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Salinas
February 17, 2026

U.S. prisons start to resume allowing visits to inmates, with added virus precautions

State prison systems across the United States have begun allowing visitors for the first time since the pandemic started, presenting challenges for facilities that want to balance much-needed contact between inmates and their families with the need to limit the spread of COVID-19 in...

Monterey County offers Covid-19 test kits for local distribution

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County continues to invest in bringing Covid-19 testing supplies to the community for local distribution. Covid-19 home antigen test kits are available to local organizations and community groups that can distribute them to their members and clients. In addition, organizations can request...

Delta variant causes surge in Monterey County cases

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno has announced that cases of Covid-19 continue to rise both statewide and in Monterey County, with the Delta variant of the virus now accounting for a large majority of the infections. ā€œWhat we’re seeing here...

California broadens access to Covid-19 booster shots

California is opening up eligibility for booster coronavirus vaccine shots to include anyone 18 or older, making it at least the second state to expand official eligibility beyond older adults and people in high-risk circumstances. Colorado took a similar step this week. California’s vaccination sites...

Covid-19 relief funds available for small businesses in Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY — Federal, state and county agencies, including Cal Coastal, continue to offer assistance to local businesses, with two new programs having recently begun to help them bounce back from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cindy Merzon, director of Cal Coastal’s Small Business...

Salinas Valley schools coordinate with local clinics to vaccinate educators

SALINAS VALLEY — Schools throughout Monterey County began coordination with local hospitals, clinics and pharmacies to prepare for March 3, when educators and child care workers became eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Among them was Gonzales Unified School District, which partnered with Walgreens for...

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...

New visitor restrictions take effect at Monterey County hospitals

MONTEREY COUNTY — Hospitals in Monterey County have implemented new restrictions on visitors to reduce the transmission of Covid-19 to staff and patients. Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 11, all visitors to area hospitals will be required to show either proof of full Covid-19 vaccination or proof...

Monterey County health officials encourage flu vaccines amid Covid-19 pandemic

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — Officials with Monterey County Health Department and local hospitals urged the public to get flu shots in time for the upcoming flu season during a media briefing Oct. 21. Representatives from Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey, Salinas Valley Memorial...

Monterey County inches closer to red tier of California reopening plan

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — Infection rates are declining in Monterey County, with fewer daily confirmed cases of Covid-19 as time goes on, reported county health officer Dr. Edward Moreno during the March 3 press briefing. ā€œIf we continue to avoid gatherings and stay home as much...

Local News

Police crime

Gonzales man arrested on suspicion of murder after 911 call

GONZALES — A 66-year-old Gonzales man was arrested on suspicion of murder Friday night after calling 911 to report that his wife was bleeding,...