Local News

GONZALES — Gonzales’ Central Park was alive with activity last Sunday for the annual Cinco de Mayo Festival. The May 4 event, sponsored by Pueblo Unido De Tateposco and the City of Gonzales, featured a variety of entertainment and attractions. Attendees enjoyed a children’s area, food...

SALINAS VALLEY — A cast of 115 dancers from South Monterey County will perform the 64th anniversary production of “The Nutcracker Ballet” this weekend at the Robert Stanton Theater in King City. “Plan to be amazed,” said Janette Harkness, artistic director of Monterey County Dance...

CLEANUP DAY SOLEDAD — City of Soledad and other organizations have planned a Reuse, Recycle and Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 31, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Soledad High School. Soledad residents can dispose of such items as general garbage, electronics, TVs, computers,...

SALINAS VALLEY — Law enforcement agencies across South Monterey County participated in the National Night Out on Aug. 2, part of a nationwide effort to get communities in touch with the officers who serve them.  Local police and fire departments hosted community booths and offered...

SOLEDAD — Police Chief Patrick Valenzuela has left the Soledad Police Department after leading the agency for just over a year, with two longtime department members stepping into acting leadership roles. The City of Soledad announced Friday that it and Valenzuela “mutually agreed to conclude...

AUTHOR TALK SALINAS — Laureen Diephof, an accomplished columnist, photojournalist and world traveler, will be a guest speaker at the El Gabilan Library, 1400 N. Main St., in Salinas on Tuesday, July 11, at 5 p.m. Throughout her career, Diephof worked as a reporter for...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County residents can report their internet speed to improve the broadband service map and help support future broadband investment. The County of Monterey Broadband Speed Campaign is asking all residents to tell the County about their internet speed at home, work...

National Agriculture Week 2026 will be observed March 15-21, with National Ag Day falling on March 24. The annual week highlights the vital role agriculture plays in the United States — providing food, jobs and economic stability — and encourages Americans to recognize the industry’s contributions...

Editor’s Note: The following profile is an excerpt from Amy Wu’s book, “From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators Revolutionizing How Our Food is Grown,” which tells the stories of women entrepreneurs who are transforming agriculture through high technology. Ellie Symes could easily pass for the...