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Salinas
January 30, 2026

New program aims to expand access to Covid-19 resources

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — A new community program called VIDA (Virus Integrated Distribution of Aide) was announced with a formal name during the March 31 press briefing for Monterey County, in which the City of Gonzales is a founding partner group. The formal start to the...

State’s indoor mask mandate to expire for most vaccinated residents

CALIFORNIA — California will roll back its mask requirement next week for vaccinated residents in most indoor spaces, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday. The state implemented the mandate in mid-December as COVID-19 cases began to spike due to the highly infectious omicron variant, requiring residents...

Arizona’s Salad Bowl becomes fertile ground for Covid-19

YUMA, Ariz. — The Rev. Emilio Chapa was delivering a homily on a recent Sunday when he paused to lament a sight that had shaken him as he entered the sacristy before Mass. The board where his staff posted requests for funeral services was covered...

Second resident dies from coronavirus in Monterey County

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Health Department reported the county’s second death of a resident from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) on Tuesday. No other information about the individual has been released. As of the health department's latest report, there are now 42 confirmed cases of residents...

Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System launches Rose River Memorial

SALINAS VALLEY — A photo of the father she lost to Covid-19 was close by as Maria Munoz cut into red felt fabric and participated in the Rose River Memorial project launched by Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System (SVMHS). ā€œMy dad’s battle with Covid lasted...

Biden says all adults will be eligible for vaccine by April 19

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday moved up by two weeks, to April 19, his deadline for states to make every American adult eligible for coronavirus vaccination, following the lead of states around the country that are already meeting that timetable. Biden’s announcement came...

Monterey County advises residents to wear masks in indoor settings, regardless of vaccination status

MONTEREY COUNTY — Residents in the counties of Monterey, Napa, San Benito and Santa Cruz are being advised to wear masks indoors in public places, regardless of vaccination status. Announced Monday, the multi-county recommendation is not an order, but was issued in response to cases...

Post-Infection Immunity Protective Against Delta, CDC Reports, but Vaccines Still Offer Best Defense

Previous infection with the coronavirus appeared to provide stronger protection against the delta variant than did vaccination in a large sample of patients, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday. But in the long term, vaccination still offers the best defense against the...

Salinas Valley cities declare local emergency over coronavirus threat, as Monterey County confirms first two cases

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
SALINAS VALLEY — The South Monterey County cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City each signed proclamations declaring a local emergency Monday due to the current threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. ā€œThe potential spread of the virus does pose a risk to our...

CDC eases outdoors mask-wearing guidelines for the vaccinated

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention took a major step Tuesday toward coaxing Americans into a post-pandemic world, relaxing the rules on mask wearing outdoors as coronavirus cases recede and people increasingly chafe against restrictions. The mask guidance is modest and carefully...

Local News

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Jury convicts Salinas Valley State Prison inmate for possessing weapon while...

SOLEDAD — A Monterey County jury has convicted Paul Chavez Ramirez, 61, an inmate serving a life sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison in...