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April 11, 2026

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...

Fauci warns U.S. could be headed for another virus spike

UNITED STATES — States have continued steadily lifting restrictions, despite warnings from top federal health officials like Dr. Anthony Fauci that new coronavirus cases in the United States have plateaued at a very high level after their drastic drop has stalled and that the...

VIDA Project and partners host pop-up clinic in Soledad

SOLEDAD — The VIDA Project, Soledad McDonald’s, Monterey County Health Department and the City of Soledad have come together to co-host a free Pop-Up Clinic. The clinic will take place Sunday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Soledad McDonald’s, 1215 Front...

Concerns rise as Monterey County reports 24 Covid-19 deaths in past week

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — Covid-19 case rates, positivity rates and hospitalization rates continue to be low in Monterey County, as announced by County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno during the April 21 press briefing. Despite an alarming 24 virus-related deaths in the past week, Moreno said...

California orders all teachers to be vaccinated or face regular testing

California became the first state to issue a vaccine mandate for all educators in public and private schools when Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered teachers and school staff members to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or face weekly testing. “We think it’ll be...

FEMA program offers relief for Covid-related funeral expenses

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County residents can apply for financial help to cover funeral expenses through FEMA’s Covid-19 Funeral Assistance Program, which began accepting applications Monday. As of April 14, Monterey County has lost 348 residents to Covid-19. “For those families who have lost a loved...

California lost 175,000 ‘creative economy’ jobs, study finds

CALIFORNIA — Arts advocates and elected officials in California called Thursday for additional government spending to avert what one organization leader called a “pending cultural depression” brought on by the pandemic. “There is no economic recovery in our area unless a working creative engine is...

Will you need a vaccine passport in California?

Baseball is back across California. Tickets to see Bad Bunny early next year were snatched up in no time. The Musso & Frank Grill — the iconic, very much indoors Hollywood haunt — has announced it will reopen May 6. That’s all been possible, officials...

Monterey County confirms first 3 cases of Delta variant

MONTEREY COUNTY — Three residents have been infected with Covid-19 that was caused by the Delta variant, confirmed Monterey County Health Department on Thursday. According to Public Information Officer Karen Smith, the Health Department has been monitoring the emergence of variants of the virus that...

What counts as ‘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...

Local News

Sykes Hot Springs

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office investigating suspicious death in Ventana Wilderness

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a suspicious death in the Sykes Hot Springs area of the Ventana Wilderness in the...