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Salinas
April 15, 2026

Studies examine variant surging in California, and the news isn’t good

CALIFORNIA — A variant first discovered in California in December is more contagious than earlier forms of the coronavirus, two new studies have shown, fueling concerns that emerging mutants like this one could hamper the sharp decline in cases overall in the state and...

Newsom: California economy ā€˜fully reopening’ June 15

gavin newsom california reopening
CALIFORNIA — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday announced that the state is ā€œsetting our eyes on fully reopening by June 15 — with commonsense measures like masking.ā€ Newsom made the announcement via Twitter, and reiterated the state’s plan to eventually forgo the current four-tiered,...

Monterey County closes Covid-19 testing site in Greenfield

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County Health Department announced the closure of the free Covid-19 testing site at Greenfield Library effective Oct. 17, with the facilities moving to Seaside beginning Tuesday. ā€œWe did get state support to move our testing operations from Greenfield to Seaside High...

Plans continue for some activities at Salinas Valley Fairgrounds

KING CITY — Salinas Valley Fairgrounds remains in a modified state of operation as Covid-19 pandemic health guidelines continue to restrict the types of activities that can be carried out in public settings.  The upcoming in-person Livestock Grading Show and Online Auction are being planned...

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...

Black and Hispanic communities grapple with vaccine misinformation

SAN JOSE, Calif. — On an unseasonably warm day in February, two men working with a local community group went door to door in an ethnically diverse neighborhood to persuade people to sign up for COVID-19 vaccinations. It was just after 11 a.m. when they...

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 plans for return of migrant farmworkers

SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County health officials have been working with agricultural companies and have reiterated safety plans with the onset of the new growing season, with the goal of keeping ag workers safe and the food supply network stable. ā€œWith the start of the...

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...

Greenfield McDonald’s offers free Big Macs for vaccine registrants

GREENFIELD — Community members who registered for a Covid-19 vaccine at McDonald’s in Greenfield recently were able to get a free Big Mac. The two-day event was held Aug. 6 and 7 in partnership between McDonald’s and Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid (VIDA) Monterey County,...

Local News

Arroyo Seco River rescue

Body recovered after vehicle found in Arroyo Seco River

GREENFIELD — Authorities recovered the body of a man Monday after a vehicle was discovered partially submerged in the Arroyo Seco River west of...