Covid-19 cases, deaths surge to new highs in Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY ā Thousands of new cases and dozens of deaths related to Covid-19 have been reported in Monterey County since the beginning of the new year, less than two weeks ago.
According to Californiaās Covid-19 reporting system, last updated Jan. 12, Monterey Countyās virus...
CDC says vaccinated people can go maskless in most places
In a sharp turnabout, federal health officials Thursday advised that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor settings, regardless of size.
The advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...
Covid-19 relief funds available for small businesses in Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY ā 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 Coastalās Small Business...
Uncounted in the unemployment rate, but they want to work
Robert Hesse was expecting an imminent promotion to manager of Sub Zero Ice Cream, a nitrogen ice cream shop in Ventura, California, when it shut down in March because of the pandemic.
āI like to work,ā said Hesse, a college graduate who turns 26 on...
Soledad resident and Covid-19 survivor turns 100
SOLEDAD ā As the City of Soledad prepares for its centennial event, 2021 also marks the year one of its residents, Jennie Aquino, becomes a centenarian.
Aquino, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Jan. 27, was born in Mexico and came to the United States...
Monterey Countyās Covid-19 isolation site at San Lorenzo Park sees surge in patients
SALINAS VALLEY ā More patients are being relocated to an Alternate Housing Site at San Lorenzo Park in recent weeks due to an overall increase in Covid-19 cases countywide.
The King City site is called Operation Oasis by Monterey County staff, and has 10 trailers...
Monterey Countyās Covid-19 Stipend Program ends
MONTEREY COUNTY ā Monterey County Health Departmentās Covid-19 Stipend Program has ended as of March 31, the decision of which came as vaccine rates increase and the number of new cases has decreased.
The Stipend Program started in December 2020 with the aim of helping...
Unemployment claims rise as pandemic hits 1-year mark
The surge in unemployment filings in March 2020 provided one of the first clear warnings of the havoc the pandemic was wreaking on the U.S. economy.
One year later, that klaxon is still blaring.
More than 746,000 people filed first-time applications for state unemployment benefits last...
Monterey County schools plan for return to in-person learning
MONTEREY COUNTY ā Elementary schools in Monterey County may begin planning to reopen after the Feb. 16 announcement that the countyās adjusted case rate has fallen to 24 infected per 100,000 residents.
The school grades affected would be pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Schools wishing to...
Vaccinated people can get Covid, but itās most likely very rare
More than two months after he was fully vaccinated against COVID, a doctor in New York woke up with a headache and a dull, heavy feeling of fatigue. A fever and chills soon followed, and his senses of taste and smell began to fade.
This,...
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Soledad man arrested after driving stolen car to court hearing
SOLEDAD ā A Soledad man was arrested Tuesday after authorities say he drove a stolen vehicle to a scheduled court appearance for a pending...





















