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Salinas
October 24, 2025

Papillon Center to launch ā€˜Wind Phone’ project in Monterey County as part of National Grief Awareness efforts

MONTEREY COUNTY — In 2010, a man in Ōtsuchi, Japan, placed an unconnected rotary phone in his garden to help cope with the loss of his cousin. Speaking his grief aloud became a personal source of solace — and over time, his idea inspired...

Soledad Lions Club hosts annual community barbecue

Soledad Lions barbecue Eden Valley Care Center
SOLEDAD — Lions Club of Soledad hosted its annual barbecue Aug. 24 at Eden Valley Care Center in Soledad, bringing together residents and staff for a delicious meal and a day of community spirit. ā€œWe’ve been doing this barbecue for well over 20 years as...

Greenfield High’s 246th Battalion expands, excels in leadership

246th Battalion California Cadet Corps Greenfield High School
GREENFIELD — The 246th Battalion of the California Cadet Corps of Greenfield High School continues to grow — from last year’s 130 cadets to this year’s 170 cadet enrollment. Recently, the unit was awarded the Unit Community Service Ribbon for serving nearly 2,000 school and...

Taylor Farms distributes thousands of backpacks to local students

Taylor Farms backpack distribution King City students
GONZALES — Taylor FarmsĀ recently announced that more than 4,000 backpacks have been filled with essential school supplies and healthy snacks for students this year in nearly 20 communities, including Gonzales. Since 2010, Taylor Farms’ annual Backpack Giving Program has delivered more than 48,000 backpacks to help...

Monterey County becomes first in California to earn certified Blue Zones Community designation

Blue Zones Project hiking CRU Winery Soledad
MONTEREY COUNTY — Blue Zones recently announced that Monterey County—including the communities of King City, Gonzales and the Peninsula cities of Monterey, Marina and Seaside—has achieved certified Blue Zones Community designation, joining the city of Salinas, which reached this milestone in 2024. Certification recognizes Monterey...

Greenfield man sentenced to 18 years in prison for child molestation

Law judge court
GREENFIELD — Greenfield resident Julio Martinez, 43, was sentenced Aug. 28 to 18 years in prison for committing two counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years of age and two counts of assault with intent to commit a lewd act upon...

Football | South Monterey County teams stay strong despite losses

King City Mustangs football
SALINAS VALLEY — The regular season began last week for the King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales high school football teams. While all four teams were on the losing end, there were some good efforts from the South Monterey County schools. KING CITY At War Memorial...

Hartnell College named ā€˜Top 10 Military Friendly School’ by G.I. Jobs Magazine

SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell College has been recognized as one of the nation’s ā€œTop 10 Military Friendly Schools for 2025-26ā€ by G.I. Jobs Magazine, earning the No. 8 spot among large community colleges. The announcement is part of the magazine’s annual Military Friendly Schools list,...

SPCA expands humane education in South Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY — SPCA Monterey County is strengthening its commitment to South Monterey County schools, teachers and communities by increasing the number of classrooms and children reached through its Humane Education programs. Last year, the SPCA’s Humane Education team inspired 8,690 children and adults throughout...

Gonzales High’s 1974 football team inducted into Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame

Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame 1974 Gonzales High football team
GONZALES — Sixteen players and two coaches from the 1974 Gonzales High School football team entered the Salinas Valley Sports Hall of Fame (SVSHOF) on Saturday at the Storm House in Salinas. The Gonzales football team became the first high school football team from the...

Local News

Soledad Police Lt. Juan Santiago FBI National Academy

Soledad police officer graduates from FBI National Academy

SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Chief Patrick Valenzuela recently announced that Lt. Juan Santiago has successfully graduated from the 295th session of the FBI National...