Dear Readers,

Mayor Jason Burnett says the investigation of alleged misconduct by city employees -- which resulted in so many of them no longer being on the job -- is just about finished, and he says it uncovered some serious stuff. Mary Schley has the story.

Monterey Police made several arrests this week of people with apparent links to the ongoing string of burglaries in Carmel Valley. We have the details.

For the first time in at least four years, Highway 1 is open all the way through Big Sur with no road work or traffic delays. Chris Counts has that one.

Another city employee is leaving, and this time it's one of the town's favorite cops. Elder financial abuse of a Carmel couple has been alleged against two Monterey attorneys. The water district says Cal Am's estimates of coming rate increases are accurate. A new local history museum is set to open in Carmel Valley. We have a special section to help you get your Christmas shopping under way (at local stores only, please). And my editorial looks at what certainly will be the biggest downside of Obamacare.

We are very proud of our newspaper, and we sincerely thank you for supporting it. As always, I am available to respond to your questions, comments or concerns about our content, and to offer advice about how best to read it on your computer, smartphone or iPad.

To get this week's complete Pine Cone, please click here. If you have an informed opinion about one of our stories and would like to submit a letter to the editor, please click here. And please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions, comments or concerns.

Paul Miller, Publisher
paul@carmelpinecone.com

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