KRKC COUNTRY

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced March 5 that on March 2 a jury convicted 34-year-old Filberto Santiago Martinez of Greenfield of 3 counts of sexual intercourse with a minor age 10 or under in violation California Penal Code section 288.7(a), 1 count of forcible lewd or lascivious act on a child under the age of 14 in violation of California Penal Code section 288(b), and 1 count of lewd or lascivious act on a child under the age of 14 in violation of California Penal Code section 288(a). All 5 offenses are serious and violent felonies and are considered strikes under California’s Three Strikes Law. In June of 2024, Jane Doe and her mother reported to the Greenfield Police Department that Martinez, a family member, had molested Jane Doe when she was approximately 7 to 9 years old between 2017 and 2020. Martinez would touch Jane Doe’s intimate areas under the clothing multiple times a week. He would also force Jane Doe to touch h...

  CARE Court has been fully implemented in the County of Monterey since December 2024. Since then, the County has seen steady growth in participation—our CARE caseload has doubled since October 2025—and our petition rate of 7.3 per 100,000 residents exceeds the statewide average of 6.2. These outcomes reflect proactive outreach and strong partnerships across local systems.   The County of Monterey did not see a surge in family‑filed petitions when CARE Court launched. This is because most families already feel well‑supported by the County’s strong voluntary Behavioral Health services. Voluntary engagement remains the gold standard for sustainable recovery, and the CARE Act itself prioritizes voluntary treatment whenever possible.   The County maintains close coordination among Behavioral Health, the Superior Court, County Counsel, the Public Defender, and the Public Guardian regarding CARE Court process. This collaboration ensures that each individual receives care in the...

  Your SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is caring for a baby orphaned skunk.  The skunk is about four and a half weeks old. She weighs just 256 grams, around the size and weight of a large russet potato.  She came to the SPCA Wildlife Center after community members saw her alone near a business park for a few days and became concerned. At just 4 weeks old, she is too young to survive away from her mother. Skunks are normally weaned at 2 months old and leave their mother in the fall months.  She is currently in a safe, warm indoor incubator while she grows. She eats a custard made from mixing eggs with a specialized formula for baby skunks. Once she is old enough, the SPCA Wildlife Center will release her back into the wild near where she was found.  “Thank you to our community for contacting us when they see a wild animal in need and for supporting all our rescues,” says Ciera Duits-Cavanaugh, SPCA Wildlife Center Supervisor. “Your ...

  The designation reflects the County’s role as a leader in California’s Zero Litter movement to reduce litter and keep all parts of the state as clean, healthy and beautiful as possible. Comprised of local city and county agencies, industry leaders, law enforcement, agricultural businesses, and community activists, Monterey County’s Illegal Dumping and Litter Abatement Task Force (IDLATF) strives to reduce illegal dumping in the County through a unified effort of education, enforcement, increased recycling, funding of clean-up activities, and community collaboration.   Founded in 1996, the IDLATF developed the County’s Disposal Voucher Program, the first of its kind. This unique partnership between Monterey County Environmental Health Bureau, Salinas Valley Solid Waste Authority, and ReGen Monterey offers free disposal of litter and illegally dumped material for community clean-up events and victims of illegal dumping.   On average, Monterey County removes approximately ...

  Salinas, CA — The County of Monterey announced on Tuesday, March 3 that they've been awarded $2.8 million in funding through Round 6 of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Program, part of a statewide effort to prevent and end homelessness and expand housing solutions across California. HHAP Round 6 awards were announced Monday by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD), following a competitive regional application process in partnership with the Salinas/Monterey & San Benito Continuums of Care. “Homelessness remains a pressing challenge across California,” said Roxanne Wilson, County of Monterey Homeless Services Director. “This funding will allow us to stabilize proven local solutions that support individuals and families on their path to stable, permanent housing.” The HHAP Program provides flexible state grant funds to 14 large cities, counties, and Continuums of Care to support local strategies that prevent and end...

  Do you know a child who loves animals?  It’s time to register for SPCA Monterey County's Summer Animal Camp!  SPCA Animal Camp is all about kindness, compassion, and empowering children to make a difference for the pets and wildlife that enrich our lives. The Camps take place at the beautiful SPCA Monterey County campus in our newly renovated Claire Jacobson Learning Center.  These popular camps offer a unique mix of fun, exciting, and educational experiences.  Activities include lessons in animal safety and handling, hikes on the SPCA grounds, and animal activities. We’ll make toys and treats for pets, meet rescued wildlife, visit with rescued horses and barn pets, play animal trivia games, make pet-related crafts, and lots more. Register now: www.spcamc.org/camp      June 8-12, 9 am to 3 pm: Animal Camp Week 1 (ages 7-12)     June 15-19, 9 am to 3 pm: Animal Camp Week 2 (ages 7-12)     June 22-26, 9 am to 3 pm: Animal Camp ...