Local News

COLLEGE WORKSHOP MONTEREY COUNTY — Hartnell College will host a free Cash for College workshop Wednesday, Feb. 25, to help students and families complete financial aid applications for the 2026–27 academic year. The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Building C, Steinbeck...

SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Fair is now accepting applications for the 2026 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Competition, offering young women the chance to serve as ambassadors for one of the region’s most recognized events. Eligible contestants must be ages 16 to 20 and reside...

SALINAS VALLEY — After two years of lower levels of impatiens necrotic spot virus in the Salinas Valley, researchers have recorded a higher number of cases during the 2025 season, though they say INSV did not reach the widespread levels seen in 2022, when...

SALINAS — Hartnell College’s K-12 STEAM Program hosted three NASA Integrated Engineering Challenges last month as part of the NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars (NCAS) program, one of only 10 institutions selected nationwide. The program concluded Jan. 16 at Hartnell’s STEM Building with a rover...

HARTNELL HONOR ROLL SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell College is recognizing the academic excellence of 1,989 students who earned placement on the President’s Honor Roll or Dean’s List for the Fall 2025 semester. To qualify for either distinction, students must be enrolled in a minimum of...

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, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency dispatchers received the call at about 9:27 p.m. on Feb. 13. Deputies responded...

Rachel Stuercke of King City was named to the Dean’s Honor List at Cedarville University in southwest Ohio for Fall 2025. This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester and carry a minimum of 12 credit hours. Angela...

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Feb. 13 death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 9:40 a.m., staff observed inmate Dan Felix unresponsive in his cell. “Staff immediately responded, initiating life-saving measures and activating 911,” according to...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Residents can support animal welfare and learn about responsible pet care through several February events organized by the SPCA Monterey County. A Pawesome Valentine’s Day Camp is set for Saturday, Feb. 14, where children will learn about pets, responsible ownership and ways...

GREENFIELD — A former California state correctional lieutenant has been arrested on charges of conspiring to smuggle contraband into state prison in exchange for approximately $100,000 in payments from an inmate. Matthew Madsen, 39, of Greenfield, made his initial appearance in federal district court in...