Local News

CALIFORNIA — California Department of Public Health is warning residents about phone scams involving callers impersonating department employees to obtain sensitive personal and financial information. Recent reports involve scammers claiming a prescription was filled in a victim’s name and urging the person to verify personal...

SALINAS — For Jackie Chavez and her husband, bringing their newborn home from Salinas Valley Health came with an unexpected gift: 400 free diapers. The Salinas Valley Health Mother/Baby team recently distributed its first batch of diapers through Golden State Start, a statewide initiative providing...

SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Fair Board of Directors has hired Chris Garmon as the fair’s new chief executive officer, unanimously approving his appointment during its Oct. 29 regular meeting. Garmon brings more than 10 years of experience working with California fairs. He previously served...

GREENFIELD — The grass taking root at Greenfield Turf will soon become part of a bigger stage for soccer in the Salinas Valley, as the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex prepares to add eight fields designed to serve local players and draw larger tournaments to...

SALINAS VALLEY — Nearly 300 people attended the inaugural Pinnacles Film Festival earlier this month, bringing independent filmmakers and audiences together for a day of short films and feature-length storytelling at King City Cinemas. The Oct. 10 event, presented by the Arts Council for Monterey...

SALINAS VALLEY — Voters in Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales will decide several city and school board races in the Nov. 3 general election, along with contests for Hartnell Community College District trustees. Here is a brief look at the candidates running for office. City Council In Gonzales,...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Fire Department has improved its national fire protection rating, earning a Class 2 designation that places it among approximately 7% of fire departments evaluated nationwide, the City of Soledad announced. The rating, which took effect in September, improves on the department’s previous...

CALIFORNIA — Dolores Huerta, whose name and face became synonymous with agricultural workers’ nationwide struggles for fair treatment — tirelessly advocating for laborers well into her ninth decade — died Wednesday at her home in Bakersfield. She was 96. Huerta’s family announced her death via Instagram,...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County officials are challenging demands from the U.S. Department of Justice to segregate ballots and disclose confidential voter information, saying the federal agency's claims about local voter registration records are largely inaccurate. The dispute began Friday, Oct. 23, when two federal...

GREENFIELD — A former California prison lieutenant from Greenfield pleaded guilty Oct. 20 to conspiring to smuggle contraband into Salinas Valley State Prison in exchange for more than $95,000 in payments from an inmate. Matthew L. Madsen, 40, admitted to participating in the scheme from...