KRKC COUNTRY

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on August 29 that on August 28, 2025, Judge Jennifer J. O’Keefe sentenced 43-year-old Julio Martinez of Greenfield to 18 years in prison for committing 2 counts of lewd acts upon a child under 14 years of age, and 2 counts of assault with intent to commit a lewd act upon a child under 14 years of. These offenses are all serious and violent felonies and are considered strikes under California’s Three Strikes law. Martinez will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Jane Doe 1 reported that Martinez, a family member, had touched her thigh over the clothes on 1 occasion while she was sleeping. Jane Doe 2 reported that Maritnez had molested her on 2 separate occasions. Both victims delayed reporting the crimes for over a year because they had a close relationship with Martinez. According to research into sexual assault victim behavior, it is very common for victims t...

  MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. – On Friday night, August 29, 2025, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Monterey Area will conduct a sobriety/driver license checkpoint somewhere within the unincorporated area of Monterey County.   In 2024, the CHP Monterey Area investigated 38 fatal traffic crashes which resulted in the loss of 39 lives.  Of these crashes, 14 were caused by someone driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.   All too often members of our community are senselessly injured or killed on local roadways by intoxicated drivers.  The goal of the CHP is to ensure the safe passage of every motorist by targeting roads where there is a high frequency of intoxicated drivers.   The sobriety/driver license checkpoint will begin at 6:00 p.m. and conclude at 2:00 a.m.  We will indicate the exact location on Friday, August 29 at 4:00 p.m.   Funding for this checkpoint was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, throu...

  SACRAMENTO—The California Highway Patrol (CHP) will flood roadways with all available officers this Labor Day weekend in an aggressive effort to stop impaired drivers before they cause harm. The CHP’s annual Labor Day Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) begins Friday, Aug. 29, at 6:01 p.m. and runs through Monday, Sept. 1, at 11:59 p.m. The effort coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which continues through Sept. 1. “Every available CHP officer will be on the road this Labor Day weekend with one mission: to stop impaired drivers before they harm themselves or others. If you choose to drive under the influence, expect to be stopped, arrested and held accountable. No excuses, no warnings. Lives are on the line.”  -Commissioner Sean Duryee The dangers of impaired driving are clear. Over the past five years, Labor Day weekend has averaged:     1,000 DUI arrests statewide     28 fatal crash...

King City, Calif., 27 August 2025 — Mee Memorial Healthcare System has officially launched a new self-scheduling system for sick visits, allowing established patients to book appointments quickly and conveniently directly from their phone or computer--making it easier than ever for patients to receive the care they need when they’re feeling unwell.   With this new service, patients no longer have to wait on hold or adjust their schedules around clinic call times. Instead, they can go online, select an available time that works for them, and reserve an appointment for common illnesses such as cold and flu symptoms, sore throat, minor infections, or other non-emergency concerns.   “This new self-scheduling tool is part of our commitment to improving access to care and making the patient experience as smooth as possible,” said Heidi Pattison, Director of Outpatient Services. “When you or your child isn’t feeling well, you need easy, reliable access to care. This sys...

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, September 2 at 11:30am at the Cork and Plough Restaurant located at 200 Broadway in King City. The guest speaker will be Claudia Tantum who is the Treasurer of Safe and Skilled Sisters of Education which is a firearms training organization. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or email karenjleonhard@gmail.com

  Registration is now open for SPCA Monterey County’s 1 Day Camps on Saturdays and school breaks.  SPCA Animal Camp teaches kindness and compassion, empowering children to make a difference for the pets and wildlife that enrich our lives. Camps take place at the beautiful SPCA Monterey County campus in our newly renovated Claire Jacobson Learning Center.  Upcoming camps include:     September 27 - Canine Companions     October 25 - Boo-tiful Bats     November 15 - Feline Friends     December 13 - Happy Howlidays & Winter Whiskers     January 3 - Jr. Vet Day Camp     February 14 - Pawsome Valentines Day      March 23 - March 25 - Spring 3-Day Camp     April 18 - Hay Day Camp Register now: www.spcamc.org/camp Listen to SPCA Stories Podcast with an Animal Camper: www.spcamc.org/blog  The popular camps offer a unique mix of fun, exciting, and educational experiences.  Activities...

  Friday, August 22, 2025 – Salinas, CA -- Have you ever heard that variety is the spice of life?  That’s what Monterey County Works has awaiting local employers and jobseekers at our Industry Spotlight Recruitments and Multiple Employer Job Fairs next month.  “We make a concerted effort each month to bring both our local employers and jobseekers together in the industries that are growing right here in Monterey County,” said, Monterey County Works, Executive Director, Christopher Donnelly.  “Our Industry Spotlight Recruitments are narrowly focused events in specific industries while our Multiple Employer Job Fairs focus on any local business that is hiring.  We invite both employers and jobseekers to review and register for our events.  They are offered at no cost and are a good way to connect both groups.” Monterey County Works posts participating employers on its website so jobseekers may review which employers will be attending. “We post th...

  KING CITY, Calif.-August 22, 2025 — A small cohort of UC Davis medical students is visiting Mee Memorial Healthcare System (MMHS) for 5 to 6 months out of the year as part of the Rural-PRIME system.   Rural-PRIME is part of the University of California's " PR ograms I n M edical E ducation" or PRIME, designed to produce physician leaders who are trained in and committed to helping underserved communities.   “The students primarily come from the communities that they will be serving," says Noah Hawthorne, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer at Mee Memorial Healthcare System. "It provides much-needed clinical experience for medical students outside of an academic environment, and increases their exposure to our health system. Students can form lasting relationships with communities, hospitals, clinics, and the physicians dedicated to enhancing health care in the region.”   The student rotations will take place predominantly at the Mee Memorial Greenfield C...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on August 15 that a jury has convicted Moises Meraz Espinoza, an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison, of 2 counts of Assault by a Life Prisoner for two separate, violent stabbings of fellow inmates. On February 4, 2023, Meraz Espinoza attacked his cellmate after the evening lockdown, stabbing him more than 20 times in the back, chest, arms, and legs. At approximately 9:08 p.m., correctional officers discovered Meraz Espinoza straddling the victim inside the cell. The victim was rushed to Natividad Medical Center and treated in the Intensive Care Unit for multiple life-threatening injuries. On November 25, 2024, Meraz Espinoza was seen walking up to another inmate in the prison yard and immediately stabbing him. The second victim also sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center for emergency treatment. Following deliberations, the jury found Meraz Espinoz...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on August 15 that Fabian Cruz Licona was sentenced to 2 years in state prison by the Honorable Pamela Butler after entering a plea of no contest to a felony DUI and admitting a violation of probation for a prior felony DUI with injury case from 2023. On May 26, 2025, California Highway Patrol officers conducted a traffic stop on Licona’s car after they observed him swerving in and out of his lane. During the officer’s interaction with Licona, they observed he displayed objective signs of being under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, a records check showed Licona to be on active felony DUI probation. Based on this, the officers conducted a DUI investigation which led to Licona being placed under arrest for felony DUI. A chemical breath test determined Licona’s blood alcohol content was 0.18%, over twice the legal limit. The case was investigated by the California Highway Patrol and prosecut...

  In an effort to assist people in San Luis Obispo County, County of Monterey Parks and Lakes Division is extending an invitation to any evacuated horse owner due to the Gifford Fire. Lake San Antonio North Shore has a camping/horse facility that will be open to resident horse owners that live in a zone with an active Evacuation Order, at no charge. Los Robles Equestrian Camp offers dry camping (water only, no electric or sewer) opportunities with horse stalls, an exercise ring, manure stalls, and fresh potable water for the animals. This invitation is only available for residents looking to camp within the Los Robles Equestrian Camp alongside their animals. Unattended large animals should be taken to one of the San Luis Obispo County or Santa Barbara County evacuation shelters. Large Animal Evacuation resources are listed below. Animal Evacuation Shelters For assistance evacuating large animals, in San Luis Obispo County please contact Horse Emergency Evacuation Team (HEET) at 805...

  SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Center is issuing a warning to drive carefully around gulls in early August.  This time of year, fledgling gulls are leaving their nests. These young gulls are the same size as their parents with one major difference: they are not yet able to fly.  "This is a natural part of the fledgling process,” says Beth Brookhouser, Vice President of Marketing and Communications with SPCA Monterey County. “They are supposed to be out of the nest, on the ground, while their parents still tend to them while they learn to fly. Unfortunately, there's nothing natural about where they're landing, and every year hundreds are hit and killed by cars.” Right now, the SPCA Wildlife Center is caring for 46 young gulls, some of which were hit by cars and survived. Sadly, hundreds more are not so lucky.  "Sadly, people are driving way too fast,” Brookhouser says. “Drivers expect these large birds, who they don't realize are babies, to fly away and they simpl...

SACRAMENTO— On Monday, August 4, Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) issued the following statement:   “Last night, our caucus met to discuss the urgent threat of a continued, blatant Trumpian power grab — a coordinated effort to undermine our democracy and silence Californians. The Assembly won’t stand by while our state is targeted. We will fight fire with fire. Our voters must be empowered to push back. California has never backed down — and we won’t start now. We will always protect our power and defend our democracy.”   ### For more information, follow Speaker Robert Rivas at the following social media channels: Instagram: @caspeakerrivas Facebook: www.facebook.com/CASpeakerRivas/ Facebook Logo     Instagram Logo Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas represents California’s 29th Assembly District, which includes all of San Benito County and portions of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and Santa Clara Counties.