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By Eric Johnson
Published Mar 18, 2024

Gov. Gavin Newsom looking troubled in a file photo.
Gov. Gavin Newsom looking troubled in a file photo.

State of the State? We'll See.

Happy Monday.

As you may know, Gov. Gavin Newsom will not be giving his State of the State address this afternoon, as had been planned. That’s because Proposition 1, his $6.4 billion bond aimed at helping unhoused, mentally ill Californians get into shelter and treatment, is too close to call. 

Late last week, the governor's national PAC, Campaign for Democracy, sent an urgent request asking supporters to contact Democrats who have had faulty ballots rejected, and encourage them to get them fixed. This is a little-known maneuver known as a “cure,” which allows voters to correct ballots that have been rejected because of missing signatures or other errors after election day. (You can find out if your ballot was counted by following this link to the state’s Ballottrax service.)

Unhoused Individuals and Mental Health

Prop 1 is narrowly ahead as of Sunday night, and its opponents have conceded the race. Nevertheless, opposition from civil liberties groups and advocates for the mentally ill may have (almost?) derailed the measure.

Newsom’s Prop 1: Revolution or Return to Reason?

An assembly hall at Agnews Developmental Center in Santa Clara. Agnews was one of five hospitals that served California residents with developmental disabilities and mental illness, all of which were emptied in the misguided move toward “community care."
Prop 1 was designed to help unhoused people get off the streets by forcing them into treatment. That’s one reason it took two weeks of vote-counting to pass.

California's CARE Court System: Mental Health & Homelessness

Clinicians will have two weeks to decide whether a mentally ill person qualifies for the CARE Court system.
California’s CARE Court system, which compels treatment for people with severe mental illness, was launched in October 2023 despite efforts by civil liberties groups to stop it.

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Monterey County's Homepage
Direct your browser to https://monterey.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and Monterey County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community!

Recipe of the Week

Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.

See more recipes in their Taste Winter! cookbook.

Crispy potatoes deserve Green Goddess dressing

The cutest little new potatoes are destined to be paired with the herbs at left: parsley, chives and dill.
NEW Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with this delicious side dish

Get to Know a Group

Community Emergency Response Volunteers logo Community Emergency Response Volunteers

Community Emergency Response Volunteers of the Monterey Peninsula's mission is “to support local CERT programs, build public awareness about emergency preparedness, and promote the community's capacity to respond to natural disasters and man-made emergencies.”

→ Learn more

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From Our Media Allies

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King City Rustler logo Community Food Pantry of King City Announces Spring Goodwill Collection Drive

Community Food Pantry of King City is again partnering with Goodwill Industries for another collection drive in April.
King City Rustler logo Community Network Meeting Focuses on Youth Safety and Well-Being in South Monterey County

Vista Verde Middle School in Greenfield recently hosted a community network meeting aimed at fostering a nurturing and safe environment for local youth, families and communities across South Monterey County.
Salinas Valley Tribune logo Design Phase Now Complete for Gonzales Community Center Complex

City of Gonzales has announced that on Feb. 28 the design/build team of Otto Construction/WRNS Studio submitted 100% construction documents for the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex to the city for building code review by its building official.
Monterey County Weekly logo Salinas City Council Set to Appoint Rene Mendez as New City Manager.

After months of reviewing and interviewing several candidates, Salinas City Council is set to appoint Rene Mendez to lead the largest city on the Central Coast.
Monterey County Weekly logo Pacific Grove City Council Takes First Step Toward Switch to District Elections.

The City of Pacific Grove is on its way to switching from at-large to district elections, after the P.G. City Council voted 5-0 on Wednesday, March 6, to hire a demographer to study the makeup of P.G. residents—the first step…
Salinas Valley Tribune logo Highway 101 Northbound Near Chualar Set for Daytime Closures to Repair Culverts

Contracted crews have initiated repairs this week to drainage structures along northbound Highway 101.
Monterey County Weekly logo CSU Student Assistants Vote to Start a New Union Seeking Better Wages and Benefits.

The rising tide of unionization and successful bids by unions to secure more pay and benefits floated the hopes of California State University student assistants last year, envisioning that they too could be recognized and rewarded for their labor. On…
Monterey County Weekly logo The County’s Plan to Replace a Building in Seaside Promises to Be an Upgrade in Services and Aesthetics.

The planned new County of Monterey building in Seaside doesn’t have a name yet, nor has the county identified funding to build it, which the latest estimate pegs at $115 million. But what county officials do have is a vision.
Monterey County Weekly logo Sand City Is Trying to Create a Landmark That Will Both Define and Energize Its Core.

The vision for Sand City’s Art Park was hatched during the height of the pandemic, when the community still wanted to socialize, but also stay outside and at a distance.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Monterey County Educators celebrate Expanded Healthcare Services

Educators in Monterey County now have the affordable, local healthcare services they need and deserve thanks to an agreement between Salinas Valley Health and Municipalities, Colleges, Schools Insurance Group (MCSIG).
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Recent Local News

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● Joby Delivers on U.S. Air Force Contract
Joby Aviation announced it will be delivering the second and third of three aircraft produced at its Pilot Production Line in Marina as part of a contract with the U.S. Air Force.
(03/19/2024) Monterey Herald
● Bay of Life Exhibit Opens at CSUMB
Monterey Bay residents Frans Lanting and Chris Eckstrom, renowned for their work documenting nature, have opened a new exhibit titled "Bay of Life: From Wind To Whales" at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) .
(03/19/2024) The Lutrinae
● CalTrans Highway 1 Slides Update
CalTrans continues to work on a 12 mile stretch of Highway 1 near Big Sur despite recent March rain events as daily resident car convoys continue.
(03/13/2024) Monterey Herald
● Joby Acquires Ohio Manufacturing Facility
Joby Aviation purchased a factory in Ohio for the manufacture of parts for the company's assembly line in Marina.
(03/12/2024) Monterey Herald
● Youth Alliance Distributes Donated Laptops
200 laptop computers were donated to Youth Alliance by AT&T, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Human-I-T, for distribution to Hollister and Gilroy residents lacking "digital basics".
(03/12/2024) Benito Link
● Imjin Parkway Improvement Advances
The Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project has progressed, with tree and brush removal and temporary erosion control installed in preparation for construction work.
(03/11/2024) Monterey Herald
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Recent Statewide News

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● California Speeds Plans to Empty San Quentin's Death Row
California prison officials announced they will move the last 457 condemned prisoners out of San Quentin's death row by summer. They will be transferred to other state prisons and housed in the general population.
(03/18/2024) Los Angeles Times
● Alan G. Sieroty, Former State Senator Who Helped Create the Coastal Commission, Dies at 93
Sieroty, of Beverly Hills, served as a state Assembly member and senator, championing disability rights and efforts to protect California's coast.
(03/17/2024) Los Angeles Times
● California Unlikely to Meet Landmark Goals for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
California will miss its goals unless it can increase emission reductions threefold, according to a new study.
(03/15/2024) Los Angeles Times
● Q&A: How the 50-Year-Old Case That Transformed English Learner Education Began
An interview with Lucinda Lee Katz, the first grade teacher of the lead plaintiff in the Supreme Court case Lau vs. Nichols.
(03/14/2024) EdSource
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Monterey seal. AB481 Military Equipment Town Hall, Monday, March 25, 2024
City of Monterey   (03/18/2024)
Image of City of Gonzales seal. Get Involved & Join One of Our Committees! We still have openings on Measure K. Contact us for more information or complete the application below and send it in.
City of Gonzales   (03/18/2024)
Image of United States seal. Wenders LLC Recalls Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews Because of Possible Health Risk
Wenders LLC of Dublin, CA is recalling specific production lots of Trader Joes Nuts - 50% Less Sodium Roasted & Salted Whole Cashews - (SKU Number - 37884) Lot# T12139, T12140, T12141, and T12142 because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious
United States   (03/16/2024)
Image of City of Marina seal. CITY OPENS APPLICATION PROCESS FOR 3 COMMISSION
The City of Marina is accepting applications for three (3) Commissions. Interested individuals for City Commissions must be residents and registered voters of the incorporated area of the City of Marina.
City of Marina   (03/15/2024)
Image of City of Seaside seal. 2024 Fireworks Booth Permit Application/ Solicitud de permiso para puesto de fuegos artificiales
City of Seaside   (03/15/2024)
Image of State of California seal. Dawn Addis CA Assembly 30: Central Coast Caucus Releases 2024 Budget Priorities
Central Coast Caucus Releases 2024 Budget Priorities sanchema Thu, 03/14/2024 - 09:59 Thursday, March 14, 2024 SACRAMENTO The California Central Coast Legislative Caucus, Chaired by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) introduced its budget priorities for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. The priorities include investments that bolster the economy, environment, and well-being of the Central Coast. "California's Central Coast plays a fundamental …
State of California   (03/14/2024)
Image of United States seal. Kick Ash Products Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in Product
Kick Ash Products of Ellison Bay, WI is recalling Door County Love Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola with Lot #061241, because it may contain undeclared ALMONDS. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to almonds run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume the
United States   (03/13/2024)
Image of City of Marina seal. Dads Read featuring Ron Powell
Our very own Recreation Specialist Ron Powell will be the featured dad for Dads Read.
City of Marina   (03/13/2024)
Image of United States seal. Taylor Farms Pacific Recalls Kroger Brand Ready-To-Eat Apple Walnut With Chicken Salad Bowl Products Due to Misbranding and Undeclared Allergen
WASHINGTON, March 13, 2024 - Taylor Farms Pacific, a Tracy, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 19,976 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) apple walnut with chicken salad bowl products due to misbranding...
United States   (03/13/2024)
Image of City of Marina seal. STOLEN VEHICLE & DUI-DRUG ARREST
A female driver was arrested for DUI and driving a stolen vehicle.
City of Marina   (03/12/2024)