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Monterey County Students Urged to Claim $27 Million in Available CalKIDS Scholarships Before FAFSA Deadline

  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...
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Salinas Regional Soccer Complex Awarded $500,000 in Federal Funding for Next Phase Expansion

  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 ...
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Jury Convicts Former Soledad Resident of 1st Degree Murder for Killing Ex-Girlfriend in 2010

  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...
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Former California State Correctional Lieutenant Arrested On Charges Of Smuggling Contraband Into Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad

  SAN JOSE – A former California state correctional lieutenant was arrested on Monday, February 9 on charges of conspiring to smuggle contraband into a state prison in exchange for approximately $100,000 in payments from an inmate. 39-year-old Matthew L. Madsen of Greenfield, Calif., made his initial appearance in federal district court in San Jose on February 9. According to the criminal complaint filed on February 4, 2026, and unsealed on February 9, Madsen was employed by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2017 to 2025, during which time he primarily worked at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad, Calif.  Cellular devices are not permitted in California state prisons because they can be used to circumvent the mandatory screening of communications into and out of institutions, and have been used by inmates to plan violent attacks and the smuggling and trafficking of contraband, including narcotics. Accordingly, like all state correctional empl...
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Miss Salinas Valley Fair Competition is Now Accepting Applications for 2026!

  KING CITY, CA – Applications are now open for the 2026 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Competition, an exciting opportunity for young women ages 16–20 to serve as ambassadors for one of the most loved fairs in the Salinas Valley. Eligible contestants must reside in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Northern San Luis Obispo, or Southern Santa Clara counties. The competition is also open to residents in Coalinga. The application deadline is March 6, 2026. The contest will be held at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds over the course of two days, March 26th and 27th . The selected titleholder will represent the Salinas Valley Fair, taking place May 14–17, 2026, and help promote this year’s fair theme, “Red, White, and Bloom.” As a representative of the fair, the winner will participate in promotional appearances and community events throughout the next year, including the Miss California Rodeo Contest in Salinas, CA. “This program is such a wonderful opportunity for young women to grow their c...
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Eric Church to Perform at the California Mid-State Fair! Country Music Superstar Headlines Michelob ULTRA Concert Series on July 18!

  PASO ROBLES, CA — The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce Eric Church will perform Saturday, July 18, 2026 at 7:30 PM as part of the Michelob ULTRA Concert Series in the Chumash Grandstand Arena. Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday, February 13 at 10:00 AM and range in price from $60, $100, $140, $170, and $200. Tickets are available online only. To ensure ticket authenticity and face-value pricing, fans should begin their purchase at MidStateFair.com, which links directly to the official ticketing provider. Eric Church is one of country music’s most influential modern artists, known for his bold songwriting, genrepushing albums, and electrifying live shows. A multi-award-winning performer and GRAMMY nominee with a fiercely loyal fanbase, Church has built a career defined by authenticity, ambition, and impact-both onstage and beyond it. The California Mid-State Fair runs July 15–26, 2026, and this year’s theme is “Back to the ’80s,” celebrating the sights, soun...
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Country Superstar Miranda Lambert to Headline the Big Week Kick Off Concert on July 11! Tickets go on Sale on February 12 at 10 a.m. at carodeo.com!

  SALINAS, CA, February 8, 2026 – The countdown to Big Week begins in a big way as the California Rodeo Salinas announces that country music powerhouse Miranda Lambert will headline the 2026 Big Week Kick Off Concert on Saturday, July 11, at the Salinas Sports Complex. One of the most celebrated artists in modern country music, Lambert brings her signature grit, storytelling, and chart-topping hits to the Central Coast for a high-energy night that launches the rodeo festivities in unforgettable style. As the most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history – including their top honor for Entertainer of the Year–  Lambert has earned three GRAMMYs, 14 Country Music Association Awards, seven No. 1 solo albums and 10 No. 1 radio singles, cementing her status as one of the genre's most influential voices.  Rising country star Dylan Scott will perform just before Lambert, plus future announcements of additional openers will be coming soon. The concert is presented by Tay...
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