Dear Readers,

The city council took steps this week to make sure marijuana shops still won't be allowed in Carmel despite a new state law regulating — and, in effect, encouraging — them statewide. Mary Schley reports.

A coastal commission meeting next week could produce a final showdown over whether fires on Carmel Beach should be banned, or strictly limited but still allowed. Mary has that one, too.

Amid rumors that the dog center in Carmel Valley had started operating despite the lack of a permit, the owner said all she did was have a farewell party. Chris Counts has the details.

When State Sen. Bill Monning called a news conference Tuesday, there was a lot of anticipation that he'd announce a run for Congress. Instead, he announced that he wouldn't. Kelly Nix has the story.

After a long struggle, a home on Scenic Road got the final go-ahead this week, and the neighbor who tried to stop it said he can live with the result. Mary Schley has that one, too.

A city councilmember has taken the initial steps to run for mayor. Two environmental groups say they're on board with the effort to delay implementation of the water cutback order. Old growth redwood, it turns out, can travel first class from Big Sur to New Jersey. And my editorial observes that California's marijuana laws are a lose-lose-lose — for the people who need to use it, for the people who just want to use it, and for everybody else.

As always, I am available to respond to questions, comments or concerns, and to offer advice about how best to read our newspaper on your computer, smartphone or iPad.

Paul Miller, Publisher
paul@carmelpinecone.com

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