Local News

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Oct. 14 death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 5:15 p.m., staff observed Orlando Ochoa assaulting Israel Mendoza and responded by utilizing chemical...

TRUNK OR TREAT GONZALES — City of Gonzales will host its annual Halloween events on Saturday, Oct. 25. The festivities include a Trunk or Treat celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. at Centennial Park, followed by a family-friendly movie screening of “Halloweentown” starting at 7:30...

GONZALES — City of Gonzales hosted the Resuse, Recycle and Cleanup Day on Saturday at Fairview Middle School. Local residents brought in items for the free event and also took advantage of free compost giveaway. Groups that participated in the Oct. 18 event included the Gonzales...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) will host a Safety Symposium, designed to promote best practices, collaboration and preparedness for safer schools and communities, on Friday, Oct. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at One Main, 1 Main St., in...

SALINAS VALLEY — In a gathering that underscored the enduring spirit of innovation and generosity in California’s “Salad Bowl of the World,” David and Susan Gill of King City received the prestigious E.E. “Gene” Harden Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grower-Shipper Association of Central...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Chief Patrick Valenzuela recently announced that Lt. Juan Santiago has successfully graduated from the 295th session of the FBI National Academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., on Sept. 4. Santiago is only the...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Alliance on Aging has announced a comprehensive schedule of programs and events for fall 2025, designed to enhance the health, resilience and quality of life for older adults and their caregivers across Monterey County. From financial wellness workshops and technology training to...

CHUALAR — Caltrans and the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) are hosting public meetings to learn more about the US 101 South of Salinas Corridor Improvement Project and South of Salinas Access Management Project. These meetings will provide information on near-term safety improvements and...

GREENFIELD — Several community members in Greenfield had their catalytic converters stolen overnight on Oct. 14, according to Greenfield Police Department. Similar thefts were also reported in other South Monterey County cities, including Soledad and King City. A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust...

RIBBON CUTTING SALINAS — Monterey County Sheriff’s Office will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the new Re-Entry Resource Center on Thursday, Oct. 23. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. at 1412 Natividad Road in Salinas and will be followed by a job and...