Local News

As a new year begins, the staff at Salinas Valley Tribune compiled a few of the top stories that defined the South Monterey County community over the past year. Here’s a brief look at the 2024 Year In Review: JANUARY 2024 Staying healthy The state of California...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield Police Department, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), arrested 36-year-old Kavan Hawkins on Dec. 27 for the sexual assault of a minor. Greenfield detectives and FBI agents “worked tirelessly” to serve warrants at Hawkins’ home, workplace and on his...

CALIFORNIA — California lawmakers in 2024 introduced 4,821 bills, but most of them were tossed or otherwise rejected during the months-long legislative process, during which most never saw the light of day. Just 1,206 made it to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, with 1,017 getting...

SALINAS VALLEY — It has been an especially busy start to the New Year at Salinas Valley Health, with four baby deliveries by early morning, including the first baby born in Monterey County in 2025. Salinas couple Yvette Ochoa-Alderete and Jeremy Arcega were all set...

GREENFIELD — Greenfield resident Eleuterio Dominguez Ortiz, 38, was sentenced on Dec. 19 to 40 years in prison for committing four counts of forcible lewd acts upon a child under 14. “These offenses are serious and violent felonies and considered strikes under California’s Three Strikes...

SALINAS VALLEY — Hartnell College recently celebrated the grand reopening of the Gary Shaw Track and Bill Elliott Football Field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community members, Hartnell students, staff and local leaders. This momentous event marked the completion of significant renovations funded by...

SALINAS VALLEY — The spirit of Christmas was alive and well earlier this month at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City, as nearly 600 families from South Monterey County gathered for the annual Operation Santa event. Hosted by Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez and...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Montage Health’s Prescribe Safe program has announced a collaboration with the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE) aimed at raising awareness and preventing fentanyl-related overdoses among youth in Monterey County. The partnership, formalized this summer, will focus on providing critical education, resources...

MONTHLY MEETING KING CITY — Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will host its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 11:30 a.m. at Cork & Plough Restaurant, 200 Broadway, in King City. The guest speaker will be Cindy Wittstrom, author of the book “When...

SALINAS VALLEY — A historic signing ceremony at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) earlier this year marked the launch of the Panther Otter Pathway Program, a partnership between CSUMB and Hartnell College designed to simplify and streamline the journey to earning a bachelor’s degree. CSUMB...