By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 07, 2024

Your Ballot Is in the Mail: It's Democracy Week 2024

Throughout California starting today, ballots are being put in the mail. It's go-time for Election 2024. Big week. Here's what you need to know.

In the News Feed below you will find quick-read links to articles about about important statewide and local races, keyed to your county so you can easily get to the news YOU can use.

You may have caught wind of voter-restriction efforts by state lawmakers who have bought into the lie that mail-in voting breeds fraud. We present a hot-off-the-presses report from a non-partisan think tank that details how that perilous situation is shaping up. And how California lawmakers have moved in the opposite direction, making it easier than ever for voters to cast their ballots.

And: Because we believe in ending our News Features section on an upnote, we bring you the surprising and inspiring story of one of the nation's greatest champions of voting and democracy: Yep: the League of Women Voters. If you think the woman who built this organization were anything less than a passionate band of warriors, you should read this and educate yourself!

And in case you forgot: a Fall recipe ... and more!

Defending Democracy

As voters receive their ballots for the 2024 presidential election and important statewide and local races, we look at efforts to build democracy, and efforts to weaken it.

The Attack on the Popular Vote

Supreme Court Justice William J. Brennan Jr., a staunch defender of voting rights.

In more than 30 states, it’s harder than ever to vote this year. But in California, it’s never been easier.

Doing Good: The League of Women Voters

A portrait of the first Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters in Chicago in 1920.

The decades of work to win the right to vote for women was only the beginning.

	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 Fall! cookbook.

Like apple pie filling without the crust

Try these sautéed apples on waffles or pancakes for breakfast -- or pound cake or ice cream for dessert.

New! Maple sautéed apples make a great topping for waffles, pound cake and more

Get to Know a Group

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

From Our Media Allies

→ View All

	It’s Time to Exercise Your Right to Vote—early Voting Is Now Underway.
	It’s election day! OK, not the actual Election Day, which this year is Nov. 5, hence why I, Pam Marino, am using lowercase “e” and lowercase “d.” Semantics aside, today is the first day that Monterey County Elections opened early …

	Fort Hunter Liggett Celebrates Microgrid Launch
	The U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett, under the command of Col. Stephen Trotter, celebrated a landmark achievement Sept. 17 with the ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new microgrid, a fully renewable energy system designed to bolster the base's energy resilience …

	Roosevelt School Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary and Will Host a Family Leadership Conference
	Roosevelt Elementary School in the Salinas City Elementary School District celebrated its 100th anniversary on Thursday, Oct.3. It's the same school where the famous novelist John Steinbeck attended when he was a child.

	DA Charges CUSD Board Member and Candidate With Felony Election Fraud for Lying About Her Address.
	A current member of the Board of Trustees of Carmel Unified School District and candidate for Area 5 has been charged by the Monterey County District Attorney for lying about her residence when she registered to vote and when she …

	Gary Griggs: “California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State”
	Gary Griggs, UCSC Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences tells us about his new book, California Catastrophes: The Natural Disaster History of the Golden State, about the history of disasters in our state and what we can expect in the future.

	Highway 1 at Regent's Slide Will Remain Closed for 2024.
	The Big Sur coastline continues to crack and crumble, causing delays in the reopening of Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide, Caltrans announced in a statement on Sept. 27.

	No-Cost Flu Clinics Are Being Offered Around Monterey County in October.
	Flu season is here once again, which means everyone six months old and up is eligible for a flu shot.

	Cal Water Begins Infrastructure Upgrade in King City
	California Water Service (Cal Water) began work Sept. 25 on a new water infrastructure upgrade that will improve water supply reliability for residents and businesses in northeast King City.

	Salinas Union High School District Will Spend Over a Half-Million Dollars on Two Leadership Roles.
	On Sept. 24, the board of Salinas Union High School District unanimously approved contracts for two top administrators.

	Changes to Seaside’s Campus Town Plan Mean Presidio of Monterey Fire Station Can Remain in Place.
	The path to developing anything locally is littered with pitfalls and often unforeseen challenges, particularly if the proposed project is on the former Fort Ord.

	A Developer Takes Advantage of the Builder’s Remedy Law to Plan 127 Units Outside of Carmel.
	A now-vacant 94-year-old hospital building and a row of 12 occupied cottage apartments within unincorporated Carmel just off Highway 1 could become the site of Monterey County’s first “builder’s remedy” housing development, with construction of at least 127 units of …

	Six Candidates Vie for Three Seats on the P.G. City Council While Three Battle to Become Mayor.
	Pacific Grove is a beautiful place to live, but there are tensions that can make it challenging. Debates over the last several years have exposed fissures between those who want the small town to stay the same and those who …

	County Supervisors Seek Changes to Help With Enforcement of Rooster Ordinance.
	Roosters were back on the agenda at the Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday, Oct. 1.

	A Mountain Lion Takes a Beach Day in Pacific Grove, Closing Down One Neighborhood Block.
	On a hot day it's only natural to want to head to the beach to cool off. That's apparently as true for mountain lions as it is for humans.

	After Decades of Delays, the Shovels Have Finally Hit the Dirt for the Pajaro River Levee Project.
	Officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project, which is expected to provide 100-year flood risk reduction to the area by constructing levees and improvements along the lower Pajaro River and its tributaries.

	Candidate Meet-and-Greet in Salinas Turns Into a Verbal Altercation.
	A meet-and-greet in Salinas at Mountain Mike's Pizza on Tuesday, Oct. 1 for Aurelio Salazar Jr. and Dennis Donohue, who are running for the District 6 city council seat and mayor, respectively, ended in an altercation.

	As Salinas City Manager Narrows in on a Finalist for Police Chief, Internal Candidate John Murray Is Out of the Running.
	John Murray has made no secret of his ambition to oversee the Salinas Police Department.

	Community Food Pantry of King City Announces Fall Goodwill Collection Drive
	KING CITY — Community Food Pantry of King City is again partnering with Goodwill Industries for another collection drive in October.

	Transportation Agency for Monterey County Provides Update on US 101 South of Salinas Project
	Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Board of Directors received a comprehensive update on the US 101 South of Salinas project during its recent meeting.

	Community Members Discuss Housing Affordability and the Battle Over Rent Control
	Talk of the Bay host Len Beyea leads a discussion about housing affordability and, in particular, the rent control initiative on California's November ballot, Proposition 33.

	More Murals Are Underway in Sand City for Annual Festival.
	The we.Mural Festival in Sand City has been taking place since Sunday, Sept. 29; it will last until Friday, Oct. 4. Just like in 2023, it is curated by the husband and wife muralist duo, Cameron and Crystal Moberg.

	Hospitality Jobs Rank at the Bottom of ‘Quality’ Positions on the Central Coast, Report Suggests.
	A report released Tuesday, Oct. 1 determined that only 6.4 percent of hospitality jobs along the Central Coast qualify as “quality,” defined as those that pay a "living wage," among other factors.

Recent Local News

→ View All

• Candidate Profiles: Monterey Peninsula College Board of Trustees

An introduction to the candidates running for seats on the Monterey Peninsula College Board of Trustees in the November election.

(10/08/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Toyota to Invest Big in Joby Aviation

Toyota announced an additional $500 million in Marina electric aviation manufacturer Joby Aviation.

(10/08/2024) → Monterey Herald

• Election Explainers: Seaside's Measures BB and CC

An explainer about Measures BB and CC which are going before City of Seaside voters on the November ballot.

(10/07/2024) → Monterey Herald

• A Look at Monterey Peninsula and Pacific Grove School Bonds

The Monterey Herald explains the bonds on the November ballot for the Monterey Peninsula and Pacific Grove Unified School Districts.

(10/04/2024) → Monterey Herald

Recent Statewide News

→ View All

• Environmental Rebate Explained

How to apply rebate as part of the recent $80 million state program to electrify homes.

(10/08/2024) → The Sacramento Bee

• Laphonza Butler Wants You to Know She’s Your U.S. Senator

Ever since Laphonza Butler took herself out of the running for U.S. Senate a year ago — just two weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom picked her to replace the late Dianne Feinstein — she has faded into the background quite a bit.

(10/04/2024) → CalMatters

• Election Explainer: Proposition 35

The Mercury News explains the Proposition 35 to renew the existing tax used to fund Medi-Cal health services.

(10/04/2024) → The Mercury News

• State COVID Surge Over But More to Come

The summer COVID surge in California may be finally abating, but people are still advised to get update vaccines in anticipation of a resurgence in the fall and winter.

(10/02/2024) → Los Angeles Times

• California Collects Millions in Stolen Wages, but Can’t Find Many Workers to Pay Them

The state Labor Commissioner sometimes struggles to get back pay to workers when it reaches wage theft settlements. It tries social media, TV and hotlines. But money owed to employees is still sitting in state accounts.

(10/02/2024) → CalMatters

• A Minimum Wage Increase for California Health Care Workers Is Finally Kicking In

A California minimum wage law that was delayed amid budget troubles is now set to go into effect Oct. 16. It’s expected to benefit hundreds of thousands of workers.

(10/01/2024) → CalMatters

• Newsom’s Gas Price Bill Passes Assembly, but Senate Plan Still Uncertain

The Assembly approves Gov. Newsom’s bill on oil refineries on a 44-17 vote. But the state Senate will have its say during the special session.

(10/01/2024) → CalMatters

Government Announcements

→ View All

	State of California (10/07/2024) John Laird CA Senate 17: Statement by State Senator John Laird on the Senate Extraordinary Session on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes
SACRAMENTO State Sen. John Laird made the following statement today as a member of the Senate Special Committee on Fuel Supply and Price Spikes, created through the Second Extraordinary Session:

	City of Seaside (10/07/2024) CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: Storm Drain Grate Upgrade Project Phase II
The Storm Drain Grate Update Project - Phase 2 replaces 69 existing storm grates with new bicycle-compliant storm grates and installs the new grates at various points throughout the City.

	City of Seaside (10/07/2024) CONSTRUCTION NOTICE: Fremont Medians Renovation Project
Marina Landscape Incorporated has begun the construction of the Fremont Medians Renovation Project for the City of Seaside.

	United States (10/04/2024) Jacks and the Green Sprouts Recalls Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion Sprouts Because of Possible Health Risk
Jack and the Green Sprouts, Inc. of River Falls, WI is recalling its 5 ounce packages of Alfalfa and Alfalfa Onion sprouts because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or el

	United States (10/04/2024) Lunds & Byerlys Voluntarily Recalls L&B Lone Star Dip Due to Potential Mold
Edina, Minn. (October 4, 2024) - Lunds & Byerlys is voluntarily recalling approximately 500 containers of L&B Lone Star Dip because of potential mold growth contamination. The recalled product was sold at Lunds & Byerlys stores throughout the Twin Cities and surrounding area.

	City of Marina (10/04/2024) Marina Police Department Press Release
Latest News from Marinas Police Department

State of California (10/04/2024)

Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29:
Speaker Robert Rivas, Assemblymember Dawn Addis Champion Landmark Community Protections Against Harms of Oil Production

Speaker Robert Rivas, Assemblymember Dawn Addis Champion Landmark Community Protections Against Harms of Oil Production morenocy Fri, 10/04/2024 - 11:51 Title Press Secretary Email Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov Phone 916-319-2029 Friday, October 4, 2024 MONTEREY, CA- Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas joined Assemblymember Dawn Addis this week to champion ongoing leadership in protecting Californias workers and communities from the harms of oil and gas …

	United States (10/04/2024) Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc. Recalls Happy Moose Juice Tropical Roots and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields Because of Possible Health Risk
Youngstown Grape Distributors Inc., a co-manufacturer for Happy Moose Juice, is voluntarily recalling Happy Moose Tropical Roots Juice (Lot# H240903-E BEST BY 12/02/2024) and Happy Moose Strawberry Fields (Lot# H240903-H, BEST BY 12/02/2024) because a portion of the production made did not complete

City of Pacific Grove (10/04/2024)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

State of California (10/03/2024)

Robert Rivas CA Assembly 29:
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Joins Community Leaders and Officials to Break Ground on Pajaro Flood Protection Project

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas Joins Community Leaders and Officials to Break Ground on Pajaro Flood Protection Project morenocy Thu, 10/03/2024 - 11:40 Title Press Secretary Email Cynthia.Moreno@asm.ca.gov Phone 916-319-2029 Thursday, October 3, 2024 WATSONVILLE - On Wednesday, California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas joined community and state leaders to break ground on a project that will bring significant flood protection …

Pay to Park (funds stay local) ad from Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks.

Your Ballot Is in the Mail: It's Democracy Week 2024

Defending Democracy

Monterey County's Homepage

Recipe of the Week

Get to Know a Group

From Our Media Allies

Recent Local News

Recent Statewide News

Government Announcements