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Soledad Fire Department Earns ISO Class 2 Rating; Ranking Among the Top 7% of Fire Departments Nationwide

  SOLEDAD, Calif. — The City of Soledad announced on Friday, October 9 that the Soledad Fire Department has achieved an ISO Class 2 Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating, effective September 2026, improving from its previous Class 3 rating. This achievement places Soledad among approximately 7% of fire departments evaluated nationwide that have earned a Class 2 classification, recognizing the City’s continued investment in fire protection, emergency response capabilities, and public safety. The ISO Public Protection Classification program evaluates a community’s ability to provide effective fire protection through a comprehensive assessment conducted approximately every three to five years. The evaluation examines the local fire department's capabilities, water supply infrastructure, emergency communications, and community risk reduction efforts. “This is a huge accomplishment for a City and Fire Department our size,” said Jason Luckenbach, Assistant Chief of the Soledad Fi...
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Wreaths Across America Booth will be in King City on October 17

  Wreaths Across America, sponsored by Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will have a booth at the King City Center near Safeway from 10am-2pm on Saturday, October 17.  Information and application forms to donate for a wreath will be available at the booth. A Donation for a wreath this year is $17 each. The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony to place wreaths on Veterans graves will be held at the King City Cemetery on Saturday, December 19, 2026. For more information about Wreaths Across America, call Kathy Imamura, (408) 802-4437.
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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...
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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
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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....
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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;...
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