KRKC COUNTRY

  Soledad, CA— The Soledad Police Department will host their annual Cops Giving Tree event, an evening dedicated to spreading hope, generosity, and support to local children and families during the holiday season on December 12, beginning at 5PM at the Soledad Community Center. This annual tradition brings our community together in the spirit of giving, ensuring that every child represented on the tree feels seen, valued, and supported.  Through the combined efforts of the Soledad Police Department, Salinas Valley State Prison, The Correctional Training Facility, the Soledad Unified School District, and the Soledad Community Center, the Soledad Police Department and partners will provide a Christmas meal for over 80 pre-selected families and presents for disadvantaged children from our community.   Chief Patrick Valenzuela shared, “The Cops Giving Tree represents the very best of our community—compassion, unity, and the desire to lift one another up. Every meal serve...

  Salinas, CA – The Signatures In Lieu of Filing Fee Petition Period for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Primary Election opens on December 19, 2025, and will run until 5:00 p.m. on February 4, 2026. This period is open to candidates for offices that require a filing fee including all judicial, nonpartisan county, and voter-nominated state and federal offices appearing on the primary ballot.   During this period, candidates may submit a petition containing signatures to offset a portion of or to fully cover their filing fee. Only signatures verified as valid by the Elections Department will reduce the filing fee. Valid signatures on the petition will also be applied toward the signature requirements for the candidate’s nomination papers.    Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Elections Office for petitions. Appointments are available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. To schedule an appointment, email CandidateServices@countyofmo...

  [MONTEREY COUNTY, CA. DECEMBER 9, 2025] The Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) is delighted to introduce Marie Boucher aka Marie Butcher—poet, educator, peace advocate, and naturalist—as the 2026 - 2027 Monterey County Poet Laureate. Boucher officially steps into this prestigious role on January 1, 2026, serving a two-year term through December 2027. This honorary role celebrates the county’s rich cultural heritage and promotes literacy and literature throughout the community. As part of her tenure, Boucher is responsible for championing the art of poetry and creative expression, including through public readings, workshops, and undertaking a significant signature community project. She will receive a $5,000 honorarium, funded by Arts4MC, for her service. "The Poet Laureate program is part of our mission to champion the arts to enrich the lives of our community," said Jacquie Atchison, Executive Director of Arts4MC. "Poetry is one of many art forms, and we look...

  December 9, 2025, King City, CA: Mee Memorial Healthcare System (MMHS) is proud to announce the successful implementation of its Student Pathway for Healthcare Internship Program (Golden State Pathway Program), a hands-on educational initiative designed to introduce local students to careers in healthcare and strengthen the future workforce of South Monterey County.   The program creates direct connections between students and real-world healthcare careers by exposing them to various healthcare disciplines, inspiring young people to see a future for themselves in healthcare—right here in their own community.   "This is an impactful program for students," said Kirsten Featherstone, Chief Nursing Officer. "It helps them discover their strengths and career interests while providing firsthand experience in the many departments, both clinical and non-clinical, that make patient care possible.”   Through a partnership with the South Monterey County Joint Uni...

  Soledad, CA – The City of Soledad is proud to announce the launch of its new Retail Map of Soledad, a key feature of this year’s Shop Local, Shop Small – Shop Soledad holiday campaign. Designed to make holiday shopping easier and more enjoyable, the Retail Map highlights local boutiques, restaurants, service providers, and family-owned shops throughout the community.    The Retail Map aims to guide residents and visitors in discovering Soledad’s diverse small-business offerings, encouraging them to explore hidden gems and support locally owned establishments during the peak holiday season.    Mayor Anna Velazquez shared, “This holiday season, Soledad is launching new initiatives to support our small businesses and help boost local sales. Our new retail map will guide residents and visitors to explore Soledad’s unique shops, discover the perfect holiday gifts, and enjoy the one-of-a-kind experiences that make our city special. This is a chance to celebrate comm...

  Do you know a child who loves animals?  SPCA Monterey County offers fun and meaningful 1-day camps during the school year, including 2 this holiday season:  Saturday, December 13: Happy Howlidays & Winter Whiskers 'Tis the season to learn about the SPCA! What do they do? How do the animals come to the SPCA? How can we help them? This one-day camp is jam-packed with fun and creative hands-on activities to get to know your SPCA Monterey County and the animals we care for! Saturday, January 3: Junior Vet Day What does a veterinarian do? And how do the SPCA vets help animals in our community? In this exciting one-day camp, we will learn all that and more! With visits with our adoptable animals, hands-on activities like practicing animal first-aid, and presentations from our Vet Clinic, we'll become Jr. Vets! SPCA Animal Camp is all about kindness, compassion, and empowering children to make a difference for the pets and wildlife that enrich our lives. Cam...