Elkhorn Slough reopens after the Moss Landing battery storage fire. Are the sea otters OK?

KION on February 5, 2025

Briana Mathaw

ELKHORN SLOUGH, Calif. (KION-TV) — With the Elkhorn Slough reopening Wednesday, researchers expressed concern over pollution and toxins to Sea Otters after the Moss Landing battery plant fire last week.

Worries over long-term effects on wildlife in the area is prompting extensive research throughout the reserve.

“My biggest concern is that it’s what you don’t see, the chemicals and particles that go up into the air and we don’t know how long they will stay in the soil and then in the water,” said Elkhorn Slough volunteer Juana Ventura. “We don’t really know long term what that could cause for the wildlife and for people.”

After almost one week of being closed, the Elkhorn Slough reserve has been reopened, prompting some visitor and scientist concerns over what may be lingering in the air and water from the Moss Landing battery fire.

“We have been monitoring crews for two full days since the fire [and] have not noticed anything alarming that’s visible to the eye,” said UC Santa Cruz researcher Lilian Carswell. “We haven’t noticed any acute effects on sea otters. We haven’t noticed any odd behavior.”

UC Santa Cruz researchers have been diligently tracking the sea otters, still concerned about the potential long-term smoke effects being inhaled or ingested while the otters groom.

“That could be either directly inhaled, or it might have deposited particulate matter into the water that sea otters could conceivably ingest while grooming,” said Carswell.

Researchers will stay diligent in monitoring the ongoing condition of the Elkhorn Slough otters.

“We’re monitoring their social behavior, their chronic stress and their habitat use, their foraging success,” said Carswell. “We don’t know how much smoke [the] sea otters were actually exposed to, but we will be looking at sea otters over the next coming months and even years to see if there’s any kind of increase in certain causes of death or if there’s any changes in the stranding rate.”

The Elkhorn Slough reserve is asking for people who may notice unusual behavior or even death among the sea otters, to please report it to the reserve by calling 831-728-2822 or emailing questionsforus@elkhornslough.org.

Be Mindful: Neuro-divergence and ADHD in the brain

KION on February 5, 2025

Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — While most people have heard the term ‘neuro-divergence,’ many don’t really understand what it is.

Cleveland Clinic calls neuro-divergence a non-medical term used to describe people whose brains work a bit differently than someone with a neuro-typical brain.

While there are a handful of different types of neuro-divergence, one common syndrome known as ADHD, is often misunderstood or confused.

ADHD, according to a special edition of Very Well magazine, is broken down into three main types; predominantly inattentive, predominantly hyperactive-impulsive and a combination of the two.

“The predominantly inattentive type are a lot of executive functioning kinds of concerns,” said Dr. Andrew Suth, Neuropsychologist with Ohana. “Executive functioning being basically how you get from A to B as you plan your way through a day.”

The hyperactive-impulsive type of ADHD presents a bit differently than the inattentive type of ADHD, according to Dr. Suth.

“The hyperactive-impulsive type are more people who feel like they can’t sit still, that idea that you’re driven by a motor,” said Dr. Suth. “You feel like you’re always on the go and you’re kind of always being told to rev it down and you don’t feel that matches where your energy is.”

In addition to the different symptoms showing up in people experiencing inattentive versus hyperactive-impulsive ADHD, doctors say that gender may also play a role in what this condition might look like in a person.

“For a long time girls were not diagnosed with ADHD,” said Dr. Courtney Nixon, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist with Ohana. “A lot of girls present more inattentive and so they would be students not really causing a lot of trouble in class and kind of fly under the radar. Now, we’re recognizing a lot more of that ADHD inattentive type and seeing that more in girls.”

Dr. Nixon says that the prefrontal cortex in the brain is what determines the symptoms that a person with ADHD might experience.

The prefrontal cortex is defined as the part of the brain that is in charge of a person’s personality as well as how they process moment-to-moment stimulus, past experience comparisons as well as our reactions, according to the National Library of Medicine.

“What we believe is that there is a lack of a chemical called dopamine in that prefrontal cortex,” said Dr. Nixon. “For your kiddos with ADHD, they have even a little bit more of a challenge with that executive functioning task that we’re talking about, like organization.”

Both doctors agree that when properly cultivated, certain aspects of ADHD can serve as almost a superpower.

“Because that part of their brain is working so well, they pick up on detail, pick up on patterns that other people don’t,” said Dr. Suth. “It’s one of the reasons why kids with ADHD are so often creative adults.”

“It’s really a super power,” added Dr. Nixon. “A lot of athletes have ADHD, a lot of artists have ADHD because of that neurodiversity and their brain working differently.”

Many people are noticing a growing diagnosis with ADHD, and they’re not entirely wrong.

“We’re getting better at recognizing that instead of maybe labeling kids as ‘bad student’ or ‘this kid’s a troublemaker,’ we’re actually getting a lot better–in the education system, parents, doctors–at really identifying that this child has ADHD,” said Dr. Nixon.

As far as treatment goes, both doctors suggest using organizational tools like charts and planners, as well as keeping the mind and body active.

They also say that honing in on which symptoms a person is experiencing is crucial to ensure proper treatment.

Then, there’s always a plethora of medication on the market if a person chooses to go that route.

The County Agriculture Commissioner comments on ag impacts following the Moss Landing Power Plant fire

KION on February 5, 2025

Austin Castro

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) — The County of Monterey’s Agriculture Commissioner talked about the Vistra Energy battery fire and its lasting effects on the local agriculture industry in a press briefing Wednesday.

“I should mention that we are in the middle of winter right now, even though it doesn’t seem like it, but a lot of our agricultural operations are idle during this time of the year, so there’s very little activity in the fields,” commented County Commissioner Juan Hidalgo about the air quality and particulate matter in regards to nearby farmworkers.

Hidalgo added that given the weather and dispersion of the fire, particulates never reached ground levels. He also said that the fire incident is something that the local agriculture industry hasn’t seen before, so they’re working with local agencies to investigate further.

“Very few commodities are being harvested, and there’s very limited numbers of agricultural workers out in agricultural areas as well,” Hidalgo said of agriculture workers out in the field.

Presidio of Monterey Fire Captain designs First Responders Night logo for San Jose Sharks

KION on February 5, 2025

Victor Guzman

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KION-TV) — A Presidio of Monterey Fire Captain is being credited for designing the San Jose Sharks First Responders Night logo ahead of their home game against the Nashville Predators.

Sylas Jumper says he grew up in San Jose and that art helps to keep his head straight.

“With the street art and car art I gravitated towards a lot,” says Jumper. “Also growing up skateboarding in downtown San Jose and putting all of that culture together. I’ve enjoyed doing all kinds of that art and mixed media type deal.”

Sharks First Responders Night logo designed by Presidio of Monterey Fire Captain Sylas Jumper (Photos courtesy of the San Jose Sharks)

Jumper describes the main inspiration for the design as “simple,” making adjustments to the triangle design that surrounds the current Sharks logo and replacing it with a fire hose.

Jumper also replaced the hockey stick being bitten into by the Shark with a fire hose.

The shoulder patch is a mixture of a fire helmet and the shark fin.

“Working with the sharks is a crazy opportunity,” Jumper said. “I’m very honored to be a part of it. It’s just another stepping stone in my artwork.”

Before the game, a couple of Sharks roster members and staff could be seen wearing the jersey with Jumper’s design.

The Sharks are expected to auction off some of the jerseys, with proceeds going to the San Jose Fire Department Burn Foundation.

For more information and a detailed look at the logo and patch designs, click here

Assemblymember Addis introduces new bill focused on battery facility safety

KION on February 5, 2025

Jeanette Bent

MOSS LANDING, Calif. (KION-TV) — A new bill has been introduced to put up stronger safeguards and protections for future battery storage facilities.

The Battery Energy Safety & Accountability Act, or AB 303, was introduced by Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) alongside Monterey County District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church. The bill is aimed at finding reasonable requirements for future locations on where to create battery facilites alongwith solutions on how to prevent similiar fires.

“Our true goal is to guarantee safety for the community and make sure that we are moving forward effectively and collaboratively with local residents, businesses, and all who surround Moss Landing to know they will be safe,” Addis said.

The introduction of the bill is one week since the Vistra Energy fire broke out at the Moss Landing Power Plant last Thursday afternoon. Concerns over the air quality and surroudning areas arose as one of the largest lithium-ion battery facilties in the world continued to burn into the night.

Despite the fire dying down the next day, a flare-up sparked the next day before the fire went back to burning itself out. Supervisor Church has been a vocal about his own conerns around the facility and the aftermath that continues.

“We just can’t keep going ahead without the proper regulations,” Church said. “As I’ve said before, and I will say again, we’re at a point where government regulations and control of this technology by industry is no up to where it should be.

Both Addis and Church hope that with the introduction of AB 303, future incidents involving battery facilties can be prevented. Prior to the Vistra Energy fire, the Tesla Megapack battery facility caught fire in 2022.

Hollister Police: Man shot multiple times, suspects not caught

KION on February 5, 2025

Victor Guzman

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV) — Hollister Police is looking for multiple suspects who they believe shot a man multiple times early Saturday morning.

Police said the shooting happened on January 25 around 1:40 a.m. at the 400 block of Meridian Street.

According to investigators, the victim confronted several people who he believes was breaking into his car around that time.

Police said the man followed the suspects and demanded they return items he believed they stole. That’s when police said a physical altercation took place and the victim was shot.

The suspects were described by police as Hispanic males in their late teens to early 20’s — each around 5’10” and wearing dark clothing.

“Although it may appear only one of the suspects shot the victim, all three suspects can be charged with conspiracy as well as the crimes involved with the attack and the shooting,” said Police.

Police tell KION as of Sunday morning the victim is in “stable condition” but did not specifically disclose the extent of their injuries.

Monterey Airport sees 19.5% increase in passenger travel from previous years

KION on February 5, 2025

Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) announced that the airport has seen double-digit passenger growth for the third consecutive year, serving 622,543 departing and arriving travelers in 2024.

“I’m proud of the work our airport team accomplished to make 2024 a record-breaking year for passengers served—all while the airport was actively being reconstructed as part of our MRY Metamorphosis,” said Executive Director Michael La Pier.

The airport saw a 19.5% increase in passenger traffic in 2024 compared to 2023, making it the most passengers served in a 45-year span. They said that they had 311,101 departing and 311,442 arriving passengers last year.

“A new airline and destination, along with additional passenger seats by existing carriers, contributed to the airport’s busiest year since the closure of Fort Ord in 1994,” wrote the airport in a press release.

Other contributing factors included second daily nonstop flights added to San Diego (on Alaska Airlines), Dallas-Fort Worth (on American Airlines) and Denver (on United Airlines), as well as seasonal nonstop service to Minneapolis-St. Paul (on Sun Country Airlines) and Burbank and Orange County (on JSX).

The airport is saying that the “MRY Metamorphosis” is “transforming the airport” through a replacement passenger terminal, adjacent commercial aircraft ramp and several support facilities.

A handful of construction developments also contributed to the increase in passenger ship, according to the airport, and more new developments are slated for 2025.

Classes canceled for hundreds of students after copper thieves cut power to school

KION on February 5, 2025

CNN Newsource

By J.R. Stone

Click here for updates on this story

VALLEJO, California (KGO) — It’s the middle of the school year and hundreds of kids in Vallejo are left wondering when they’ll be able to go back to class.

Over the weekend, their school’s copper wiring was stolen and the electrical system no longer works.

More than 600 kids who attend Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy, which is K-8, will be home on Monday after the school’s electrical system was knocked out by a thief or thieves.

“Upon further examination, we discovered that someone had broken in and had stripped all our copper wiring to the breakers, essentially leaving the campus dark,” said Vallejo City Unified Superintendent Ruben Aurelio.

Family members of the kids who go to school there are angry.

“For some children, that’s their only positive environment. That’s the only safe haven they have. And to rob them from that is just inexcusable. It’s just really sad,” said Jay Stafford.

Stafford’s sister is now out of school and their family will take turns watching her this week.

Police say no arrests have been made. Aurelio says investigators are looking at surveillance video. But it was dark late Friday into early Saturday, and whoever did this took out the power.

Parents were told that a fix would likely take a week. Aurelio says it could actually be a couple of days or a couple of weeks.

“We’re not flushed with a bunch of money to all of a sudden replace thousands of feet of wiring, copper wiring. Right now, we have an estimate. It will be somewhere between $150 to 250,000 to get this campus back up,” Aurelio said.

“It’s just very sad. A lot is going on in Vallejo right now. We are what we would like to call a ‘lawless city’ almost. So much is going rampant, and it’s just really sad that now the crime has affected our children being able to attend school,” Stafford said.

Aurelio says it’s possible that extra school days could be added onto the end of the school year, but right now the focus is getting kids learning as quickly and safely as possible.

“We’re going to move to get kids back into school as soon as possible, even if that means distributing students and staff to other campuses that have space that can hold them,” Aurelio said.

“We are a very strong community. We are very close-knit. We have a lot of people who advocate in the community and do great things. I believe this is just one of those things that we will have to get over and triumph over,” Stafford said.

The Vallejo City Unified School District put out this statement:

NOTICE FOR SOLANO WIDENMANN FAMILIES: A theft has severely damaged Solano Widenmann Leadership Academy’s electrical systems, requiring the school to CANCEL CLASSES until further notice. Repairs are expected to take about a week, but if the closure extends, the district will arrange alternate student placements to minimize disruption. Updates on repairs and potential relocations will be shared on ParentSquare, and families are encouraged to contact the school or district office with any questions.

Local nonprofits teaming up to distribute ‘red cards’ to undocumented community

KION on February 5, 2025

CNN Newsource

By Eduardo Huijon Jr.

Click here for updates on this story

SAN LUIS OBISPO, California (KSBY) — The Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County distributed over 500 red cards to more than 20 organizations in the area.

The red cards were provided by the immigrant legal resource center.

“We had a meeting with over 20 different organizations that are coming together in an organized way to make sure that our immigrant neighbors are safe and we’re all sharing the same accurate information,” said Rita Casaverde, Diversity Coalition San Luis Obispo County executive director.

Casaverde told KSBY News many organizations are coming together to help the undocumented community.

According to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the red cards have information on them to help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.

“Right now we have put more focus on sharing information to the community that has to do with their constitutional rights that we all have,” Casaverde said. “We also have shared through our social media some information to employers in case there are ICE raids.”

Some community members tell me they admire the work being done by local nonprofits.

“Nonprofits teaming up together to give those resources out I think it’s really important and I appreciate that work as well,” said MariCruz Orozco, a Central Coast resident. “As an undocumented immigrant’s daughter, it’s very meaningful work.”

“I think it’s good because everything that’s happening right now, it’s really upsetting because they do a lot for the community,” said Evelyn Fernandes, a Cal Poly San Luis Obispo student. “I think that it’s good that they’re being informed of the rights and the things they could do to protect themselves.”

Matt Lazier, public information officer for Cal Poly, told KSBY News the Student Diversity and Belonging Resource Center is also distributing red cards.

“I think it’s something that’s great because I know there are people at Cal Poly [San Luis Obispo] who are dream recipients or on DACA and who are afraid during these times,” said Yareli Ibarra, a Cal Poly student, referencing the 2012 immigration policy Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. “I think it’s just very powerful for them to know what their rights are and know that they have support.”

While ICE raids have been conducted in other California communities like Kern County, Casaverde wants to make sure residents are informed of their constitutional rights if it occurs locally.

“We have not heard of any local raid happening, but we want to make sure that the community is informed,” said Casaverde. “We just never know. We have heard of ICE in Kern County, so we just want to be prepared. But we’re also trying to make sure that we develop the networks needed so our community can feel safe and connected.”

Casaverde says the Immigrant Legal Resource Center offers print-at-home red cards online in 16 different languages.

Monterey County SPCA will offer free mobile spay and neuter surgeries for South County dogs and cats

KION on February 5, 2025

Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — SPCA Monterey County announced Monday that they will be offering free mobile spay and neuter surgeries for dogs and cats in South Monterey County.

These upcoming surgeries in South Monterey County are slated for February 12 at the King City Recreation Center on 401 Division Street; February 26 at the Soledad Lions Club on 161 Park Street; March 5 at the Soledad Lions Club on 161 Park Street; and March 19 at the King City Recreation Center on 401 Division Street.

This service is in addition to the low-cost veterinary clinic offered at the SPCA during regular business days and hours. According to the SPCA, over 8,000 animals are served each year with another service that provides free feral cat surgeries year-round.

“These free mobile clinics are open to dogs, feral cats, and friendly cats located in South Monterey County, from Chualar south to the county lines,” wrote the County of Monterey SPCA in a press release.

There is a $25 refundable deposit to hold the free clinic appointment, and the free surgeries also include rabies vaccinations as well as FVRCP for cats and DA2PP for dogs.

The SPCA wants to remind people bringing in pets to keep all feral cats inside humane traps, all friendly cats inside carriers and all dogs on a leash.

Appointments are available by visiting www.spcamc.org/vet-clinic.