Dear Readers,

In one of those only-in-California moments, the city council decided this week not to make any significant changes to the renovation plans for the Forest Theater because doing so might trigger an EIR. In other words, they made their decision not on the merits, but to avoid bureaucratic delays. Mary Schley reports.

Homeless people have been sleeping in the post office lobby all night, every night, but because it's federal property, the Carmel P.D. hasn't been able to do anything about it. Mary Schley has that one, too.

A judge with the public utilities commission is asking for answers about yet another conflict of interest involving the Peninsula's proposed desal plant. Kelly Nix has that story.

A planned realignment of Rio Road is drawing fire from residents who don't want their parking limited, while others support the creation of a bike lane. Mary Schley has those details.

A Pacific Grove family barely kept their hides intact when a massive oak fell in their yard -- soon after the city told them they weren't allowed to cut it down. Monterey County traffic planners say 23 roundabouts in the county might be a good idea. If you're thinking of adopting a cat, Elaine Hesser can tell you all about where to get one -- or a whole bunch. This year's Bach Festival gets under way Saturday, and we have a special section with all sorts of insights about what to see. And my editorial says that the conflict of interest charges hitting the current desal plan aren't nearly as bad as the ones that stopped the last one.

Thank you for your interest in The Pine Cone. As always, I am available to respond to your questions, comments or concerns, and to offer advice about how best to read it on your computer, smartphone or iPad.

Paul Miller, Publisher
paul@carmelpinecone.com

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