Local News

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...

PHOTO CONTEST CALIFORNIA — Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC) has announced its ninth Annual Rural County Photo Contest. The contest encourages participants to submit photos showcasing the scenic beauty, communities, activities and history of RCRC’s 40 member counties. Entries can be submitted via the...

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...

WALKING AUDIT CHUALAR ­­— County of Monterey staff will conduct a Technical Walking Audit in Chualar on Thursday, July 17, as part of the Chualar Community Plan initiative. Residents may notice county personnel and vehicles in their neighborhoods between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. County...