The year 2023 began with stories about weather and it ends with stories about weather. As the year comes to a close, here's a look back at a selection of images that captured important moments in the news as well as feature stories that appeared in the Weekly.
Sheriff Tina Nieto speaks with the media about incoming storms at a press conference in Pajaro on Jan. 8. Rainfall meant high river levels and the risk of flooding—officials repeatedly urged the public to heed evacuation warnings and orders. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Neighbors came together to help remove water and debris from a flooded home on Paso Hondo in Carmel Valley after the surging Carmel River flooded multiple homes in the area on Jan. 9. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
An areal view of flooding along the Carmel River. Daniel Dreifuss▲
Violinist Tien-Hsin Cindy Wu served a brief tenure as artistic director of Chamber Music Monterey Bay. She continues to host chamber music concerts in her Corral de Tierra home. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
In March, more rain brought more flooding to Monterey County. The Pajaro River levee breached upstream from the community of Pajaro. Above, a resident walks through a flooded street. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Rio Oso Puppyface goes out to dinner at London Bridge Pub in Monterey. Weekly staff photographer Daniel Dreiffus' labradoodle was delighted by the invitation to model for a story about pet-friendly restaurant menus, and she devoured the hamburger patty and grilled chicken. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Pajaro resident Carla Escutia cleans out her flooded home after evacuation orders lifted. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Annijke Wade of Seaside is a pro mountain biker who became an adaptive rider after a spinal cord injury. She participated in an event at the 2023 Sea Otter Classic focused on inclusion in bicycling. “Everybody that rides a bike is a cyclist,” Wade says. “There is no one way to ride, no one way to show up. You don’t need to wear anything in particular – you should wear a helmet – but you don’t need particular shoes, or a fancy backpack. Just get out there and use a bike.” DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Students in Callie McKenzie’s burlesque class at Ms. Tryss Boutique in Monterey. McKenzie's classes are designed to make the dance form available to all. She also performs with the troupe The Carmel Delights. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Seniors enjoy a dance together at the Oldemeyer Center in Seaside. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Rancho San Juan High School student Nayely Muratalla gets a cheer and throws up some horns as she announces that she will be attending University of California Irvine. Muratalla is part of the Puente program, through which 17 students have received acceptance to some of the top colleges in the country. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Candace Ambrose, a fifth-grade teacher at the Alisal Virtual Academy, uses an eGlass screen. The touch screen acts like a transparent lightboard, allowing students to see the teacher facing them while writing on the board. Alisal was one district that chose to institutionalize virtual learning after pandemic restrictions lifted. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
The Carmel Foundation offers a wide range of classes and activities for seniors, including yoga. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Valerie Castile speaks in Seaside as the Police Department launches the Lights On! initiative locally. Castile's son, Philando Castile, was shot and killed by a police officer in 2016 during a traffic stop for a broken tail light. That prompted a Minnesota nonprofit to launch the initiative to help people pay for basic vehicle repairs. Seaside became the first Northern California jurisdiction to join the effort. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
A nine-hour police standoff in Salinas on Wednesday, May 31 ended with police killing 67-year-old Erin Howard Fischer. The encounter began in the morning when a Monterey County Sheriff's deputy served an eviction notice on Fischer; police said Fischer shot twice, injuring Deputy Jesse Grant. A warrant cited an email from legal counsel for the landlord, nonprofit Interim Inc., indicating there was advance knowledge of the potential danger: “[My client] asked me to apprise the Sheriff’s Department that members of Interim staff are informed and believe Mr. Fischer has an active gun license and may have guns in his possession…please be aware that during the eviction process, Mr. Fischer may also evidence an aggressive demeanor.”About 150 law enforcement officials from local, state and federal agencies responded, including SWAT teams and crisis negotiators from the FBI. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Hartnell faculty took to the streets over several months to protest for wage increases during contract negotiations. Finally, by Dec. 8, a 16-hour negotiating session led to an agreement. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
On June 28, the electric flying aircraft manufacturer Joby unveiled and demonstrated its first aircraft off the production line at the Marina Airport. The eVOTL maker has committed to expansion in Marina thanks in part to a state grant, despite its announcement that its primary development will be in Ohio. DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Oscar Loya Elementary School student Matias Vasquez has his photo taken on the first day of school. Transitional kindergarten enrollment was up in 2023, two years into the state's five-year implementation plan for making it a grade. Daniel Dreifuss▲
A dancer performs next to an exotic car at this years Motorlux party during the annual series of Car Week events. Daniel Dreifuss▲
Citing an increase in the visible presence of sex workers in their Salinas neighborhood, residents organized to demand City Council action. That included a protest on Saturday, Oct. 14. Participants carried signs with messages including, “Stop! We want our neighborhoods back!” DANIEL DREIFUSS▲
Smoke rises as a car drifts around a turn at Laguna Seca WeatherTech Raceway during the Drift Life event, which included an appearance by T-Pain. Daniel Dreifuss▲
A mom and son embrace after San Carlos School in Monterey went into lockdown on Feb. 1 after a gun threat was made by phone. Daniel Dreifuss▲