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Salinas
February 23, 2026

2025 Year In Review | A Look Back at Salinas Valley’s Top Stories That Shaped the Past Year

Year In Review photos
From infrastructure upgrades and housing progress to cultural milestones, education achievements and community celebrations, 2025 was a year of growth, resilience and reflection across the Salinas Valley.  The following stories were selected by Tribune staff as the top news of the year, highlighting the events,...

Basketball | South Monterey County teams compete in tournaments

Basketball players
SALINAS VALLEY — Soledad High girls’ basketball team defeated King City 52-44 in the second day of the Ken Kline Basketball Tournament to finish with a 2-0 record. Soledad earned the right to play the host Lady Mustangs after beginning the tournament with a 67-12...

New California laws take effect in 2026

Law judge court
CALIFORNIA — Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced key laws taking effect in 2026 that reflect California’s continued focus on public safety, affordability, transparency and accountability. The new laws, which started Jan. 1, lower prescription drug costs, increase oversight of large corporations, strengthen consumer and worker protections...

Monterey County Health Department awarded grant for cannabis education

Cannabis marijuana
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Health Department is the recipient of a $168,862 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its Cannabis Education Program in the Public Health Bureau. The grant will fund community educational outreach and coordinated strategies focused on...

Operation Santa 2025 brings holiday cheer to more than 500 families in Salinas Valley

Operation Santa
SALINAS VALLEY — Christmas came early this month at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City, with the arrival of a very special guest — Santa Claus. As part of the annual Operation Santa event organized by Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez and local water...

Gonzales’ Gourley named to 2025 ‘40 Under Forty’ for ag leadership

Quincie Gourley
GONZALES — Tanimura and Antle Communications Manager Quincie Gourley of Gonzales has been named to the Fruit and Vegetable 40 Under Forty Class of 2025 by the Vegetable Growers News. Gourley was honored at the Great Lakes Vegetable and Farm Market Expo at Grand Rapids,...

See Monterey unveils latest Business Plan to drive tourism in Monterey County 

Cannery Row in Monterey
MONTEREY COUNTY — See Monterey released its FY2025-26 Business Plan with the objective of maximizing economic impact for the community while ensuring lasting benefit, all guided by the Monterey County Tourism 2030 (MCT 2030) long-term strategic roadmap. The plan for the year includes expanding the...

Football | Gonzales Spartan players receive awards for 2025 season

Gonzales High School football players
GONZALES — Gonzales High School’s football program hosted its awards night Dec. 15 at the school cafeteria. Players from the varsity and junior varsity football teams were honored for their hard work this past season. Receiving team awards for the varsity team were: Larry Bettencourt (Coaches...

Arts Council for Monterey County seeks nominations for Champions of the Arts Awards

MONTEREY COUNTY — Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) has announced the official opening of the nomination period for the Champions of the Arts Awards. Arts4MC invites the community to recognize a Champion of the Arts — an individual, nonprofit organization or business that is...

Gonzales Police Department receives traffic safety grant

Gonzales Police
GONZALES — Gonzales Police Department has received a $30,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, aimed to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in crashes involving alcohol and other primary crash factors. The funded...

Local News

Police crime

Gonzales man arrested on suspicion of murder after 911 call

GONZALES — A 66-year-old Gonzales man was arrested on suspicion of murder Friday night after calling 911 to report that his wife was bleeding,...