Oh Those Cute Sea Otters!

Two otter stories making the news – first is the otters at the Fish Jail get their own PG Remodel.

Mural Otters

After six long months with no sea otter exhibit, aquarium administrators say the beloved endangered species will return for public view Saturday.

The exhibit is one of the aquarium’s most popular, but after 25 years it started to show its age. Among other issues, the rock platform and stones in the water, which otters like to pick up, had become deteriorated by the saltwater.

Yeah, otters. They are amusing and cute. Until the males try and rape sea lions..

Mural Otters

Trying to find refuge from what appeared to be a sexual assault by a male sea otter, the sea lion hopped aboard a kayak in the Moss Landing Harbor.

Powell said she had gathered a group of kayakers into a “raft” to discuss safety before leading them past a dock where sea lions hang out near the Highway 1 bridge last Saturday morning when she noticed what appeared to be two sea otters mating about 50 feet away. Before she could advise the kayakers to move off, what turned out to be a sea lion broke away and made a dash for the kayaks, the otter in pursuit.

Aquarium Reopens Otter Exhibit

Sea Lion Assaulted By Otters

Pacific Grove Losing Police Department?

PG Cop Car 1980s

Pacific Grove Mayor Bill Kampe confirmed the city has reached out to the three agencies about the future of police services in his city.

“We are exploring a number of options in terms of finding ways to reduce costs for various services,” Kampe said.

Former Pacific Grove police chief Carl Miller, who retired in 2006, likened the ongoing process to a death knell for the city’s 125-year-old police department.

“The police department is going away, and no one is aware of it,” Miller said.

Pacific Grove Losing Police Department?

Pollution Warnings Posted At Lovers Point

Must be a springtime event.

Pollution Warnings

Signs are posted at Lovers Point Beach in Pacific Grove after a high level of bacteria was found in samples taken on Monday. The advisory will remain posted until samples indicate that indicator bacteria are at a safe level for recreational water contact according to state guidelines.

It is recommended that you do not swim in or have contact with storm drain water. Bacteria, viruses, protozoa or chemicals may contaminate storm drain water, and contact with storm drain water may cause illness.

Contact with the ocean water might make you sick but the SCUBA divers take the chance:
pollution divers

And the Adventures By The Sea rents kayaks for people to explore the polluted waters.
pollution kayaks


Pollution Warnings Posted At Lovers Point

Tidepool Police Shocked! Shocked! That Signs Are Posted To Warn About Seal Birth Area

Every spring the seals arrive at Hopkins to have babies and signs get posted informing people to stay away. Looks like Jim Willoughby has awoke from his winter hibernation and is suddenly outraged that someone would post the signs on the railing along the rec trail.

Seal Posse Red Sign Seal Posse Orange Sign

Anyone walking along the trail early this month could not have missed the proliferation of 11 obtrusive and intimidating signs adjacent to the Hopkins Marine Station fence. Some were unusually large red inflammatory signs with a foreboding warning against entry to the coastline beyond that point.

Let’s go back to 2012 when the city erected a green lath fence in this same area, blocking the viewshed and access to the beach. For some unknown reason, the city added a white plastic fence next to the green lath fence, creating an eyesore. Since then, the green lath fence has been removed and replaced with a permanent wooden rail fence, which is now posted with warning signs.

Well, what can we expect? The rec trail is a place where many more signs can be found, some that are downright ugly or tacky. Where is the outrage Willoughby?

Signs to sucker the tourists
Sign Historic Farmers Market

Signs for vandals to decorate
Graffiti Stickers

More signs to to sucker tourists
Sign GOD

Graffiti unchecked
Graffiti Rec Trail Graffiti Trash Can

Go back to bed Jim and call when you can do something that really matters.

Tidepool Police Shocked! Shocked! That Signs Are Posted To Warn About Seal Birth Area

Good News For Shoplifters, P.G. Banning Plastic Bags

Shop elsewhere for full service.

California Bag Ban

Monterey Hear-Old

The City Council on Wednesday will take its first look at a proposed ordinance that would ban retailers from giving customers single-use, carry-out plastic bags.

The proposed measure also would require retailers — after six months when the law would take effect — to charge 10 cents for recycled paper bags. The charge would go up to 25 cents after a year.

The report says the crackdown on non-reusable bags would “reduce the amount of litter generated by the use of plastic bags” and keep the city’s land and waterways cleaner.

In addition to loss of convenience and cleanliness there are reports about the increase of theft by users of reusable shopping bags –

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

“I think we’ve gotten to a place where it’s really going to work for the environment, businesses and the community in general,” Councilman Mike O’Brien said at the time.

But the bag ban is contributing to thousands of dollars in losses for at least one Seattle grocery store, and questions have been raised about the risk of food-borne illness from reusable bags that shoppers don’t often wash.

Mike Duke, who operates the Lake City Grocery Outlet with his wife, said that since the plastic-bag ban started last July, he’s lost at least $5,000 in produce and between $3,000 and $4,000 in frozen food.

Dan Cort: Runaway Mayor, Mvsevm Director and Preservator

Dan Cort Bailn Like Palin

Preservating? Sounds like something dirty one would do in vacant buildings over in Stockton.

Dan Cort Preservating

DAN CORT, Director

Home: Pacific Grove
Business Background: CEO of the Cort Companies; preservating and renovating historic real estate in Northern California for the past 30 years

Dan Cort: Runaway Mayor, Mvsevm Director and Preservator

Thanks to Esther for the tip

P.G. Mayor Tells Shopkeepers to “Be Distinct”

Yah, but don’t ruffle the old guard by trying to open provocative lingerie shops or anything that may take customers away from Fandango or Grove Market.

Pacific Grove’s businesses need to be more distinctive, Mayor Bill Kampe told the city’s Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

“The hard evidence is that we are not well identified by those outside of P.G.,” he told 200 people at the chamber’s annual membership luncheon at The Inn at Spanish Bay in Pebble Beach.

He said some ideas for standing out on the Peninsula are changing the mix of businesses downtown, improving its visual appeal, getting better signs or adding public art.

Meanwhile, I’m sure there are more “distinct” art galleries and resale shops ready to move in when other art galleries and resale shops go out of business.

213 Grand Ave Art Really Closing

P.G. Mayor Tells Shopkeepers to “Be Distinct”

Lovers Point Pool Reopening By Summer?

Then
Lovers Point Pool And Slats
Now:
Kiddie Pool

The first pool just above the beach at Lovers Point was a saltwater plunge built in 1938. The current one, which was closed last summer because of a host of maintenance issues, was built in 1972. For years, the city held swim lessons and recreational swimming programs at the pool.

The city didn’t have the money to pay for pool repairs, so the community fundraising drive was organized. The goal was $250,000 — an amount that would probably provide an operating-fund endowment and swim-lesson scholarships.

A city busy spending money on image consultants and unnecessary street remodels leaves little for project the residents can enjoy.

Lovers Point Pool Reopening By Summer?

New Monterey Police Blotter – February 2013

2/1/13 Victim business in the 500 block of Cannery Row reported a person paid for parking with a counterfeit $10.00 bill.

2/2/13 MORGAN, PAUL, THOMAS, male/20, 5’11,160, brown, blue, was arrested for public intoxication, obstructing an investigation, possession of false evidence of age, and misappropriation of found property while at Olivier/Wharf
1. Released on citation when sober.

2/2/13 Non-injury traffic collision on David near Wave.

2/3/13 Victim reports being battered by suspect in the 200 block of Laine St. Suspect left the scene before police arrived.

2/4/13 JOHNSON, WENDY FAYE, female/28, BRO/BRO, 5’3″/115 lbs, was arrested for public intoxication in the 600 block of Lighthouse Ave. She was booked at MPD and held in lieu of $3,500 bail.

2/4/13 Victim reported he was assaulted by suspect at Fisherman’s Wharf. No prosecution desired.

2/4/13 TILLER, ERIC, male/40, 5-9 157 lbs, Bln/Hzl, was arrested for prowling ($3500 bail) at 422 Alvarado St.

2/4/13 TILLER, ERIC male/40, 5-9/157lbs, Bln/Hzl,was arrested at Pacific / Artillery for vandalizing a clay planter pot. He was transported to county jail pending $3500 bail.

2/4/13 TILLER, ERIC male/40, 5-9/157lbs, Bln/Hzl, was arrested in the 300 block of Pacific for disrupting a business. Transported to County Jail where is to remain pending bail ($3500) or arraignment.

2/5/13 Business in the 700 block of Lighthouse was cited for operating a business without a list of services available and cost posted in an open and conspicuous place.

2/5/13 Victim reported theft of her purse from a parking lot in the 300 block of Lighthouse Ave.

2/6/13 [JUVENILE] was arrested for battery at Cannery Row and Prescott. She was booked at the Monterey City Jail and released to a parent on a citation.

2/6/13 Non-injury single vehicle traffic collision at the intersection of Lighthouse and Pacific after a white SUV swerved in front of his vehicle, causing him to strike a curb.

2/8/13 MPD investigating animal abandonment in the 2000 block of Prescott.

2/8/13 Non-injury traffic collision, vehicle versus a parked vehicle in the 500 block of Lighthouse.

2/8/13 Non-injury traffic collision, vehicle versus a parked vehicle in the 500 block of Lighthouse.

2/10/13 Subject was aided in a child neglect matter in the 700 block of Cannery Row.

2/11/13 Monterey Public Works reports graffiti vandalism in the 800 block of Lighthouse Ave.

2/11/13 MCSO was aided in the arrest of CARSON, ALAN male/46, 5′-9″, 175 lbs, BRN, BRN, on 2-11-13 at 1839 hours, in the 600 block of Cannery Row, for one $15000.00 misdemeanor warrant and one $7500.00 misdemeanor warrant. Both warrants were for failure to appear on 647(f) PC charges. CARSON booked at Monterey City Jail.

2/11/13 Victim in the 800 block of Lottie Street reported money stolen from her unlocked vehicle by subjects she hired to touch up paint on her vehicle. Total loss $300.00.

2/12/13 SPATES, DAVID, male/28, Brn, Grn, 5′-9″, 170, was arrested for public intoxication and possession of a dagger.DRESCH, MELISSA, female/40, brn, grn, 5′-4″, 120, was arrested for public intoxication and battery on a peace officer at Window on the Bay Park.

2/12/13 Subject was contacted for minor being in possession of alcohol in the 700 block of Cannery Row.

2/13/13 CASILLAS, HECTOR, male/23, brn, brn, 5′-8″, 180, and CASILLAS, RAMON, male/29, blk, brn, 5′-10″, 170, were arrested for assault with a deadly weapon in the form of a beer bottle, and criminal threats. RAMON was held on a $30.000 bail, HECTOR was also charged with violating felony probation and held without bail. Both booked into MPD Jail. CASILLAS, RICARDO, male/30, brn, grn, 5′-10″, 170, was charged for challenging to fight in public. He was released on a citation after booking at the MPD Jail. All arrests occurred in the 700 block of Cannery Row.

2/13/13 MPD towed a 1999, silver Honda Civic, from Lyndon at Withers, after being left abandoned.

2/13/13 Non-injury traffic collision in the 700 block of Lighthouse.

2/13/13 SANTELLANES, RHONDA JEAN, female/53, 5’6″, 123, Brn, Blu, was arrested in the 400 block of Foam St. for domestic battery. SANTELLANES was booked at MPD and held in lieu of $20,000 bail. The victim (confidential) DOE, JOHN was arrested for resisting and obstructing a peace officer. DOE was booked at MPD and will be released on a citation when sober.

2/13/13 MPD towed a gold 91 Toyota Camry at McClellan and Lighthouse for having expired registration over six months.

2/14/13 CLEMONS, KENNETH, male/42, 5’11’, 215, Blk, Brn, was arrested in the 300 block of Dickman Ave. for child endangerment CLEMONS was booked at MPD jail and later released on a citation.

2/15/13 Victim reports theft of a blue backpack, a compressor and lightbulbs for a Toyota from the trunk of her vehicle while it was parked in the 1100 block of Forest Ave. (Pacific Grove).

2/16/13 Victim reports her purse and contents to have been taken from a business in the 600 block of Cannery Row.

2/16/13 Victim reports being battered by known suspect in the 300 block of Drake Ave. Case for documentation purposes only.

2/16/13 Victim reports a red vehicle to have sideswiped his rental vehicle while parked in a parking lot in the 600 block of Lighthouse Ave.

2/16/13 MPD documented a juvenile problem in the 700 block of Hawthorne St.

2/17/13 MALLANGI, BHANUTEJ, male/24 black, brown, 6’0, 143, was arrested for DUI at Lighthouse/McClellan. Bail is $5,000. Bail posted.

2/17/13 MPD documented a peace disturbance in the 300 block of Drake Ave.

2/17/13 URSO, MICHAEL male/60 5’11” 140 BRN/HZL was arrested for battery after I witnessed URSO strike the victim at McAbee Beach. Victim declined prosecution. URSO was released per 849(b)(1) PC

2/17/13 PARKER, JORDAN CHRISTIAN male/42, 5’10” 160 Red Green was arrested for public intoxication at McAbee beach. He was later released for medical treatment.

2/18/13 MPD documented graffiti at 585 Cannery Row.

2/18/13 MPD towed a white, 93 GMC Sierra from the 2000 block of David for expired registration over 6 months.

2/18/13 Victim in the 300 block of Prescott Ave. reports suspect to have burglarized her vehicle while parked at her residence. Taken was a purple Victoria Secret purse containing misc makeup.

2/18/13 Pacific Grove PD was aided in the location of two burglary suspects at Del Monte and the Navy Gate. PGPD responded and arrested both for burglary.

2/18/13 MCSO was aided in the cite and release of URSO, MICHAEL, male/60, Brn, Hzl, 5’11”, 150 in the 300 block of David Ave. URSO was cited and released on an outstanding $3,500.00 warrant.

2/19/13 DONAHUE, JUSTIN HEISER, male/30, brown, blue, 5’10, 190, was cited and released after trespassing inthe 800 block of Hawthorne,

2/19/13 MPD towed a blue/white, 1996 Ford Ranger from northbound Lighthouse curve for obstructing traffic due to a flat tire.

2/19/13 CANTALOUBE, CURTIS, male/20, brn, brn, 6′-00″, 175, was cited for minor purchasing alcohol and MACIWALA, ALIA, female/23, bln, brn, 5′-9″, 135, was cited for selling alcohol to a minor in the 700 block of Cannery Row.

2/20/13 Vicitm reports being battered by a female suspect while in the 700 block of Cannery Row.

2/21/13 FONG, FRANKLIN, male/43, 5’8, 170 lbs, Blk, Brn, SHAKE, OMAR, male/22, 5’8, 150, Blk, Haz, and CHRISTENSEN, JOSEPH, male/21, 6’0, 185, Bln, Blu, were all arrested for Felony Vandalism and conspiracy at Pacific and Scott. Damage estimated at $1,500. CHRISTENSEN was additionally charged with obstructing and resisting. FONG, SHAKE and CHRISTENSEN were booked at MPD on the above charges and will remain in custody pending bail or arraignment.

2/21/13 Victim reports being beaten and robbed on the Recreation Trail at Windows on the Bay Park.

2/21/13 MPD towed a 1987, Black, Merzedes, 300E, 4D, for registration expired over 6 months, from Dickman and Belden.

2/21/13 MERCURIO, NADIA KATHLEEN, female/57, 5’5″, 140, Blond, Green, was cited and released on Salinas Superior Court Traffic Warrant for violation of 20002(a) CVC, $5,000 bail, when contacted during a traffic stop at David and
Laine.

2/21/13 Victim reported the theft of a rental bicycle while parked at 400 Cannery Row.

2/23/13 WHITEMAN, MICHAEL SHANE male/24, 5’11, 165, Bro, Hzl, was arrested for public intoxication on Archer at Hoffman. WHITEMAN will be relased with no charges when sober.

2/24/13 Subject reports finding a wallet in the 200 block of Laine St. Pending contact with owner.

2/25/13 THORSEN, MARK, male/31, 5’6, 140, Brn, Brn, was arrested for a PRCS violation after he was found misappropriating found property near Pacific/Scott. THORSEN was booked at MPD and is pending arraignment.

2/25/13 Non-injury traffic collision in the intersection of Prescott and Lottie.

2/26/13 Subject in the 1000 block of David Ave. reports neighbor’s dog to have been loose and challenged him in his yard. Neighbor was issued civil citation by mail.

2/26/13 MPD documented a civil issue in the 400 block of Spencer St.

2/27/13 MPD documented a civil issue in the 700 block of Hawthorne Ave.

2/27/13 Victim reports burglary to his vehicle while parked in the area of Belden/ McClellan. Taken was an olive green knit cap, Black Hill brand hoodie XXL, text book, Black CD case w 50 music CDs, olive green folder w veh reg, ins,
veh manual, fixed 3″ blade knife w black cord wrapped handle

2/27/13 City of Monterey Public Works, reports graffiti at 550 Wave.

2/28/13 Report of a robbery on the Recreation Trail near Cannery Row.

2/28/13 Victim reports her vehicle keyed while parked in the 600 block of Spencer St.

New Monterey Police Blotter – February 2013