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Salinas Valley State Prisoner in Soledad Sentenced to Life in Prison for Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer and Assaulting Another Peace Officer

  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...
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Official Candidate Filing Period Opens on February 9

  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.
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King City Community Survey Shows Residents Are Satisfied with Local Services & Quality of Life

  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:   · ...
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Notice of Extended Filing Period: Declaration of Intention Judge of the Superior Court, Seat 17

  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...
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Monterey County Sheriff's Office is Investigating Body Found in the unincorporated area of Salinas on February 4

  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.
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Salinas Man Pleads No Contest to Stabbing Ex-Girlfriend, Assaulting Officer with a Deadly Weapon, and Using Daughter as a Human Shield after May 2025 Police Chase

  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,...
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Know Before You Go to Federal Lands in Monterey County

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...
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