Dear Readers,

Just before we went to press, a bombshell announcement was made at city hall: The investigation of Steve McInchak, which started with an extraordinary search of his house and then dragged on for more than a year, has been closed with no charges filed. We have the details.

The petition for city administrator Jason Stilwell to resign is gaining steam -- and signatures. Meanwhile, a member of the library board has resigned and added his name to the long list of people who say something's very wrong at city hall. Mary Schley reports.

A consultant has been picked, pending confirmation by the city council, to bring Forest Theater up to modern standards while retaining its charm. Mary has that one, too.

Opponents of the Carmel Valley canine center have long demanded an EIR, and now it looks they'll get one. Chris Counts reports.

The water district will spend $75,000 to remind you that you need to save water -- a reminder you may think is superfluous. The summer film series that normally plays outdoors will move to the youth center. Speaking of EIRs: One is also in the works for the P.B. Co.'s affordable housing project. Amid all the talk of budget cuts, CSUMB has a surprising amount of money to spend, and it's using it to buy real estate. We have a special section full of tips about taking care of your best friends. And my editorial explains what was really wrong with the sudden -- and illegal -- increase in the city's business license tax. 

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

To return to the download page for the July 25, 2014, edition, please click here.