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February 18, 2026

Monterey County remains in purple tier, as Covid-19 vaccine rollout makes progress

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Health Department announced earlier this week that ā€œsufficient progressā€ has been made vaccinating Phase 1a health care workers, and that providers may now begin to offer Covid-19 vaccine to residents age 75 years or older in Phase 1b, Tier...

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...

What to know about Johnson & Johnson vaccines in California

The U.S. vaccination campaign has been rolling along and picking up steam. Some 22% of California’s roughly 40 million residents are fully vaccinated, and more are signing up for appointments. COVID-19 case rates in the state are at some of their lowest levels since...

Monterey County considers countywide mask mandate

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Board of Supervisors will review implementation of a countywide indoor mask mandate during a special meeting Wednesday.  The supervisors are expected to endorse it after earlier approving a mask mandate for all county buildings. The decision came after a late August...

Vaccine clinics in Greenfield, Soledad reach out to area farmworkers

SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County residents were able to get vaccinated with six sessions of a mass Covid-19 vaccination effort last weekend at Greenfield Memorial Hall and Soledad Community Center. A total of 3,000 vaccine doses were distributed at the events, which were separate from...

Biden signs stimulus bill ahead of prime-time address

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden signed the $1.9 trillion economic relief package on Thursday afternoon, ushering in an aggressive infusion of federal aid in a far-reaching effort to address the toll of the coronavirus pandemic. ā€œThis historic legislation is about rebuilding the backbone of...

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,...

Monterey County schools plan for return to in-person learning

MONTEREY COUNTY — Elementary schools in Monterey County may begin planning to reopen after the Feb. 16 announcement that the county’s 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...

Northwest Laboratory to open new Covid-19 testing site in Salinas

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
SALINAS — Northwest Laboratory will open and operate a new drive-thru Covid-19 testing site in Salinas starting March 3. ā€œOur organization has worked closely with the communities across the U.S. since this pandemic began, providing laboratory analysis for multiple community testing programs,ā€ said Jennifer Bull,...

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. ā€œI like to work,ā€ said Hesse, a college graduate who turns 26 on...

Local News

Police crime

Gonzales man arrested on suspicion of murder after 911 call

GONZALES — A 66-year-old Gonzales man was arrested on suspicion of murder Friday night after calling 911 to report that his wife was bleeding,...