Local News

MONTEREY — The 15th Annual Whalefest Monterey will transform Old Fisherman’s Wharf and the Custom House Plaza into a vibrant hub of marine discovery on April 12-13. This family-friendly event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and is free to the...

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...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Police Department has announced the addition of two advanced drones to its public safety arsenal, a move officials say will dramatically improve response times and enhance situational awareness during emergencies. “We’re happy to share that we’ve added two state-of-the-art DJI drones to...

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....

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...

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...

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....

CENTRAL COAST — Utility scams have continued at an alarming rate during 2025, with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers reporting over $190,000 in losses to scammers. To stop this trend, PG&E is committed to helping customers recognize the signs of a scam to...

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...

SOLEDAD — Salinas Valley State Prison inmate Jaime Demicio Romero, 32, was sentenced to serve a term of 45 years to life in prison, after being convicted of second-degree murder, announced Monterey County District Attorney’s Office on April 24. Romero was also convicted of personally...