KRKC COUNTRY

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on September 23 that 43-year-old Lorena Hernandez Alvarado of King City and former correctional officer at Salinas Valley State Prison pled no contest to felony insurance fraud and admitted the fraud exceeded $100,000 in loss. She also pled guilty in two separate DUI cases. The criminal case arose out of a workplace injury claim made by Alvarado in April 2021. Alvarado claimed she injured her shoulder, neck, back and knees while wielding a heavy shield to protect herself from liquid thrown on her by an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison. The prison’s insurance company – State Compensation Insurance Fund – accepted Alvarado’s insurance claim. Alvarado never returned to work and received well over $100,000 in insurance benefits, including wage replacement and health care treatment. In the ensuing investigation by the California Department of Corrections’ Internal Affairs, it was determined that ...

  SOLEDAD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) as a homicide. On Sept. 21, 2026, at approximately 12:50 p.m., correctional staff observed inmates 28-year-old Dillon King and 44-year-old Justin Learmont approach inmate 43-year-old Michael Loftin in a recreation yard and begin battering him with an improvised weapon. Staff immediately intervened, quelling the attack. King and Learmont were secured in handcuffs. An improvised weapon was recovered at the scene. Staff activated 911 and initiated life-saving measures. A medical doctor at the institution pronounced Loftin dead at 1:19 p.m. King and Learmont were placed in the restricted housing unit pending further investigation by the SVSP Investigative Services Unit and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General was notified. Loftin was most recently received from Del Norte C...

JOLON, CA — On Tuesday, September 22 Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) announced that the County of Monterey Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks has received a $9,784,000 federal grant to rehabilitate approximately 8.7 miles of Jolon Road (from the Mission Road south to Bradley Lockwood Road). Running parallel to U.S. Highway 101, Jolon Road is the only corridor that serves U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett. The funding comes from the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which addresses deficiencies in community infrastructure that supports a military installation’s readiness. “I am thrilled to see that this grant was secured and that Jolon Road will be getting necessary safety improvements,” said Rep. Lofgren. “It’s fantastic news for the Monterey County residents that regularly drive this narrow road, especially our brave troops at Fort Hunter Liggett that rely on it. I commend Supervisor Lopez and Monterey County for their work on this issue, and I’ll...

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) series of events seeking community input on the Monterey County Active Transportation Plan to help make local streets and roadways safer for people walking and biking in their communities begins this weekend.   The series of events beginning Saturday and Sunday and continuing into the fall include tabling at community events, the formation of small community focus groups, and the release of a county-wide bilingual survey in both English and Spanish. The planning team will table at one community event in each of the 12 cities in the county and two community events in the unincorporated County. The planning team will also host one focus group in each of the 12 cities and two in the unincorporated county.   Members of the public are encouraged to help develop the active transportation network by finding TAMC’s table at a community event or joining a focus group in their city. The focus gr...

  SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA. — The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Public Health is offering a series of no-cost flu vaccine events throughout the County this fall, making it easier for community members and families to get protected ahead of flu season. The community is invited to receive a no-cost flu vaccine at participating events. Vaccines are available for adults and children ages 3 and older. No insurance or documentation is required. “Getting a flu vaccine is one of the simplest steps people can take to protect themselves, their families and our community during flu season,” said Interim County Health Officer Dr. Rick Rosen. “These community events are designed to make vaccination convenient and accessible, especially for families who may face barriers to accessing routine health care.” Flu can cause serious illnesses, particularly among young children, older adults, pregnant people and people with certain chronic health conditions. Vaccination can reduce the risk of flu ...

Monterey, CA. — CalKIDS is launching the first CalKIDS Scholarship Month this September, partnering with county offices of education and school districts across California. This statewide effort will bring scholarship claiming support directly to school communities, making it easier for eligible students to take action and claim their CalKIDS Scholarship Accounts.  In Monterey County, more than $28 million in CalKIDS Scholarships is available to eligible public-school students, and approximately 78% of public-school students in grades 2-12 are eligible for a scholarship worth up to $1,500. “CalKIDS Scholarship Month is about meeting students where they are and making it easier for them to access resources that can help support their education after high school,” said California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA. “By bringing CalKIDS directly onto school campuses throughout California, we can help more students take this important step and claim their scholarship funds.” Throughout the ...