National poetry competition comes to Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY — Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) will host the annual Poetry Out Loud (POL), a national recitation competition for local high school students, on Saturday, Feb. 3.
The 2024 POL competition will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the CSUMB...
Country mega-star Keith Urban to headline Rodeo’s Big Week Kick Off Concert
SALINAS — Award-winning country artist Keith Urban will headline the 2024 Big Week Kick Off Concert on July 12.
Urban was recently inducted into the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and just completed his first residency at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in...
Soledad Community Health Care District celebrates lifelong resident’s 105th birthday
SOLEDAD — Soledad Community Health Care District (SCHCD) celebrated a momentous milestone in the life of one of its cherished residents, Jennie Aquino, who turned 105 years old on Saturday.
Aquino, a lifelong resident of Soledad, has been an integral part of the community since...
Hundreds of South Monterey County students attend 2024 Farm Day
SALINAS VALLEY — Roughly 1,400 third graders from South Monterey County schools attended the 2024 South County Farm Day last Thursday to learn about agriculture and experience animals firsthand.
The annual enrichment program, sponsored by Monterey County Agricultural Education, gives an opportunity for youth to...
Local schools to participate in 2024 STEM Education Central Coast Conference
CENTRAL COAST — Students from South Monterey County will be among this year’s participants at the STEM Education Central Coast Conference, a collaboration between California State University Monterey Bay and University of California Santa Cruz.
The 2024 Conference will bring together formal and informal STEM...
Monterey County: Whistleblower lawsuit accuses current sheriff, former undersheriff of official misconduct
MONTEREY COUNTY — A 23-year veteran of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against his former employer alleging he was illegally fired after helping to form a union, refusing to endorse candidates for sheriff and opposing the sexual harassment of...
Monterey County Supervisor Lopez installed as chair of Rural County Representatives of California
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez was installed as the chair of the Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), a service organization that champions policies on behalf of its 40 member counties.
Lopez, who represents South Monterey County in District 3, took the...
Monterey County looks to eliminate prior cultivation requirement for outdoor cannabis growers
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Board of Supervisors narrowly voted Jan. 9 to make changes to its outdoor cannabis cultivation pilot program, allowing growers to double their canopy size and eliminate a requirement that made permit applicants prove cannabis was cultivated on the property...
Alliance on Aging names McPherson as new executive director
SALINAS — Longtime Monterey County resident John McPherson has been named the new executive director of Alliance on Aging, taking over for longtime Executive Director Teresa Sullivan, who is retiring.
McPherson has been executive director at education and advocacy nonprofit organizations, and held executive roles...
Gonzales senior group creates blankets for community members in need
GONZALES — This year marks the fourth year that organizers from the Adventure Seeking Seniors group in Gonzales have donated handmade blankets to elderly and sick senior citizens of the community.
At the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, Gonzales residents and group members Marilyn Duby,...
Local News
Soledad police urge responsible celebrations this 4th of July
SOLEDAD — As the nation prepares to celebrate Independence Day, the Soledad Police Department is emphasizing the importance of celebrating responsibly and making safe...
