69 F
Salinas
June 20, 2026

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...

Additional loans available for Monterey County businesses affected by Covid-19

MONTEREY COUNTY — Cal Coastal has announced additional small business loans to assist Monterey County businesses impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. “New economic support is available for businesses in Monterey County, which are still being negatively impacted by the pandemic,” said Maia Carroll, the county’s...

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...

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...

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...

Hartnell nursing students educate hundreds of Gonzales ag workers about Covid-19 vaccine

GONZALES — Registered and vocational nursing students from Hartnell College recently went to Taylor Farms in Gonzales to present information about Covid-19 vaccines and answer questions regarding the process of getting immunized. “The purpose is to be here to give presentations on the importance of...

Monterey County moves into red Covid tier

Covid-19, novel coronavirus 2019
MONTEREY COUNTY — Residents in Monterey County can now look forward to fewer restrictions as the region moves from the most severe risk, Purple Tier, and into the moderate risk, Red Tier, of California’s Covid-19 reopening plan. The announcement was made Tuesday after the county...

More contagious virus variant is now dominant in U.S., CDC chief says

WASHINGTON — A highly infectious variant of the coronavirus that was first identified in Britain has become the most common source of new infections in the United States, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday. The worrisome development comes...

Monterey County offers Covid-19 test kits for local distribution

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County continues to invest in bringing Covid-19 testing supplies to the community for local distribution. Covid-19 home antigen test kits are available to local organizations and community groups that can distribute them to their members and clients. In addition, organizations can request...

U.S. prisons start to resume allowing visits to inmates, with added virus precautions

State prison systems across the United States have begun allowing visitors for the first time since the pandemic started, presenting challenges for facilities that want to balance much-needed contact between inmates and their families with the need to limit the spread of COVID-19 in...

Local News

Hartnell tennis court

Impaired driver arrested after crashing into Hartnell College tennis courts

SALINAS — A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing a vehicle into the tennis courts at Hartnell...