Latest news with #Salinas
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tenant advocates collect over 8,400 signatures to preserve renter protections in Salinas
More than 8,400 signatures have been collected by a grassroots campaign to preserve renter protections in Salinas. Protect Salinas Renters, a coalition of tenant advocates announced on Monday they have almost reached their goal of 10,000 signatures ahead of the July 3 deadline. "The count is increasing on an hourly, daily basis as dozens of volunteers are out knocking on doors and gathering signatures," said Matt Huerta, affordable housing advocate and Salinas resident. "We are just really excited as we set out on a pretty challenging venture to get 10,000 registered voters to sign the petition." The campaign began collecting signatures on June 3 in the wake of the Salinas City Council's final vote to repeal four city ordinances that established a series of tenant protections, including most notably a cap on rent increases. Their deadline is on the day the repeal becomes effective. More than 53% of households in Salinas are renters, according to city data. Over the last month, volunteers were busy collecting signatures outside local businesses and at community events. Huerta said fear in the community around ICE raids have made knocking on doors to confirm whether a resident was a registered voter challenging. "It couldn't be a worse time to be knocking on doors," Huerta said. "There are folks who said they would love to support it but didn't due to being part of a mixed status household." Huerta said this led the campaign to lean on folks who "are part of the community and who have earned the trust of other community members." When out walking the neighborhoods, volunteers have also come across door hangers with information on state tenant policies in both English and Spanish, and which directs people to report code violations to the City of Salinas, spurring some confusion amongst residents, Huerta said. "Putting out other information is confusing to people, who then tend to say no to everything," he added. Copy on the door hangers mirror that on the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce website, but when called, a staff member said the chamber was not behind the door hanger. A city official confirmed the door hangers are not a city of Salinas initiative. With 1,600 more signatures needed to meet the campaign's original goal and just 600 needed to be within a comfortable margin of error, should the signatures check-out, volunteers are calling on Salinas residents to sign the petition by end of day Tuesday, July 1. "The more signatures we have the more certainty we have that we will qualify," Huerta said. On Thursday, the coalition aims to deliver the signature packets to the city clerk for a raw count and an initial assessment. If the initial threshold is met, the petitions will be sent over to the county elections official for validation, which the department has 30 days to complete. The campaign needs roughly 7,000 valid signatures or 10% of Salinas registered voters who participated in last year's election. If successful, the city council is required to put the issue back on the agenda, and can vote to either "repeal the repeal," or to put a referendum on the ballot in a special election or the June 2, 2026, primary election and let Salinas voters decide. This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Salinas petition to keep rent stabilization collects 8,400 signatures
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Coca-Cola under fire after abrupt decision at longstanding bottling site: 'It's going to be sad for the community'
One of the top polluting corporations in the world recently announced the closure of a factory in Salinas, California, raising concerns among locals and workers alike. Coca-Cola is once again in the spotlight, this time not just for its record-breaking plastic waste. Residents in Salinas are grappling with the company's surprise decision to shut down a decades-old distribution site, putting dozens of jobs at risk. Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling announced the permanent closure of its Salinas distribution site, a facility that has served the area since 1955, KSBW reported. The decision, set to take effect Aug. 1, will impact 81 workers. Though Coca-Cola stated that most employees will be offered roles at a nearby facility in San José, which will be integrated into its distribution system on the West Coast, the announcement left many feeling uncertain. Local leaders and residents expressed disappointment because the town is already struggling to maintain jobs. "It's going to be sad for the community," said George Ochoa, who works at a nearby career center. "I'm sure a lot of people here have raised their families off the salaries they make." In Salinas, a predominantly working-class city as well as an agricultural hub, Coca-Cola's economic footprint is shrinking, eliminating jobs that many families have relied on for generations. While the company cited consolidation as the reason for the closure, the decision reflects a larger pattern. Coca-Cola's global operations can come at the expense of working communities and the environment — in the name of corporate profit. For instance, when operations are moved overseas, manufacturing may be cheaper but can eliminate sustainability benefits associated with local production. And while Coca-Cola said that most workers can transfer to other roles, commuting to San José, which is nearly 60 miles away and has a much higher cost of living, may not be feasible for everyone — and could lead to more pollution if workers rely on gas-powered modes of transportation. More broadly, Coca-Cola has been named one of the world's worst branded plastic polluters multiple years in a row, contributing millions of tons of waste that harms oceans, wildlife, and communities. According to one study, the company is responsible for 11% of global branded plastic pollution. Should the government continue to give tax incentives for energy-efficient home upgrades? Absolutely No Depends on the upgrade I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Over time, this plastic breaks down into microplastics that further contaminate our food chain, water, and ecosystems. City leaders, including Mayor Dennis Donohue, are hoping to repurpose the relatively new industrial site to attract new opportunities. "If there's a way to turn lemons into lemonade, we're going to go down that road as fast as we can," he said, per KSBW. Despite the discouraging news of the closure and the worrying implications, Coca-Cola is involved with various sustainability initiatives, including reducing plastic rings in its packaging. Supporting eco-friendly initiatives by brands communicates to companies that sustainability can be profitable and help move the needle in a positive direction. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Epique Realty Opens Waitlist for Epique Estates
Epique Realty Unveils Epique Estates, Setting a New Standard for Luxury Real Estate NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE / ACCESS Newswire / June 26, 2025 / In a landmark announcement at PowerCON 2025, Epique Realty today revealed its much-anticipated entry into the high-end market: Epique Estates - The Luxury Collection. The reveal was met with electric excitement from the capacity crowd. The new, exclusive division was presented by Trey Salinas, the executive leading Epique's Luxury & Multifamily strategy. He outlined a vision designed for the modern luxury connoisseur-the agent who specializes in magnificent homes and delivers truly elevated client experiences. "Luxury is no longer just a price point; it's a bespoke experience and a narrative of distinction," said Salinas. "We built Epique Estates for the agent who understands that high-net-worth clients demand more than a transaction. We are providing curated tools, global reach, and white glove support necessary to not only meet but to exceed those expectations. This is where artistry meets enterprise." Membership in Epique Estates provides access to an exclusive ecosystem of benefits, including: Bespoke Branding and Elite-Level Marketing Tools: Sophisticated, custom materials that resonate with a discerning Support: A dedicated concierge team to ensure seamless and exceptional service.A Curated Network: Exclusive access to a vetted network of top-tier agents, industry leaders, and luxury service professionals. Epique Estates is more than a label-it's a new benchmark for excellence. Entry into Epique Estates is by invitation only. Discerning agents who specialize in the luxury market are invited to signal their interest by joining the exclusive waitlist for first access and priority consideration. About Epique Epique Realty is a trailblazing, agent-first real estate brokerage committed to empowering its agents through a comprehensive suite of free resources and benefits including extraordinary support, award-winning AI technology, and a culture of radical generosity that fuels agent success. By questioning industry norms and putting agents at the center of its universe, Epique is not just transforming the real estate market-it is defining the future. #BeEpique Learn more at Barbara Simpson | PR and Communications 281-773-7842 | Barbara@ SOURCE: Epique Realty
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dallas Lakes Renamed After Historic Native Tribes in Unanimous Council Vote
The Dallas City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to rename three West Dallas lakes in honor of historic Native American tribes from North Texas. The new names — Comanche Nahmi Lake, Wichita ita:iʔh Lake, and Lipan Apache Mbátí Lake — combine tribal identities with Native words for 'sister.' The change, which applies to lakes along the Trinity River, was met with praise during public comment. 'You're not only recognizing our heritage, you're bringing visibility to the Native community of Dallas and North Texas,' said Rachel Salinas, a councilwoman for the Lipan Apache Tribe of Texas. 'These lakes will benefit families across Dallas for generations to come.' She reminded the council that her tribe is state-recognized and has lived under 'all Six Flags of Texas.' 'We are a historic state recognized tribe of Texas. We have lived under all Six Flags of Texas and have fought alongside Texas in defense of this land. Our contributions are part of Texas history,' Salinas said. Mark Smith, a Cherokee Nation member and former Dallas resident, called the vote more than just bureaucratic business. 'It's how we affirm our identity, history and presence. These lakes are more than bodies of water. They're spaces where communities gather, where urban families experience nature,' he added. 'They're shared public spaces. Giving them meaningful names is a way of making sure that everyone in Dallas feels seen and included in our city story. We often talk about equity, about inclusion. Naming is one of the most visible public ways to demonstrate these values.' While all council members voted in favor of the renaming, Council Member Cara Mendelsohn of District 12 urged city staff to consider public clarity, emergency access, and historical education when finalizing signage. 'I just hope that there'll be some consideration to making sure that it's pronounceable, that there's easy wayfinding and emergency services can find those locations.' Finally, Mendelsohn added that she hopes additional signage will be installed to aid both emergency services and public education on tribal history. 'I would wonder if there isn't a means to put some sort of historic marker to explain the significance and the meaning of what each of these lakes are, and why?' she said. 'I think it has an incredible history for Dallas. I think people would be interested. And so I hope that that greater context will be added, whether that's through a nonprofit or through the city.'
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Which Salinas area car dealership do you recommend to others? Vroom, vroom
You've seen USA TODAY's list of top cars dealers in California. But what is your preferred dealership when you are car shopping? In the Salinas area, 101 Motorsports on Prunedale Road made the top 250 car dealerships list. The dealership sells all brands of used vehicles, according to the list. Freeway Toyota of Gilroy also made the list for new and used Toyotas. Seven other nearby dealerships made the list: BMW of Monterey, 1 Geary Plaza, Seaside Cardinale Nissan, 1661 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside Capitol Volkswagen: 911 Capitol Expressway Auto Mall A, San Jose Lexus Stevens Creek: 3333 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose Capitol Toyota: 775 Capitol Expressway Auto Mall, San Jose Capitol Honda: 745 Capitol Expressway Auto Mall, San Jose Capitol Nissan: 1120 Capitol Expressway Auto Mall, San Jose We're doing a purely unscientific poll that gives you the opportunity to tell us what car dealership you recommend to others. If you didn't agree with the list, this poll is especially for you. Write in the dealership you trust for your car purchases. The poll allows you to pick more than one answer, if you have more than one dealership that you like. Vote through the Fourth of July weekend. Share the poll, too, with anyone who you think should take it. The poll closes at 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. We will share the results later that same week. Print subscribers, go to the to take the poll, which expires at 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, July 6. Remember to share the poll with anyone you know who may be interested in taking it. If you'd like to suggest a local topic the Salinas Californian/ should poll readers about, leave a comment on our Facebook page. This article originally appeared on Salinas Californian: Vote for the Central Coast car dealership you recommend for car buying
