Monterey County Board of Supervisors to mark 50th anniversary of ‘El Cortito’ ban
SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County Board of Supervisors will host a special ceremony on Tuesday, June 10, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a landmark legal case that arose out of the Salinas Valley and outlawed the use of “El Cortito,” or the short-handled...
Agriculture is at a critical juncture, farm leaders warn
CALIFORNIA — Grappling with higher costs and challenges related to water, labor, regulations and trade, some California farm leaders question whether the nation’s No. 1 agriculture state has reached a tipping point.
California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass discussed the high cost of operating a...
CSUMB Salinas City Center rebrands as One Main Street under new ownership
SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell College Foundation and the National Steinbeck Center have formally assumed ownership of the CSUMB Salinas City Center from Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB).
The building will be renamed One Main Street. The announcement was made during a press conference Wednesday morning and...
Monterey Audubon Society announces annual Scholarship Essay Contest
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey Audubon Society has announced the launch of its annual Scholarship Essay Contest, designed to support and inspire young conservationists in the Monterey Bay region.
The contest provides students with an opportunity to showcase their passion for birds, wildlife and environmental stewardship...
Salinas Valley Fair Kick-Off builds excitement for 2025 ‘Berry Best Fair’
SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City were buzzing last month as the annual Fair Kick-Off event drew more than 600 guests and set an enthusiastic tone for the upcoming 81st Salinas Valley Fair, scheduled for May 15-18.
Organized by the Salinas Valley...
Travel nurse gets 40 years to life in prison for child molestation in Greenfield
GREENFIELD — Travis Harris, a 40-year-old travel nurse from Scotts Valley, was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on June 4 after being convicted by a jury on multiple charges related to child molestation.
Judge Pamela Butler presided over the trial and sentencing....
Braga Fresh to close Salinas facility, cutting 260 Jobs
SOLEDAD — Braga Fresh, the Soledad-based grower-shipper known for its fresh vegetables and packaged salads, plans to close its Salinas processing plant, resulting in the loss of about 260 jobs, according to a state WARN Act filing.
The closure was disclosed in documents submitted Nov....
Soledad elementary schools earn high honors from state
SOLEDAD — Three elementary schools in the Soledad Unified School District (SUSD) have been named 2025 California Distinguished Schools, an honor awarded to just 336 schools across the state this year.
Gabilan, Jack Franscioni and Rose Ferrero elementary schools earned the distinction for their strong...
Hartnell College to honor largest graduating class during Friday commencement ceremony
SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell Community College District will celebrate the academic achievements of its Class of 2025 during a commencement ceremony on Friday, May 23, at 4 p.m. at Rabobank Stadium, 1034 N. Main St., in Salinas.
The ceremony will include the official conferring of...
Valenzuela named new Soledad chief of police
SOLEDAD — City of Soledad has announced the appointment of Patrick G. Valenzuela as its new chief of police.
Valenzuela comes to Soledad from the Glendale Police Department in Glendale, Ariz., where he has served since 1996. During his tenure, he advanced from patrol officer...
Local News
Soledad Police host 2025 Cops Giving Tree
SOLEDAD — Soledad Police Department hosted its 2025 Cops Giving Tree event earlier this month, spreading hope and generosity to local children and families in need...
