Local News

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...

GONZALES — Gonzales American Legion Post 81 hosted its annual Memorial Day Observance on Monday morning at Gonzales Cemetery. Dozens of community members, including Gonzales Mayor Pro Tem Liz Silva, attended the May 26 event that honors soldiers who served in one of the U.S....

GONZALES — On May 20, Jesus Tejeda, 37, of Gonzales, was sentenced to 38 years and eight months in prison after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter with the personal use a firearm, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon in furtherance of...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) has selected 28 emerging nonprofit managers to join the LEAD (Leadership, Education and Development) Institute’s 2025 cohort. LEAD is a year-long professional development institute offered by the CFMC’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence to foster strong, effective...

SOLEDAD — Soledad Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with AT&T and Human I-T, has announced a laptop giveaway for Soledad residents. This initiative aims to provide free refurbished laptops to individuals in need, helping bridge the digital divide and support community members who lack access...

MARKET RETURNS SOLEDAD — The Soledad Certified Farmer's Market is back on Soledad Street. After a brief hiatus, the market resumed April 3 and will continue every Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. Since 2006, the market has been a community favorite, offering fresh produce,...

SOLEDAD — In a continued effort to combat pet overpopulation, SPCA Monterey County is offering free spay/neuter clinics for cats in South Monterey County, including Soledad and King City, with several appointments still available. Sponsored by Hitchcock Road Animal Services and staffed by the SPCA’s...

GONZALES — Tele Matangi, 37, of Pittsburg, was sentenced to 150 years to life in prison on May 29 after being found guilty by a jury of multiple charges arising from a daylong crime spree in September 2023. Matangi was convicted of carjacking, attempted carjacking,...

SOLEDAD — Monterey County Works and the City of Soledad are teaming up for a South County Young Adult Job Fair on Saturday, April 12, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Soledad Community Center, 560 Walker Drive, in Soledad. “We’re proud to partner with...

SOLEDAD — The City of Soledad has been selected as one of only 10 communities nationwide to participate in the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Workforce Development Community of Practice (CoP), a prestigious federally funded initiative aimed at preparing rural youth for successful...