Aric Sleeper
VerifiedArticles by Aric Sleeper
Campaign sign violations by Seaside mayoral candidate not enforced following legal concerns
After mayoral candidate and current Seaside City Council member Alex Miller pushed back against the City of Seaside when officials fined him $7,000 for posting numerous campaign signs a day before the city’s code allowed, the city officials have decided they won't enforce most of the violations.
Campaign sign violations by Seaside mayoral candidate not enforced following legal concerns.
After mayoral candidate and current Seaside City Council member Alex Miller pushed back against the City of Seaside when officials fined him $7,000 for posting numerous campaign signs a day before the city’s code allowed, city officials have decided they won't enforce most of the violations.
Monterey Assistant Police Chief Mike Bruno
With Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober retiring next month after nearly four decades in law enforcement and about 12 years with the City of Monterey, City Manager Dante Hall announced that Assistant Police Chief Mike Bruno will serve as interim police chief starting Nov. 16. “Mike Bruno has risen through the ranks at the Monterey Police Department over the past two decades and brings operational knowledge, community trust and leadership to this interim role,” Hall said in a statement.
Faced with the prospect of data centers, Monterey County cities attempt to get ahead of the curve.
Aric Sleeper here, once again contemplating the spectre of AI and massive, resource-consuming data centers on the Central Coast and elsewhere in the world. In step with other governing bodies in Monterey County, such as the Marina City Council, which unanimously approved a 45-day moratorium on data center permits on Sept. 15, the Seaside City Council will hold a public hearing tonight, Oct.
Monterey Assistant Police Chief Mike Bruno appointed interim police chief
With Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober retiring next month after nearly four decades in law enforcement and about 12 years with the City of Monterey, City Manager Dante Hall announced that Assistant Police Chief Mike Bruno will serve as interim police chief starting November 16, 2026. “Mike Bruno has risen through the ranks at the Monterey Police Department over the past two decades and brings operational knowledge, community trust and leadership to this interim role,” said Hall in a statement.
Displaced residents of Casanova Plaza apartments file a damage claim against the City of Monterey.
Since March 9, 2026, when a three-alarm fire ignited from an unknown source around 3:45am in the Casanova Plaza apartment complex in Monterey, the residents – many elderly, disabled and low-income – have endured months of displacement, living out of hotels and with friends and relatives. “When they moved into their new places we bought every single one of them a new mattress, end tables, lamps, pots and pans and groceries,” says All-In President Tonya Kosta.
Monterey Assistant Police Chief Mike Bruno appointed interim police chief.
With Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober retiring next month after nearly four decades in law enforcement and about 12 years with the City of Monterey, City Manager Dante Hall announced that Assistant Police Chief Mike Bruno will serve as interim police chief starting Nov. 16. “Mike Bruno has risen through the ranks at the Monterey Police Department over the past two decades and brings operational knowledge, community trust and leadership to this interim role,” Hall said in a statement.
Monterey City Council election financial disclosures show Vicki Nohrden campaign leading in fundraising efforts. Original
In the recent campaign finance disclosure filings for candidates in the race for two seats on the Monterey City Council—Districts 1 and 2—the campaign for District 2 candidate Vicki Nohrden has outraised all others with about $17,400 in contributions from Jan. 1 to Sept. 19, 2026. In the latest reporting period, which spanned from July 1 to Sept.
As the first segment of FORTAG nears completion, officials voice concerns.
Many making their way across Fremont Boulevard near the borders of Monterey, Seaside and Del Rey Oaks may have noticed the ongoing traffic backups and ever-rotating lane closures needed to construct the Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway, or FORTAG. Construction on the project began in August 2024 and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County anticipates that it will be completed by December.
All-In Monterey County and a local moving company rally to help former residents of Casanova Plaza.
After a three-alarm fire devastated the Casanova Plaza apartment complex in Monterey on Monday, March 9, the displaced residents, many elderly and disabled, had been unable to reenter their old apartments and reunite with their possessions, such as family heirlooms and important documents. That is until the week of Monday, Oct. 5, when the Housing Authority of Monterey County, the building's owner, finally allowed the former residents to enter the premises by appointment and at their own risk.
Meteorologists say we’re in for a strong El Niño—but that doesn’t necessarily translate to a wet winter.
Aric Sleeper here, thinking back to the past few years of winter storms (January 2023, I’m looking at you) and forward to the rainy season ahead after attending the City of Monterey’s Winter Storm Ready Town Hall at the Monterey Conference Center on Wednesday evening, Sept. 30, which featured a panel of local experts from Monterey Fire and Public Works, County of Monterey, along with the National Weather Service and PG&E. With Gov.
City of Monterey officials warn streets will degrade if Measure S fails.
First approved in 2014, Measure S, formerly Measure P, is a 1-percent sales tax to fund street, sidewalk, storm drain and ADA repairs and improvements in the City of Monterey. Slated to expire March 31, 2027, it is up for an eight-year renewal this November. Monterey Public Works Director Andrea Renny stresses how important the tax revenue is to maintain critical infrastructure. “A brand-new street has a Pavement Condition Index of 100,” Renny says.
Six candidates vie for two at-large seats on the Seaside City Council.
With incumbent Seaside City Councilmember Alex Miller forfeiting his seat on council, and incumbent Councilmember Rita Burks competing against five others to remain in one of two at-large seats up for reelection Nov. 3, the Seaside City Council may experience a shake-up. When the Weekly sat down to discuss the issues with Seaside City Council candidates, many cited the need for creative, multi-pronged strategies, including Lacey Raak.
UPDATED: Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano outraises incumbent Tyller Williamson.
The latest campaign finance disclosure forms for the Nov. 3 election show Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano outraising incumbent Tyller Williamson by nearly 40 percent. The latest year-to-date totals for 2026 show that Williamson's campaign has raised $27,863, compared to Malfitano's campaign raising $38,725. In the previous filing period, which spanned from Jan.
Campaign fundraising in Monterey mayoral race is close to tied, latest filings show.
The latest campaign finance disclosure forms for the Nov. 3 election show a slowdown in fundraising activity for candidate Vince Malfitano. His forms show he received no contributions in the latest disclosure period, from July 1-Sept. 19, 2026. In the same time period, the campaign for incumbent Tyller Williamson raised roughly $19,000. In the previous filing period, which spanned from Jan.
UPDATED: Seaside woman seeks a restraining order against Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano.
According to a request for a restraining order filed in Monterey County Superior Court on Sept. 1, Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano harassed a Seaside woman at her workplace.
HUD audit found money problems with Monterey mayoral candidate’s assisted living facility.
Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano faced repercussions from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General for allegedly not following regulatory and operating agreements associated with a Bay Area assisted living facility he owned and operated until late 2017.
HUD audit found money problems with Monterey mayoral candidate’s assisted living facility.
Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano faced repercussions from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Inspector General for allegedly not following regulatory and operating agreements associated with a Bay Area assisted living facility he owned and operated until late 2017.
Un grupo impulsado por la comunidad se organiza para oponerse al uso de tecnología de vigilancia por parte de las fuerzas del orden.
El martes 25 de agosto, la Junta de Supervisores del Condado de Monterey tenía programado considerar la firma de un contrato de 10 años con la empresa de vigilancia Flock Safety, lo cual generó rechazo entre los residentes de todo el condado tanto antes como durante la reunión. Según un comunicado de la Oficina del Sheriff, la agencia estaba lista para avanzar con el asunto, “[pero] nos presentaron más de 30 preguntas sobre el uso propuesto de la tecnología de Flock Safety.
Seaside mayoral candidate Alex Miller is fined for posting political signs early.
After posting campaign signs and a billboard a day before he was allowed to do so per local ordinance, Seaside mayoral candidate and current Councilmember Alex Miller was fined $7,000 by the City. “The City of Seaside’s responsibility is to administer and enforce its adopted municipal code consistently and without regard to the identity of the candidate involved,” City Manager Greg McDanel says.
A community-led group forms to oppose law enforcement’s use of surveillance technology.
On Tuesday, Aug. 25, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors was slated to consider signing a 10-year contract with the surveillance company Flock Safety, which had met pushback from community members across the county before and during the meeting. Those responses are expected on Sept. 22, when the supervisors are scheduled to revisit the contract.
Seaside mayoral candidate Alex Miller is fined for posting political signs early.
After posting campaign signs and a billboard a day before he was allowed to do so per local ordinance, Seaside mayoral candidate and current Councilmember Alex Miller was fined $7,000 by the City. “The City of Seaside’s responsibility is to administer and enforce its adopted municipal code consistently and without regard to the identity of the candidate involved,” City Manager Greg McDanel says.
The investigation into a dead infant takes a perplexing turn.
Under the headline “Horrow Show,” Rubin describes the incident, in which a dead infant was found on the side of Struve Road in Moss Landing on Aug.
The dangers and opportunities of AI are pondered at a forum.
Aric Sleeper here, imagining a Terminator-style, AI-induced robot apocalypse after hearing the concerns of industry professionals and academics at the Artificial Intelligence and the Future of our Region at CSU Monterey Bay’s campus Thursday morning, Sept. 10. The event was organized by the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. I am being a little dramatic, of course. But after reading former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon’s social media post on Sept.
The dangers and opportunities of AI are pondered at a forum.
Aric Sleeper here, imagining a Terminator-style, AI-induced robot apocalypse after hearing the concerns of industry professionals and academics at the Artificial Intelligence and the Future of our Region at CSU Monterey Bay’s campus Thursday morning, Sept. 10. The event was organized by the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership. I am being a little dramatic, of course. But after reading former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon’s social media post on Sept.
Seaside woman seeks a restraining order against Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano.
According to a request for a restraining order filed in Monterey County Superior Court on Sept.
Seaside woman seeks a restraining order against Monterey mayoral candidate Vince Malfitano.
According to a request for a restraining order filed in Monterey County Superior Court on Sept.
Monterey-Salinas Transit lanza un programa piloto de cupones de Uber para personas con discapacidades, adultos mayores y veteranos.
Con el fin de ofrecer viajes a precio reducido para los residentes necesitados del sur y norte del condado de Monterey, incluyendo a adultos mayores, veteranos y personas con discapacidades, Monterey-Salinas Transit se ha asociado con la compañía de viajes compartidos Uber para crear el Programa Piloto de Cupones de Uber.
Seaside councilmember faces off against incumbent for the mayor’s seat.
After eight years serving as mayor of Seaside, Ian Oglesby is seeking another term because he says he still has work to do and wants to see long-term projects through, such as the Campus Town and Main Gate developments. “We have Campus Town, now officially called Pacific Landing, which we are working to finish,” Oglesby says.
Monterey-Salinas Transit launches Uber voucher program for people with disabilities, seniors and veterans. Original
To provide discounted rides for underserved residents of South and North Monterey County, including seniors, veterans and people with disabilities, Monterey-Salinas Transit has partnered with the ride share company Uber to create the Uber Voucher Pilot Program. "This partnership helps expand transportation options for residents in communities where mobility can be a challenge," said MST CEO Carl Sedoryk in a statement.
Autonomous racecars take to the track at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, with a taste of a possible future.
Aric Sleeper here, thinking about the past and future of transportation after checking out the Indy Autonomous Challenge at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober announces retirement.
After nearly four decades in law enforcement and 12 years with the Monterey Police Department, Police Chief Dave Hober announced that he is retiring and will end his service on Nov. 15. “Serving as Monterey’s Chief of Police has been the distinct privilege and honor of my professional life,” Hober said in a statement.
Five candidates vie for two Monterey City Council district seats, all elevating the budget to priority number-one.
A varied group of candidates has thrown their hats in the ring for two Monterey City Council districts this November – from a retired city engineer and financial professional to an ordained minister. One issue rises above the rest for all five candidates: the city’s ongoing structural budget deficit. “I know the budget like many people don’t know it,” Reeves says. “I put budgets together for the city and I know how the budgeting process works.
Monterey Police Chief Dave Hober announces retirement.
After nearly four decades in law enforcement and 12 years with the Monterey Police Department, Police Chief Dave Hober announced that he is retiring and will end his service on Nov. 15. “Serving as Monterey’s Chief of Police has been the distinct privilege and honor of my professional life,” Hober said in a statement.
Monterey County Sheriff's Office searching for suspects allegedly tied to abandoned newborn found dead.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office provided an update on Monday, Aug. 31, regarding the newborn child who was found dead along Struve Road in North Monterey County on Aug. 1. After receiving a report that a baby had been found alongside the roadway at approximately 8:30am on Aug. 1, fire personnel, emergency medical services and Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of Struve Road. At the scene, fire personnel confirmed that the infant was deceased.
Local tattoo artist and entrepreneur Angie Deveaux celebrates one year in business.
Roughly six years ago, Angie Deveaux decided to quit her job and pursue her dream of becoming a tattoo artist. “I was always very into art and tattoo culture, and I got tattooed as soon as I could, at 18, but I didn’t start honing my art skills until I was about 30,” says Deveaux, who is nearing her 40th birthday.
In Monterey’s election for mayor, challenger Vince Malfitano seeks to unseat the incumbent.
With the mayoral seat and two council districts up for grabs, the Nov. 3 election could completely transform the makeup of the Monterey City Council. In the race for Monterey mayor, incumbent Tyller Williamson will face off against Vince Malfitano for a two-year term. Williamson, an HR specialist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has served on the City Council since 2018 and has been mayor since 2022.
In Monterey’s election for mayor, challenger Vince Malfitano seeks to unseat the incumbent.
With the mayoral seat and two council districts up for grabs, the Nov. 3 election could completely transform the makeup of the Monterey City Council. In the race for Monterey mayor, incumbent Tyller Williamson will face off against Vince Malfitano for a two-year term. Williamson, an HR specialist for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, has served on the City Council since 2018 and has been mayor since 2022.
Local tattoo artist and entrepreneur Angie Deveaux celebrates one year in business.
Roughly six years ago, Angie Deveaux decided to quit her job and pursue her dream of becoming a tattoo artist. “I was always very into art and tattoo culture, and I got tattooed as soon as I could, at 18, but I didn’t start honing my art skills until I was about 30,” says Deveaux, who is nearing her 40th birthday.
Aric Sleeper here, scratching my head after learning that the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is trying to expand its network of Flock cameras in the county. Earlier this year, I reported that data collected by the so-called license plate reading cameras for the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office was being illegally shared with multiple out-of-state agencies, apparently without the sheriff’s knowledge.
The Kyler Engineering team creates temporary showrooms for Monterey Car Week.
OVER THE COURSE OF MONTEREY CAR WEEK, thousands of unique and rarely-seen vehicles – from Ferraris and McLarens to Lamborghinis, Porsches and everything in between – are put on display for admirers, gearheads and potential buyers. The cars’ transitory displays, or “temporary showrooms” as Matthew Kyler of Kyler Engineering calls them, are often just as aesthetically pleasing and structurally impressive as the vehicles they house.
City of Monterey issues urgent warning about permit-related phishing scam.
Officials from the City of Monterey are warning city residents, property owners and local contractors about a recent phishing scam related to the city’s permitting process. Phishing is a type of scam that generally occurs via email or phone, in which a con artist impersonates a trusted party to trick people into sharing their private information.
A proposed hotel known as the Collections Resort in Sand City inches forward.
The coastline north of Tioga Avenue in Sand City may eventually undergo a makeover after the California Coastal Commission gave the green light to a seaside hotel project, decades in the making. Sand City Collections LLC is proposing a 100-room hotel and resort complex, tentatively called the Collections Resort, which would include a restaurant, spa and 25-unit tent cabin campground intended to be more affordable than the hotel.
Monterey Communication Manager Laurie Huelga retires after 25 years working for the City.
If there is one lesson that Laurie Huelga learned through 25 years working for the City of Monterey’s communications and outreach team – ultimately retiring in July as the division manager and public information officer – it’s that communication is always the key. “Whatever the topic, communication is key, but you have to do it respectfully,” Huelga says. “If we have respectful conversations, we can figure out any problem.
After reporting alleged harassment, an unnamed County of Monterey staffer sues her employer.
An employee of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Accounting Division has filed a civil complaint against Rodrigo De La Rosa, an accounting clerk in the Sheriff’s Office and the husband of County Administrative Officer Sonia De La Rosa. According to the lawsuit, filed on Aug.
Monterey Communication Manager Laurie Huelga retires after 25 years working for the City.
If there is one lesson that Laurie Huelga learned through 25 years working for the City of Monterey’s communications and outreach team – ultimately retiring in July as the division manager and public information officer – it’s that communication is always the key. “Whatever the topic, communication is key, but you have to do it respectfully,” Huelga says. “If we have respectful conversations, we can figure out any problem.
Seaside Police Chief responds to concerns about Seaside Police officers on rooftop during Exotics on Broadway event.
The internet was abuzz following the Exotics on Broadway event in Seaside on Saturday, Aug. 15 during Monterey Car Week, after an attendee posted a photo showing Seaside Police officers stationed on a rooftop near the event armed with high-powered rifles. Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges says the “long-rifle observers” were stationed there during the event because, “Unfortunately, the reality of today’s world requires us to prepare for the worst while always hoping for the best.
Seaside Police Chief responds to concerns about Seaside Police officers on rooftop during Exotics on Broadway event.
The internet was abuzz following the Exotics on Broadway event in Seaside on Saturday, Aug. 15 during Monterey Car Week, after an attendee posted a photo showing Seaside Police officers stationed on a rooftop near the event armed with high-powered rifles. Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges says the “long-rifle observers” were stationed there during the event because, “Unfortunately, the reality of today’s world requires us to prepare for the worst while always hoping for the best.
A Pacific Grove resident allegedly attempted to sell a fictitious car, spurring civil and criminal claims.
WHILE HE WAS WORKING AS A GENERAL SALES MANAGER FOR MERCEDES-BENZ OF MONTEREY IN 2023, then-34-year-old Pacific Grove resident Christopher Darnell decided to branch out and start a luxury car-selling business of his own, which he called Exclusive Collection MRY LLC.
Matthew Kyler and his team create temporary showrooms for Monterey Car Week.
OVER THE COURSE OF MONTEREY CAR WEEK, thousands of unique and rarely-seen vehicles – from Ferraris and McLarens to Lamborghinis, Porsches and everything in between – are put on display for admirers, gearheads and potential buyers. The cars’ transitory displays, or “temporary showrooms” as Matthew Kyler of Kyler Engineering calls them, are often just as aesthetically pleasing and structurally impressive as the vehicles they house.
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Aric
Contact Aric, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack