Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 3

How to watch 49ers vs. Falcons on Sunday Night Football

The San Francisco 49ers take on the Atlanta Falcons at 5:20 p.m. PDT on Sunday, Oct. 19 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.

The Niners (4-2) are coming off a 30-19 loss to the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay, which saw middle linebacker and captain Fred Warner suffer a gruesome ankle injury. Warner is out for the year, so the 49ers will have to adjust without him.

Atlanta, meanwhile, beat the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football last week as running back Bijan Robinson broke out for an 81-yard touchdown on his way to 238 total yards from scrimmage.

How to watch on local TV

NBC is broadcasting the game nationally; in the Bay Area, tune in to KNTV-TV (channel 11) with an antenna or a cable TV provider. You can also log in to the NBC Sports app or website with your cable TV subscription credentials.

How to stream

Related Articles 49ers officially activate George Kittle, put Fred Warner on injured reserve Kurtenbach: My predictions for 49ers-Falcons — Can Mac Jones survive the Falcons’ onslaught? 49ers’ 5 keys to beating Falcons in prime-time spotlight minus Fred Warner 49ers’ injury outlook: Brock Purdy is out, so is Ricky Pearsall but George Kittle returns Kurtenbach: Kyle Shanahan once compared him to a 9-year-old. Now Kendrick Bourne is carrying the Niners

DirecTV Stream includes NBC in its local channel lineup. Subscriptions currently start at $49.99 per month.

FuboTV offers a free trial and $30 off the first month; after that, it is $84.99 per month.

Hulu+Live TV is a premium service with all the local channels and is on sale for $64.99 per month for the first three months; the regular monthly price is $82.99 per month.

NFL+ is an app that streams all local and prime-time games. Plans start at $6.99 per month.

Peacock is a streaming service from NBCUniversal and starts at $7.99 a month.

YouTube TV costs $82.99 per month, but it’s currently on sale for $72.99 per month for the first three months.

Horoscopes Oct. 19, 2025: John Lithgow, pay it forward

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Gillian Jacobs, 43; Chris Kattan, 55; Jon Favreau, 59; John Lithgow, 80.

Happy Birthday: Pay it forward. Lend a helping hand. Take care of unfinished business. Free yourself from restrictions, debt and responsibilities that are no longer valid. Consider your options, focus on what’s meaningful to you and narrow down your course of action to ensure you can dedicate your time to what matters most. Success depends on not spreading yourself too thin trying to please everyone else. Act on morals and principles. Your numbers are 6, 18, 22, 27, 31, 36, 43.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): A change of heart will lead to better relationships and understanding of what matters most to you. A cash injection or a gift someone offers will encourage you to make positive lifestyle changes. Opportunities will manifest through the connections you establish and by participating in group efforts to effect positive change. Romance is in the stars. 3 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): A change of pace will help you recognize what’s purposeful and rewarding. Use your voice, do what you can and make a difference. Home improvements that reduce your overhead or provide a space to create something you enjoy doing will boost your confidence and energy. A partnership appears appealing and can become a lucrative prospect. 3 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Figure out what’s lacking in your life and make a change. Stop waiting for everything to come to you when a take-charge attitude will help you alleviate negatives in your life. Picture what you desire, how you want to present yourself to others and what makes you happy, and start the process of fulfilling your dreams. 5 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Do something that brings you joy. Stop worrying about what you cannot change, and approach life with a positive attitude and a desire to live, love and create your happiness. A domestic adjustment that encourages you to turn your surroundings into a space that brings you peace and tranquility is a great place to start. 2 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Let your actions speak for you. A kind gesture will go a long way in impressing those you encounter. A positive suggestion, reinforcement or humorous input will set the tone for a conversation that makes a difference. Be the one to brighten everyone’s day, and the rewards will be overwhelming. A reunion will be eye-opening. 4 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): A financial change is evident. Manage your money with care. Generosity or paying for someone else’s mistake can’t buy you love or acceptance. Refuse to let anyone coax you into donating what you cannot afford. Offer your time, not cash. Listen and communicate, but don’t sign up for an obligation or make a promise you cannot fulfill. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Share your feelings and intentions, and find out where you stand. Communication is the key to making informed choices and moving forward with your life. You are overdue for a change, so put a budget and plan in place, and move forward with enthusiasm and anticipation. When opportunity knocks, open the door. 3 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Social events will lead to new opportunities. Conversing with people who offer a unique perspective will help you formulate a plan that encourages you to live a lifestyle based on what makes you happy and healthy. Tap into the resources available in your community, and embark on a new adventure. A change will raise awareness. 3 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Establish what you enjoy doing, and revamp your resume to suit your needs. It’s your responsibility to tailor your future around what makes you happy. Don’t be shortsighted when it comes to using your skills to fine-tune your needs. Make domestic changes that encourage personal growth and hone marketable skills. Self-improvement is your ticket to success. 4 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Live and learn. Do your best to avoid opposition. Expect others to scrutinize your actions. Excess and overindulgence can lead to a negative response if you give in to temptation. Pay attention to what others do, say and think, and make choices that protect your reputation. Set high standards, and know when to say no. 2 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Update personal papers to ensure everything is ready to use if necessary. Preparation will put your mind at ease and encourage you to consider options that you may not otherwise if your documents or personal matters are in disarray. Self-improvement, fitness and a healthy lifestyle will help you look and feel great. Romance is favored. 5 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Get out, socialize, share your story and engage in conversations that are conducive to building connections with those who share your interests and concerns. Finding common ground with others will help you recognize what’s possible and encourage more meaningful human connection, rather than relying on screen time. You don’t have to spend money to enjoy the company of others. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are friendly, accommodating and charming. You are proactive and resourceful.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes.2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others.3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals.4 stars: Aim high; start new projects.5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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Saturday football: Message delivered in Stevenson’s win over Breakers

PEBBLE BEACH — Jumping a division was supposed to come with growing pains. Instead, Stevenson School is putting together its best football season in 25 years.

Eight weeks into the season, and the Pirates are one of three teams still undefeated in the Pacific Coast Athletic League, with their first seven-game winning streak since 2000.

Five touchdown passes from Fin Mink on Saturday lifted the Pirates to a 49-7 decision over Pacific Grove, improving their overall record to 7-0 and Mission Division South mark to 2-0.

Stevenson's Finn Mink. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

Stevenson, which was bumped to the Mission Division South after winning two of the past three Santa Lucia Division titles, might be a candidate for the Gabian Division, the most competitive division in the league, next fall if this keeps up, having outscored its first two league opponents 85-13.

“All three phases were dialed in,” Stevenson coach Kyle Cassamas said. “We’re still not a full team. We’re waiting for a few of our injured bodies to come back. We haven’t had the luxury of having our entire team on the field once.”

All seven of the Pirates’ wins this year have been by at least 10 points, with four of their wins coming against teams currently with a winning record. The only other teams in the PCAL that are undefeated are Palma and Soquel.

“I think we’re playing our style of football,” Cassamas said. “We’re trying to put our kids in the best positions to find success. I challenged our guys to show up in all three phases, holding them to the standard we’ve created.”

After opening the season with three straight wins, the Breakers have dropped three of their past four games, falling last week to Alvarez in their Mission Division South opener.

“This was a tough week for us,” Pacific Grove coach Jeff Gray said. “Nobody likes to make excuses. You can’t take away what Stevenson has done this year and today. They are a very solid club.”

Riddled with injuries, the Breakers may have lost the services of multi-purpose back Garrettt Kuska for the remainder of the year with a knee injury.

Kuska came into the game leading the team with 701 rushing yards, while having a team-high 11 catches. He’s also the team’s starting outside linebacker.

“The running back position becomes thin when you’re a two-running back team,” Gray said. “And he’s our linebacker. We’ve lost three two-way starters. Again, everyone is banged up at this time of the year.”

Mink, who came into the game with 13 touchdown passes, threw four in the first half, hitting Caden Olson three times and Tono Borgamini on a screen pass that resulted in a touchdown.

Stevenson's Caden Olson. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

Coming off a season in which he threw for just under 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, Mink was 21-of-23 for 388 yards, giving him 1,802 yards and 19 touchdowns through seven games.

Olson was on the receiving end of four of Mink’s scoring strikes, giving him 10 touchdowns on the season. The senior has 56 catches for 807 yards in just six games, putting him on pace for a 1,000-yard receiving season.

As dynamic as the Pirates’ offense has been, a defense anchored by Cody Thacher and Brandon Andrade, has set the tone in most games, having held seven teams to a PCAL low 67 points this year.

“Everyone is interested in what we’re doing offensively, which is great,” Cassamas said. “But we play good defense as well. All these teams think they’re going to run the ball down our throat. We say OK, give it a try.”

Pacific Grove (4-3), which has gone a combined 13-2 in the first half of the season over the last three seasons, will travel to 6-1 King City next Friday.

Trinity 62, Hillbrook 18

Brady Ramones accounted for six touchdowns as the Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak, improving to 4-3 overall.

Trinity, which closes the season with games against Anzar and Harker of Sunnyvale in 8-man football, hasn’t posted a winning season since 2017, when it went 5-3.

Trinity Christian's Brady Ramones. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

The Warriors have been a tale of two teams, averaging 56.3 points a game in their wins, but allowing over 60 points a contest in their three losses.

“We hit the reset button this week and had a mini training camp to focus on the basics, especially defensively,” Trinity coach Andrew Dirkes said. “The kids could have taken that as a negative, but instead used it as motivation.”

Brady Ramones rushed for three touchdowns and caught two touchdown passes for the Warriors. He also threw a touchdown pass when inserted behind center after a high ankle sprain ended quarterback Daniel Dirkes’ day.

“I was impressed with our next man up mentality,” Andrew Dirkes said. “The team kept their energy up, stayed focused and kept the ‘Semper Gumby’ flexible attitude.”

Before suffering a high ankle sprain, Dirkes tossed four touchdown passes in the first half. Eli Roberton caught three scoring tosses for Trinity.

Adrian Perez finished with three sacks and five quarterback hurries for the Warriors, while Joe Torres and Jacob Kim each had a sack, combining for three tackles for losses.

Community College football: Lobos’ state-leading winning streak ends at Sequoias

VISALIA — Saying the bubble has burst isn’t giving Monterey Peninsula College the respect it deserves for its body of work over the first six weeks of the football season.

Perhaps no one but the personnel and coaches in the locker room believed the Lobos could make an impact in their first year in the National Division. They entered the season unranked.

Yet, while MPC will like slide from its No. 5 state ranking this week after Saturday’s 56-26 loss at Sequoias ended its state-leading run of 17 straight wins, the 6-1 start isn’t an accident.

“If you had told me in August we’d be 6-1, I’d say that’s a pretty good start,” MPC coach Adrian Gallegos said. “What’s hard is the way we lost. Seguoias whipped us in all aspects of the game. I didn’t do a good job in preparing these kids.”

How the Lobos respond this week in practice will be critical going forward, as two of their final three opponents in the National Valley Conference are state-ranked, including No. 14 Modesto and No. 21 Sacramento City.

“This week is very important,” Gallegos said. “Adversity comes at some point. How do you respond? Everything we want is still in front of us. One bad week doesn’t define us. It was a good wake-up call.”

The Lobos close the season by hosting two of their final three games, including next Saturday when Fresno City comes to the Peninsula for the first time.

“We have to fix a lot of things,” Gallegos said. “It was never perfect. We took our lumps today. We have 50 freshmen. We have to keep getting better. We have to wash this and move on.”

The Lobos are no strangers to facing state-ranked teams, having beaten three of them during the first five weeks of the year, including an overtime decision over Foothill of Los Altos HIlls.

“I felt our energy was low in the beginning,” Gallegos said. “And they hit us in the mouth. They scored on their first five drives. Sequoias had a good plan. They were just better than us.”

While the Lobos were able to cut the deficit to seven when Simon Lopez connected with Karendus Poe for a touchdown, what followed was No. 13-ranked Sequoia running off 28 straight points to open up a 42-7 cushion.

Quarterback Payton Faker picked apart the Lobos defense, completing 21-of-30 for 312 yards and five touchdowns in three quarters of action.

The Giants came into the game riding a four-game winning streak, including a win over then No. 2-ranked Butte. Their lone loss was to City College of San Francisco in Week 2.

“You can make an argument that we’ve overachieved to this point,” Gallegos said. “We believe we can beat anyone. But we can be beaten by anyone. Our kids kept fighting. We had some moments in the second half.”

Lopez threw for a season-high 328 yards for the Lobos. But three turnovers crippled an offense that finished with minus-6 in rushing yards.

“We can build off the second half,” insisted Gallegos. “I have to come up with a better game plan. It’s hard to win at this level being one-dimensional. Some of these guys haven’t lost in two years.”

Coalinga 49, Hartnell 0

Growing pains were expected when building a program from scratch in six weeks. Yet, no one could have envisioned the stretch the Panthers are going through.

On the heels of giving up 83 points last week in a setback to De Anza, Hartnell (2-5) surrendered 49 in being blanked for the second straight week in the American Golden Coast Conference.

The Panthers, who were winless in conference play last season, have now dropped 10 consecutive conference games, with a meeting looming next Saturday with Merced.

“The message today is I’m riding with them to the very end,” Hartnell coach Art Berlanga said. “I’m only going to coach harder and better. If you’re going to get your licks in on us, get them now. These days are numbered. I promise you that.”

Berlanga, the program’s third coach in three years, wasn’t hired until mid-June, assembling a staff and a team in a span of five weeks.

A former Soledad High and Hartnell all-conference defensive back, Berlanga has a history of turning programs around in year two, taking Gonzales to a league title in 2018 and Forge Christian to a Colorado state high school finals appearance last fall.

“This is completely different,” Berlanga said. “In high school, it’s more of a level playing field. That’s not the case at this level. We did the best we could just to put together a roster. With a full off-season, we’re going to recruit our butts off.”

Hartnell’s two conference losses have been to teams a combined 12-2, while two of its nonconference setbacks were to the No. 1 and No. 4 ranked offenses in the state.

Before the start of conference play, Hartnell had momentum after a 40-24 win over Contra Costa. It hasn’t scored in its last eight quarters.

“No excuses,” Berlanga said. “Who we got in uniform is what we got. Some guys are going to have to go both ways. A lot of freshmen are starting. Some didn’t start in high school. The guys who aren’t starting are getting reps.”

Justin Pascone was a bright spot for Hartnell with 108 yards on 24 carries. Adam Shaffer threw for 107 yards, while Caden Scherer compiled nine tackles. Ely Cisneros tallied seven tackles, with Asa Sagrero and Bryan Ortega each finishing with six tackles.

 

Monterey, Salinas hold their own ‘No Kings’

Thousands of protesters in Monterey and Salinas joined in peaceful demonstrations as part of “No Kings Day” of peaceful protest Saturday.

The protests were part of more than 2,500 other events across the country “in response to President Trump’s continued authoritarian power grabs,” stated a press release by No Kings, a coalition of over 200 organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, Sierra Club, Veterans for Peace and Human Rights Campaign.

With 300 events planned in California alone, other local No Kings events were held in Santa Cruz, Big Sur, Aromas, San Juan Bautista, Hollister and Watsonville.

Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Show Caption1 of 10Scenes from Saturday's No Kings demonstration at Window on the Bay Park, Monterey. (Melayna Hughes -- Herald Correspondent)Expand

In Salinas, many of the more than 500 people who packed two city blocks along South Main Street and Blanco Road, expressed disapproval of President Trump’s immigration policies.

“America has always been a nation of immigrants,” said Louis Montano, a Vietnam veteran who graduated from Salinas’ Palma High School in 1965.

For Montano, protesting the current administration was part of “an obligation to protect the Constitution of the United States of America…this is about our future.”

Antonio Perez, who served in the military from 2016 to 2021, expressing his disapproval of the president was an act of solidarity with his friends and family members who cannot protest in fear of immigration enforcement.

“I’m speaking up for the people that can’t. They’re scared of ICE. They’re scared of the administration,” said Perez.

Others, like Maggie Power, a former journalist from Canada who currently teaches at El Puente High School, expressed fear that Donald Trump’s presidency is a sign of an increasingly authoritarian government.

“I’m very concerned that America is turning into a fascist state,” Power said.

Saturday’s protest was the second “No Kings Day” following June 14 which drew over 5 million people across the nation to the streets.

49ers officially activate George Kittle, put Fred Warner on injured reserve

SANTA CLARA — Two of the most respected and influential veterans on the 49ers’ roster were officially headed in opposite directions Saturday.

Tight end George Kittle, out since Week 1 with a hamstring tear, returned to the 53-man roster  after missing five games while on injured reserve. Linebacker Fred Warner was placed on injured reserve, where he’ll stay the rest of the season barring an extremely unlikely comeback should the 49ers go deep into the postseason.

Also activated from I.R. is Kevin Givens, who has been out since August with a torn pectoral and can in theory add some depth to a defensive line rotation that needs some help.

In other moves, the 49ers promoted edge rusher Trevis Gipson from the practice squad, while guard Nick Zakelj and wide receiver Malik Turner were standard practice squad elevations.

Tight end Brayden Willis was waived, and if he goes unclaimed could return to the 49ers’ practice squad.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday Kittle was expected to play with no restrictions with regard to snap count.

Warner, meanwhile, is home recovering from Tuesday surgery. The 49ers are still getting over the shock of losing their defensive leader along with edge rusher Nick Bosa, who was lost Sept. 14 with a torn ACL and was back at the facility on crutches during open locker room Thursday.

Related Articles How to watch 49ers vs. Falcons on Sunday Night Football Kurtenbach: My predictions for 49ers-Falcons — Can Mac Jones survive the Falcons’ onslaught? 49ers’ 5 keys to beating Falcons in prime-time spotlight minus Fred Warner 49ers’ injury outlook: Brock Purdy is out, so is Ricky Pearsall but George Kittle returns Kurtenbach: Kyle Shanahan once compared him to a 9-year-old. Now Kendrick Bourne is carrying the Niners

“Fred, he’s a Hall of Famer first ballot, period,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Thursday. “He still has so many more years left in the tank. For this season to end the way it did, just shameful. But at the same time, I know if we all know Fred, he’s probably gunning to see if he can make it back for a playoff run.”

 

 

SF Giants reportedly closing in on college coach as new manager

A new frontrunner appears to have emerged for the Giants’ managerial vacancy — one that comes from a very unlikely source.

According to a report from The Athletic, the Giants are “closing in” on hiring 47-year-old University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, who has transformed the Vols into one of the nation’s best collegiate programs during his eight seasons in Knoxville.

An announcement could happen as soon as this weekend or early next week, according to multiple reports.

Vitello, known for his passion and intensity, has transformed Tennessee into an SEC powerhouse since being hired in June 2017, winning a College World Series in ’24, leading the Vols to three Super Regionals and posting an overall 341–131 record.

Hiring Vitello to manage San Francisco would be an outside-the-box move. Vitello has no experience managing at the professional level, and it is extremely uncommon in baseball to see such a leap.

Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, left, cheers on his players in the fifth inning of an NCAA college baseball tournament super regional game against Southern Mississippi, Sunday, June 11, 2023, in Hattiesburg, Miss. The game was a continuation of Saturday’s play which was suspended due to weather concerns. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

The closest thing to a recent comparison is Pat Murphy, who has been successful in his first two seasons as the Milwaukee Brewers’ manager after spending time coaching at Notre Dame (1988-94) and Arizona State (1995-2009).

Murphy, though, spent several years rising through the ranks before becoming a full-time manager. Following a stint as the San Diego Padres’ interim manager in June of 2015, Murphy served as the Brewers’ bench coach beginning in ’16 before becoming their manager in ’24. Vitello, by contrast, would jump straight from collegiate head coach to major-league manager.

The Giants currently feature numerous players throughout the organization who played under Vitello at Tennessee. They drafted infielder Gavin Kilen with the 13th overall pick in the 2025 MLB draft, then acquired outfielder Drew Gilbert and right-hander Blade Tidwell in the deal that sent Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets. Shortstop Maui Ahuna, a fourth-round pick in 2023, has been in the organization for three years as well.

Nick Hundley, who spent two seasons as Buster Posey’s backup catcher in 2017 and 2018, was once considered the favorite for the position but has reportedly pulled himself out of the running.

Along with Hundley and Vitello, the list of candidates who have reportedly interviewed for the position include Los Angeles Angeles special assistant Kurt Suzuki; Santa Rosa native and former Orioles manager Brandon Hyde and Kansas City Royals third-base coach Vance Wilson. Former Giants bullpen coach Craig Albernaz, now the bench coach and associate manager, also reportedly has been under consideration to replace Bob Melvin.

New California laws aim to ease ongoing home insurance crisis

California has approved a package of new laws meant to stabilize the state’s faltering home insurance market and help property owners protect their homes from wildfires and recover when they lose everything in a blaze.

The legislation, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom this month, is the state’s latest effort to tackle an insurance crisis that’s left thousands of homeowners facing steep rate hikes, canceled coverage and long delays securing claim payments.

Despite a recent plan to overhaul California’s strict insurance regulations in hopes of persuading carriers to expand coverage in fire-risk areas, many homeowners have yet to see any immediate changes.

While the latest laws are only incremental steps toward fixing the crisis, they aim to provide some homeowners meaningful relief. Here are three of the most potentially impactful reforms:

Fire-safe grants for homeowners

Assembly Bill 888 establishes a grant program to help low- and middle-income homeowners pay for wildfire defense measures such as installing fire-resistant roofs and clearing flammable vegetation from their properties — improvements that can cost thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, but qualify for insurance premium discounts.

It will now be up to state lawmakers to determine how much grant money individual homeowners could receive. Cities and counties will also be able to apply for the grants for fire mitigation programs to make communities safer and potentially more insurable.

For a homeowner to be eligible for the money, their property would need to be insured by a state-approved provider and in a ZIP code that overlaps with a “high” or “very high” fire risk zone, as listed by CalFire.

A property owner’s earnings would need to be within the low-income limit for their county, as defined by the state housing department. That definition is broad, however. In Santa Clara County, for example, a family of four earning up to $159,550 a year would qualify as low-income and be eligible.

The bipartisan bill, authored by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon, a Democrat representing Los Angeles County, follows an executive order by Newsom earlier this year to require many homeowners to create a 5-foot “ember-resistant” zone around their houses. Newsom ordered state officials to finalize the “Zone Zero” rules by the end of the year.

Higher minimum payout for wildfire claims

When a home is completely destroyed in a blaze, insurers will soon be required to pay out at least 60% of an owner’s personal property coverage limit — up to $350,000 — even before receiving a complete list of destroyed household items such as appliances, electronics and jewelry.

Previously, insurers only had to advance 30% of coverage, capped at $250,000. Senate Bill 495, authored by Sen. Ben Allen, a Democrat from Los Angeles, will go into effect next year.

Allen introduced the bill after learning about the struggles some homeowners faced in cataloging their lost items to secure insurance payouts after their properties were destroyed in the Los Angeles wildfires in January.

“The recent LA Fires exposed difficult inefficiencies in our insurance system that unnecessarily delay the urgently needed financial support survivors are justly due,” Allen said in a statement.

Additionally, the law grants property owners 100 days to provide insurers with proof of property damage following a declared state of emergency.

Insurers initially pushed back on the bill, but industry groups dropped their opposition after lawmakers agreed to lower the advance payment requirement from 100% to 60%.

“You would have had massive, massive payouts that would be unjustified,” said Seren Taylor, vice president for the Personal Insurance Federation of California.

Stabilizing the FAIR Plan

Assembly Bill 226 aims to ensure the FAIR Plan, the state’s last-resort insurance program, doesn’t run out of money after a catastrophic blaze.

The FAIR Plan is a state-created, privately managed insurance pool for homeowners who can’t find traditional coverage because their properties are deemed too risky. As worsening climate-driven wildfire seasons have scorched the state in recent years, the number of homeowners forced onto the plan’s expensive, bare-bones coverage has surged to almost 600,000.

Last year, FAIR Plan officials warned the program could become insolvent following a major wildfire. Then, after the Los Angeles blazes destroyed more than 17,000 structures, the plan said it faced roughly $4 billion in losses and was running out of money to pay claims. The state approved a $1 billion bailout from private insurers, with half the cost expected to be passed onto policyholders.

The new law, which passed with near-unanimous support from Democrats and Republicans, allows the FAIR Plan to request state-backed bonds and open lines of credit. The goal is to give the plan more flexibility in raising money to pay out homeowner claims, in turn requiring fewer bailouts and rate hikes.

“The kinds of climate-fueled firestorms like we saw in January will only continue to worsen over time,” Newsom said in a statement. “That’s why we’re taking action now to continue strengthening California’s insurance market to be more resilient in the face of the climate crisis.”

Pro Soccer: Union shutout in loss to Pittsburgh

SEASIDE — For the third straight year, Monterey Bay FC has assured itself that it won’t reach its point total from the previous season.

Eliminated from the postseason last week, the Union’s offense was lifeless Saturday in a 3-0 setback to Pittsburgh in front of their smallest United Soccer League Championship crowd of the season at Cardinale Stadium.

The Union, who sit in 11th place in the Western Conference, have never produced a winning season since joining the league four years ago.

At 7-15-7, Monterey Bay has 29 points through 29 matches on the pitch, its lowest point total in team history. Last season it produced 34 points in an 8-16-10 season.

The Union, who close the season next Saturday hosting Las Vegas in what will be a battle to stay out of the cellar, are 1-8-3 in their last 12 matches, having won just once since July 11.

Monterey Bay FC’s best season came in its second season in 2023, when it went 11-15-8, scoring 41 points, but missing the postseason by five points.

The win clinched a playoff spot for Pittsburgh (12-10-7), who sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The top eight teams in each conference advance to the postseason.

The Union, who have been shutout 15 times this year, have never finished higher than 11th in the Western Conference since coming into the USL in 2022.

Monterey Bay FC has gone a season high three straight matches and over 300 minutes without scoring a goal, sinking to 22nd in a 24 team league in goals with 26.

The Union came into the match having never lost to Pittsburgh, beating them 1-0 in a rare road win last year.

Friday night football: Mariners regroup to knock off Harbor

SANTA CRUZ — Any potential lingering hangover or questions about how Marina High’s football team would respond after falling from the unbeaten ranks last week were squashed in the second half.

A solid week of practice was rewarded as the Mariners regrouped, turning a five-point halftime lead into a 20-point decision Friday, improving to 5-1 after a 42-22 win at Harbor.

“The team morale was a little disjointed after last week’s loss,” Marina coach JD Dennis said. “I didn’t like the body language. But these kids are forward-thinking and responded. Their pride was hurt. They came out hungry.”

Marina, which opened the season by rattling off a school record four straight wins — all at home, was humbled at home 44-14 by Santa Cruz last week.

Marina High's Titus Calvera. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

“I loved the energy we showed in practice,” Dennis said. “It wasn’t perfect. But I liked their attitude and emotions. I was glad to see them bounce back.”

It was also the first road game of the season for Marina, which sits one game behind undefeated Santa Cruz in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Santa Lucia Division.

Marina, which began playing 11-man football 15 years ago, has had only two previous seasons with five or more wins, setting a school record with seven wins in 2022.

Holding a slim 13-8 halftime lead, the Mariners outscored Harbor 29-13 in the second half as Titus Calvera accounted for three touchdowns three different ways, while Elan Espinosa tossed two touchdowns and ran for one.

“The offense started to click in the second half,” Dennis said. “Elan made some good reads. Once we were able to air it out, it opened up our running game.”

Calvera caught a 34-yard scoring strike from Espinosa, tossed a touchdown to Logan True, and added a 1-yard quarterback sneak. Espinosa connected with Jaxon Key on a 12-yard scoring toss and added a 1-yard touchdown run.

Special teams helped Marina (5-1) open up a 13-0 lead with Adriano Guzman kicking field goals of 32 and 36 yards in the first half

Hollister 27, Monterey 14

The Toreadores are on life support after falling to 2-4 in the Gabilan Division, slipping into a tie for fifth with three other teams.

Only the first four teams are assured playoff spots from the Gabilan. And only six teams from any league in the Central Coast Section — based on points, not placement — can advance to the playoffs.

“We’ll see how bad we want it,” Monterey coach Alex Besaw said. “The message after the game is we have to make a choice if we want to move forward. It wasn’t to add pressure.”

After a 3-0 start to the season, injuries have crippled the Toreadores, who have dropped four of their last five games, falling to 4-4 with games against Carmel and Soquel to close the year.

“We have to change in how we approach practice and understand the opportunity that is still in front of us,” said Besaw, who has never missed the playoffs since arriving at Monterey. “The Carmel game is our season.”

Monterey, which is 3-1 at home this season, will entertain Carmel next Friday, before closing the regular season on the road at undefeated Soquel.

“We may need a little help from other schools,” Besaw said.

Hollister’s only win on the season was a last-second 44-40 victory over Alisal. It has now climbed back into the postseason picture, sitting evenly in the win column in the Gabilan Division with Monterey, Alisal and North Salinas.

Monterey, which has lost numerous starters this year because of injuries and has seven sophomores playing on defense, tied the game 14 in the fourth quarter when Dekota Ordonio hit Kai Vaughn for six. Ethan Bonilla scored earlier in the game.

Watsonville 25, North County 13

Whether it’s drawing up plays on the turf, or having a vision in his head, head coach Juan Cuevas is struggling for solutions for the Condors.

On the heels of the program’s first league title outright in 25 years, a season filled with high expectations has been interrupted by a series of injuries that have left North County with 22 healthy players after falling to Watsonville.

“We’re just out of bodies,” Cuevas said. “Now the mental part is taking its toll. It’s hard. We have kids playing their tails off. We have seven sophomores — not necessarily ready for this level — starting. We don’t have options.”

With three games left in the season, pride is at stake for those able to get on the field, as Cuevas has watched his players put forth the effort for four quarters.

“I had to move my best receiver to quarterback,” Cuevas said. “EJ (Mellin) didn’t take a single play off, including special teams. He could barely run at the end. He was gassed. A lot of kids were like that.”

Coming off a season-high 34 points in a loss to Monte Vista, the Condors took the opening drive downfield and scored on a touchdown run from Josiah Carranza.

“I was able to scheme up a game plan as much as we could,” Cuevas said. “Our first drive was exactly how we drew it up. Our last touchdown was a play I invented.”

The Wildcatz’s size and numbers wore down North County, as they produced the next 25 points before Gabe Raya had a 13-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Soledad 28, Greenfield 14

The Aztecs overcame adversity and a 14-point deficit on head coach Eric Rodriguez’s birthday, scoring 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to keep Greenfield winless on the season.

Since starting the season with four straight losses — two of which Soledad failed to hold leads in the second half — it has won two of its last three games, evening its Mission Division South record at 1-1.

“We came out strong in the second half and our defense created four turnovers,” said Rodriguez, who celebrated his birthday and the win with a weekend trip to Las Vegas.

Soledad's Daniel Garcia. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

Daniel Garcia accounted for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to break up a 14-14 tie. Gio Gallegos added a touchdown, while Christian Gonzalez put Soledad on the scoreboard with a 2-yard touchdown run just before halftime.

Greenfield, which has been held without a touchdown in three games this fall, took its first lead of the season when Travis Ryan plowed in for six.

When Danny Nava connected with Freddy Pantoja for a touchdown, the Bruins (0-7) were up by 14, clinging to a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter before Soledad put together its biggest offensive quarter of the season.

Santa Cruz 35, Rancho San Juan 7

The Cardinals are one win away from clinching no worse than a share of the Santa Lucia Division title, improving to 4-0 with their fifth straight overall win.

Santa Cruz, which failed to score a point over the course of a season just two years ago, closes the regular season against Harbor and Gonzales, who are a combined 1-13.

Having surpassed its win total from the previous three years combined, the Cardinals are chasing their first league title since 2021, when they were members of the Mission Division.

A jump to the Gabilan Division for one season crippled the program, which went 4-26 over the previous three years, dropping last season to the Santa Lucia Division.

Axel Chicas scored Rancho San Juan’s (1-6) only touchdown in the second half.

Pajaro Valley 26, Gonzales 7

Perhaps feeding off the momentum of picking up their first win of the season last week, the upset-minded Spartans scored first before Pajaro Valley regrouped in improving to 3-1 in the Santa Lucia Division.

Gonzales, which came into the season having improved in the win column in each of the past three seasons, didn’t produce its first points of the season until Week 4.

Last week the Spartans (1-5) erupted for a 44-8 win over Rancho San Juan.

Jorge Uribe gave Gonzales a short-lived 7-0 lead with a touchdown run in the first quarter before the Grizzlies regrouped to register their third straight win.

“What are you willing to do for the person you love most on the team?” Pajaro Valley coach and former Salinas High multi-sport standout Casey Neligh asked of his players.

Benito Lara rushed for a pair of touchdowns for Pajaro Valley, while quarterback Landin Manzi and Adrian Mendoza added touchdowns.