Today the City of Monterey announced that the Monterey Conference Center has earned an accreditation as a Global Biorisk Advisory Council GBAC STAR™ facility. GBAC STAR™ is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention, response and recovery accreditation for facilities. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

The City of Monterey will host two virtual town halls to solicit feedback about cannabis operations within the City of Monterey, Tuesday, January 26 at 10:30 a.m. and Thursday, January 28 at 7 p.m. Residents can register at haveyoursaymonterey.org/cannabis. Parallel, the City is also launching a new web-based engagement platform called, Have Your Say Monterey, at haveyoursaymonterey.org which features a community survey about cannabis operations.  A mail in version of the survey will be also sent at the end of January via USPS to all households in Monterey to allow residents to submit their opinion and views via traditional mail. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF // FLYERS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH

New Monterey City Code Ordinance 22-18.1 takes effect January 1, 2021 that prohibits gas-powered leaf blowers on residential lots. Electric and battery-powered leaf blowers are still permitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Monterey City Council approved the recommendation by the Community Development Department staff after much community discussion around noise disruption and air pollution emitted from gas blowers in neighborhoods. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF (IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH)

The City of Monterey today announced a Thanksgiving special promotion, #GiveThanksNotCovid. From now through Thanksgiving Day, enter to win a Monterey 250 commemorative poster celebrating Monterey's 250th birthday that took place on June 3, 2020. Participants can win their choice of a DownTown or Cannery Row 18x24 illustrated print designed by local Santa Cruz poster artist Kirby Scudder. Three winners will be drawn each day. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

The City of Monterey and Monterey Police Department are warning residents to be aware of scam phone calls reportedly coming from City of Monterey staff to residents asking for social security numbers and other personal identification information. The City became aware of this scam this morning when a resident notified an employee in the Public Works Department that they had received a call that appeared to be from a City phone number, shown on caller ID. This type of phone scam is called phone spoofing. The resident explained he received a call requesting that he provide his social security number to them immediately or his social security number would be cancelled/stopped within the next four hours. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

The National Weather service has issued a red flag warning - a warning that another weather system is in the forecast that includes potential lightning storms. The warning for erratic winds, dry lightning, and possible thunderstorms is effective now through 5:00 PM, Monday, August 24 (see graphic below). NEWS RELEASE IN PDF

In an unprecedented joint statement, authorities from beach communities located around Monterey Bay today announced the intended closure of all beaches over the Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 5, through Monday, September 7, 2020. Subject to input and potential ratification by each of the jurisdictions’ elected leaders, beach access would be prohibited during the anticipated busy holiday weekend.  NEWS RELEASE IN PDF | MAP

The City of Monterey today announced a partial beach closure for San Carlos and McAbee beaches on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2020.  The partial beach closure will allow for essential activity only, including ocean access, but prohibits sunbathing, lounging and group activities. This temporary measure provides additional health and safety assurance during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency shelter in place order, particularly on Monterey’s smaller beaches. NEWS RELEASE IN PDF | EMERGENCY ORDER