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Baby Turkey Vulture Rescued from Big Sur Wildfires Recovering at SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Center; SPCA Monterey County provides emergency animal rescue and sheltering support as crews battle the Timber and Plaskett fires

  SALINAS, CA — A baby turkey vulture rescued from the Big Sur wildfires is now safe and recovering at the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. A California State Parks Ranger discovered the juvenile bird near Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park along a closed stretch of Highway 1 in Big Sur. Arriving at the SPCA Wildlife Center thin, cold, and smelling strongly of smoke, wildlife rescue specialists believe the young bird was forced to fledge prematurely when he and his parents fled the heavy smoke and flames from the nearby Timber Fire. At an estimated 40 to 50 days old, the nestling left his nest weeks early. Turkey vultures typically begin fledging between 9 to 11 weeks (63 to 77 days) of age. Weighing just 780 grams, roughly the size of a teddy bear, he is significantly lighter than a typical 2,000-gram adult. Despite his ordeal, SPCA Wildlife Center specialists expect him to make a full recovery with warmth, supportive care, and proper nutrition. As a fi...
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Wildfire Smoke Air Quality Advisory for Monterey County

  Continuing wildfire activity involving the Timber and Plaskett Fires is generating smoke that is significantly impacting air quality in the Big Sur region and southern Monterey County.  Current Air Quality Index (AQI) measurements range from GOOD to VERY UNHEALTHY for communities directly downwind of the fires such as Lockwood, King City, San Ardo, Bradley, and Camp Roberts.  As of this advisory, modeling indicates the low-pressure system, which is generating westerly winds and smoke transport to the east, will be present until at least early next week; therefore, expect this pattern of smoke transport to continue until then. Air quality will be variable and unpredictable as conditions change depending on wind direction and fire activity.  The Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD) will continue to follow the situation and issue advisories when appropriate.   MBARD monitors air quality in our region.  Updates on the current air quality...
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Mee Memorial Brings Advanced Vascular Imaging to South County with New CT Technology

  KING CITY, CA, September 1, 2026: Mee Memorial Healthcare System (MMHS) is proud to announce the arrival of a new advanced state-of-the-art SCENARIA View 128 CT system.   This new technology is part of the MMHS Diagnostic Imaging and Emergency Department renovation project and represents a major advancement in local diagnostic imaging capability, enabling South County residents to access advanced vascular and cardiac imaging services close to home.   By utilizing the SCENARIA View’s rapid 0.35-second scan speed and high-resolution 0.625mm thin-slices, Mee Memorial can now produce incredibly detailed images of the vascular structure in a fraction of the time while helping reduce radiation dose and contrast use.   "Bringing this new technology to Mee Memorial is about providing the best possible care to our community," said Timothy Watson, MD, Director of Radiology Services. "This new CT machine allows for both faster and more accurate diagnoses, which...
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Traffic Stop in Soledad Leads to Pursuit and Arrest of Juvenile on August 28

  Soledad, CA – On Friday night, August 28, 2026, at approximately 9:20 p.m., a Soledad Police Department officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop near Monterey Street and Third Street. The driver of the vehicle, later identified as a male juvenile from Soledad, failed to yield and led officers on a pursuit which continued out of the city and came to an end near US-101 and Soledad Prison Road after the vehicle became disabled. The juvenile was subsequently taken into custody by officers. During the investigation, officers contacted the registered owner of the vehicle, who confirmed that the juvenile did not have permission to drive the vehicle and requested that it be reported as stolen. The juvenile was booked and transported to Monterey County Juvenile Hall, where he is facing multiple serious charges related to the incident. The Soledad Police Department would like to thank the Gonzales Police Department and Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this in...
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Attempted Homicide of Staff Member at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad is Under Investigation

  SOLEDAD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating an attack on a staff member at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) as attempted murder. On Friday, August 28, 2026, at 12:43 p.m., staff saw incarcerated person 43-year-old Sean W. Cunningham strike a healthcare staff member from behind and then run away. Staff immediately came to the aid of the employee, initiating life-saving measures and activating 911. The injured employee was transferred to an outside medical facility for treatment. An improvised weapon was discovered at the scene.  Cunningham was subsequently located and placed into restraints without further incident and 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 was notified.  Cunningham was most recently received from Los Angeles County on April 8, 2009. He was senten...
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Greenfield Man Sentenced to 4 Years in Prison for Series of Residential Burglaries

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on August 28 that Judge Carrie M. Panetta sentenced 22-year-old Omar Onofre of Greenfield, to 4 years in state prison for 3 felony counts of residential burglary and 1 misdemeanor count of criminal invasion of privacy. The burglary convictions constitute three “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes Law. Between March 3, 2026, and March 12, 2026, Onofre committed a series of residential burglaries in the City of Greenfield by entering multiple residences during the night and early morning hours. Onofre entered the residences with the intent to steal personal property, including wallets and cellphones. Through the cooperation of witnesses and victims, who provided law enforcement with descriptions of the suspect, investigators were able to identify Onofre as the suspect in the burglaries. Onofre was subsequently arrested and confessed to Greenfield Police detectives that he had committed the b...
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UPDATE: August 23 King City Homicide Victim Identified; Investigation Ongoing

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into a homicide that occurred early Sunday morning in King City. On Sunday, August 23, 2026, shortly after midnight, officers from the King City Police Department and deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office responded to reports of gunshots heard in the area of the Hartnell College satellite campus in King City. Responding law enforcement personnel located a person suffering from an apparent gunshot wound in the area of 2nd Street and Lynn Street. Despite emergency response efforts, the victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has identified the decedent as 42-year-old Omar Tellitud Chavez of King City. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is leading the homicide investigation. Detectives continue to ask anyone who may have witnessed or heard anything related to the incident to come forward. Investigators are also asking residents and businesses in the area ...
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