Monterey County News, Traffic & Weather


All the Monterey News, Traffic and Weather, with directories of local Government, Community Groups & Nonprofits in one place!

Our Journalism Needs Your Support

$10 • $25 • $50 • Our Impact
Image caption: A memorial to the seven victims slain in a mass shooting in Half Man Bay in January 2023.
Mass Shootings in California: 2023 Has Been a Bad Year

Three mass shootings with at least six fatalities have already taken place in California in 2023, resulting in 25 deaths. Statistically however, California has been below average for the United States in rate of mass shooting deaths.

Image caption: Historic downtown Salinas, California, capital of Monterey County, and the hub of  "America's Salad Bowl."
The Ghost of a California Newspaper

James Rainey reports that the Salinas Californian, the daily newspaper serving the capital of Monterey County, has completely emptied its newsroom.

Image caption: The Elephant in the Room: Incivility, at both ends of the political spectrum, wreaks havoc on our democracy. We can do something about this.
Connection or Chaos? Member Newsletter

Greetings from Midtown Sacramento, where this morning broke bright and cold for the second day in a row. Don’t know about you but I’m ready for the warmth of spring. And trying to feel good about the rain that’s still …

Image caption: We're working to make it easier for you to find your way around this awesome state by improving our site architecture and User Interface, and building out two new editorial products.
California Local's Spring 2023 Roadmap

Several projects are underway to make California Local beautiful and more functional. We're working hard to make it even easier for our members to citizen. (And remember: 'Citizen' is a verb!)

Image caption: State of Jefferson is only the best-known of dozens of plans for counties to secede from the state of California.
All About the Plan to Break Up California

State of Jefferson may be the best-known secessionist movement, but starting before California became a state, there have been at lest 220 efforts to divide the state into two pieces, or even more.

Image caption: The State of Jefferson Double-X flag symbolizes the California's supposed "double cross" of its northern counties.
State of the State of Jefferson

State of Jefferson is a movement by northern counties to secede from California and form a new state. Here's everything you need to know about this secessionist movement, which started in 1941 and remains strong today.

Image caption: Tiny Pajaro (center) sits across the river from Watsonville in the strawberry-rich Pajaro Valley.
Member Newsletter 3-20-2023

Hello and welcome to the first ā€œstatewideā€ issue of The Newsletter from California Local.

Image caption: Valerie Jarrett with the commander in chief in the Blue Room of the White House in 2010.
What Is Civic Engagement?

President Obama’s closest advisor, Valerie Jarrett, created and ran the White House Office of Public Engagement. Because democracy.

Image caption: What role did the self-described "libertarian" venture capitalist play in SVB's collapse?
Did Peter Thiel Cause the Collapse of SVB?

Peter Thiel, the Donald Trump supporting Silicon Valley billionaire and venture capitalist, may have played a big role inthe bank run that ended in the failure of Silicon Valley Bank. But why?

Image caption: Detail from a photo tweeted by the city of Watsonville warning residents about the impending atmospheric river storm.
Behind the Levee Breach

On March 10, the Pajaro River flooded the small agricultural town on its banks. Professor Dustin Mulvaney traces the turbulent history of the Central Coast’s second largest watershed.

Image caption: The government has avoided calling its plan to pay off SVB depositors a "bailout." But is it?
Silicon Valley Bank Collapse: the Causes and Bailout

SVB lobbied hard for bank deregulation, which may have led to its own failure. And depositors blew past limits on federal insurance, knowing they would lose their cash if the bank went under unless the government saved them. Here’s how …

Image caption: Withholding a mere 1% of LA's water would protect Mono Lake and millions of birds.
Save Mono Lake Again

A sizeable coalition has called for California's water regulator to take emergency measures to protect Mono Lake and suspend diversions to Los Angeles.

Image caption: DWR’s report on groundwater sustainability plans was illustrated with this photograph of a wheat field irrigated by groundwater in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
DWR Flushes Six Groundwater Plans

The San Joaquin Valley plans, serving low-income Latino communities, were deemed inadequate for preventing dry wells and sinking land.

Image caption: The snow-lined South Fork of the American River on March 3, 2023.
Too Much, Too Early

When warm storms melt snowpack early, reservoir managers must release water to prevent flooding—which sends this precious resource into the ocean.

Image caption: Just because record rains have been falling, the state’s water crisis remains.
What Is Drought? Probably Not What You Think

2023’s torrential rainstorms have eased California's drought conditions. But there’s a lot more to drought than the amount of rain, and this drought isn't over yet.

Image caption: Braver Angels members discuss election reform.
Bridging the Great Divide

In a time of unprecedented polarization, Braver Angels encourages citizens to do something completely revolutionary: listen to each other.

Image caption: Heavy storms prompted the state to extend tax deadlines for most California residents.
Storms Could Make Newsom’s Budget Problems Worse

Climate change driven storms are creating new problems for Gavin Newsom and California's budget process, which is already reeling from a projected $25 billion deficit that emerged after a $97 billion surplus disappeared.

Image caption: Fresh and dried fruit, wine, nuts and more can be found at Casa De Fruta, a venerable stop for drivers traversing Pacheco Pass.
Roadside Attractions

California is the top agricultural producer in the U.S., and a top beneficiary of visitor spending. So naturally, we’ve got fun, food-driven tourist magnets.

Image caption: Caltrans has received $680,000 in federal funding to explore alternatives for reconnecting communities along the I-980 in Oakland.
Rerouting Past Wrongs

California lawmakers are exploring ways to reconnect urban neighborhoods torn asunder during the interstate highway construction boom of the 1950s and ’60s.

Image caption: The future of malls looks like one where the rich get richer while lower-end malls simply die out.
Mall Culture and the American Dream

Shopping malls revolutionized how Americans shopped, socialized, and lived. Now, malls face an uncertain future. How did the dream of a new town square go so wrong?

Monterey County Newsletter

Catch up with all the local news, upcoming government meetings and community events.

California Local Pin Marker   Bulletin Board
šŸ“Œ
From BigSurKate
03/30/2023

Ten miles of (Big Sur) Highway One

These photos were taken by Hailey Knight from Lucia to Esalen Main Gate, or MM 22.4 to MM32.4 (approximately)

šŸ“Œ
From BigSurKate
03/29/2023

Basic Landslide Primer

Deep Seated Landslides Did you know there are different types of landslides per the Geological Survey? I did know from just living here that there were surface ones, debris flows, mud flows and on...

šŸ“Œ
03/29/2023

Road Trip to Sunriver, Oregon

Five hundred seventy-five miles north of Monterey, Sunriver, Oregon,Ā  is a haven for families. Filled with outdoor activities and adventures, each season brings unique experiences for its visitors...

šŸ“Œ
03/29/2023

A Weekend in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is scenic, a convenient drive from Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, and offers a range of adventures for any age. Here is what we learned, including some tips.

šŸ“Œ
03/29/2023

Creativity & Kids: Why the arts are so important

At the same time, some school districts are investing more in STEM instruction while diverting funds from arts education; research is proving the value and benefits of the latter to its students.

šŸ“Œ
03/29/2023

Tips for Sending a Child with Food Allergies to Camp

Mention summer camp, and kids get excited about activities, art, s’mores, and friends. But the prospect of sending a child to day camp or overnight camp can be overwhelming for parents of kids wit...

Upcoming Meetings → View All

California Local Pin Marker
City of Seaside
Community Development Advisory Committee Meeting
TODAY   6:30 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
SPECIAL MEETING: City Council Meeting
Monday April 3 2023   4:30 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Gonzales
City Council Meeting
Monday April 3 2023   6:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Salinas
Finance Committee Meeting
Tuesday April 4 2023   2:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Salinas
City Council
Tuesday April 4 2023   4:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Monterey
City Council Meeting
Tuesday April 4 2023   4:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
City Council Meeting
Tuesday April 4 2023   4:30 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Marina
City Council Meeting
Tuesday April 4 2023   5:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Greenfield
Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday April 4 2023   6:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of King City
Planning Commission Meeting
Tuesday April 4 2023   6:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Pacific Grove
Business Improvement District Meeting
Wednesday April 5 2023   8:30 AM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Del Rey Oaks
Parks and Recreation Committee
Wednesday April 5 2023   5:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Pacific Grove
CLOSED SESSION: City Council Meeting
Wednesday April 5 2023   5:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Pacific Grove
City Council Meeting
Wednesday April 5 2023   6:00 PM

California Local Pin Marker
City of Soledad
City Council Meeting
Wednesday April 5 2023   6:00 PM