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Salinas
March 4, 2026

Funny Papers Again Column | Yearly Orbit of the Sun; Four Days, Over and Done

I have notes scribbled on scraps of paper scattered about my work area, in pockets and various other places I will no doubt discover after this goes to print. But I have enough here for a short column to cap off another year in...

Funny Papers Again Column | The Wild Winds Usher in Pyotr Ilych and Walter Ted

It was almost exactly one o’clock in the afternoon on the first day of April when the window blinds in the studio began to move and that was the first indication that the Valley winds have once again arrived for their annual blow. It...

Funny Papers Again Column | Looking Back and Seeing Ahead

Before I get into the bits and pieces of today’s column, let me offer a mea culpa regarding some misinformation in last week’s column. I stated that KCHS Class of 1972 has their 50th class reunion scheduled for the same date as the Classes...

Guest Column | National Doctors’ Day Recognizes Modern-Day Heroes

Many people view doctors as experts in the science of medicine, but there is an art to the practice as well. Underlying this art are the therapeutic, human-to-human relationships that doctors build with their patients. On March 30, Mee Memorial Healthcare System takes the time...

Guest Column | Wishcycling: What It Is and How to Avoid It

Waste sorting is not a new topic in California. With the state setting new sustainability ambitions to divert more materials from landfills and combat climate change, many residents and businesses have grown accustomed to the idea of placing materials in different bins. However, with...

Window on the World Column | Mermaids at the Local Pool

Lucy Jensen
It was well over a year ago that I found myself completely disgusted with myself. After a period of holiday debauchery, I could not believe the paunch in front of me. It was mine; all mine. Fortunately, my bathroom mirror only showed as far...

Guest Column | As the Pandemic Persists, It’s Even More Important To Receive Flu Shot

The Covid-19 pandemic has dominated the headlines for 18 months — and rightly so. But there is another respiratory virus that still demands our full attention. I’m referring to the all-too-common influenza, a viral infection that can be deadly, especially in high-risk groups. The flu...

Guest Column | Building the Future of Rural Healthcare: Investing in Our Students Today

Mee Memorial Healthcare System Rena Salamacha
As a rural healthcare system here in South Monterey County, it is clear that our long-term strength depends on the next generation who will one day walk our halls as doctors, nurses, technologists, engineers and healthcare leaders. With this in mind, this year, Mee Memorial...

Letter to the Editor | Reduce Energy Costs and Bill Fluctuations This Summer

To the Editor: We understand no one likes energy bills that are higher than expected. Heat waves are causing customers to crank up their AC, which can lead to higher energy bills.  PG&E does not add any markup on the energy we buy for customers, neither...

Window on the World Column | Time Waits for No One

Mother’s Day just passed us by in America and Australia. England celebrates theirs in March. Why the world can’t align days like this, I will never know. It’s probably along the lines of why humanity can’t get along with humanity; but I digress. My...

Local News

Scams

PG&E warns of rising utility scams during National Consumer Protection Week

CENTRAL COAST — With scams that target utility customers continuing at a high rate, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) joins the Federal Trade...