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Salinas
October 30, 2025

CDCR officials investigating Oct. 14 inmate death at Salinas Valley State Prison as homicide

Salinas Valley State Prison
SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Oct. 14 death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 5:15 p.m., staff observed Orlando Ochoa assaulting Israel Mendoza and responded by utilizing chemical...

Gonzales hosts successful recycling and cleanup event

Resuse, Recycle and Cleanup Day volunteers
GONZALES — City of Gonzales hosted the Resuse, Recycle and Cleanup Day on Saturday at Fairview Middle School. Local residents brought in items for the free event and also took advantage of free compost giveaway. Groups that participated in the Oct. 18 event included the Gonzales...

Gills receive award for dedication to Salinas Valley agriculture and community

Gills receive award
SALINAS VALLEY — In a gathering that underscored the enduring spirit of innovation and generosity in California’s ā€œSalad Bowl of the World,ā€ David and Susan Gill of King City received the prestigious E.E. ā€œGeneā€ Harden Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grower-Shipper Association of Central...

Soledad police officer graduates from FBI National Academy

Soledad Police Lt. Juan Santiago 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 Academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., on Sept. 4. Santiago is only the...

Public meetings set to review Highway 101 safety projects

Highway 101 South of Salinas project
CHUALAR — Caltrans and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) are hosting public meetings to learn more about the US 101 South of Salinas Corridor Improvement Project and South of Salinas Access Management Project. These meetings will provide information on near-term safety improvements and...

Catalytic converter thefts reported in South Monterey County

Police car crime
GREENFIELD — Several community members in Greenfield had their catalytic converters stolen overnight on Oct. 14, according to Greenfield Police Department. Similar thefts were also reported in other South Monterey County cities, including Soledad and King City. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust...

City of Soledad invites community to help shape future of Toledo Basin Park

Toledo Basin Park design concept
SOLEDAD — City of Soledad is hosting a community workshop next Tuesday to invite residents to help guide the vision for Toledo Basin Park — the City’s next outdoor space. The future park site is located at the intersection of Gabilan Drive and Toledo Street....

Greenfield’s annual Harvest Festival returns with new updates for 2025

GREENFIELD — Greenfield is gearing up for its beloved annual Harvest Festival, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19, with a series of exciting updates that promise an even more vibrant celebration this year. A key highlight of this year’s festivities is the move of the traditional...

Exhibit features inmate artwork from Correctional Training Facility in Soledad

CTF inmate art exhibit
SOLEDAD — An inspiring new art exhibit is currently on display at the County of Monterey Administration Building, showcasing the creative works of inmates from the Correctional Training Facility (CTF) in Soledad. Titled ā€œLife on Art,ā€ the exhibit runs through the end of October inside...

Arts4MC opens new office in South Monterey County

Arts4MC Sol Treasures new office
SALINAS VALLEY — Artists from South Monterey County will be better able to access services from Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) after the Oct. 2 opening of its new office in King City. The office is located within Sol Treasures, at 519 Broadway St.,...

Local News

Soledad Police Department

Soledad Police arrest suspect after bank robbery triggered silent alarm

SOLEDAD — A 59-year-old Soledad man was arrested Wednesday morning after allegedly robbing a Mechanics Bank branch and attempting to flee north on Highway...