KRKC COUNTRY

Today is the day for King City’s State of the City Address.  The address features Mayor Mike LeBarre, City Manager Steve Adams and Police Chief Robert Masterson.  All three will talk about King City presently and King City’s future.  The address is at noon in the Orradre Building at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds.  The bilingual State of the City Address is on February 4 at 1 at St John the Baptist Catholic Church Hall.

The Hartnell College Agriculture Business and Technology Institute and the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers present the fifth annual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit.  It will be at Hartnell’s Main Campus in Salinas on Wednesday, March 28.  There will be several educational tracts and some will offer credits.  Admission is free.  For more, go to http://svagtechsummit.com/register/   to register.  

Is your business in compliance with California’s anti-human trafficking law?  Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo said that many are not and he is cracking down on them.  Flippo reminds businesses that the law mandates specific businesses and other establishments post a notice informing the public and victims of human trafficking of a national telephone hotline to assist in reporting unlawful activity.  To that end, Flippo said his office is implementing a Human Trafficking enforcement Program.  It means that after businesses receive their posters in the mail, they will have 30 days to display them.  Flippo’s office will check up on those businesses and establishments that should have the posters in plain sight.  If they are not in compliance, Flippo said they could face civil penalties.  

If you want to see what recycling stuff will do, then go to this year’s Trashion event.  The fun features stuff that you recycle made into dresses, hats and other wearables.  There is a lot new going on this year, but the one thing that remains the same is that Trashion benefits the Alliance on Aging.  Trashion is at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds on February 15.  It is from 11:30 to 1:30.  Get your tickets now since they sell fast every year!

Greenfield Police cited a woman for what they called “livestock”.  On Monday morning, officers went to a house on  Vineyard Drive and spoke with “Maria”.  They were following up on a dog that code enforcement picked up a few days earlier.  The officers’ report said they cited Maria when they found 5 ducks, 14 chickens, 1 rooster and 2 doves in cages.  She was told to comply with the city’s ordinances. 

Caltrans says that just because they have to fix the roads in Montecito, they are not slacking off on fixing Highway 1 at Mud Creek near Big Sur.  Caltrans District 5 says they are out every day at places like Highway 192.  They have closed part of that road until get three bridges near Montecito fixed or replaced.  The new construction at Mud Creek should be completed and accessible to drivers this summer.

US gasoline prices continue to increase. The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline increased to $2.61 a gallon on Monday. That is up 4 cents from a week ago, based on the weekly price survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Gasbuddy.com reports the average price for gasoline in South Monterey and North San Luis Obispo counties is about $3.32 for a gallon of regular unleaded.

They responded to the residence in the 12000 block of Arrow Bear Trail in California Valley nine times since 2012 and the SLOCO Sheriff’s department said many times, it was for a person with mental health issues.  This last time was on Monday.  That is where they found Edward Chavez Mendoza and his son, Eduardo Mendoza Jr. both shot to death.  During previous investigations, deputies found hundreds of marijuana plants and were told that the pair was scaling back their operation because of the new laws limiting marijuana grows.  As deputies investigated on Monday, they found 4 handguns, 2 shotguns and body armor. One of the handguns was reported stolen from the San Bernardino area.  The coroner will do autopsies on the father and son tomorrow.

The ribbon-cutting celebration at Barney Schwartz Park is today.  Everybody is invited to celebrate and toast the new playground with milk and cookies.  The mayor and a few others are expected to speak at the event, but hopefully they’ll keep it short.  There is playing to be had! (The pic is from the Paso Robles Daily News website.)

Members of Congress and the president will invite people to the State of the Union Address tomorrow.  Congressman Jimmy Panetta said he is inviting Adriana, who is a DREAMer as his guests to President Trump’s speech.  Adriana is in the DACA program; she is a student at a community college and says she wants to go to law school.  Panetta called Adriana “courageous” for sharing her story and her commitment to the US.

If you are considering growing organic crops, you will want to attend an event called Introduction to Organic Crop Certification.  It is coming up on March 7 at the Monterey County Agriculture Commissioner’s Conference Center.  You will learn about the requirements and the process for certifying your crops to the National Organic Program.  Monterey County Certified Organic is hosting the program and you will get insights from those on the local, state and federal levels about how to certify your crops as organic.

February 5 is the deadline to respond to the 2017 Census of Agriculture.  While the census is nationwide, that deadline also affects California.  The USDA sent some 3 million questionnaires to producers in December.  In California, just under 22 percent have responded.  The national rate is just over 23 percent.  How you respond affects production practices, farming technologies, and broadband expansion.  Several groups will use the data to decide community planning, technology development, farm advocacy and assistance programs and more.  Get your questionnaire in now.

If you are having lunch during King City’s State of the City address tomorrow, you need to make reservations now.  Officials with the King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture say the Cork and Plough will cater, serving a salad with chicken.  Mayor Mike LeBarre, City Manager Steve Adams, and Police Chief Robert Masterson will update everyone on King City’s present and future.  The event starts at noon sharp at in the Orradre Building at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds.

Trashion returns to the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City next month.  It is on Thursday, February 15 from 11:30 to 1:30 so you can have some fun for lunch.  Those in the know say that this year’s event promises to be even more exciting.  There are new artists, new dresses made from recycled/repurposed materials and a new host. Get your tickets now.  If you remember, last year’s event sold out early.  Go to http://allianceonaging.org/

If your business is interested in hosting a parking place for bikes and skateboards, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County says you need to take action now.  The deadline to apply for the racks is Thursday.  TAMC will pay for the racks, lockers, and repair stations, but businesses have to install and maintain them.  For more, go to http://www.tamcmonterey.org/programs/bike-pedestrian/bicycle-secure-program/

As Sol Treasures celebrates its 10 th anniversary next month, the non-profit will receive the Champion of the Arts award non-profit.  The 2018 Champion of the Arts Gala on February 3 in Monterey and will celebrate all facets of the county’s arts scene.  https://youtu.be/N25pk8mGkJo

The filing period for Declaration of Intention for Judicial Candidates runs through Wednesday, February 7 at 5 that afternoon. If you are interested in being a judicial candidate, you need to make an appointment with the Monterey County Elections office.  Judicial Candidates must pay their filing fee at the time they file their Declaration of Intention.  For more information go to www.MontereyCountyElections.us .

The City of Gonzales is auctioning off a bunch of surplus equipment.  The list includes three firetrucks, three Ford Crown Victorias and other vehicles.  There is also a water jet, a cherry picker and a couple of mowers.  The full list is at the city’s website.  If you want to bid on any of the items, the bids are due to the City of Gonzales by February 22.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets a little later than usual today.  Their closed session starts at 9:30 and their public meeting starts at 10:30.  Supervisors will hear from the Monterey County Children and Families commission, get an update on designs for the county’s first flag and further discuss cannabis in Monterey County.

Have you enrolled?  If not, get to it!  The enrolment period for Covered California health insurance ends on Wednesday.  Officials with the program say that for 2018 the prices are lower and that there is financial assistance if you qualify.  Peter V Lee is Covered California’s executive director.  He said that thousands have signed up, but that does not stop the deadline.  You need to get signed up by Wednesday.            

The SLOCO Sheriff office has IDed the suspects charged  with armed robbery last week.  The suspects are 19-year-old Andrew Rey Perez and 18-year-old Jose Luis Campoverde, both of Paso Robles.  The two are accused now of kidnapping and robbing at 17-year-old who contacted them to make a drug deal.  The sheriff’s office said the suspects, and a third juvenile suspect, forced the victim into their car in Los Osos, took him to another location, robbed him at gunpoint and let him go. 

Paso Robles Police said the man killed last week as he tried to cross 21 st Street at Spring Street is 68-year-old Frank Stephen Yackle of Paso Robles.  Police said Yackle was trying to cross 21 St Street eastbound when a car that 75-year-old Federico Vargas of Templeton was driving hit him.  Vargas stayed at the scene and cooperated with police. 

David Baldwin is again on the 16 th District Agricultural Association, California Mid-State Fair Board of Directors.  Governor Jerry Brown made the appointment so.  The 50-year-old Atascadero resident has been on the board for about four-years now and serves the community in several other ways too.  The state Senate has to confirm Baldwin’s appointment to the unpaid position.

King City’s State of the City Address luncheon is at noon on Wednesday at the Salinas Valley Fairground Orradre Building. The Mayor, City Manager and Police Chief will update everyone on the City’s efforts and plans. The King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and the Rotary Club of King City co-sponsor the event. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information.  A bilingual State of the City Address will be on Sunday, February 4 at 1 that afternoon at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Hall.  It is at 504 North Third Street. Contact City Hall for more information.

When will the flu season peak?  The CDC says it could be soon or it could be now.  They say this flu season has been so long that they do not know exactly when it will peak.  In Monterey County, the health department has confirmed about 100 cases of flu.  Throughout the US, that number is about 86,000. 

Two people were arrested on Friday afternoon on domestic violence related charges.  Monterey County deputies went to West Street in San Ardo around 3:30 where they arrested a 34-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man.  Their report said there was also an 18-year-old female suspect.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors meets a little later than usual tomorrow.  Their closed session starts at 9:30 and their public meeting starts at 10:30.  Supervisors will hear from the Monterey County Children and Families commission, get an update on designs for the county’s first flag and further discuss cannabis in Monterey County.

As Sol Treasures celebrates its 10 th anniversary next month, the non-profit will receive the Champion of the Arts award non-profit.  The 2018 Champion of the Arts Gala on February 3 in Monterey and will celebrate all facets of the county’s arts scene.  https://youtu.be/N25pk8mGkJo

Four Cities United holds a workshop for enhancing police and community relations.  The National Coalition Building Institute will facilitate the event that will travel throughout the South County area.  It is an opportunity for police officers and residents to learn about each other and help improve communications between them.  The first workshop is tonight at 5:30 at the City of King City Hall.  Tuesday’s workshop is at Soledad City Hall.  On Wednesday, the workshop is at the Gonzales Police Department’s Community Room and Greenfield’s workshop is on Thursday at city hall. Please RSVP to  sue.parris@ncbimc.org ; 831-373-4606

The 33 rd annual Together with Love Run/Walk is coming up in about two weeks.  The event benefits the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center.  The run/walk is at Lovers Point Park in Pacific Grove and includes 5K and 10K races.  It starts at 9 and is open to everybody, competitive or otherwise, rain or shine.  You can register online at www.mtryrapecrisis.org/together-love through February 9 or on the day of the race at 7:30 that morning.

Paso Robles Police said a man died on Friday afternoon when a car hit him.  Police have not released the victim’s name but said the 69-year-old man was found dead in the intersection of 21 st and Spring Streets.  The driver, who police said stayed at the scene and cooperated with them, is 75-year-old Federico Vargas of Templeton.  Police said Vargas was southbound on Spring Street as the victim tried to cross the street heading eastbound.  They do not suspect drugs or alcohol as factors in the crash. 

San Luis Obispo County deputies arrested three juveniles on Friday, charging them with armed robbery.  Deputies said the three met their 17-year-old victim on 8 th Street in Los Osos.  The sheriff’s report said the three suspects told the victim to get in the car where a drug deal went down.  They then allegedly robbed the 17-year-old at gunpoint taking an undisclosed about of cash.  The suspects dropped the victim off unharmed.  Deputies later found the suspect vehicle in a parking lot on Creston Road in Paso Robles and arrested the 19, 18 and 17-year-old suspects.

The San Luis Obispo Uber driver who faces sexual assault charges was back in court yesterday.  The SLOCO DA said that 39-year-old Alphonso Alcon Nunez is facing ten felony charges.  Yesterday’s hearing was continued until late February.  Detectives said Alcon Nunez would pick up specifically intoxicated women and take them to their homes.  They said he would then assault them and steal their property.  Alcon Nunez is in the SLOCO Jail on a nearly $1.5 million bond.

Greenfield Police arrested three suspects Thursday morning on theft charges after what police said was a vehicles pursuit, foot chase and destruction of property.  Police said it happened around 10 on Elm Street when the suspects allegedly took stuff from a business at Elm Circle. The three were arrested on 14 th Street.  Police IDed the suspects as 25-year-old Victor Cardona, 34-year-old Rodrigo Ramirez and 35-year-old Michael Lopez.  Police booked all three into the Monterey County Jail.

Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the theft of some vehicles from a Greenfield company.  The sheriff’s report said that on Thursday morning, four side-by-side UTVs were stolen from a business on Hobson Avenue.  One of them was recovered near Highway 10 and Lagomarsino Avenue.

The City of Gonzales is auctioning off a bunch of surplus equipment.  The list includes three firetrucks, three Ford Crown Victorias and other vehicles.  There is also a water jet, a cherry picker and a couple of mowers.  The full list is at the city’s website.  If you want to bid on any of the items, the bids are due to the City of Gonzales by February 22.

What is the latest in agriculture and technology?  You can find out the answer at the fifth Annual Ag Tech Summit.  Two educational tracks are specific to continuing education credit hours in laws and regulations, new technologies for pest management, aerial Ag tech, understanding bee behavior/vulnerability and increasing student interest in related Ag careers.  Another educational track addresses overarching Ag technologies with respect to rural broadband, food safety, robotics and ergonomics, mechanization, and harvest assist technologies.  The Ag Tech Summit is on Tuesday March 28.

King City’s State of the City Address luncheon is at noon on Wednesday at the Salinas Valley Fairground Orradre Building. The Mayor, City Manager and Police Chief will update everyone on the City’s efforts and plans. The King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture and the Rotary Club of King City co-sponsor the event. Contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information.  A bilingual State of the City Address will be on Sunday, February 4 at 1 that afternoon at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Hall.  It is at 504 North Third Street. Contact City Hall for more information.

Trashion returns to the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City next month.  It is on Thursday, February 15 from 11:30 to 1:30 so you can have some fun for lunch.  Those in the know say that this year’s event promises to be even more exciting.  There are new artists, new dresses made from recycled/repurposed materials and a new host. Get your tickets now.  If you remember, last year’s event sold out early.  Go to http://allianceonaging.org/

Monterey County wants to create its first-ever official county flag.  That is why there is a call out to local artists for designs.  Of California’s 58 counties, only 24 have their own flags and Monterey County wants to be number 25.  Designs should embody the history of Monterey County.  Consider color schemes and elements from various parts of the county like historical landmarks and local wildlife, agriculture, coastline and rivers, and mountain ranges.  Artists submitting a design must live in Monterey County and the deadline for submissions is January 30.  For more, go to http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/countyflag

Agents from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation picked up a man who walked away from the Alternative Custody Program.  They nabbed him in Salinas.  They found 24-year-old Jesus Perez at the home of an “associate” on Tuesday and took him into custody without incident.  Perez met with his parole officer in Salinas in December and when he was told to wait, he took of his electronic monitoring device and fled.  CDCR officials said Perez would have been released from custody in April of this year.

Here is a reminder not to leave anything of value in your vehicle, even if you lock it.  Greenfield Police said that on Wednesday night, a woman reported that somebody broke into her car.  She said they stole her purse, $40 and credit cards.  Police said there were no suspects, no video surveillance and no fingerprints.  Even if your car is locked, if you leave it inside, somebody will take it out.

They are cutting the ribbon on the playground at Barney Schwartz Park in Paso Robles next week.  City officials say everybody is invited to the celebration on Wednesday at 4 that afternoon.  They said it is a colorful space that encourages high-energy activities.  There are climbing areas, long tunnels, spinners, swings and slides. 

The big game is coming up in just over a week, and law enforcement reminds you that Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk.  California Office of Traffic Safety, Police, Sheriff and the CHP are huddling up for a special designated driver reminder to urge football fans across the nation not to drop the ball on this issue. Impaired driving near or above the .08 BAC limit can be deadly, and even small amounts of alcohol can impair judgement to make driving unsafe.  Designate a driver! 

If something is not done by March 5, thousands of those who were children when their parents illegally brought them to the US will have their DACA status terminated.  That is why Congressman Jimmy Panetta said he would introduce legislation titled the Immigrant Victim Protection Act.  The act would increase the number of visas to those undocumented immigrants who are victims of human trafficking or other crimes.  They must agree to cooperate with law enforcement.  Right now, the cap for those visas is 10,000.  Panetta’s legislation would remove that cap.

The intersection at San Antonio and Broadway in King City will likely become a roundabout in the coming years.  The city council voted on Tuesday to move to the next step, which City Manager Steve Adams said is an analysis of the project.  Kimley-Horn Consultants will do several studies. “They’ll perform some preliminary environmental analysis, they’ll do some traffic analysis and they’ll start developing some cost estimates for the project.” Adams said a grant of about $138,000 would pay for the analyses.

The Annual Future Farmers of America Field Day is fast approaching.  It is this Saturday at Hartnell’s Alisal Campus.  Greenfield High School’s FFA chapter and Templeton High School’s FFA chapter will join nearly a dozen other FFA chapters statewide in competitions.  

What is in agriculture and technology now?  What about in the future?  You can find out at the fifth annual AgTech Summit.  It is on March 28 at Hartnell Community College’s Salinas Campus.  You can hear what Ag and tech experts have to say and decide how to use that information in your own operation.  The AgTech Summit is free.

Voters in Gonzales could vote to re-up the soon-to-sunset-Measure K.  The Measure K Oversight Committee meets in special session today to discuss allowing the city council to put a half percent Transaction and Use Tax on the November 2018 ballot.  If it makes the ballot and the electorate approves it at the ballot box, it would bring that tax to a full percent.  If it passes, it would also eliminate the 10-year Sunset Provision of the current Measure K.  The committee has to recommend that the city council put it on the November ballot so Gonzales voters can vote it up or down.

The Amgen Tour of California that stops in King City in May needs sponsors.  Local businesses can become an official sponsor through the Amgen Tour of California.  It will provide extensive exposure through recognition both locally and on a number of Amgen Tour of California materials and activities.