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...

FOOD DISTRIBUTION SALINAS VALLEY — Food Bank for Monterey County announced its South Monterey County weekly drive-through food distribution sites and times. Soledad will be on Mondays from 10 to 11 a.m. at 425 Gabilan Drive. Greenfield will be on Tuesdays from 10 to 11...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Administrative Office has announced the hiring of Nicholas M. Pasculli as county communications director. Pasculli, who begins his duties on Feb. 14, will lead the county’s communications programs and advise the Board of Supervisors and the County Administrative Officer on...

GONZALES — A beautiful Saturday morning was the setting for the Gonzales Youth Council’s Community Garden Day in Gonzales. According to Jessica Olmeda of the City of Gonzales and co-adviser to the Gonzales Youth Council along with Cindy Aguilar, the community action project not only...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Department has issued a public alert following an increase in vehicle burglaries and stolen vehicles across the city. According to the department, ongoing investigations suggest that the suspects may be using an electronic skimmer device to unlock car doors and access...

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...

SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County health officials have been working with agricultural companies and have reiterated safety plans with the onset of the new growing season, with the goal of keeping ag workers safe and the food supply network stable. “With the start of the...

COAT DRIVE KING CITY — Mee Memorial Healthcare System’s HR team has organized a Thanksgiving community coat drive for kids. The community can help by donating new or gently used coats for local school students ages 4-12. Drop off donations in the barrel located inside...

TOP SCHOLARS SOLEDAD — Joselyn Quezada and Liliana Negrete entered a virtual science fair competition, the Healthy Habits Virtual Science Fair, this past summer and were chosen as runner-ups among the thousands of entries on Nov. 2. The fair was hosted by Legends of Learning...

SALINAS VALLEY — Students returned to in-person classes in South Monterey County as Hartnell College reopened two facilities to welcome them for their first day of class on Aug. 30. The King City Education Center was expanded with new, larger classrooms during a pandemic shutdown,...