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Prisoner Serving Life is Convicted of Brutal Inmate Attack at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad

  SALINAS, California – Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on October 6 that Ray Gutierrez Jr. was convicted by a jury of assault by a life prisoner and personal infliction of great bodily injury. The Honorable Judge Stephanie E. Hulsey presided over the trial. On May 6 of 2022, Gutierrez, a state prison inmate serving a life sentence, stabbed his cellmate with a prison weapon approximately 40 times in the face, head, and neck. The victim survived, but only after significant intervention by the medical professionals at the Natividad Medical Center. Gutierrez is scheduled to be sentenced on October 30, 2026. The defendant faces 27 years to life plus an additional 13 years in prison to be served consecutive to his current 50 year to life sentence This case was investigated by the Investigative Services Unit of Salinas Valley State Prison and the District Attorney Investigators assigned to the Prison Prosecution Unit.
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Salinas Serial Scammer Sentenced to 3 Years and 4 Months for Theft Related to Mortgage and Tanda Scam

  Monterey, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on October 6 that 36-year-old Esmeralda Hernandez Pulido of Salinas, was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in jail by Judge Jennifer O’Keefe after she pled to 4 counts of felony theft related to mortgage scams and theft by false pretenses. Hernandez Pulido defrauded at least 5 victims by claiming she needed cash for the down payment on a house and promised each that they would be in first position on the deed when in reality she collected well in excess of the value of the house and provided none of the promised return. By lying to each victim about the scale of her borrowing, and by misleading them about how secure their loan was, Hernandez Pulido was able to take substantial amounts of money without any intention of returning it. Additionally, Hernandez Pulido also stole money from tenants, friends, and acquaintances through the false pretense of participating in an informal savings club known...

SMCRWF to meet and Gather Items for Troops Serving Overseas at Wildhorse Cafe in King City on October 13

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 13 starting at11:30am  at the Wildhorse Café off of Highway 101 Southbound and Wildhorse Road in King City. The guest speaker will be King City Police Chief Robert Masterson. Members and guests are asked to bring items for troops serving overseas. Julie DeMaria from Operation Care and Comfort will also be speaking. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or email karenjleonhard@gmail.com

Halloween Tricks and Treats at SPCA Monterey County

  SPCA Monterey County invites children and their families to visit for our second annual Halloween Tricks and Treats event!  The event takes place on Saturday, October 24, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at SPCA Monterey County, located at 1002 Monterey-Salinas Highway across from Laguna Seca.  Enjoy treats for children and fun for families. Costumes are encouraged but not required. You’ll learn about the SPCA, see fun and spooky decorations, enjoy treats, and have the chance to meet adoptable pets at this fun walk-through event. What: Halloween Tricks and Treats at SPCA Monterey County Where: SPCA Monterey County, 1002 Monterey-Salinas Highway, Salinas When: Saturday, October 24, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm About SPCA Monterey County SPCA Monterey County is your nonprofit, independent, donor-supported humane society that has been serving the animals and people of Monterey County since 1905. The SPCA is not a chapter of any other agency and does not have a parent organization....

Fatal 2 Vehicle Accident Outside of Salinas on October 4

  A fatal 2 vehicle accident occurred off of Abbott Street, between Highway 101 and Harris Road outside of Salinas after 9 p.m. on Sunday night, October 4. According to the Monterey area-CHP the collision involved a black Nissan sedan and a white Honda CR-V.  A preliminary investigation indicates that a 21-year-old female from South Gate, CA, was driving a Honda CR-V northbound on Abbott Street north of the US-101 offramp, with 2 passengers in the vehicle. A 20-year-old male from Soledad, CA, was driving a Nissan Altima, southbound on Abbott Street, approaching the Honda, with two passengers in the vehicle. For unknown reasons, the driver of the Honda allowed the Honda to cross the solid double yellow lines, into the direct path of the Nissan.  Moments later, the Honda crashed into the front of the Nissan in the southbound lane.  As a result of the crash, 3 passengers were pronounced dead at the scene, despite lifesaving measures being performed by medical personnel;...

Important General Election Dates in Monterey County

 Salinas, CA – The November 3, 2026, General Election is here, and there are a couple of things voters should know to get ready to vote. Monterey County local voter information guides and state voter information guides are now in the mail and will continue to mail into the week of October 4. Ballots will begin mailing October 1. All active voters will receive a ballot in the mail and in-person voting options will be available.   Sept 26 - Local Voter Information Guides begin mailing Oct 5 - Ballots mailed by this date Oct 5 - In-person voting available at the Monterey County Elections Office, 1441 Schilling Place – Salinas Oct 19 - Deadline to register to vote Oct 20 - Same day voter registration period begins Oct 24 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday voting at Monterey County Elections Oct 27 - Last day the Elections Office will mail ballots to voters - Last recommended day for voters to return ballots via USPS Oct 29     Begin request for manual postmark ...

CHP Increases Patrol During Statewide Maximum Enforcement Period; 12-Hour Statewide Effort Focuses on Identifying and Arresting Impaired Drivers

  SACRAMENTO — One impaired driver can change or end a life in an instant. To help prevent these tragedies, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is mobilizing uniformed personnel statewide for a targeted enforcement effort to keep impaired drivers off California roads. Drivers should plan ahead, arrange a sober ride and never get behind the wheel while impaired.   Beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 2, and continuing through 5:59 a.m. on Saturday, October 3, all uniformed CHP personnel will participate in a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). During the MEP, officers will increase their presence on California roads and focus on identifying and stopping impaired drivers. “The message is clear: Impaired driving will not be tolerated on California roads. It is preventable, dangerous and puts every person nearby at risk. If you plan to drink or may be impaired, arrange a sober ride home. During this statewide enforcement period, CHP personnel of every rank will make it t...