Local News

GONZALES — The Monterey County 4-H community came together on Sept. 12 at the Swiss Rifle Club in Gonzales to celebrate the hard work and dedication of its youth members at the annual Monterey County 4-H Achievement Award Ceremony. Hosted by the Gonzales 4-H Club,...

County Health Department promotes car seat safety MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Health Department is reminding parents and caregivers to ensure children are properly secured in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats and seat belts during Child Passenger Safety Week, Sept. 21-27. Certified child passenger...

SALINAS VALLEY — After three weeks of intensive training, dancers from across the Salinas Valley and surrounding communities took the stage last month to celebrate their progress and artistic development through Monterey County Dance Theatre’s annual summer program. The summer intensive brought together students from...

SOLEDAD — Soledad’s fall youth soccer season kicked off this month with player-led drills, local soccer organizations and the distribution of more than 200 FIFA soccer balls to local children and families. The soccer balls were provided through FIFA’s World Cup 2026 community initiative, which...

SOLEDAD — A former correctional officer at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad pleaded no contest to felony insurance fraud after prosecutors determined she fabricated workplace injuries and received more than $100,000 in workers’ compensation benefits. Lorena Hernandez Alvarado, 43, of King City, also pleaded...

SALINAS VALLEY — Salinas Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency announced Sept. 9 that its Water Efficiency Pilot Program for Rural Residents has expanded to all six subbasins under the agency’s purview, offering free home water efficiency assessments through the end of 2026. The expansion builds...

MONTEREY COUNTY — The Dollywood Foundation has designated Sept. 25 as Give Like Dolly Day, an annual initiative encouraging people to support children’s literacy and local Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library programs. The date, 9-2-5, is a nod to one of Dolly Parton’s international hits and...

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison as a homicide. Correctional staff observed incarcerated people Dillon King and Justin Learmont approach Michael Loftin in a recreation yard at about 12:50...

Essential items sought for overseas troops KING CITY — Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will collect items on Oct. 13 to be sent to servicemen and women serving overseas through Operation: Care and Comfort, an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) organization. Items can be dropped off from 9...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Government Center at 168 W. Alisal St. in downtown Salinas will reopen for normal business operations Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 8 a.m., the County Administrative Office announced. The reopening follows several weeks of closure related to an extensive sewer line...