Local News

SOLEDAD — The first event in the 2021 Mayor’s Beautification Initiative recently took place as a special neighborhood cleanup hosted from the Soledad Apostolic Church parking lot. Mayor Anna Velazquez, the City of Soledad, Tony Virrueta, Salinas Valley Recycles and Tri-Cities Disposal put the effort...

SALINAS VALLEY — Seniors at King City and Greenfield high schools will have an in-person graduation this year, but they will not be permitted to decorate their caps and gowns. The direction from the schools is in line with previous years, during which students were...

COUNTY ROADWORK MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Public Works began roadway improvement projects on several county roads on May 24, which include installation of new centerline striping. Work hours for the project will be 7 a.m. through 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Traffic control measures...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Frontline Workers Counseling Project (FWCP), a San Francisco-based nonprofit that pairs frontline and essential workers with private-practice therapists for pro bono counseling services, is expanding its service area to Monterey County. FWCP, formerly called the Covid-19 Pro Bono Counseling Project, was created...

SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Fair 2021 took place with an altered format due to Covid-19 pandemic health guidelines, but it was the first time since 2019 that fair-goers were able to show animals or pick up carnival food in person. This year’s animal judging...

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED GREENFIELD — Food Bank for Monterey County and the City of Greenfield are asking for help from volunteers to distribute food to local residents. The latest food distribution took place on May 11, and they happen every other Tuesday from 9 to 11...

Even as California moves toward a full reopening from pandemic restrictions next month, many counties are still in danger. From drought. Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended emergency drought orders to 41 counties across the state. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 84% of the...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Department hosted an outreach and toy giveaway May 4 with officers and police explorers accompanying Chase, the police dog from “Paw Patrol,” as they went around town to talk to children. “We’re trying to build up their morale and make them...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Residents throughout Monterey County are being warned that this year’s low amount of rainfall and dry weather conditions will mean a more intense fire season, which has already begun. Normal years would have a fire season that started around June, but the...

GREENFIELD — Scheid Vineyards hosted an Earth Day tour of its Greenfield location in late April, sharing some of its growing practices in an attempt to make its wine production more environmentally friendly. Founded in 1972, Scheid Vineyards has 3,200 acres with 40 different varieties...