Monterey County Weekly

The inaugural Pinnacles Film Festival in King City offers a chance for local, independent filmmakers to showcase their work. The concept has resonated; there are 37 films in the lineup, presented in three theaters over a single day, Oct. 10.

Photos courtesy of Julia Ruiz and by Dominic Morales.

Full story: https://www.montereycountynow.com/entertainment/art/local-amateur-filmmakers-share-space-with-established-directors-at-the-pinnacles-film-festival/article_36176079-9cf6-494d-acf6-8b34612d6d86.html -source=mosaic

In its letter, Taylor Farms outlined steps the company is taking to help prevent future outbreaks.

Taylor Farms CEO responds after FDA concludes cyclospora outbreak investigation. Taylor Farms CEO Bruce Taylor shares new safety measures as the FDA closes its investigation into a Cyclospora outbreak tied to Mexican iceberg lettuce.

This Nov. 3, voters in Salinas will decide if they keep or eliminate four housing-related ordinances, including an annual cap of 2.75 percent on rent increases for multi-family residences built before Feb. 1, 1995, and a rental registry.

As the election approaches, money and manpower are pouring into the Measure H race in a David-vs.-Goliath battle. Protect Salinas Residents, the Yes on H group seeking to overturn the ordinances, has raised $729,228 since 2025. Protect Salinas Renters, the No on H group that wants to keep the ordinances in place, has been outfundraised more than 9-to-1, reporting $79,933 raised since 2025.

Full story: https://www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_news/fierce-battle-to-sway-voters-continues-in-salinas-over-rent-stabilization-ballot-measure/article_49edfc6d-6c17-4518-89d6-40cfc3c91b96.html

These endorsements reflect our take on who is best suited for these roles in this moment, even if we do not agree with everything in their platform – as always, democracy is messy, but elections give us a chance to vote for a whole candidate, not a list of priorities. (We did not make endorsements in unopposed races, but you can read more about many of those candidates in the news – and elections beyond those covered here, such as school boards – in ongoing coverage at montereycountynow.com/news.)

As this issue goes to print, ballots may have already arrived in mailboxes. You can return those ballots by mail until Election Day, Nov. 3, or vote in person. For details about how to vote, visit montereycountyelections.us.

Full story: https://www.montereycountynow.com/news/cover/the-people-we-elect-will-shape-our-communities-for-years-to-come-here-are-our/article_849f8d2c-f467-4b4b-a1e8-69a5f02a47e6.html

Plans for Monterey Crest, as depicted in renderings submitted by the Monterey Housing Group, have not been deemed complete by County planners.

The developer, Ben Eilenberg, submitted an application on Sept. 20 for the largest of two parcels located on Highway 68 at Laureles Grade Road, across the street from a Monterey County Regional Fire Protection District station. The application calls for three 17-story buildings, 500,000 square feet each, with 752 apartments, 98 of them considered affordable.

The application was submitted as coming from the “Roman Catholic Bishop of Monterey.” The two parcels do belong to the Diocese of Monterey and are currently offered for sale at $795,000, but Eilenberg filed the application. The Diocese did not respond to requests for comment.

Image courtesy of Monterey Housing Group.

Full story: https://www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_news/a-builder-s-remedy-proposal-for-nearly-1-000-apartments-on-highway-68-stirs-concerns/article_2443e7f8-963f-41e4-85a2-ee862689374e.html

In August 2024, Sergio Galvez Perez was pulled over by a Monterey County Sheriff's deputy in Moss Landing, not far from where a baby allegedly conceived from ra**ng his daughter would be found dead about two years later.

Father who allegedly r***d 14-year-old daughter had warrant out for arrest before birth of ‘Baby Angelita.’ Sergio Galvez Perez, accused in the Baby Angelita case, had an active arrest warrant and multiple police run-ins before fleeing to Mexico.

This year, readers voted for the best in 277 categories, ranging from Best Local Pet Store or Best Clergy to Best Huevos Rancheros. And yes, such polls amount to a popularity contest. For example, the selection of Best New Restaurant (see p. 83) did not yet have a kitchen as readers voted. However, locals know from the past just how good that team can—and will—be. So any of us are likely to disagree with the results here and there. But that’s life at the circus—a bit unpredictable but always exciting.

We hope you enjoy the Best Of Monterey County®.

Image by Annie Cobb.

Read about the winners here: https://flipbook.montereycountyweekly.com/archive/2026/best/readers-poll/index.html

“If Measure S doesn’t renew, we are not going to be able to make the same investment that we are making now,” Monterey Public Works Director Andrea Renny (pictured) says.

“A brand-new street has a Pavement Condition Index of 100,” Renny says. “If you’re able to maintain it, you spend a lot less money and you’re expanding the life of the street. Before Measure P/S, we were at [PCI] 54, which is at risk of failing. Our streets were in very poor condition. After Measure P/S, for the past 12 years, we went from a pavement condition index of 54 to 79.”

Photo by Daniel Dreifuss.

Full story: https://www.montereycountynow.com/news/local_news/city-of-monterey-officials-warn-streets-will-degrade-if-measure-s-fails/article_fe496aa7-5944-47c5-851c-405d79d39218.html

Ofelia Garcia Ortega appeared in Monterey County Superior Court on Oct. 7 for her arraignment on charges including child endangerment of her 14-year-old. The arraignment was rescheduled to Oct. 8.

Mother of 14-year-old girl who gave birth to baby found dead in Moss Landing appears in court. Ofelia Garcia Ortega appeared in Monterey County court facing child endangerment charges tied to the Moss Landing teen pregnancy and baby death case.