Local News

SOLEDAD — A 16-year-old girl from Soledad was killed and two drivers were seriously injured Thursday morning following a head-on crash on River Road south of Parker Road in Monterey County, according to the California Highway Patrol’s Monterey Area office. According to media reports, the...

GREENFIELD — Read to Me Project has named Cherie Smith, a fourth-grade teacher at Mary Chapa Academy in Greenfield, as its 2026 Teacher of the Year. During a special presentation held May 6 at her classroom, Smith was honored with the award, as well as...

MONTEREY COUNTY — As summer approaches, United Way Monterey County (UWMC) is once again preparing to help local students start the school year with confidence. The organization recently launched its 16th annual Stuff the Bus campaign, a countywide effort that provides backpacks filled with grade-appropriate...

Abdulmalik Alawee of Soledad, Salah Alwasheem of King City, Skarllette Suazo Castillo of King City and Desiree Meza of Gonzales were named to the Spring 2026 President’s List at Southern New Hampshire University. Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum GPA of 3.7...

SALINAS — Transportation Agency for Monterey County Board of Directors received an update last month on two Caltrans-led projects planned along the Highway 101 corridor south of Salinas, including near-term safety upgrades and a long-range improvement effort focused on Chualar. According to TAMC officials, the...

CENTRAL COAST — Hartnell College and Monterey Bay DART are launching a new two-year regional workforce initiative designed to connect local residents to careers in drones, aerospace technology and advanced aviation. Known as the Maturing Regional AgTech and Aerospace Job Readiness Pathways program, or MsUAS...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Salud Para La Gente, a nonprofit network of primary care clinics serving low-income individuals and families in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, has agreed to pay a total of $750,000 to resolve allegations that it submitted false claims for payment to...

Fort Hunter Liggett continues prescribed burns JOLON — Fire and Emergency Services at Fort Hunter Liggett announced plans to conduct a series of prescribed burns during the final week of May as part of ongoing wildfire prevention efforts. According to the notice, the controlled burns are...

MONTEREY COUNTY — SPCA Monterey County is seeking foster volunteers to help care for 187 rescued puppies and kittens, with additional animals arriving daily. The organization said foster caregivers provide temporary homes for young or vulnerable animals while it supplies medical care, food and necessary...

SALINAS VALLEY — Service men and women were honored Monday morning in Soledad and Gonzales for Memorial Day, each with separate events featuring prayers, music and memories. At Soledad, American Legion Post 32 Commander Eugene Ivey welcomed everyone while providing information about Memorial Day and...