Local News

GONZALES — Gonzales resident Jose Christian Montenegro, 30, was sentenced Jan. 20 to 34 years in prison for committing four counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under 14 and one count of lewd act on a child under age 14. “These offenses are...

VETERANS OFFICE KING CITY — Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez has opened his King City office at 1011 Broadway St., Suite C, to host the county’s Military and Veterans Affairs Office during their monthly office hours on the fourth Friday of every month, from 10...

SOLEDAD — On Feb. 4, a Monterey County judge sentenced Tyrell Ainsworth, 33, to 70 years to life in prison plus an additional term of five years, both consecutive to the life sentence he is currently serving with the California Department of Corrections (CDCR). On...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield High School students took first place in the Monterey County regional Academic World Quest competition, earning a trip to the national contest in Washington, D.C. The competition took place Feb. 14 at the Monterey County Office of Education in Salinas. Six teams...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Every spring, the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center cares for hundreds of baby birds, providing critical treatment before releasing them back into the wild. Many of these birds arrive after being injured during tree and shrub trimming. The SPCA...

SOLEDAD — Surrounded by family, friends and local leaders, Eloise Betty Jackson marked her 100th birthday on Feb. 15 at Eden Valley Care Center in Soledad, celebrating a century defined by resilience, devotion and community. The centennial celebration drew residents, extended family members who traveled...

SALINAS VALLEY — Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren visited the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex on Feb. 18 to deliver a $500,000 check, part of her 13 community projects submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle. The funding will support the next phase of expansion at...

COLLEGE WORKSHOP MONTEREY COUNTY — Hartnell College will host a free Cash for College workshop Wednesday, Feb. 25, to help students and families complete financial aid applications for the 2026–27 academic year. The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Building C, Steinbeck...

SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Fair is now accepting applications for the 2026 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Competition, offering young women the chance to serve as ambassadors for one of the region’s most recognized events. Eligible contestants must be ages 16 to 20 and reside...

SALINAS VALLEY — After two years of lower levels of impatiens necrotic spot virus in the Salinas Valley, researchers have recorded a higher number of cases during the 2025 season, though they say INSV did not reach the widespread levels seen in 2022, when...