Strawberry Fumes…The California Department of Pesticide Regulation proposed April 30 to register fumigant methyl iodide, a move met with staunch opposition by environmental and farmworker advocacy groups. The pesticide is designed to replace ozone-depleting methyl bromide, which is widely used on county strawberry crops. Comments on the decision will be accepted until June 14. [ZS]

Farmers Flap…After more than a year of debate over the Pacific Grove farmers market location, the Everyone's Harvest board has agreed to apply for a several-block shuffle, from its current location on downtown Lighthouse Avenue to Central and Grand avenues—on several conditions. The council considered the move May 5. [KA]

Raley’s Pays…Monterey County DA Dean Flippo announced he and five other county prosecutors would collect more than $500,000 in a settlement with Raley’s grocery stores, the company that operates Nob Hill stores in Salinas and Monterey, over workers comp issues. [RU]

Illegal Dumping…In one the largest settlements of its kind, Wal-Mart will pay $27.6 million for violating California environmental laws and regulations by improperly storing and dumping hazardous waste. The Monterey County District Attorney is one of 20 prosecutors and 32 environmental health agencies that will receive $20 million in penalties. [ZS]

Race to the Top II…State Superintendent of Schools Jack O’Connell announced California will compete once again for as much $700 million in the federal Race to the Top education program. Monterey County schools are not a part of the initial proposal, but could still sign on at a later date. [RU]

Council Curse?… The abrupt resignation of Pacific Grove Councilwoman Deborah Lindsay due to  “family issues” brings the number of exiting councilmembers to three in less than 10 months. Lindsay's resignation, announced May 2, will be effective Thursday, May 6, the day after her last council meeting. [KA]

Salinas Slaying…A 32-year-old Salinas man was shot and killed April 28 on Heather Circle, marking the city's second gang-related homicide of the year. William Fowler Taylor IV, a parolee who lived in an apartment near the shooting, died from multiple gunshot wounds to the upper body. [ZS]

Carmel Changes…Newly elected City Councilman Jason Burnett may have ushered in a new era of citizen participation in Carmel-by-the-Sea. He prepped Carmelites to participate in the city’s budget deliberations at a town meeting May 3, and announced the launch of his interactive website. [RU]