KRKC COUNTRY

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating a body which was found in an agricultural field near Highway 183 and McFadden Road in the unincorporated area of Salinas on Wednesday, February 4. At about 10:40 AM a reporting party called in to say they had located a body. Deputies were able to discover the body of a male which was found in an agricultural field located north of Highway 183, several hundred yards from the roadway. This is an active investigation. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Coroner Unit is attempting to identify the subject located. No further information will be released at this time pending a forensic examination to determine the cause of death.

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on February 4 that 46-year-old Oscar Villareal Jr. of Salinas, pleaded no contest to a variety of criminal charges arising from a May 16, 2025 incident where he stabbed his ex-girlfriend, threatened to kill a relative, crashed a truck into a pursuing police vehicle, led officers on a high-speed chase, and used his seven-year-old daughter as a human shield to avoid arrest. Villareal will receive a term of 20 years and 4 months in state prison. On May 16, 2025, Villareal went to the home of his ex-girlfriend, Jane Doe 1, who currently had custody of his 7-year-old daughter, Jane Doe 2. Villareal and Jane Doe 1 argued about custody issues. Jane Doe 1 agreed Villareal could take Jane Doe 2 to the park to play. Leaving Jane Doe 2 at the park, Villareal returned to Jane Doe 1’s house, pushed her to the ground, and stabbed her once in the neck with a folding knife. He attempted to stab Jane Doe 1 again,...

Monterey County is home to many beautiful outdoor areas. Some of these lands are managed by the federal government, not by Monterey County. County Officials want residents and visitors to understand what this means for safety, law enforcement, and the rules that apply.   Federal Lands in Monterey County USA Federal Lands | ArcGIS Hub Some areas in Monterey County are controlled by federal agencies, including:     Bureau of Land Management (BLM)     U.S. Forest Service (Los Padres National Forest, Pinnacles National Park, Fort Ord National Monument etc…)     United States Military installations, such as Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts There may be other federally managed lands within the county. These areas may look like other open or rural parts of Monterey County. However, they are governed by federal laws and regulations. Here is a partial list of Federal Lands in Monterey County:       Fort Hunter Liggett     Camp Rober...

  Every Spring, the SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center rescues hundreds of baby birds. These tiny birds receive critical care while they are raised at the SPCA, and then released back into the wild to fly free.  Many of these birds come to the SPCA from people trimming trees during the wrong season which unintentionally causes harm to wildlife. In the SPCA Monterey County area, winter is the optimal season for tree trimming.  The main reason for winter trimming is that birds and small mammals are usually not yet nesting, so they are not in danger of falling when a limb is trimmed. Also during this period, trees are in a dormant state, laying the foundation for new growth in the upcoming spring. Trimming in winter provides trees with added protection as they heal, as there are fewer pests and diseases present to harm them.  Some of the first babies to arrive every year are hummingbirds. They come to the SPCA after being blown from trees dur...

  Salinas, CA – The Monterey County Elections Office reminds potential candidates that important deadlines for the June 2, 2026, Primary Election are approaching: Close of Declaration of Intention: The final day to file a Declaration of Intention for judicial offices is 5: 00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Candidates for judicial office must pay a filing fee at the time of filing their Declaration of Intention. Close of Signatures in Lieu of Filing Fee Petitions: The deadline for candidates running for any office with a filing fee to submit petitions containing signatures to offset or fully cover said fee is 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Signatures in lieu of filling fee petitions cannot be accepted after this time. Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling the Elections Office at (831) 796-1499 or toll-free (866) 887-9274 or via email at CandidateServices@countyofmonterey.gov. The Elections Office is located at 1441 Schilling Place – North B...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on January 30 that on January 28, 2026, Judge Pamela Butler sentenced 39-year-old Anthony Harvey of Washington State to 6 years in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, after pleading to one count of Vehicular Manslaughter While Intoxicated and one count of Felony Driving Under the Influence Causing Injury, with a Great Bodily Injury Enhancement. These charges constitute one “Strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law. On February 4, 2025, shortly before midnight, CHP officers were dispatched on report of a solo vehicle collision on US-101 near Jolon Road in King City. Officers arrived to find a Ford U-Haul Transit Van with significant damage to the front end, roof, and rear axle, indicating that the vehicle had rolled off the road. CHP identified two rear passengers, who were being extricated from the vehicle by fire personnel, as Sequan Taylor and Kayla Smith. The grou...