Local News

SOLEDAD — Correctional Training Facility in Soledad recently presented a check for $16,381.50 to two local youth organizations: the South County Warriors and the Gonzales Youth Football and Cheer. These programs serve more than 150 boys and girls and are dedicated to teaching the fundamentals...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) Board of Directors recently adopted the Agency’s fiscal year 2025-26 Budget and Overall Work Program, which outlines a strategic investment of $9.7 million to deliver transportation improvements across Monterey County. The budget includes $4.5 million in...

SOLEDAD — Former Soledad resident and Olympic weightlifter Mario Martinez was recently honored by the Soledad City Council with a city proclamation designating July 6 as Mario Martinez Day. Martinez, a 1975 Gonzales High School graduate, was born on July 6, 1957. He made national...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Workforce Development Board (MCWDB) has received a second round of funding — almost $2 million — from the California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, for the Youth Service Corps employment program. “The Youth Service Corps funding will help MCWDB address...

KING CITY — U.S. News & World Report has rated Mee Memorial Healthcare System’s long-term care skilled nursing facility as a high performer in its annual analysis. To be recognized as one of the 2025 U.S. News Best Nursing Homes, a facility must have been...

SALINAS VALLEY — Rachel Lancaster has been crowned Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2025 following two days of competition July 2-3 at the Salinas Sports Complex. Lancaster, Miss Marine Corp. League #014, vied for the title with three other accomplished young women: Emily Drost, Miss San...

CENTRAL COAST — Utility scams have continued at an alarming rate during 2025, with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers reporting over $190,000 in losses to scammers. To stop this trend, PG&E is committed to helping customers recognize the signs of a scam to...

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...

SOLEDAD — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the June 27 death of incarcerated person Jose Rodriguez at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At approximately 3:34 p.m., staff observed cellmates Steven Miranda and Rodriguez, noting Rodriguez...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County’s agriculture industry saw a major rebound in 2024, with overall crop and livestock production reaching nearly $5 billion in gross value — a 14.7% increase from the previous year. And, for the first time in county history, a single crop...