55 F
Salinas
August 3, 2026

Greenfield, King City move closer to unified school districts after state approval

David Soldani and Laura Cortez
GREENFIELD — California State Board of Education has unanimously approved what officials say is the first dual school district unification in state history, advancing a long-running effort that would create separate unified transitional kindergarten through 12th grade school districts in Greenfield and King City. The...

Community turns out for cleanup event in Gonzales

Gonzales cleanup group
GONZALES — A total of 166 vehicles drove to the Gonzales Reuse, Recycle and Cleanup Day event June 27 at Fairview Middle School. Gonzales High School track and field athletes and California State University Monterey Bay service learning volunteers from Save the Whales earned 80...

Speeding crackdown set for this summer in South Monterey County

Behind view of a police car that pulled a motorist over to the side of the road
SALINAS VALLEY — This July and beyond, police departments in South Monterey County are urging drivers to follow posted speed limits and “slow the fast down.” During this month, King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales police departments will have additional officers on patrol watching for...

Soledad celebrates Parks and Recreation Month with official proclamation

Soledad Parks and Recreation booth
SOLEDAD — Soledad City Council officially proclaimed July as Parks and Recreation Month during its July 1 meeting, recognizing the important role parks, recreation programs and community spaces play in enhancing the quality of life for Soledad residents. Councilmember Ben Caldera read the proclamation into...

South Monterey County high schools partner for STEM camps this summer

Hartnell STEM students
SALINAS VALLEY — For the first time, all four comprehensive high schools serving South Monterey County students are partnering to provide coordinated access to summer STEM learning opportunities through Hartnell College’s Summer Technology Camps. A total of 70 students from Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King...

Salinas Valley cities celebrate Independence Day 2026 with music, food and festivities

Greenfield Fourth of July Celebration
SALINAS VALLEY — There was plenty of fun, food and music last Saturday for the Fourth of July celebrations in Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales. The City of Greenfield hosted its Independence Day celebration at Patriot Park with the featured events being a salute to local...

Soledad Hot Summer Days and Car Show returns to downtown this weekend

Soledad Hot Summer Days Car Show
SOLEDAD — City of Soledad will host its fifth annual Hot Summer Days and Car Show on Saturday, July 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Soledad. The free, family-friendly event will feature a car show, motorcycles, food trucks, local vendors, live music,...

Borland crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026

Miss California Rodeo Salinas
SALINAS — Maddi Borland was crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2026 following two days of competition at the Salinas Sports Complex and Monterey County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds. Borland, the reigning Miss California High School Rodeo State Queen, will spend the next year representing the California...

Soledad cancels 4th of July fireworks show amid budget constraints

Blue colorful fireworks
SOLEDAD — City of Soledad has canceled its annual Fourth of July fireworks show this year, citing budget constraints and the need to prioritize funding for essential city services. In a statement posted June 29, city officials acknowledged the decision may disappoint residents. "We know many...

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library launches in Monterey County

Imagination Library
MONTEREY COUNTY — Children across Monterey County can now receive free books delivered to their homes each month through the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, an early literacy program available to all children from birth to age 5. The program, which officially launched this...

Local News

police raid

2 Soledad men arrested after drug, gun raids

SALINAS VALLEY — Two Soledad men were arrested Monday after law enforcement officers executed three search warrants as part of an ongoing investigation into...