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Graphic which spells out The Newsletter.


By Chris Neklason
Published Aug 05, 2024

A screenshot of the CalFire active incidents web page from August 4, 2024. Yikes. A screenshot of the CalFire active incidents web page from August 4, 2024. Yikes. Image credit: CalFire   Public Domain

California Fire Season Grinds On

I hate to be a broken record droning on and on about wildfires, but California is breaking records with the hottest July ever, leading to possibly the worst fire season ever.

Global average temperatures are fast approaching 1.5°Celsius above pre-industrial levels—a tipping point—and the extreme weather predicted by climate scientists is already upon us.

We've previously written about how communities are devoting resources to prepare for and respond to extreme events, and in this issue of The Newsletter we want to shine a spotlight on a partnership building community resilience in North Tahoe.


The Tahoe Truckee COAD—Community Organizations Active in Disaster

Our friends at the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation are working to keep Tahoe blue, green, and resilient.


Building Community Resilience in North Tahoe

A CalFire tanker aircraft drops a plume of fire retardant on a forest.
The Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation develops partnerships to prepare and respond to emergencies with its COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster).


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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!


Become a Watch Duty Sponsor or Volunteer

You will no doubt remember our article about the Watch Duty app which provides a one-stop portal for active wildfire information. 

This fire season is straining these volunteer fire-watchers' resources as they continue to inform local communities facing nearby wildfires. 

Please consider donating or volunteering to help them help you stay informed and prepared.

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 Summer! cookbook.


Marinate smaller zucchini for a cool summer salad

Herbs added just before serving finish off this  salad that makes use of smaller zucchini and summer squash.
New! Lemon, garlic and herbs flavor this no-cook side dish


Impact Report Image for decorative use


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.”

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From Our Media Allies

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Monterey County Weekly logo Improvements on Front Street in Soledad Are Underway.

One the most important roads in Soledad is Front Street. It runs through downtown and is the main road that takes you in and out of the city.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo City of Soledad Launches Crack Seal Project

City of Soledad launched a crack seal project in July to help roads last longer and give motor vehicles a smoother drive.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Center Seeks Egg Donations to Feed Growing Number of Wildlife Patients

SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is currently caring for 145 wild patients, and the need for food is immense. They are asking the community for donations of eggs to help feed these animals.

Monterey County Weekly logo Seeking Clarity on How to Lift a Cease-and-Desist Order on Peninsula Water, a Private Meeting Brings the State Water Board to Monterey.

Water woes on the Monterey Peninsula go back for decades. In 1995, the State Water Resources Control Board issued Order 95-10, declaring that California American Water was entitled to take only 3,376 acre-feet of water a year from the Carmel …

Salinas Valley Tribune logo CSUMB Receives $2M NOAA Grant for Climate Change Mitigation

The Climate Resilience Regional Challenge grant, aimed at combating the effects of climate change, will bring $2 million to California State University Monterey Bay.

Monterey County Weekly logo Kaiser Makes It Official: The Health Care Giant Will Offer Services in Northern Monterey County in 2025.

On Tuesday, July 30, Montage Health's CEO Stephen Packer told an audience at a Monterey Peninsula Chamber of Commerce breakfast that Kaiser Permanente, one of the country's biggest health care systems, would be in Monterey County within a year or …

Monterey County Weekly logo Friends of Laguna Seca Take Over Long-Term Management of the Park and Its Iconic Track.

A saga delayed by an aimless lawsuit finally played out to its much-anticipated happy ending—and beginning.

Monterey County Weekly logo Pacific Grove Mayor Bill Peake Withdraws From the November Election.

Pacific Grove Mayor Bill Peake seemed determined to run for a fourth term—he took out candidate filing papers on the first day of the nomination period, July 15, according to the P.G. City Clerk's office—but about a week later he …

Monterey County Weekly logo Federal Investigation Finds Repeated Acts of Antisemitism Created a ‘Hostile Environment’ in Carmel Unified.

If the walls could talk… in school bathrooms they don’t need to. In many cases, students leave behind graffiti in the bathroom. Sometimes, those messages are not just gossip, but hate.

Monterey County Weekly logo County Jail’s Health Care Provider Could Face Fines for Noncompliance.

The County of Monterey and its health care contractor in the jail, Wellpath, continue to be “substantially” out of compliance with the terms of a 2015 settlement, according to a neutral third-party monitor’s report.

Monterey County Weekly logo Salinas Union High School District to Implement a Cellphone-Free Campus in Middle Schools.

Smartphones have become an essential tool for everyday life, from calling and texting to purchasing goods or reading the news. But they can also cause distraction if people spend too much time scrolling, or become an instrument for cyberbullying.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Monterey Bay Economic Partnership Mobilizes to Ensure Fair Distribution of $1.8B for California Internet Access

In the midst of a 30-day challenge period that is critically important to the allocation of federal broadband funds to close the digital divide, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is working to ensure that the region receives its share of …

Monterey County Weekly logo Federal Climate Resilience Funds Include $71.1 Million for the Monterey Bay Region.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced $575 million in funding for 19 climate resilience projects throughout the country on Friday, July 26.

Monterey County Weekly logo Youth Orchestra Salinas Has a New Music Director, Jeffrey De Seriere.

Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL) has a new music director, Jeffrey de Seriere, who started as interim music director in January, has already made a significant impact, according to YOSAL.

King City Rustler logo Mee Memorial Healthcare System Ranked No. 1 Critical Access Hospital in California for Social Responsibility

Mee Memorial Healthcare System, based in King City, has been recognized as a leading performer in the 2024-25 Hospital Index published by The Lown Institute, a renowned healthcare think tank.

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Recent Local News

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Monterey Regional Airport Terminal Design Phase Funded

A $2.58 million federal grant has helped cover the cost of the design of a new terminal at the Monterey Regional Airport.

(07/31/2024) → Monterey Herald

Imjin Parkway Project Update

An update of progress in the two-year Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project in Marina.

(07/30/2024) → Monterey Herald
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Recent Statewide News

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• Rent Drives Up CA Cost of Living

Many landlords in California can only raise the rent a certain amount. On August 1, they — and their tenants — found out how high.

(08/02/2024) → CalMatters

• A Soil Fungus That Can Kill Is on the Rise in California: What to Know About Valley Fever

About 80 Californians die every year after contracting Valley fever, a fungal disease that typically affects the lungs. A recent outbreak was traced to a music festival in Kern County.

(08/01/2024) → CalMatters

• California Lawmakers Negotiating Sweeping Package to Speed Up Solar, Wind Energy

Legislators and Gov. Newsom are working behind the scenes to draft energy legislation before the end-of-the-month deadline.

(08/01/2024) → CalMatters

• What CA Voters Should Know on Minimum Wage, Health Tax Props

A voter at a polling center at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana on March 5, 2024. Photo by Lauren Justice for CalMatters

(08/01/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Voters Face Competing Ballot Measures as Interest Groups Clash

Although the initiative process — proposing new laws via ballot measures — has been in California’s constitution for more than a century, its use was fairly uncommon until the 1970s.

(07/30/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (08/05/2024)

Read the Summer Edition of City Focus

Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (08/02/2024)

Via Verde Closed from Hwy 218 (Canyon Del Rey) to Los Encinos on Friday 8/2 until 3:30 pm

Via Verde Closed from Hwy 218 (Canyon Del Rey) to Los Encinos on Friday 8/2 until 3:30 pm LauraBatra01 Fri, 08/02/2024 - 1:36 PM Microsite Community News Release Date 08-02-2024 News Type Announcement Page Features News Hide FAQ Title Off Placement Left Back to News Show/Hide Attachment Header Show Attachment Header This page contains an external form Off
Image of City of Del Rey Oaks seal. City of Del Rey Oaks   (08/02/2024)

Public Trail Behind Hana Garden Center Closed Starting Monday August 26th Due to Safety and Construction Concerns

Public Trail Behind Hana Garden Center Closed Starting Monday August 26th Due to Safety and Construction Concerns LauraBatra01 Fri, 08/02/2024 - 1:36 PM Microsite Community Please note that the public trail behind Safeway and Hana Garden Center will be closed from Monday August 26th until further notice for safety and construction concerns related to the TAMC Fort Ord Regional Trail …
Image of United States seal. United States   (08/01/2024)

Metro Produce Distributors Inc. Recalls Fresh Guacamole Because of Possible Health Risk

Metro Produce Distributors Inc. of Minneapolis, Minnesota, is voluntarily recalling all Lunds & Byerlys fresh guacamole products with a use-by date of August 2, 2024, because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fat
Image of City of Greenfield seal. City of Greenfield   (08/01/2024)

Community Development Department CLOSED from 11 am - 1 pm

Image of City of Marina seal. City of Marina   (08/01/2024)

Movie in the Park - Cars

Movie in the Park event on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at Glorya Jean Tate Park.
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/30/2024)

Colonna Brothers, Inc. Issues an Updated Voluntary Recall for "1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon" Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Elevated Lead Levels

Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ is voluntarily recalling its 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon because of a possible health risk due to elevated lead levels. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that in
Image of State of California seal. State of California   (07/30/2024)

John Laird CA Senate 17:
Gov. Newsom Signs SB 1190 to Promote Solar in Mobilehome Parks

SACRAMENTO Governor Gavin Newsom announced the signing of Senate Bill 1190 authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), which clarifies that mobilehome homeowners are permitted to install and use solar energy systems.SB 1190 ensures consistency across parks and advances the states climate goals, while allowing mobilehome residents to take control of their own energy needs.
Image of City of Seaside seal. City of Seaside   (07/30/2024)

Request for Statements of Qualifications: Recruitment Services for City Manager

The City is seeking an experienced individual and/or firm to provide executive recruitment services for the position of City Manager.
Image of United States seal. United States   (07/30/2024)

Boar's Head Provisions Co. Expands Recall for Ready-To-Eat Meat and Poultry Products Due to Possible Listeria Contamination

WASHINGTON, July 30, 2024 - Boar's Head Provisions Co., Inc., a Jarratt, Va., establishment, is expanding its July 26, 2024, recall of deli meat products that may be adulterated with...