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By Eric Johnson
Published Oct 28, 2024

The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse. The Sacramento San Joaquin Delta, which covers 1,153 square miles, is one of the largest estuaries in western North America. It supplies California with half of its fresh water, and is facing ecological collapse. Image credit: Photo by Daniel Parks   CC BY-NC 2.0

The Big Truth, and 'The Tunnel Vision'

Greetings from Sacramento, here in the heart of Northern California, which today is bathed in a golden autumn glow.

Most weeks, it’s our job to bring you pieces of reliable news—small facts that add up to something we might call The Big Truth. This week, another chapter in the neverending story of Building Democracy in the Golden State.

So ... this thing I am today branding The Big Truth, in a nutshell: As we face this moment in which many of us feel that democracy faces grave peril, let’s today embrace the radical notion that we are currently still in possession of something worth saving. By paying close attention to news in the ten counties we currently serve, we’ve determined that there are people and institutions engaged in civic life, throughout California, working hard to make this place better. 

The Big Truth is that our democracy still lives—especially here in California. Evidence can be found in the workings of many (certainly not all) city councils, county boards of supervisors, planning commissions, etc. And the hard work of democratic governance can be found happening right out in the open, at public meetings that anyone can attend. In our News Digest below, you will very likely be able to see what your elected representatives are up to in your county, warts and all.

This week, we are also featuring an ambitious multimedia investigative piece, from our friends at Bay City News and Local News Matters, which looks at several public agencies and individuals dealing with maybe the gnarliest of political problems in California—water. Specifically, one of California’s most precious and threatened natural treasures—the Sacramento San Joaquin Delta.


The Politics of Water Today

California has one of the most ambitious and highly engineered water delivery systems on the planet, and it’s being eyed for a new extension. The Delta Conveyance Project is Governor Gavin Newsom’s proposal for a 45-mile underground tube that would tap fresh water from its source in the north and carry it beneath a vast wetland to users in the south.” Here is what you need to know. 


From Local News Matters: Water War on the Delta




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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 Fall! cookbook.


Spice up a fall meal with these roasted potatoes

These spiced potatoes are an easy side dish for a dinner with grilled meat, or for brunch alongside eggs.
New! Dijon, horseradish and more provide the kick


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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 Cal Am’s Outsized Water Demand Projections Could Prove Profitable for the Utility at the Expense of Ratepayers.

David Schmalz here. There’s a lot going on in the world right now, and in the chaos it can be hard to focus on the brass tacks.
But ultimately, it’s the details that matter when it comes to governance, and …

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Gonzales Community Health Day Brings Vital Services and Joy to Families

Hundreds of families recently flocked to Central Park in Gonzales to experience Community Health Day presented by Salinas Valley Health.

Monterey County Weekly logo Young People in Salinas Will Soon Have More Opportunities to Get Involved in Their Government.

Celia Jiménez here, thinking about the new opportunities teens in Salinas will have to get involved in their community and city government.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Construction Underway on New Greenfield Housing

EAH Housing, a nonprofit housing development and management organization, has announced that construction is underway at Greenfield Commons, with the last modular stack for Greenfield Commons Phase I recently completed.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Community Input Sought for Flood-Prone Areas to Support Future Groundwater Recharge Efforts in Salinas Valley

In an effort to increase groundwater recharge and storage while reducing flooding, four local agencies and nonprofits collaborating on the Multi-benefit Land Repurposing Program are seeking public input about known areas of flooding and recharge.

King City Rustler logo Early Voting Centers Open in South Monterey County

Monterey County Elections Office and the Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) are joining efforts to offer Books and Ballots Week in South Monterey County, providing early flex voting centers at various libraries throughout the week. 

Monterey County Weekly logo A Co-Op Business Incubator Program Launches to Help Workers Grow Their Careers.

Erik Chalhoub here. I first learned about cooperative businesses while reporting on an article about Ace Hardware years ago. Known as a co-op, such businesses are not controlled by a single owner; rather they are owned by the workers of …

Monterey County Weekly logo Handcar Tours in Marina Will End, Unless the City Inks a New Lease for Train Tracks.

Long-empty train tracks west of Highway 1 offer a spectacular view of the dunes and the Monterey Bay. Since 2021, people who signed up for handcar rides have enjoyed it while feeling the breeze.

Salinas Valley Tribune logo Housing Shortfall Impedes Monterey County’s Economic Growth, New Report Shows

The imbalance between housing supply and demand is a key challenge to economic growth in Monterey County, according to a new report that makes clear the need for increasing housing supply.

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Recent Local News

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Local Transit Projects Receive State Funds

Learn more about Monterey-Salinas Transit and King City plan to utilize recent state funding to improve transportation options.

(10/28/2024) → Monterey Herald

Spotlight on Elkhorn Slough

Learn how a Moss Landing Marine Laboratories has revealed new information about Elkhorn Slough and how the insights are being applied across the country.

(10/27/2024) → Monterey Herald

Overnight Highway 1 Closure at Rocky Creek October 29-30

CalTrans announced the overnight closure of Highway 1 on October 29 at 10PM until 6AM October 30 at the site of the Rocky Creek slip-out.

(10/25/2024) → Monterey Herald

Candidate Profiles: Pacific Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees

An introduction to the candidates running for seats on the Pacific Grove Unified School District Board of Trustees in the November election.

(10/25/2024) → Monterey Herald

Candidate Profiles: Pacific Grove Mayor

An introduction to the three candidates running for the office of Mayor of Pacific Grove in the November election.

(10/24/2024) → Monterey Herald

FORTAG Project Update

An update on progress in the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway project in Del Rey Oaks.

(10/23/2024) → Monterey Herald

Candidate Profiles: Carmel Unified School District Board

An introduction to the eight candidates running for four seats on the Carmel Unified School District Board of Trustees in the November election.

(10/23/2024) → Monterey Herald

Candidate Profiles: Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board

An introduction to the candidates running for seats on the Monterey Peninsula Airport District Board in the November election.

(10/22/2024) → Monterey Herald

Candidate Profiles: Seaside Mayor and City Council

An introduction to the candidates running for Mayor and seats on the Seaside City Council in the November election.

(10/21/2024) → Monterey Herald

Marina Downtown Specific Plan Approved

Learn more about the Downtown Specific Plan and Final Environmental Impact Report approved by the Marina City Council in their October 15 meeting.

(10/21/2024) → Monterey Herald
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Recent Statewide News

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• This California Proposition Is Drawing the Most Campaign Spending

Proposition 33 on local rent control and the related Proposition 34 are attracting the most campaign cash by far of the 10 ballot measures. But the amount pales to what was spent on dueling sports betting measures in 2022.

(10/28/2024) → CalMatters

• California’s Plan  to Overhaul a Key Climate Program — Raising the Cost of Gas — Ignites Debate

The state air board will vote on changes to its landmark clean fuel program that would cut more greenhouse gases but could raise the cost of gas and diesel.

(10/24/2024) → CalMatters

• Is a New Plan for Delivering Delta Water Worse Than Trump’s Rules? Environmentalists Say Yes.

Growers support a federal and state proposal for operating California’s massive systems that send river water south. But it could harm more salmon and other endangered fish.

(10/24/2024) → CalMatters

• Most California Republicans in Congress Won’t Commit to Certifying the 2024 Presidential Election

Only one-third of the California GOP congressional delegation has pledged to accept the 2024 presidential election results. And only two incumbents in office in 2021 voted to certify President Joe Biden’s win over Donald Trump in the 2020 race.

(10/23/2024) → CalMatters

• Tool: Explore Candidates and Elected Officials Investigated for Campaign Law Violations

Use our tool to search through investigations opened by the state’s campaign law watchdog. The data updates weekly.

(10/23/2024) → CalMatters

• California Reservoirs Are Full, but Water Politics May Trump Hydrology

Most of us operate on the calendar year — the 12 months that begin on January 1 and end on December 31.

(10/23/2024) → CalMatters

• Will CA Ballot Proposition Mean More Deportations?

With proponents of Proposition 36 raising nearly $15 million so far — about three times as much as its opponents — and 71% of likely voters in support, it appears the statewide ballot measure will pass in November.
And that’s exactly what immigrant rights advocates are worried about.

(10/22/2024) → CalMatters

• Lack of Candidates Means Many Californians Won’t Vote for School Board

More than half of the school board races in 49 counties analyzed won't appear on the November ballot because either no one is running for the seat or a single candidate is unopposed.

(10/21/2024) → EdSource

• First California Project to Bury Climate-Warming Gases Wins Key Approval

Capturing and storing carbon underground is a big part of California’s efforts to tackle climate change but community members and environmentalists say it prolongs the life of fossil fuels.

(10/21/2024) → CalMatters
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Government Announcements

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Image of United States seal. United States   (10/26/2024)

Fresh Express is Voluntarily Recalling a Limited Number of Gourmet Café Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls

Fresh Express is voluntarily recalling a limited number of Gourmet Cafe Chicken Caesar Salad Bowls due to the inclusion of recalled chicken items from BrucePac, an outside ingredient supplier. The BrucePac recall is due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. The fresh vegetable components
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/25/2024)

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation Recalls Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon Due to Listeria Monocytogenes Contamination

Acme Smoked Fish Corporation is issuing a recall of 111 cases of Kirkland Signature Smoked Salmon in twin 12oz package, UPC 0 96619 25697 6, Lot# 8512801270, Best-by-Date 11/13/2024 due to laboratory testing confirming Listeria monocytogenes on October 21, 2024. Listeria monocytogenes, an organism w
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/25/2024)

Grand Central Bakery Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Egg in U-Bake Pie Crust, U-Bake Apple Pie, U-Bake Marionberry Pie, and U-Bake Chicken Pot Pie

October 25, 2024, Grand Central Bakery Portland, OR and Seattle, WA is recalling U- Bake frozen pie products and frozen pie dough because they may contain undeclared egg. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they co
Image of City of Seaside seal. City of Seaside   (10/22/2024)

City Manager Recruitment

The City of Seaside is actively recruiting for the City Manager position.
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/21/2024)

TreeHouse Foods Announces Expansion of Voluntary Recall to Include All Waffle and Pancake Products Due to the Potential for Listeria monocytogenes Contamination

TreeHouse Foods, Inc. (NYSE: THS) is expanding its voluntary recall to include all products manufactured at one facility and still within their shelf-life. The recall is expanded to include frozen toaster waffle, Belgian waffle and pancake products, due to the potential to be contaminated with List
Image of United States seal. United States   (10/21/2024)

Con Yeager Spice Company Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Soy and Wheat in Trail Bologna Meat Processing Kits

The Con Yeager Spice Company of Zelienople, PA, is recalling its TRAIL BOLOGNA MEAT PROCESSING KITS, because they may contain undeclared soy and wheat. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to soy and wheat run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if this product is c
Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/21/2024)

Armed Person Arrest

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/21/2024)

Firearms Arrests

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/21/2024)

Diving Incident and Hyperbaric Chamber Activation

Image of City of Monterey seal. City of Monterey   (10/21/2024)

Del Monte Beach Shooting Investigation