KRKC COUNTRY

GONZALES, CA — February 18, 2026 — Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) is thrilled to invite the community to the grand opening of the brand-new Gonzales Branch Library, located within the Dennis & Janice Caprara Community Center at 630 5th Street. The celebration will take place on Saturday, February 28, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. This modern facility represents a significant leap forward for local library services, offering a vibrant hub for learning, technology, and community gathering. To mark the occasion, the grand opening will feature a variety of hands-on activities tailored for all ages: · For Tech Enthusiasts: Live 3-D printing demonstrations and interactive 3-D pen stations for kids and teens. · For Families: Face painting and hands on activities. · Special Guest: Save the Whales will be on-site with engaging marine education activities for attendees. “Staff are excited to be part of the Community Plaza and are ready to serve the community,” says Kris Amaral, Managing ...

  SALINAS, CA  — On Wednesday, February 18 Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) visited the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to deliver a $500,000 check as one of her 13 community projects she submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle. This funding will help support the next phase of expansion for the Complex, a critical investment that advances what is poised to become the largest sports facility between San Francisco and Los Angeles. "I was proud to have submitted the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as one of my community project requests this year, and I'm glad to see this funding coming to Monterey County," Rep. Lofgren said.  "This is a big investment in Salinas' future as a regional cultural hub, and I am thrilled that Californians of all ages will get to enjoy this complex for generations to come.” “This $500,000 investment is a major win for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and for the families and youth we serve ...

  Paso Robles, CA - The California Mid-State Fair is now accepting applications for the 2026 Miss California Mid- State Fair Scholarship Pageant - and young women across San Luis Obispo County are invited to take the stage. More than a pageant, this program is a scholarship opportunity, leadership experience, and confidence-building journey designed to celebrate community involvement, public speaking skills, and personal ambition. Eligible applicants must: • Be between 18-24 years old or a graduating high school senior • Reside in San Luis Obispo County No previous pageant experience is required. Contestants will participate in: • Personal Interview • Talent Presentation • Evening Gown • Fair Platform Proposal • Final Question Scholarships are awarded in multiple categories including: • Best Interview • Best Talent • Miss Congeniality • 1st & 2nd Runner-Up Princesses • Miss California Mid-State Fair Queen The Fair Platform Proposal portion gives contestants the opportunity to p...

  The County of Monterey Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is accepting applications for the AG Pass Program until March 30, 2026.   With an AG Pass card badge, commercial agricultural operators are able to display this badge to emergency staff at disaster roadblocks for limited emergency access activities on to their property. Scan the QR code above to visit the AG Pass webpage and learn about the program’s eligibility criteria, application submittal requirements and how you can apply. Apply for an AG Pass online or pick up a paper application at the following locations: • Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, 1428 Abbott St, Salinas CA 93901 • Supervisor Lopez, District 3 Office, 1011 Broadway Street, Suite C King City, CA 93930   What is the AG Pass Program? The AG Pass Program is the result of recent legislation that was written in response to California wildfires and other disasters impacting agricultural lands, establishing a voluntary framework for agricultural...

  Help rescued wild animals during SPCA Monterey County’s Wildlife Baby Shower!  Buy gifts on Amazon: www.spcamc.org/baby-shower   Buy gifts at Target: www.spcamc.org/target   Give online at SPCAmc.org/eagle The SPCA Wildlife Center is the only full-service wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center in Monterey County. Last year we rescued 2,863 injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals, many of them tiny babies. Right now, the SPCA Monterey County is caring for 2 baby jackrabbits and 5 baby opossums. a As we move into the Spring and Summer months, the SPCA Monterey County expects those numbers to skyrocket. It’s not unusual for their dedicated team of staff and volunteers to care for over 100 baby birds in a single day. All their rescues are only made possible by your generous, compassionate support.  The SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is the only full service wildlife rehabilitation center serving Monterey County. The SPCA Monterey County...

  Salinas, CA - The Monster Truck Throwdown will roar into the Salinas Sports Complex on Sunday, June 14, delivering high-flying stunts, car-crushing power, and nonstop excitement to the Central Coast. Fans can expect an all-new, larger, and more challenging track designed to push drivers and machines to the limit, along with the notorious Farmer 500 race, with some new twists this year.   Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, February 19, at 10 a.m., exclusively at https://www.carodeo.com/events/2026/monster-truck-throwdown. The event is presented by Gold Star GMC.   TICKET INFORMATION:      Box Seats (Ages 2+) – $45      West & North Grandstands – Adult & ADA (Ages 13+) – $32      Kids (Ages 2-12, except box seats) – $15      Monster Meet Up Pass – $10 (Must be purchased separately and must accompany an event ticket; get up close to the trucks & drivers)    “This year’s Monster Tru...

  Deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested 66-year-old Pablo Villasenor of Gonzales for suspicion of murder after he called 911 to report a medical emergency involving his wife late Friday night, February 13. At approximately 9:27 p.m., emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from Villasenor who stated that his wife was bleeding and that he did not know what had happened. Deputies responded to a residence on the 28000 block of Carr Road, just outside the city limits of Gonzales. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female suffering from a severe laceration. Fire and ambulance personnel immediately began life-saving measures before transporting her to a local trauma center. Despite medical efforts, the victim tragically succumbed to her injuries. She has been identified as 60-year-old Carmen Vega Tapia of Gonzales. Detectives detained Villasenor and transported him to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. During their contact, detectives observed that Villase...

  SOLEDAD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Friday, February 13, 2026, death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) as a homicide.  At approximately 9:40 a.m., staff observed incarcerated person 47-year-old Dan Felix unresponsive in his cell. Staff immediately responded, initiating life-saving measures and activating 911. Outside medical ambulance staff pronounced Felix deceased at 10:01 a.m.    Felix’s cellmate, incarcerated person 30-year-old Bryan Ramirez, has been placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by the SVSP Investigative Services Unit and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified. Felix was most recently received from Los Angeles County on March 29, 2004, sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder as a third striker, with enhancements for a prior felony con...

  SALINAS, CA, February 13, 2026—The California Rodeo Salinas will start accepting applications on Saturday, February 14 for the 2026 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest, set to take place June 30-July 2, 2026, with the new titleholder crowned on July 2. The Miss California Rodeo Salinas program celebrates leadership, horsemanship, and a passion for Western heritage. Contestants compete in horsemanship, public speaking, and personality, highlighting their rodeo knowledge, equestrian ability, confidence, and communication skills. Current titleholder Rachel Lancaster, Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2025, has spent the past year representing the Rodeo throughout the community and beyond. “Serving as Miss California Rodeo Salinas has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Lancaster. “This role has pushed me to grow as a leader and advocate for rodeo, while connecting with people who truly care about preserving our Western way of life. I’m excited to see the next young woman st...

  Monterey, CA – As the March 2 priority financial aid deadline approaches, Monterey County high school seniors completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are encouraged to check whether they have a CalKIDS Scholarship that can help pay for college or career training. In Monterey County, more than $27 million in CalKIDS Scholarship funds are available to support students pursuing higher education. The scholarship is easy to claim and doesn’t require essay submissions, recommendation letters, or a minimum GPA. CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships of up to $1,500 for eligible California public school students. Funded by the State of California and administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, CalKIDS helps reduce financial barriers as students plan for college or career training. “CalKIDS was created to support students at moments when financial decisions can feel...

  Salinas, CA — The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex has been officially recognized by the U.S. Congress for its ambitious vision to transform previously undeveloped land into a vibrant, state-of-the-art sports and recreation hub. The US Congress has awarded $500,000 in federal funding, thanks to extraordinary efforts made by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. This grant will help support the next phase of expansion for the Complex, a critical investment that advances what is poised to become the largest sports facility between San Francisco and Los Angeles. "I was proud to have submitted the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as one of my community project requests this year, and I'm glad to see this funding coming to Monterey County," Rep. Lofgren said. "This is a big investment in Salinas' future as a regional cultural hub, and I am thrilled that Californians of all ages will get to enjoy this complex for generations to come.” The funding marks a significant milestone in ...

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on February 11 that on February 10, 2026, a Monterey County jury found 44-year-old Noel Ledesma formerly a resident of Soledad and Yuma, Ariz., guilty of the 2010 first-degree murder of Yvette Martinez. In early 2010, Martinez and Ledesma dated, but they subsequently broke up. Despite the breakup, they remained connected to each other. For months, Ledesma attempted to persuade Martinez to get back together with him. However, in mid-September, Martinez began dating another person. On October 9, 2010, Martinez went out with friends and her then-boyfriend. She went out drinking in Salinas and then went to a corn maze with her boyfriend. She saw a different friend at a Salinas restaurant before heading home. Throughout the night, Ledesma was calling and texting Martinez’s cell phone, but she largely ignored his texts and calls. As the night progressed, Ledesma became angrier that Martinez was not res...

  SAN JOSE – A former California state correctional lieutenant was arrested on Monday, February 9 on charges of conspiring to smuggle contraband into a state prison in exchange for approximately $100,000 in payments from an inmate. 39-year-old Matthew L. Madsen of Greenfield, Calif., made his initial appearance in federal district court in San Jose on February 9. According to the criminal complaint filed on February 4, 2026, and unsealed on February 9, Madsen was employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2017 to 2025, during which time he primarily worked at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, Calif.  Cellular devices are not permitted in California state prisons because they can be used to circumvent the mandatory screening of communications into and out of institutions, and have been used by inmates to plan violent attacks and the smuggling and trafficking of contraband, including narcotics. Accordingly, like all state correctional empl...

  KING CITY, CA – Applications are now open for the 2026 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Competition, an exciting opportunity for young women ages 16–20 to serve as ambassadors for one of the most loved fairs in the Salinas Valley. Eligible contestants must reside in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Northern San Luis Obispo, or Southern Santa Clara counties. The competition is also open to residents in Coalinga. The application deadline is March 6, 2026. The contest will be held at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds over the course of two days, March 26th and 27th . The selected titleholder will represent the Salinas Valley Fair, taking place May 14–17, 2026, and help promote this year’s fair theme, “Red, White, and Bloom.” As a representative of the fair, the winner will participate in promotional appearances and community events throughout the next year, including the Miss California Rodeo Contest in Salinas, CA. “This program is such a wonderful opportunity for young women to grow their c...

  PASO ROBLES, CA — The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce Eric Church will perform Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM as part of the Michelob ULTRA Concert Series in the Chumash Grandstand Arena. Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday, February 13 at 10:00 AM and range in price from $60, $100, $140, $170, and $200. Tickets are available online only. To ensure ticket authenticity and face-value pricing, fans should begin their purchase at MidStateFair.com, which links directly to the official ticketing provider. Eric Church is one of country music’s most influential modern artists, known for his bold songwriting, genrepushing albums, and electrifying live shows. A multi-award-winning performer and GRAMMY nominee with a fiercely loyal fanbase, Church has built a career defined by authenticity, ambition, and impact-both onstage and beyond it. The California Mid-State Fair runs July 15–26, 2026, and this year’s theme is “Back to the ’80s,” celebrating the sights, soun...

  SALINAS, CA, February 8, 2026 – The countdown to Big Week begins in a big way as the California Rodeo Salinas announces that country music powerhouse Miranda Lambert will headline the 2026 Big Week Kick Off Concert on Saturday, July 11, at the Salinas Sports Complex. One of the most celebrated artists in modern country music, Lambert brings her signature grit, storytelling, and chart-topping hits to the Central Coast for a high-energy night that launches the rodeo festivities in unforgettable style. As the most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history – including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year–  Lambert has earned three GRAMMYs, 14 Country Music Association Awards, seven No. 1 solo albums and 10 No. 1 radio singles, cementing her status as one of the genre's most influential voices.  Rising country star Dylan Scott will perform just before Lambert, plus future announcements of additional openers will be coming soon. The concert is presented by Tay...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on February 6 that on February 4, 2026, the Honorable Stephanie Hulsey sentenced 33-year-old Tyrell Ainsworth to 70 years to life in prison plus an additional term of 5 years, both consecutive to the life sentence he is currently serving with the California Department of Corrections (CDCR). On July 17, 2020, CDCR inmate Ainsworth, while serving a life sentence at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, requested medical attention as a ruse to be taken from his cell. While a Correctional Officer escorted the inmate, Ainsworth pulled a concealed homemade tomahawk style blade and violently attacked Officer Grey. Ainsworth inflicted slash wounds on the Officer’s neck in the jugular area. A fellow officer came to the aid of the victim and Ainsworth assaulted him as well. The Correctional Officers survived the attack. Ainsworth’s jury trial took place in May of 2025. The jury found him guilty of willf...

  Salinas, CA – The candidate filing period for elective offices in the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election opens Monday, February 9, 2026. Candidate forms will be available only during the official filing period and must be completed and submitted by the deadline 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026.   Official nomination documents will be available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., during the filing period at the Monterey County Elections Department, 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, Salinas, CA. Interested candidates should schedule an appointment via email at CandidateServices@countyofmonterey.gov or by phone (831) 796-1499.   Monterey County Candidate Guidelines, detailing offices up for election and requirements, are available at www.CountyofMonterey.gov/Elections.

  King City, CA  – A recent community survey conducted by independent research firm FM3 Research shows King City residents are overwhelmingly satisfied with their local government and the services it provides.     Overall, 74% of residents surveyed view the City favorably, well above statewide trends, expressing strong satisfaction with the City’s efforts to keep King City safe, clean, and financially stable.     Eighty-three percent also agreed the City has an ongoing need for additional funding, reflecting broad community awareness of the challenges facing small communities across California.     City Manager Steve Adams said, “Thank you to the hundreds of residents who took the time to share their input. This is only the first step. The City will continue gathering community feedback to guide planning and decision-making during these challenging times.”     When asked about their top community priorities, residents cited:   · ...

  SALINAS, CA – The Declaration of Intention filing period for Judge of the Superior Court, Seat 17, is extended until 5 p.m., February 9, 2026.    This extension is required under California Elections Code section 8023(b) when the incumbent of a judicial office fails to file a Declaration of Intention by the original deadline.   Candidates interested in this judicial seat have until 5 p.m. on Monday, February 9, to file their Declaration of Intention and all required documents. Judicial candidates must pay their non-refundable filing fee at the time of filing the Declaration of Intention.   Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling (831) 796-1499 or toll-free at (866) 887-9274, or by email at CandidateServices@countyofmonterey.gov.   The Elections Office is located at 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, Salinas, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.   For more information about this election, including offi...

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a body which was found in an agricultural field near Highway 183 and McFadden Road in the unincorporated area of Salinas on Wednesday, February 4. At about 10:40 AM a reporting party called in to say they had located a body. Deputies were able to discover the body of a male which was found in an agricultural field located north of Highway 183, several hundred yards from the roadway. This is an active investigation. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Coroner Unit is attempting to identify the subject located. No further information will be released at this time pending a forensic examination to determine the cause of death.

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on February 4 that 46-year-old Oscar Villareal Jr. of Salinas, pleaded no contest to a variety of criminal charges arising from a May 16, 2025 incident where he stabbed his ex-girlfriend, threatened to kill a relative, crashed a truck into a pursuing police vehicle, led officers on a high-speed chase, and used his seven-year-old daughter as a human shield to avoid arrest. Villareal will receive a term of 20 years and 4 months in state prison. On May 16, 2025, Villareal went to the home of his ex-girlfriend, Jane Doe 1, who currently had custody of his 7-year-old daughter, Jane Doe 2. Villareal and Jane Doe 1 argued about custody issues. Jane Doe 1 agreed Villareal could take Jane Doe 2 to the park to play. Leaving Jane Doe 2 at the park, Villareal returned to Jane Doe 1’s house, pushed her to the ground, and stabbed her once in the neck with a folding knife. He attempted to stab Jane Doe 1 again,...

Monterey County is home to many beautiful outdoor areas. Some of these lands are managed by the federal government, not by Monterey County. County Officials want residents and visitors to understand what this means for safety, law enforcement, and the rules that apply.   Federal Lands in Monterey County USA Federal Lands | ArcGIS Hub Some areas in Monterey County are controlled by federal agencies, including:     Bureau of Land Management (BLM)     U.S. Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest, Pinnacles National Park, Fort Ord National Monument etc…)     United States Military installations, such as Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts There may be other federally managed lands within the county. These areas may look like other open or rural parts of Monterey County. However, they are governed by federal laws and regulations. Here is a partial list of Federal Lands in Monterey County:       Fort Hunter Liggett     Camp Rober...