Monthly Archives: January 2026

CSUMB Prof Assaults Student At P.G. Middle School

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Social Sciences, eh?

PGMS J Woods Flowers

A man was arrested on suspicion of battery after witnesses saw him knock a hat off a student’s head in front of Pacific Grove Middle School as children were being let out for the day.

On Jan. 15 at about 2:05 p.m., Frederik Vermote, 44, of Marina, confronted a P.G. Middle School student “for throwing books on the ground that came from a free library
box located in the front lawn of the school,” police Cmdr Brian Anderson told The Pine Cone last week. “During the confrontation, Vermote struck the child,” who was not injured

Vermote is listed as an associate professor of social sciences and global studies at Cal State Monterey Bay. Police did not specify Vermote’s relationship to the student. On Jan. 23, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office charged Vermote with  misdemeanor battery, claiming he used “force and violence upon John Doe while on school property.’

CSUMB Prof Assaults Student At P.G. Middle School

Tina Rau Gets Fines For Not Filing

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The Pacific Grove myth of a good ol’ boys council is alive and well.

Tina Big Jacket

City Councilwoman Tina Rau — who is under investigation by a state agency for an alleged conflict of interest — was fined last year by the same regulator for failing to disclose her financial investments, as elected officials are required to do, according to documents obtained by The Pine Cone.
The Fair Political Practices Commission concluded in May 2025 that Rau failed to report her ownership of a commercial building on Forest Avenue that houses music venue Pop & Hiss and more than $ 100,000 in annual rental income from the business, her $1 million-plus home on 19th Street, a $100,000 loan, and other financial interests.

Tina Rau Gets Fines For Not Filing

Correction
Last week’s story, “P.G. official fined for late filing,”
mischaracterized a March 19, 2025, Pacific Grove City
Council vote. On that day councilwoman Tina Rau and
three of her council colleagues — who were in favor of
increasing the entertainment noise threshold downtown —
directed the city attorney to return to the council with an
ordinance to modify the Pacific Grove Municipal Code as
it pertains to sound amplification.

More Parks Go To The Dogs

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Kind of goes with the change of come-heres that have dogs instead of children. Arnett Park is the baseball field behind Arkwright Court.

No Barking

On Jan. 22, four members of the city’s recreation board voted to endorse the concept of a dog park. The panel listened to numerous proponents who envision Arnett Park, just off David near the Lucky supermarket, as its location. “I think all of us agree a dog park would be wonderful, and we would all benefit from it,” P.G. recreation board chair Jay Tulley said before the vote.

More Parks Go To The Dogs

Public Pooper Pinched In P.G.

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Country Club Gate, keeping it trashy.

no public poop

Police said they were dispatched to the Rite Aid at Country Club Gate Center to conduct a welfare check on a man in the area. When they arrived, they found the man defecating in the street. He was identified as Jodie W. Moore, 64, a transient. Police conducted a records check and said he had an active felony warrant for failure to appear out of Monterey County, as well as six misdemeanor warrants for other alleged offenses throughout the county.

Public Pooper Pinched In P.G.

Stakes Are High For P.G. Pot Permits

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So much that one company files eight applications for a chance at a license.

it was revealed that eight of those applications were submitted by one company — Off The Charts, which  operates a cannabis shop just over the hill on Lighthouse Avenue.

The Southern California-based company filed eight nearly identical applications under different owners, according to public records, including Norman Yousif—Off The Charts’ founder and CEO — Yousif’s wife and sons, three of their  employees, and their legal representative, Sean Maddocks of Green Consulting Partners. Yousif applied under the  name OTC Pacific Grove, and the others under various limited liability corporations: OTC, ADM Biz Dev, Marogy RE, MRJE, PG Retail, Ravvy Rogers, and Robbinhood

Stakes Are High For P.G. Pot Permits

Anonymous Complaint Over Tina Rau Conflict Of Interest

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City Attorney Brian Pierik announced he was quitting in August 2025

Tinas big jacket II

(City Attorney Brian)Pierik’s office sent at least two letters to the FPPC defending Rau’s ability to vote, calling her a “disinterested landlord,” and saying she has no financial interest in Pop & Hiss – Lovers Point Properties LLC is paid a flat rent, not a percentage of revenue. One letter also argued that the vote – to pursue an ordinance – had no impact on any business in the city.

“The action taken by the City Council… did not commit the City to approving an increase in the noise level from 70dB to 80dB or to take any other action regarding noise levels,” an April 25 letter states.

One anonymous complaint was amended by the complainant on Nov. 5 with new information, pointing out that contrary to the City Attorney’s statements, Pop & Hiss owner Michaela Kuenster once sat on the LLC’s board as a “manager/member.” (She has transitioned to being a tenant only.)

“Any policy decision that benefits Pop & Hiss – such as increasing the allowable sound level in commercial districts – could therefore financially benefit the LLC, and by extension, Councilmember Rau,” the complaint stated.

Anonymous Complaint Over Tina Rau Conflict Of Interest

 

Drunk Driver Crash And Rollover On Forest

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Piece of trash like most drunk drivers. Rollover near the middle school. And driving with no license. These days do license suspensions really matter?

Edgar Vargas Casiano

Suspect’s Name: Edgar Vargas Casiano
43-year-old male, resident of Pacific Grove, CA
Driver Arrested for DUI Following Rollover Collision on Forest Avenue
On Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at approximately 5:46 p.m., Pacific Grove Police Department officers responded to a reported injury collision in the 500 block of Forest  avenue. Officers located a vehicle overturned in the roadway and determined the driver was under the  influence of alcohol. The driver was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and related violations.
Preliminary investigation indicates the vehicle involved was a Jeep Cherokee that collided with a parked vehicle, rolled over, and came to rest against another vehicle. Officers also observed open alcohol containers associated with the driver. Due to medical treatment needs at the scene, a full DUI evaluation could not be completed, and a blood draw was later obtained pursuant to a search warrant. The driver was ultimately transported to Monterey County Jail.
The case is being forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for review of the following alleged violations:
• Vehicle Code 23152(a) — Driving Under the Influence (Alcohol)
• Vehicle Code 12500(a) — Driving Without a Valid License
• Vehicle Code 23222(a) — Possession of an Open Container While Driving

Drunk Driver Crash And Rollover On Forest

Off the Charts Submits 8 of the 10 P.G. Weed Store Applications

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Behavior expected by operations of this type. Probable location is the old El Estero carwash on Forest hill.

When Pacific Grove officials announced the 10 companies vying for a single retail cannabis license in October, it was unclear who was behind each of the limited liability corporations applying in hopes of gaining entry to a lottery that would choose the winning applicant. Eight of the companies were represented by a single agent, Sean Maddocks, and when he was asked the names of each of his clients, he declined to share them.

Off the Charts Submits 8 of the 10 P.G. Weed Store Applications

Golf Course Grill Operator Moving To Lovers Point

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Much better location. Wonder if the rent is any cheaper?
631 Ocean view

Less than two months after closing The Grill at Point Pinos, the restaurateur appears ready to create another destination.

Aceves’ Crema Lovers Point has applied to transfer liquor licenses from the Pacific Grove Golf Links space to the one recently vacated by California Seltzer Co. at 631 Ocean View Blvd. in Pacific Grove, across the street from Lovers Point. The requested transfer includes a Type 47 full liquor license and a Type 58 catering license.

Golf Course Grill Operator Moving To Lovers Point

Finally Open, The Holman Garage Hotel Is Here

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A “luxury boutique hotel” like this is a sure sign that the town has been disposed and given to the tourist trade. And dang! We no longer can make a free left turn from Central and go up Fountain. It’s a 4 way stop where they could have had a roundabout (LOL).
Kimpton Hotel

At least its not the great wall of the grove as seen in an early depiction.Durrel Hotel Super Size

The “luxury boutique hotel,” as Kimpton Mirador describes itself, hasn’t offered an official opening date, but its website is accepting bookings beginning Feb. 4. Room prices start at $350 for a 372-square-foot layout with a a king bed and top out at $950 for a 774-square-foot Bay View Fireplace suite, the website says.
“Like a breath of fresh coastal air, Kimpton Mirador Pacific Grove welcomes guests with a spirit of ease unique to California’s spectacular Central Coast, both restorative and revitalizing,” says Kimpton. While pets aren’t allowed to stay overnight, and there’s no pool or spa, hotel amenities include a health and fitness center, vehicle EV charging and valet parking.

Finally Open, The Holman Garage Hotel Is Here