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Salinas
January 28, 2026

What counts as ā€˜essential business’ in Monterey County amid COVID-19 stay-at-home order

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — California residents have been advised to stay indoors, and only leave their home for essential items or services, since the statewide stay-at-home order went into effect March 19 to help combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Essential businesses, however, can stay open...

Salinas Valley doctors, nurses get first round of Covid-19 vaccines

SALINAS VALLEY — Mee Memorial Healthcare System received its allocation of 500 doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine on Dec. 22, with priority vaccinations of frontline workers beginning that same day. The vaccines were delivered to Mee Memorial Hospital in King City at 11:30 a.m....

Finally, California is about to reopen

We’ve been waiting for this week for a long time. After more than a year of complex, evolving rules governing where Californians can go and what we can do, on Tuesday, nearly all of them will go away. California, the nation’s most populous state, will be...

Monterey County supervisor proposes plan to rehire laid-off hospitality workers

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo submitted a pandemic economic recovery ordinance for the county on Feb. 3, aimed at recalling laid-off county hospitality, restaurant and travel workers when the economy re-opens.  The ordinance would request those recalls based on greatest length of...

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...

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...

Soledad resident and Covid-19 survivor turns 100

SOLEDAD — 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 County Environmental Health Bureau plans to enforce Covid-19 citations

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County’s Environmental Health Bureau has conducted 1,971 visits to area businesses since September, which resulted in 12 citations for violations of Covid-related health orders and one permit revocation. Ricardo Encarnacion, assistant bureau chief for the Environmental Health Bureau, made the announcement...

Local News

California Highway Patrol (CHP)

CHP highlights public safety laws taking effect in 2026

CALIFORNIA — California Highway Patrol (CHP) is highlighting new public safety laws passed during this year’s legislative session and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom....