Monterey County businesses cited for violating orders

• Nearly a dozen citations were issued to Monterey County businesses by county health officials in October for violating the county’s face covering order, but only after a lengthy “outreach and education” effort. Seven businesses were cited, some more than once, for failing to require staff and customers to wear face coverings in their establishments after multiple visits by county Environmental Health Bureau inspectors starting in September. Five of the seven receiving citations were restaurants and other food facilities, while a barbershop and a gym also were cited.

• While the California Department of Public Health issued guidance and allowed playgrounds in the state to reopen, cities around the Monterey Peninsula took varied approaches to reopening play structures for children.

• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency published import requirements for romaine lettuce grown in the Salinas Valley in a move that perplexed local leaders because it wasn’t clear why it was issued when there were no illness-related issues.

• Monterey Bay Aquarium Executive Director Julie Packard testified to the California Assembly about the inequities in the state’s tiered system of restrictions and the effect it was having on the Aquarium and Monterey County tourism.

• After conducting interviews with five finalists, the Monterey Peninsula Community College District board announced Saturday it selected interim Superintendent/ President David Martin for the permanent position.

• County officials approved a general plan amendment with a community climate action plan with even stricter greenhouse gas reduction goals reflecting new state targets.

• In a critical step for the proposed public takeover of California American Water’s Monterey-area water system, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District’s board of directors certified the final environmental impact report for the effort.

• Two iconic structures in the oldtown district of Salinas — the Dick Bruhn and Greyhound Bus Station buildings — were sold by Gerry Kehoe’s Berkley Inc. to Bruce Taylor’s Taylor Fresh Foods, for $2.15 million and $1.35 million respectively.

• For 6-year-old Isabella Paredes, two of her favorite things in the whole wide world came true one day in October when three Monterey police officers dressed as princesses showed up in front of her house to wish her a happy birthday.