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Salinas
March 24, 2026

New Greenfield mural ‘El Alma de la Tierra’ celebrates sustainability

Greenfield mural El Alma de la Tierra
GREENFIELD — City of Greenfield and Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, also known as Salinas Valley Recycles, unveiled a new community mural, “El Alma de la Tierra,” last Tuesday at Patriot Park in Greenfield. The mural, created by local artist Hanif Panni in collaboration with...

Sexual assault allegations against César Chávez prompt cancellations, local response

César Chávez
MONTEREY COUNTY — The nation’s oldest farmworker union announced Tuesday that it has canceled all events celebrating labor organizer César Chávez after allegations surfaced that he sexually assaulted several women and girls. “As a women-led organization that exists to empower communities, the allegations about abusive...

Gonzales unveils first digital billboard on Highway 101

Gonzales billboard
GONZALES — City of Gonzales celebrated the installation of its first digital billboard along Highway 101 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Feb. 26. The high-resolution display, operated by Legacy Signs, is positioned on a single monopole to reach both northbound and southbound traffic. It is designed...

Salinas Valley News Briefs | March 18, 2026

News Briefs
County schedules battery storage meeting tonight MONTEREY COUNTY — The County of Monterey Housing and Community Development Department and District 2 will hold an informational meeting on proposed regulations for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in unincorporated areas. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18,...

Monterey County receives $2.8M to prevent homelessness

County of Monterey
MONTEREY COUNTY — The County of Monterey has been awarded $2.8 million in funding through Round 6 of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program, part of a statewide effort to prevent and end homelessness and expand housing solutions across California. HHAP Round 6...

High temperatures pose risk to pets, SPCA warns

Dog drinks water from plastic bottle
MONTEREY COUNTY — With unseasonably high temperatures expected this week, the SPCA Monterey County is urging pet owners to take precautions to keep animals safe. “What feels hot to you is also hot for your pet,” the SPCA said in a statement. The organization offers these...

Eucalyptus removal project turns trees into biochar for farm research

Crews remove invasive eucalyptus trees
MONTEREY COUNTY — Elkhorn Slough Foundation (ESF) is currently producing beneficial biochar from invasive eucalyptus trees removed to restore native ecosystems around Elkhorn Slough. In partnership with ESF, soil scientist Arun Jani of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) is now studying the impacts of...

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership secures millions for agtech innovation

Drone over ag field
CENTRAL COAST — Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) is helping to advance agriculture technology (agtech) and workforce development across the Central Coast, supporting a statewide initiative that aims to create well-paying jobs and strengthen the region’s economy. MBEP, a regional economic development organization, co-founded and...

Hundreds of laptops distributed to Salinas Valley students, families

Laptops distribution
SALINAS VALLEY — AT&T, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and Human-I-T have provided Salinas Community Science Workshop (SCSW) more than 250 refurbished laptops to distribute to Monterey County residents in need. The computers, funded by AT&T’s $220,000 donation from the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am’s Birdies for Students...

National Agriculture Week 2026: Celebrating Growth, Innovation and Farming

National Agriculture Week 2026 will be observed March 15-21, with National Ag Day falling on March 24. The annual week highlights the vital role agriculture plays in the United States — providing food, jobs and economic stability — and encourages Americans to recognize the industry’s contributions...

Local News

Courthouse arrest of Soledad man

Soledad man arrested after driving stolen car to court hearing

SOLEDAD — A Soledad man was arrested Tuesday after authorities say he drove a stolen vehicle to a scheduled court appearance for a pending...