Local News

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...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Youth Council is leading a comprehensive Street Safety Initiative for the 2025-26 year focused on identifying and addressing pedestrian and traffic safety concerns throughout the city. Since launching the initiative in October 2025, Youth Council members have spent the past several months...

SOLEDAD — A Monterey County jury has convicted Paul Chavez Ramirez, 61, an inmate serving a life sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, of possessing a weapon. In a bifurcated trial, the jury also found that Ramirez had previously been convicted of four...

JUDICIAL SEATS MONTEREY COUNTY — Jan. 26 marked the opening of the Declaration of Intention filing period for judicial seats in the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election. All interested candidates must file their Declaration of Intention no later than 5pm on Wednesday, Feb....

SALINAS — California Rodeo Salinas has unveiled its 2026 commemorative poster, a striking tribute to patriotism and tradition. This year’s design features Retired Sgt. First Class James “Guido” Davis parachuting the American flag into the arena from 5,000 feet above — a moment that has...

CALIFORNIA — California Highway Patrol (CHP) is highlighting new public safety laws passed during this year’s legislative session and signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Unless otherwise noted, these laws took effect Jan. 1, 2026. “CHP is committed to keeping the public informed so they can...

GREENFIELD — A structure fire early Friday morning was contained to a garage thanks to a rapid, multi-agency response, according to the Greenfield Police Department. At about midnight on Jan. 23, Greenfield police and fire personnel responded to a reported structure fire in the 200...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) will take part in a statewide effort this month aimed at capturing how Californians use and value their local public libraries. The initiative, called “Every Story Counts,” seeks data, stories and photos illustrating how and why residents...

CENTRAL COAST — Local hospitals are urging community members to donate blood during a series of multi-day drives this month, as January typically brings a drop in donations due to winter weather, seasonal illnesses and fewer workplace and school drives. “The start of the year...

TRUTH ACT SALINAS — Monterey County Board of Supervisors will hold a TRUTH Act presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 p.m. in its Chambers at 168 W. Alisal St. in Salinas. The presentation is required under California’s TRUTH Act when local law enforcement has...