thursday, June 26. Even though his rented home on Newell Ranch burnt... read on»

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A look at the ecological impacts of the Big Sur wildfires.

By Kera Abraham posted July 03, 2008 12:00 AM

Big Sur enthusiasts may be horrified to see the Indians and Basin Complex wildfires turn postcard-quality forests into black moonscapes. But scientists remind us that fire is a critical ingredient... read on»

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Ventana Wildlife Society’s heroic effort to rescue Big Sur’s condors.

By Stuart Thornton posted July 03, 2008 12:00 AM

A single plume of smoke billowed up from Big Sur’s Basin Fire on June 22 like a blown volcano. As the wildfire carpeted more and more of the region’s steep... read on»

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Hundreds of thousands of dollars for veterans’ training will go away in two months.

By Jessica Lyons posted July 03, 2008 12:00 AM

Joseph Werner desperately wants to give away nearly $200,000– before the money disappears. About a year ago, the state awarded the Monterey County Workforce Investment Board $500,000 in federal money... read on»

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Updates

By Staff posted July 03, 2008 12:00 AM

AIR QUALITY WORSENS… Last week we reported on surprisingly good local air quality, despite the wildfires raging through the region. That prognosis, unfortunately, dimmed as a funky weather pattern... read on»

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The Weekly Tally

By Staff posted July 03, 2008 12:00 AM

Amount needed to complete the Leadership Salinas Valley-Train Trestle Project. Phase 1 of three, painting the train trestle and “Welcome to Oldtown” sign is scheduled to be completed by mid-July.... read on»

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Big Sur Fire Takes Turn For The Worse — Residents Ordered to Evacuate

By Bradley Zeve posted July 02, 2008 10:01 PM

The dense coastal fog offered firefighters some reprieve earlier this week in the intensifying Basin Complex Fire in Big Sur. But Wednesday the fire jumped several key firebreaks to threaten... read on»

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Big Sur Burning

By Jessica Lyons posted June 26, 2008 06:03 PM

Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies evacuated some 75 residences and businesses beginning Saturday, June 21 between Partington Ridge and Graves Canyon in Big Sur—and the Basin Complex Fire rages on, along... read on»

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Gangsters shot and killed Jose “June Bug” Soto. Now his family patrols Salinas streets in an effort to prevent future violence.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

The night begins with prayer. A dozen parents and church members form a circle and shout invocations at the bustling corner of Natividad and East Laurel streets in Salinas. They... read on»

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County picks a site for reentry facility.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

After months of scouting far-off spots in Soledad and even Fort Ord, Monterey County has found a state reentry facility site closer to home. A county ad hoc committee wants... read on»

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Wildfires miraculously spare the air we breathe.

By Staff posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

With roughly a dozen fires torching the Central Coast in the past two weeks, local medical workers have braced for a spike in respiratory complaints. But despite the spread of... read on»

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Sluggish permitting pushes P.G. Farmers Market date to July 21.

By Kera Abraham posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

The Pacific Grove Certified Farmers Market is moving at the pace of an heirloom tomato plant, taking its sweet time getting to the point people can enjoy it. ... read on»

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Atmospheric water generator among exciting developments announced at eco event.

By Mark C. Anderson posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

The giver of life has been given new life. Or at least that’s one way to look at the implications of a brand-new technology that local green-project developers Earth Smart... read on»

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Updates

By Staff posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

CLEANING HOUSE… Looks like the Pacific Grove City Council will sport several new faces next year. Two of the three incumbents whose terms are expiring– Susan Nilmeier and Daniel Davis–... read on»

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Home-schooled boys with fake guns creep around Seaside High.

By Kera Abraham posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

Two males wearing camouflage and toting long guns crept through the gully between Monterey Road and Peninsula Point Drive, moving in the direction of Seaside High School. ... read on»

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The Weekly Tally

By Staff posted June 26, 2008 12:00 AM

suppression costs through June 22 for the Indians Fire in the Los Padres National Forest, which has included 68 crews, 112 engines, 14 helicopters, seven air tankers, and 14 dozers.... read on»

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LBAM Spraying Canceled

By Kera Abraham posted June 19, 2008 03:52 PM

The California Department of Food and Agriculture on June 19 canceled plans to spray synthetic pheromone products over California counties in an effort to eradicate the invasive light brown apple... read on»

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News Updates 6-19-08

By Staff posted June 19, 2008 12:00 AM

THE WINNER IS… Results are in from last weekend’s 28th annual Sunshine Surfabout. Zach Downing won in the open longboard and open bodyboard events, and took home the Waterman Award,... read on»

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A federal bankruptcy judge appoints a trustee to right Cedar Funding.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 19, 2008 12:00 AM

On Tuesday, June 17, a federal bankruptcy judge appointed trustee Todd Neilson to take over the sinking investment firm Cedar Funding Inc. from owner David Nilsen. ... read on»

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Strawberry production booms in Monterey County– and so does pesticide use.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 19, 2008 12:00 AM

While strawberries rose to Monterey County’s number two crop last year, residents living next to the sweet-smelling berry fields reported a higher number of illnesses stemming from the crop’s favored... read on»

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Former councilwoman Susan Goldbeck announces City Council candidacy.

By Kera Abraham posted June 19, 2008 12:00 AM

Former Pacific Grove city councilwoman Susan Goldbeck has announced her plan to run for City Council– again. Goldbeck served on the council from 2002 to 2006 but lost her 2006... read on»

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Friends of Carmel Forest scores more room in city budget for seedling care.

By Kera Abraham posted June 19, 2008 12:00 AM

An old Monterey cypress takes the shape of the wind, dark branches framing Carmel Beach. The image graces photographers’ portfolios, travel blogs and visitors guides. ... read on»

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The Weekly Tally

By Staff posted June 19, 2008 12:00 AM

Money saved annually by a two-person, one-car household that uses public transportation, compared with a household that doesn’t use public transportation. national dump the pump day– an event encouraging people... read on»

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LAFCO Board considers C.V. incorporation– maybe.

By Jessica Lyons posted June 19, 2008 12:00 AM

From the looks of things, Local Agency Formation Commission board members like to keep up their aura of mystery– although some might call their behavior nonsensical, as well as unexplained.... read on»

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Federal judge orders trustee for Cedar Funding Inc.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 13, 2008 02:45 PM

A U.S. Bankruptcy judge in San Jose on Friday ordered the appointment of a trustee to oversee Cedar Funding Inc.
While Charles Logan, attorney for company owner David Nilsen, argued... read on»

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Parker learns of her apparent victory from Mettee-McCutchon.

By Jessica Lyons posted June 12, 2008 12:00 AM

The Board of Supervisors likely will have a more progressive bent come January, with the apparent election of Jane Parker. According to the most recent tally by the elections department,... read on»

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News Updates 6-12-08

By Staff posted June 12, 2008 12:00 AM

EMINENTLY CONFUSED… On June 5, the Seaside City Council bucked an advisory panel’s recommendation and unanimously approved a renewal of the city’s eminent domain powers within redevelopment areas. The... read on»

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The Weekly Tally

By Staff posted June 12, 2008 12:00 AM

Percent of Americans who believe in God as of May 2007, down from 90 percent in May of 2004. Eighty-one percent of those polled nationwide in ’07 also believed in... read on»

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Salinas police work overtime to try to quell gang violence on city streets.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 12, 2008 12:00 AM

It’s not yet summer and already 15 mostly gang-related homicides have rocked Salinas. Gang members are firing at crowds of people. Brazen shooters are taking aim in broad daylight. And... read on»

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Sustainable Pacific Grove gets things done– and raises eyebrows.

By Kera Abraham posted June 12, 2008 12:00 AM

It seems like the little organization that could. At only 2 years old, Sustainable Pacific Grove has taken up a big public presence: hosting eco-booths at Good Old Days; running... read on»

Comments: 1

 

Salinas city employees’ retirement money languishes in struggling subdivision.

By Michelle Caldwell posted June 12, 2008 12:00 AM

About 630 Salinas city employees and retirees have a problem: Their retirement money is at risk. City officials won’t actually tell them that, though. On June 5, Finance Director Tom... read on»

Comments: 4

 

Risky real estate market hurts Salinas agribusiness

By Zachary Stahl posted June 12, 2008 12:00 AM

Basil and Roger Mills, veering from their agribusiness roots at Mills Family Farms, put a ton of money on the line with Monterra Ranch and other housing developments. Now two... read on»

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Parker learns of her apparent victory when Mettee-McCutchon congratulates her.

By Jessica Lyons posted June 10, 2008 02:23 PM

The Board of Supervisors likely will have a more progressive bent come January, with the apparent election of Jane Parker. According to the most recent tally by the county elections... read on»

Comments: 0

 

City will spend about $385,000 on legal services this year.

By Kera Abraham posted June 05, 2008 12:00 AM

To haul itself out of financial quicksand, the City of Pacific Grove has slashed jobs and shrunk services. Now, city leaders are looking to lighten legal costs by hiring a... read on»

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Updates

By Staff posted June 05, 2008 12:00 AM

PLAY MONEY… Last week we broke the story about Central Coast Assemblyman John Laird’s State Park Access Pass, a plan to fund state parks by charging a once-a-year vehicle... read on»

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Challenger Jane Parker narrowly beating Ila Mettee-McCutchon in supervisorial race.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 05, 2008 12:00 AM

Jane Parker waltzes through the doorway of Ol’ Factory Cafe dressed in a black pantsuit. Her supporters, who are drinking beers and munching on fish and chips, clap and shout... read on»

Comments: 0

 

Hood and Hornik face runoff in November.

By Michelle Caldwell posted June 05, 2008 12:00 AM

Just after 3am on Election Night, only one thing is certain in the race for Monterey County Superior Court Judge: Frontrunner Tom Wills’ name will not be on the November... read on»

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Primary election puts Bill Monning on track to Sacto.

By Jessica Lyons posted June 05, 2008 12:00 AM

Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt are nowhere to be seen at Assembly hopeful Bill Monning’s Election Night party at the SEIU offices in Santa Cruz. Both singers endorsed Monning for... read on»

Comments: 0

 

Horses and dogs compete for space in Marina.

By Zachary Stahl posted June 05, 2008 12:00 AM

Allan MacDonald grabs a wooden cane to complete his bulky, fatigue-green Army uniform embellished with tarnished medals dating back to World War II. The 84-year-old retired sergeant stands outside the... read on»

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May 2008 »