Local News

MONTEREY COUNTY — Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) has named Marie Boucher, also known as Marie Butcher, as the 2026-27 Monterey County Poet Laureate. Boucher officially assumed the role on Jan. 1, 2026, beginning a two-year term through December 2027. The honorary position celebrates the...

CHUALAR SURVEY CHUALAR — Residents can now take the Chualar Community Plan Survey online in English or Spanish. The survey seeks input on housing, parks, transportation, safety, local businesses and other community priorities. Responses will help guide local planning decisions. The survey closes Feb. 12....

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County health officials and community partners have released the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive report identifying the county’s most pressing health challenges and priorities. The assessment, compiled by the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative, analyzes population health data to...

SOLEDAD — City of Soledad and the Monterey County Health Department hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 23 for the city’s first 24/7 naloxone and fentanyl test strip kiosk, after the event was rescheduled from Dec. 8. The kiosk, located next to the Soledad Fire...

SALINAS VALLEY — Hundreds of South Monterey County third graders took part in the 2026 South County Farm Day on Jan. 22 at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City, getting a hands-on introduction to agriculture, public safety and local resources. The annual event, hosted...

JOB FAIRS MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Works will host a series of job fairs and industry-specific recruitments throughout February at its Salinas Career Center, 344 Salinas St. Events are open to job seekers and employers and include multiple-employer job fairs and industry spotlight recruitments...

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Jan. 29 death of an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At about 6:15 a.m., staff observed inmate Karapet Demirdzhyan unresponsive in his cell during a security check in a housing unit. “Staff immediately responded, initiating life-saving measures on Demirdzhyan and...

MONTEREY COUNTY — See Monterey has announced the launch of Off the Canvas, a new arts and culture tourism initiative highlighting murals, sculptures and other arts and creative spaces throughout Monterey County, including the Salinas Valley — from vibrant public art installations to open galleries and more. The program invites...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Alliance on Aging is beginning the new year with a renewed commitment to serving older adults throughout Monterey County, expanding access to essential services while strengthening programs that protect dignity, independence and connection. As part of its January initiatives, the nonprofit is...

POETRY CONTEST MONTEREY COUNTY — High school students from across Monterey County will take the stage Saturday, Jan. 31, for the 2026 Poetry Out Loud county competition at the Black Box Theater, Monterey County Office of Education, 901 Blanco Circle, in Salinas. The event runs...