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February 27, 2026

Biden mandates vaccines for workers, saying, ā€˜Our patience is wearing thin’

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday used the full force of his presidency to push two-thirds of U.S. workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, reaching into the private sector to mandate that all companies with more than 100 workers require vaccination or...

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...

Fully vaccinated people no longer required to wear a mask in Monterey County buildings

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County will no longer require fully vaccinated residents to wear a face covering when inside a county building, the county announced Wednesday. Starting Thursday, residents will be asked to verbally attest that they are fully vaccinated when entering a county building...

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...

Jobless claims decline as coronavirus cases ease

WASHINGTON, D.C. — New claims for unemployment fell last week, the government reported Thursday, the latest sign that the labor market’s recovery, however slow and unsteady, is continuing. ā€œThe numbers look encouraging on the face of it,ā€ said Gregory Daco, chief U.S. economist at Oxford...

California’s vaccinated can go mostly mask-free beginning June 15

Vaccinated Californians will be able to go mask-free in indoor stores, bars, restaurants, movie theaters and many other places as part of the state’s grand reopening next Tuesday, officials announced on Wednesday. The new rules are aligned with federal guidance, meaning that face coverings will...

Monterey County hospitals warn about respiratory virus surge

MONTEREY COUNTY — Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, Mee Memorial Healthcare System, Natividad Medical Center, Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital and the Monterey County Health Department are urging all residents to act now to protect themselves and their families against respiratory viruses circulating this...

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...

Monterey Bay Aquarium to reopen May 15 after 13-month closure

MONTEREY — The Monterey Bay Aquarium will reopen May 15 following an unprecedented 13-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. New rules will be in effect for visitors, including online-only ticket sales, required face coverings and timed-entry. All guests age 3 and older, as well as...

Monterey County lifts most indoor mask mandates

MONTEREY COUNTY — In alignment with the state of California, Monterey County and nearly a dozen other Bay Area jurisdictions have lifted universal mask requirements for most indoor public settings beginning Wednesday. Last week Monterey County announced that it would join the counties of Alameda,...

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SVSP inmate gets life sentence for attempted murder, assault of peace...

SOLEDAD — On Feb. 4, a Monterey County judge sentenced Tyrell Ainsworth, 33, to 70 years to life in prison plus an additional term...