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Salinas
November 22, 2025

Covid-19, wildfires present challenges for Salinas Valley winery

SALINAS VALLEY — Standing in his vineyard as a brisk wind runs amuck with his curly, sandy-blonde hair, Denis Hoey reveals why the Salinas Valley region — known for its vast agriculture — should also be noted for fine winemaking. ā€œWe make wines here that...

A new demographic surprise for California: population loss

SACRAMENTO — For the first time in more than a century, California recorded a net loss in population last year, a demographic reversal caused by the deadly toll of the coronavirus and declining immigration and birthrates. The small but startling 0.46% drop — a decline...

Vaccination rates are lower in disadvantaged counties, CDC reports

Even though the pandemic has taken a disproportionate toll on people of color and on low-income communities, Americans in wealthier counties have been getting vaccinated against the coronavirus at higher rates than those who live in more distressed, impoverished counties, federal health researchers reported...

Free psychotherapy available to frontline and essential workers in Monterey County

MONTEREY COUNTY — Frontline Workers Counseling Project (FWCP), a San Francisco-based nonprofit that pairs frontline and essential workers with private-practice therapists for pro bono counseling services, is expanding its service area to Monterey County. FWCP, formerly called the Covid-19 Pro Bono Counseling Project, was created...

Monterey County outpacing other local providers in Covid vaccines provided to children

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County's Health Department has administered more Covid-19 vaccine doses to children ages 5-11 than any other local vaccine provider, county officials said Tuesday. As of Sept. 29, the Public Health and Clinic Services divisions of the Health Department have administered 28...

Why Omicron was first found in San Francisco

As soon as the first U.S. case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus was reported in San Francisco, California officials began sounding the same message: Don’t panic. ā€œWe are not surprised by this. This was predictable. This was predicted,ā€ Gov. Gavin Newsom said in...

Monterey County’s senior meals program to end Friday

MONTEREY COUNTY — Great Plates Delivered, a Monterey County program meant to help vulnerable seniors and boost local business, will end on Friday, July 9. As part of the yearlong program, area restaurants signed up to provide food for seniors who wished to maintain social...

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...

What to know about Johnson & Johnson vaccines in California

The U.S. vaccination campaign has been rolling along and picking up steam. Some 22% of California’s roughly 40 million residents are fully vaccinated, and more are signing up for appointments. COVID-19 case rates in the state are at some of their lowest levels since...

California to require Covid vaccines for students by fall 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom of California announced Friday that the state plans to add the coronavirus vaccine to other vaccinations required to attend school, such as measles and mumps, starting as early as next fall. The vaccine mandate, for public and private schools, will be phased...

Local News

Miniature horse

Miniature horse ā€˜Cookie’ sworn in as honorary community ambassador

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has announced that ā€œCookie,ā€ a 15-year-old miniature horse who survived severe neglect and was rescued from a...