KRKC COUNTRY

  Deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office arrested 66-year-old Pablo Villasenor of Gonzales for suspicion of murder after he called 911 to report a medical emergency involving his wife late Friday night, February 13. At approximately 9:27 p.m., emergency dispatchers received a 911 call from Villasenor who stated that his wife was bleeding and that he did not know what had happened. Deputies responded to a residence on the 28000 block of Carr Road, just outside the city limits of Gonzales. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female suffering from a severe laceration. Fire and ambulance personnel immediately began life-saving measures before transporting her to a local trauma center. Despite medical efforts, the victim tragically succumbed to her injuries. She has been identified as 60-year-old Carmen Vega Tapia of Gonzales. Detectives detained Villasenor and transported him to the Sheriff’s Office for questioning. During their contact, detectives observed that Villase...

  SOLEDAD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Friday, February 13, 2026, death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) as a homicide.  At approximately 9:40 a.m., staff observed incarcerated person 47-year-old Dan Felix unresponsive in his cell. Staff immediately responded, initiating life-saving measures and activating 911. Outside medical ambulance staff pronounced Felix deceased at 10:01 a.m.    Felix’s cellmate, incarcerated person 30-year-old Bryan Ramirez, has been placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by the SVSP Investigative Services Unit and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General has been notified. Felix was most recently received from Los Angeles County on March 29, 2004, sentenced to life with the possibility of parole for attempted first-degree murder as a third striker, with enhancements for a prior felony con...

  SALINAS, CA, February 13, 2026—The California Rodeo Salinas will start accepting applications on Saturday, February 14 for the 2026 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest, set to take place June 30-July 2, 2026, with the new titleholder crowned on July 2. The Miss California Rodeo Salinas program celebrates leadership, horsemanship, and a passion for Western heritage. Contestants compete in horsemanship, public speaking, and personality, highlighting their rodeo knowledge, equestrian ability, confidence, and communication skills. Current titleholder Rachel Lancaster, Miss California Rodeo Salinas 2025, has spent the past year representing the Rodeo throughout the community and beyond. “Serving as Miss California Rodeo Salinas has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Lancaster. “This role has pushed me to grow as a leader and advocate for rodeo, while connecting with people who truly care about preserving our Western way of life. I’m excited to see the next young woman st...

  Monterey, CA – As the March 2 priority financial aid deadline approaches, Monterey County high school seniors completing the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) are encouraged to check whether they have a CalKIDS Scholarship that can help pay for college or career training. In Monterey County, more than $27 million in CalKIDS Scholarship funds are available to support students pursuing higher education. The scholarship is easy to claim and doesn’t require essay submissions, recommendation letters, or a minimum GPA. CalKIDS is the nation’s largest child development account program, providing scholarships of up to $1,500 for eligible California public school students. Funded by the State of California and administered by the ScholarShare Investment Board, chaired by State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA, CalKIDS helps reduce financial barriers as students plan for college or career training. “CalKIDS was created to support students at moments when financial decisions can feel...

  Salinas, CA — The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex has been officially recognized by the U.S. Congress for its ambitious vision to transform previously undeveloped land into a vibrant, state-of-the-art sports and recreation hub. The US Congress has awarded $500,000 in federal funding, thanks to extraordinary efforts made by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. This grant will help support the next phase of expansion for the Complex, a critical investment that advances what is poised to become the largest sports facility between San Francisco and Los Angeles. "I was proud to have submitted the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as one of my community project requests this year, and I'm glad to see this funding coming to Monterey County," Rep. Lofgren said. "This is a big investment in Salinas' future as a regional cultural hub, and I am thrilled that Californians of all ages will get to enjoy this complex for generations to come.” The funding marks a significant milestone in ...

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on February 11 that on February 10, 2026, a Monterey County jury found 44-year-old Noel Ledesma formerly a resident of Soledad and Yuma, Ariz., guilty of the 2010 first-degree murder of Yvette Martinez. In early 2010, Martinez and Ledesma dated, but they subsequently broke up. Despite the breakup, they remained connected to each other. For months, Ledesma attempted to persuade Martinez to get back together with him. However, in mid-September, Martinez began dating another person. On October 9, 2010, Martinez went out with friends and her then-boyfriend. She went out drinking in Salinas and then went to a corn maze with her boyfriend. She saw a different friend at a Salinas restaurant before heading home. Throughout the night, Ledesma was calling and texting Martinez’s cell phone, but she largely ignored his texts and calls. As the night progressed, Ledesma became angrier that Martinez was not res...