Skip to main content

Posts

Office of Traffic Safety Awards $790,000 Grant to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for Specialized DUI Prosecution Team

  Salinas, Calif. – The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced on December 29 that it has received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support a specialized prosecution team that handles alcohol- and drug-impaired driving cases. The grant program runs through September 2026. “We are grateful for this grant, which will allow us to focus specifically on holding individuals accountable for impaired driving and making the roads in our community safer for everyone,” Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni said. “Impaired driving remains a significant danger on our roads, particularly drivers suspected of operating a vehicle under the influence of both alcohol and drugs. This funding strengthens our commitment to improving road safety and making sure justice is served effectively and efficiently.” The specialized prosecution team will also partner with the statewide Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Training Program (TSRP) to train o...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

CHP Rings in the New Year with Holiday Enforcement Period

  SACRAMENTO — The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ringing in 2026 by launching a New Year’s Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP). The CHP will boost patrols statewide from 6 p.m. Wednesday, December 31, to 11:59 p.m. Thursday, January 1.   While New Year's is a time for celebration, the CHP encourages drivers to follow traffic laws, slow down, and always drive sober. Officers are prepared to stop reckless and impaired driving, which is one of the top preventable causes of crashes. During last year’s New Year's HEP, the CHP reported 10 fatal crashes and 481 arrests statewide for driving under the influence. “We’re entering a new year, but our message stays the same. Driving under the influence increases the risks on our roads, raises the chance of a crash, and puts lives in danger. We encourage everyone to do their part in keeping our roads safe by making responsible choices behind the wheel.” Commissioner Sean Duryee Driving while under the influence, whether from alcohol, dru...
Post a Comment
Read more

Office of Traffic Safety Awards $261,165 Grant to the County of Monterey’s Health Department for Child Safety Seat Education Program

  The County of Monterey Health Department announced on December 29 that it has received a $261,165 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), to support its efforts in educating parents and caregivers about the importance of child safety seats and making sure every child travels safely. The grant program runs through September 2026.   "We are thrilled to receive this grant to support our child safety seat education program,” said Health Program Coordinator Julia Marmolejo. “Proper use of child car seats can dramatically reduce the risk of injury or death in a crash. With this funding, we can provide hands-on training, resources, and support so that every family has the knowledge and tools needed to keep their children safe."   Grant funds will be used for a variety of community outreach events, education classes, distribution of child safety seats, and training on the installation and use of child safety seats. The car seat safety program includes:   ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SPCA Wildlife Center Rescues Injured Bald Eagle

  The SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is currently caring for an injured bald eagle During the week of December 21, the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Center rescued a bald eagle in Salinas. The eagle has serious injuries, including a broken coracoid, a bone that connects a bird’s shoulder to its keel to enable flight. The eagle may also have been electrocuted.  Electrocution is a slow-developing injury. It can take several days or even weeks for symptoms to become fully visible. Because of this, the eagle has a very guarded prognosis. This means his condition is serious and the outcome is uncertain, but thanks to your support, our wildlife team is doing all we can, providing skilled care and monitoring. With this rescue, the SPCA Wildlife Center has now rescued 2,863 wild animals so far in 2025. Support from our compassionate donors make our work possible. Thank you for giving this eagle the best possible chance to recover and fly free again. To ...
Post a Comment
Read more

‘Tis the Season to Slow Down! CHP Launches Holiday Enforcement Effort

  SACRAMENTO — The California Highway Patrol (CHP) encourages the public to “brake” the habit of speeding this holiday season. The CHP will launch a Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) starting at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, and ending at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, December 25. During last year’s 30-hour holiday enforcement effort for Christmas, CHP officers arrested over 300 impaired drivers in just 30 hours, issued 2,251 speeding tickets – including 132 to motorists going over 100 mph. Tragically, during that same time period, at least 17 people lost their lives in crashes across the state. “Every instance of speeding or reckless driving carries the potential for life-changing consequences. Our officers see the destruction these choices can cause, and we urge every driver to slow down, stay alert, and make decisions that protect themselves and others. No destination is worth risking a life.”   CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee Removing dangerous drivers from California’s ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Free SPCA Pet Food Bank Helps Thousands of Families

  SPCA Monterey County is focused on keeping pets in their homes with their loving families during difficult times with our free Pet Food Bank. So far this year, the SPCA has given out more than 160,000 lbs of free pet food to help over 43,000 pets stay with their loving families throughout Monterey County, from all corners of our community.  “The Pet Food Bank is keeping us alive,” says a new Pet Food Bank recipient from Monterey. “You are a miracle.”  The SPCA thanks the community for their outpouring of support and love this holiday season as the need continues. Gifts of pet food are helping keep our shelves full for our neighbors in need.  Donation Information:     Donate online at www.SPCAmc.org/give-pfb      Shop on our Amazon Wish List: www.SPCAmc.org/pet-food     Shop on our Walmart Wish List: www.SPCAmc.org/walmart      Shop on our Chewy Wish List: www.SPCAmc.org/chewy     Purchase food at your lo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Celebrate the Holiday Season Responsibly; National “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Enforcement Campaign is in Effect as of December 12

  King City, Calif. – The holiday season can be dangerous for people on the roads. In December 2023 alone, 1,038 people were killed in the U.S. in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. King City Police Department wants to remind the public of the dangers of driving impaired and to celebrate the holiday season responsibly by not driving under the influence. Officers on patrol will be looking for drivers suspected of being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. The high-visibility enforcement effort is part of a national campaign, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, with the goal of stopping suspected impaired drivers who put others at risk. “We want to make sure everyone gets home safely so that they can celebrate the holiday season with their families and loved ones,” King City Police Sergeant Chris Langston said. “Not only is driving impaired illegal, but it is also dangerous and never acceptable. We are asking everyon...
Post a Comment
Read more