$33.2M broadband grants approved for Central Coast expansion
CENTRAL COAST — California Public Utilities Commission has approved up to $33.2 million in grants to expand high-speed internet access across the Central Coast, including nearly 1,300 locations in five counties.
The funding will support two Surfnet Communications projects — Central Coast Fiber Broadband and Santa Barbara Fiber — through the California Advanced Services Fund Infrastructure Funding Account. The projects are expected to connect 1,293 currently unserved locations in Santa Barbara, Monterey, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo counties.
The CPUC approved $33,197,090 for the projects on July 16.
Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, through the Central Coast Broadband Consortium, has supported regional broadband expansion efforts by providing data analysis, technical assistance, mapping services and grant support to internet service providers seeking funding.
The CPUC received nearly two dozen letters of support for the Central Coast Fiber Broadband Project from elected officials, residents and regional organizations, including MBEP and the Central Coast Broadband Consortium.
Greenfield seeks input on power outage impacts
GREENFIELD — City of Greenfield is asking residents to complete a survey about how power outages affect daily life in South Monterey County.
The survey is part of a partnership with PG&E and the Resilient Together initiative to better understand how climate change and extreme weather, including heat waves and wildfires, affect local communities. Officials said power outages can disrupt food storage, communications, medical equipment and daily routines.
Survey responses will help inform PG&E’s climate resilience and infrastructure planning as the utility works to improve the reliability of its energy system.
The anonymous survey takes about seven minutes to complete and is available at surveymonkey.com/r/GreenfieldSW. More information about the Resilient Together initiative is available at resilienttogether.us.
King City announces Downtown Plaza concert series
KING CITY — City of King will host three evening concerts this summer as part of its 2026 Downtown Plaza Concert Series.
The Friday concerts will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Downtown Plaza, 326 Broadway St., at the corner of Broadway and Vandehurst Avenue. The series opens July 24 with Paradise Road, followed by Herencia Humilde on Aug. 21 and Los Survivors on Sept. 18.
Community members are invited to attend the free events and are encouraged to bring family and friends for an evening of live music in downtown King City.
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ARIEL Theatrical presents ‘Disney Moana Jr.’
SALINAS — ARIEL Theatrical will bring a youth production of “Disney Moana Jr.” to the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre in Salinas this summer.
The 60-minute musical features local youth performers who spent three weeks preparing the show through a summer camp focused on music, choreography and the cultural storytelling of Oceania.
The production follows Moana, Maui and a cast of island characters in a story centered on family, courage and perseverance. The show features songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina.
Performances are scheduled for July 24, 25, 30, 31 and Aug. 1 at 7 p.m., with additional 2 p.m. Saturday performances. Shows will be held at the Karen Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main St., in Salinas.
Tickets are available online at arieltheatrical.org, by phone at 831-775-0976 or at the ARIEL box office.
