Local News

MONTEREY COUNTY — Tourism, the No. 2 economic driver in Monterey County and the top driver on the Monterey Peninsula, saw a rise in 2022 that closed in on pre-pandemic figures of 2019.  While the tourism rebound has been significant, Monterey County Convention and Visitors...

SALINAS — California Rodeo Salinas is accepting applications for the 2025 Miss California Rodeo Salinas contest, which will take place July 1-3. This year’s winner will be crowned on July 3, and interested contestants must submit their applications by April 28. Vianette Garcia, Miss California...

During its Annual Awards Banquet, Gonzales Chamber of Commerce honored local community members who are making the city a better place to work and live by giving back through businesses and volunteering.

SOLEDAD — Detectives from Soledad Police Department have arrested 34-year-old Main Street Middle School teacher Marina Ramirez Rico for having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old male former student. During an investigation on a different case, a video was located “showing the two engaged in...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Fire Department hosted a “push-in” ceremony for its brand-new fire engine Nov. 12. The 2020 Pierce Saber engine arrived Oct. 30, with firefighters having received training before it officially became part of the lineup. The ceremony included short speeches, a washing session and...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County, whose mission is to optimize the collective power of nonprofits for the benefit of Monterey County communities, has named Read to Me Project as the 2022 Outstanding Nonprofit Agency for Youth Development. Since Read to Me Project...

SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON KING CITY — Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will host its Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the King City Recreation Center, 401 Division St., in King City. The best cooks in town will prepare...

SPOOKFEST SOLEDAD — The Fifth Annual Front Street’s Spookfest & Trunk or Treat will take place on Halloween, Oct. 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Cesar Chavez Park in Soledad. The free, family-friendly event will include a variety of festive activities, such as games,...

GREENFIELD — Nathaniel Ray Diaz, 21, of Greenfield, was arraigned April 21 after a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment that charged him with sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted receipt of a visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct,...

SALINAS — Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation has pledged nearly $1 million in financial support to double down in the fight against pediatric diabetes. Announced Dec. 6, the SVMH Foundation Board of Governors approved a monetary commitment of $900,000 to the Pediatric Wellness Program, operated...