County schedules battery storage meeting tonight
MONTEREY COUNTY — The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development Department and District 2 will hold an informational meeting on proposed regulations for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in unincorporated areas.
The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, at 5:30 p.m. at Prunedale Grange Hall, 17890 Moro Road, in Salinas.
The draft ordinance will outline oversight, standards, permitting and operations for BESS facilities. More information is available at comry.us/BESS, or by emailing BE**@**************ey.gov.
DUI checkpoint set for Friday in King City
KING CITY — King City Police Department will conduct a DUI checkpoint on Friday, March 20, from 6 to 11 p.m. at an undisclosed location within the city.
Checkpoint locations are chosen based on data identifying areas with higher rates of impaired-driving crashes. The primary goal is to enhance public safety by removing suspected impaired drivers from the road.
“Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk,” said Sgt. Anthony Shaw. “Any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improves traffic safety.”
Authorities remind drivers that impairment is not limited to alcohol; some prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as marijuana, can affect driving. Driving under the influence of marijuana remains illegal.
The program is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
SPCA brings mobile pet clinics to Gonzales
GONZALES — SPCA Monterey County is offering mobile spay, neuter and vaccination services in Gonzales this spring to help local pets stay healthy and prevent overpopulation. The donor-funded clinics are open to all Monterey County residents.
A spay and neuter clinic, requiring appointments, will be held Saturday, March 21, at the Gonzales Police Department, 109 Fourth St. Pets must be between 2 months and 6 years old and weigh 2 to 30 pounds. Appointments can be made at spcamc.org/mobile.
A walk-in vaccination clinic is scheduled for Saturday, April 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the same location.SPCA Monterey County provides year-round low-cost veterinary care, spay and neuter services, and other programs to reduce pet overpopulation and support local animals. More information is available at spcamc.org.
CSUMB presents 24th annual ethics forum
SEASIDE — Cal State Monterey Bay will host the 24th Annual Ethics and Responsible Business Forum from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, March 23. The free event is open to the public.
The forum, themed “How Companies Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World,” will explore how businesses can remain ethical, transparent and accountable amid growing social, political and environmental pressures.
CSUMB President Vanya Quiñonés and Provost Andrew Lawson will provide opening remarks, and Professor Jeff Froshman will moderate the program, which includes a keynote, panel discussions and audience questions. Keynote speaker Alison Taylor, an NYU professor and global leader in business ethics, will discuss how companies can move beyond surface-level ethics programs and make decisions that positively impact workers, communities and customers.
Following the keynote, a faculty and staff panel will explore ethics from academic, operational and leadership perspectives. Panelists include Angie Tran of the Department of Social Sciences and Global Studies; Derek Martin, associate director for Safety, Risk and Sustainability; and Phil Post, dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. A student panel from the College of Business will also share perspectives on responsible business practices and leadership.
The forum will conclude with remarks from Suzanne Zivnuska, dean of the College of Business. The event is organized by CSUMB’s College of Business, the Institute for Innovation and Economic Development, and the Responsible Business Innovation Lab.
More information and registration are available at 2026erbf.eventbrite.com.
