The people of Moss Landing are experiencing what the people of Pajaro and Capitola have experienced before them. Three weeks after the catastrophic fire, news cameras and reporters are slipping away, they must deal with the aftermath while out of the spotlight.
In the News
It can cost up to $65 for a jurisdiction to deal with one single-use propane cylinder that was disposed of improperly.
“These things have exploded. … They split open,” said Nate Pelzcar of the California Public Stewardship Council. “We saw these issues arising, and they’ve gotten nothing but worse.”
California has taken a step towards sustainable outdoor recreation with the signing of Senate Bill 1280 in September, mandating refillable propane cylinders. Authored by Senator John Laird, the new law requires propane cylinders sold in the state to be reusable or refillable starting January 1, 2028.
State Sen. John Laird and former president Donald Trump share two things in common. On Nov. 5, both men secured reelection to a second four-year term in their seats; Laird to the California Senate, Trump to the Oval Office. Both are also septuagenarians.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed Senate Bill 977 into law, officially creating an independent redistricting commission for San Luis Obispo County and changing the way district lines are drawn.
Every 10 years, the county updates the boundaries of its five supervisorial districts according to population changes reflected by the most recent federal census.
Historically, those lines have been decided on by the Board of Supervisors, but now, an 11-member group of appointed citizens will be responsible for redistricting the county.
On Friday, July 26, when California Coastal Commission staff released a report regarding Monterey-Salinas Transit’s proposed SURF! busway from Marina to Sand City, the surf was looking down – the report said in no uncertain terms that the project was “not approvable” under the law, in this case, the Coastal Act.
Central to the concerns were the project’s expected impacts on environmentally sensitive dune habitat, notwithstanding that habitat being located in a derelict rail corridor.
The San Benito County Historical Park hosted a gathering to commemorate the county’s creation 150 years after it split from Monterey County. Elected officials representing residents on the city, county, state, and national levels joined with Fire and Sheriff’s departments, service organizations, food trucks, and local dance and music groups for a celebration of the county’s past and future.
On June 4, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a pilot project to help fund the removal of invasive eucalyptus trees within defensible space of structures or roads within District 2, i.e. North County.
The pilot project, intended to mitigate wildfire risk, is funded by $1 million of state funds and will last up to three years. It was spearheaded by state Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, and District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church, and will launch on a first-come, first-serve basis sometime this summer.