KRKC COUNTRY

The Greenfield City Council was in discussion about possibly changing their animal control laws in the city limits. The Council met on Tuesday night, March 27 to talk about this issue further. Mayor Pro Tem Avelina Torres said that there is 1 Council person who wants to give residents the chance to have chickens in their home. However, there were people who provided public comments at the Council meeting stating that they do not want people to have chickens in the city of Greenfield because of how they can bring in flies, mice and smell. Torres indicated that this issue is still on the table for consideration and mentioned that the Police Chief will have to look into whether his Department will need to hire someone extra at all or not to enforce this law. 

KING CITY, CA— The deadline is approaching on Monday, April 2 for Salinas Valley Fair entries which are open to all residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Clara and Fresno. Act quickly for some deadlines to enter, competitions close on Monday, April 2, 2018.  Entry forms must be completed by the deadline.  Forms are available at the fair’s website, in the entry competition handbook and forms must be postmarked by the due date for each department. The fair also offers electronic entry processing.  Links to the online entry system, entry deadlines and forms are all available at  www.SalinasValleyFair.com “Your fair entry is what makes our event special and unique,” said Michelle Ferrari, Salinas Valley Fair Entry and Exhibits Coordinator.  “Each year I am amazed by the variety of items entered by our community”.   She explained that last year the fair received nearly 1,400 livestock entries and over 6,000 entri...

The California Highway Patrol will have maximum enforcement this Easter weekend on the Central Coast from San Luis Obispo to San Jose. CHP officers are always looking to see whether everyone is wearing their seatbelts, that child seats are in their proper place safely and that no one is driving distracted or driving under the influence.

SOLEDAD, Calif. - A man is now in custody for stealing a pit bull who was severely burned outside of Soledad. Devonte Sirwet-Perea, was arrested early on Thursday morning, March 29 in Salinas and booked into the Monterey County Jail for animal theft, animal cruelty, arson, and possession of controlled substances.  On Tuesday, March 27, an American Pit bull was found severely burned on Metz Road by a Soledad Police Officer just outside of Soledad. The dog was driven to a nearby vet hospital and was euthanized for humane reasons. The dog suffered burns to more than 90% of his body. 

Over 30 people attended a Community Forum on Cannabis Tax Revenue at the King City Recreation Center on Wednesday night, March 28. The Forum was put on by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors. County Supervisor Simon Salinas was impressed with the turnout and said that the purpose of holding the forum was to talk about what they're going to do if they receive as much as over $7 million in cannabis tax revenue which was generated by the cannabis act, but indicated that the County has a $30 million deficit that they have to prepare for. County Supervisor Salinas was intrigued that the people in attendance feel that the County needs more mental health services, early childhood development programs and that there needs to be more law enforcement in the Lockwood community to help shutdown the illegal growth of cannabis in that area. Towards the end of the forum County Supervisor Salinas also encouraged people to talk with their city governments in King City, Greenfield and Gonza...

Monterey County District Attorney Dean D. Flippo announced on Wednesday, March 28 that 55-year-old Cristobal Hernandez of Greenfield was convicted of and sentenced for driving under the influence with numerous priors which  includes 5 prior convictions for driving under the influence in Monterey County including 1 prior felony conviction. Judge Pam Butler, sentenced Hernandez to 16 months in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.  On January 25 of 2018, Greenfield police officers observed a red moped without a license plate being driven by Hernandez. When officers contacted Hernandez, they noted objective signs of intoxication. During their investigation, the officers determined that Hernandez was under the influence of alcohol. Hernandez admitted to consuming alcohol. Greenfield Police Officer Tapia conducted the investigation and arrest.

SOLEDAD, Calif. - A stolen dog was found severely burned outside of Soledad on Tuesday, March 27 at around 9:30 am.  A Soledad Police Officer came across the burned black and white American pit bull on Metz Road. According to the SPCA for Monterey County, the dog was transported to a veterinary hospital in the area and was euthanized for humane reasons. The SPCA’s Humane Investigation Unit is handling the case and is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.  Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call local law enforcement or the SPCA for Monterey County Humane Investigations at 831-373-2631. 

Salinas - Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced on Tuesday, March 27 that Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties received $511,779 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) for local social service agencies to offer food, housing, and utility assistance for those in need. Specifically, Monterey County received $298,982, San Benito County received $35,317, and Santa Cruz County received $177,480. “These grants help local organizations provide our neighbors in need with a roof over their heads and food on the table,” said Congressman Panetta. “By working directly with local service agencies who work to combat homelessness and hunger, the federal government is better able to serve our communities.” EFSP funds are used to supplement food, shelter, rent, mortgage, and utility assistance programs for people with non-disaster related emergencies. In order to apply for EFSP funds, eligible service agencies must be a ...

Washington - In a continued effort to restore the iconic California condor  population, the National Park Foundation and the Pinnacles National Park Foundation announced on Monday, March 26  the donation of much-needed GPS satellite tags to Pinnacles National Park, thanks to a generous  equipment donation from Microwave Telemetry, Inc. This effort is part of the National Park  Foundation’s Centennial Campaign for America’s National Parks. To date, this comprehensive  fundraising campaign to strengthen and enhance the future of America’s treasured national parks has  raised nearly $500 million in private donations from individuals, foundations, and companies.  “Microwave Telemetry’s donation helps move the California Condor Recovery Program forward in a  significant way,” said Katherine Chesson, vice president of grants and programs at the National Park Foundation. “Partnerships like this enable the national parks community to protect majesti...

Gonzales Little League Baseball from Rodeo Field in Salinas will be on the air Tuesday night, March 27 at 5:15 pm on AM 1490 and 104.9-FM KRKC Country. It will also be streamed online at mixlr.com/krkccountry

On Sunday, March 25 at 5:05 pm the Greenfield Fire Protection District, the Soledad Fire Department and CAL FIRE responded to a report of a truck in the middle of the Arroyo Seco River with 2 people trapped in the bed of the truck. This was reported to be in the area of Arroyo Seco Road and Cedar Avenue. The water was 4 feet deep and flowing at a fast pace. First arriving fire resources determined that a helicopter was needed for the rescue. CAL FIRE Copter 406, from Bear Valley Helitack Base arrived on the scene to assess the situation from the air as they accepted the rescue and rigged the helicopter for a hoist rescue. A firefighter was lowered by a mechanical hoist from the helicopter as they rigged the victims to be lifted from the pickup. The successful rescue took about 15 minutes from the arrival of the helicopter. The victims were flown to the shore to be assessed for injuries and were released.

A big rig truck crashed into a guardrail and caught fire heading southbound on Highway 101 near Canal Street in King City at around 4:50 pm on Saturday, March 24. The driver of the truck for unknown reasons drifted off the road into a guardrail where diesel fuel spilled onto the highway and into a nearby ravine. Hazmat crews were on site to cleanup. There were no injuries.

A ribbon cutting ceremony took place for a new entrance sign and landscaping project in King City on Friday, March 23. Mayor Mike LaBarre is very happy with how everything turned out and feels the new entrance sign and landscaping project will reinforce everything King City is doing at the City level and is impressed with all of the pride he's come across from people in the community. Overall though, Mayor LaBarre feels that this new entrance sign and landscaping project illustrates and represents King City very nicely. City Manager Steven Adams said that they've been working on this project over a year. Other than the City of King, other agencies that helped finish this project included PG&E which chipped in $25,000 for mitigation funding for work they did on their infrastructure that impacted the old sign, while Cal Water paid for all of the landscaping work which serves as a drought tolerant landscape garden and a neighboring motel purchased some property for excess p...

On Thursday, March 22, 2018, at 10 am, the Paso Robles Police Department responded to Paso Robles High School to investigate reports that a 16- year-old former student was circulating photos, via the social media web application Snapchat of himself holding a pistol and displaying rifles. Police and school officials quickly determined the irresponsible social media post did not pose a threat to PRHS; however, police and district officials continued to work together to ensure the matter was fully investigated and appropriately handled. Ultimately, police arrested the former student and another 15-year-old in connection with illegally possessing a pistol depicted in the online post. This incident is unrelated to any prior school events from the previous two weeks, nor is there any indication the gun was ever possessed on school grounds. Investigators attempted to locate the gun depicted in the Snapchat post by interviewing family members and by searching the homes of both boys. The ex...

Students studying agriculture business and technology at Hartnell College are encouraged to apply for an Ag Business and Technology Institute Scholarship for the 2018-19 school year. The deadline to get applications submitted is April 16, 2018 and is available for students taking classes at the Hartnell College Main campus and Alisal campuses in Salinas. In addition, students attending the Education Center in King City can also apply. Ag Instructor and lead Faculty member at Hartnell College Steven Triano said that they want as many students as possible to get applications out. Students must enroll in a minimum of 9 units per semester for the 2018-19 academic year with at least 3 units in the chosen Ag Institute Program of Study and they must maintain a 2.7 GPA or higher. Students transferring to a 4-year university must have completed at least 12 units in a certificate program in the Ag Institute or 24 units in a degree program in the Ag Institute and have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 ...

Sol Treasures in King City is in need of some volunteers to help the cast of the Mary Poppins Jr. Production with costume changes this weekend. The times that help is needed are: Friday, March 22 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm Saturday, March 23 from 6 pm to 8:30 pm Sunday, March 24 at 1:30 pm Any help would be appreciated. Please email Sol Treasures at " Celebrate@soltreasures.com " or call them at 831-386-9809. The shows will be performed at the Robert Stanton Theater at King City High School this weekend.  Please ask for Barbara Pekema regarding costume instruction when you arrive on site.

KRKC Country is the official location of the National Weather Service for King City. The rain amount total as of Thursday, March 22 at 4 pm is 0.81 inches of precipitation.

At 8:45 am on Thursday, March 22, the Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services responded to a report of a person in distress in the Salinas River just North of the Niblick Bridge.  Firefighters arrived at the scene within 4 minutes to discover a male victim and his  dog clinging to a tree. Firefighters were able to throw the subject a personal  flotation device until they could swim across the river to rescue him. The victim  was assisted back to shore with the help of rescue swimmers.  Simultaneously, multiple additional calls came in for people in distress in the river.  CHP Helicopter 70 was utilized with 1 Paso Fire Rescuer and completed 6  hoist rescues. In addition, rescue swimmers entered the water and performed  4 rescues. Over the course of 4 hours, 10 river rescues were conducted.  2 patients were transported to a hospital for further evaluation and 1  canine is deceased.  3 fire engines, 1 heavy rescue, 2 Chie...

Del Rey Elementary School teacher Jennifer Wegis addressed the King City Union School District at their regular Board meeting on Wednesday night, March 21 in the King City Magnet Arts Auditorium regarding about how old the furniture in her classroom and other classrooms are. She told the board that she was speaking for her and other teachers in the District that experiencing the same problems their classroom furniture. She also suggested that a morale survey is put out for teachers, staff and administration to fill out.  History teacher Chris Andrews from Chalone Peaks Middle School spoke to the Board recognizing Natalie Solis and the rest of his Migrant After School Speech and Debate team that earned 2 nd place in a recent academic competition. 

KRKC Country is the official location of the National Weather Service for King City. The rain amount total as of Wednesday, March 21 at 4 pm is 0.45 inches of precipitation.

A Greenfield man accused of raping a teenage girl at a park after getting her drunk was arraigned in court on Wednesday, March 21.  32 year-old Niceforo De Jesus Ramirez pleaded not guilty and faces 3 sexual assault charges, including rape and child molestation.  Ramirez is currently being held at the Monterey County Jail with no bail and will be in court again on Wednesday, March 28.

On Tuesday night, March 20, 2018, at approximately 6:30 pm, the Paso Robles Police Department responded to Siegel’s Jewelry store located at 739 12 th Street in Paso Robles for a burglary. According to the store’s owner, 6 individuals entered the store shortly  before closing. The organized group of thieves distracted employees while  simultaneously stealing an undisclosed amount of jewelry. The group of thieves also appears responsible for a series of similar burglaries throughout California. The PRPD is working with law enforcement agencies in those jurisdictions to share information and coordinate investigative leads. The suspects are described as: · A ‘Middle Eastern’ male adult in his mid-twenties wearing a white fedora hat, blue jeans, a blue jean jacket, and black shirt. · 2 middle aged ‘Middle Eastern’ female adults. 1 female adult was reportedly wearing a green "fur jacket" and the other was wearing a black shawl and scarf. · 3 females in their...

KRKC Country and KC102 are the official location of the National Weather Service for King City. The rain amount total as of Tuesday, March 20 at 4 pm is 0.31 inches of precipitation.

On Monday, March 19, Greenfield Police Officers arrested 32-year-old Niceforo Ramirez De Jesus of Greenfield, for rape, lewd acts with a child under 14 years of age, annoying or molesting a child and oral copulation of a child under the age of 14 years old. On Thursday, March 15, police received a report of a past-tense sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl that had occurred near Palm Avenue in Greenfield 4 days before. The victim met with 2 male acquaintances, De Jesus and a 14-year old juvenile. De Jesus drove all 3 to a Greenfield liquor store where he purchased alcohol for the minors and took them to a Greenfield park and drank it. As the evening progressed, De Jesus took the youth to another Greenfield park where they continued to drink until the victim became intoxicated and passed out. De Jesus waited for the victim to wake up; however, as she was still intoxicated and unable to take care of herself, he began to sexually assault her. Afterwards, the victim – who had passed ...

Sol Treasures is looking for Black and White photographs, both "analog" and "digital" for their April Exhibition. You can send photos of your artwork by email to GalleryManager@SolTreasures.com or call 831-386-9809. The d eadline to submit your work is Sunday, March 25th at 5:00 pm.

Rain is making it’s presence felt on the 1st day of Spring on Tuesday, March 20 and is expected to continue for the next couple of days in the Salinas Valley. Meteorologist Jim Vanderzwaan said that a low pressure system is coming in from the west bringing in a lot moisture between the Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Vanderzwaan said that the Santa Lucia Mountains could easily pick up 2 to 5 inches of rain per day, while areas in the Salinas Valley may receive a half inch to an inch of rain each day. Vanderzwaan reminds motorists to be careful driving. 

On Saturday, March 17 at the Fairgrounds in King City, 18-year-old Teagan Soares of King City Joint Union High School was named 2018 Miss Salinas Valley Fair. Soares beat out 17-year-old Angelita Cisneros-Aguilar and 17-year-old Angelina Gortarez both of Soledad High School.  Soares' duties as Miss Salinas Valley Fair will consist of attending different dinners, speaking at the Fair Kickoff, going to a Hospital to visit patients and making a lot of community appearances.  

The rain outside didn’t stop Sol Treasures in King City from holding a Meet the Artist event and a live guitar concert on Friday, March 16. Program Coordinator Debra Cobb said that the people that put on the live show were of all ages and some of them had been practicing very hard since December of 2017. Gallery and Gift Shop Manager Angel Monteagudo said that the art that was displayed at Sol Treasures was from High School students in King City.

Gonzales Little League Baseball will air on Saturday, March 17 at 12 pm which can be heard on AM 1490 and 104.9 FM KRKC Country.

A lot of kids and parents attended the 3 rd Annual Greenfield Union School District TK and Kindergarten Community Resource Festival at Greenfield Memorial Hall on Thursday, March 15. Greenfield Union School District Board Trustee Mayra Perez-Diaz said that this event is put on through Bright Beginnings and the Greenfield Union School District in order to get children ready for Kindergarten or the School District as a new student. There were a number of non-profit organizations and government agencies on hand to provide important information to parents. In addition, there were plenty of activities to keep kids occupied.

District 20 Representative Jimmy Panetta spoke on Wednesday, March 14 to the House Floor about the National School Walk Out that occurred across country on that day. Panetta said that Congress needs to provide more of a leadership role at trying to make our schools, communities and country safer even though he helped Congress pass the Stop School Violence Act for school safety and security. 

After the most destructive California wildfire season on record, Central Coast Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), and Julia Brownley (CA-26) requested  that Congress include a fix to the disruptive wildfire budgeting practice this week in their must-pass FY 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. The letter  addresses the long-term problem of consistently underfunding fire suppression, a practice which currently forces federal agencies to steal from fire prevention and mitigation funds to fight fires, so-called “fire borrowing.”   The United States Forest Service (USFS) spent a record $2.4 billion to put out fires in FY 2018, requiring $527 million in transfers from other mitigation accounts within the USFS.

The Silvergrad Committee at Greenfield High School gave a presentation to the Greenfield City Council at their regular meeting at City Hall on Tuesday night, March 13 to talk about what they have going on. They're trying to raise $15,000 by the end of May and have so far raised $6,000. The United Way also gave a presentation to the Council to provide them more information about their 211 program, while Mayor Pro Tem Avelina Torres also stated that she’s attending a meeting this week in Monterey so that she can try and be a part of a Restorative Justice Committee to talk with kids who are currently in juvenile hall. 

3 young women will be competing for the Miss Salinas Valley Fair crown this weekend in King City. The competition will be held at the Salinas Valley Fair’s Rava Equestrian Arena  on Friday, March 16  and in the Orradre Building  on Saturday, March 17 . The winner will reign at the Salinas Valley Fair Kick-Off on Saturday, April 28  and during the annual Fair, which will be taking place from  May 17 to May 20  in King City. The 3 contestants are:17-year-old Soledad High School Senior Angelita Cisneros, 17-year-old Soledad High School Senior Angelina Gortarez and 18-year-old King City Joint Union High School Senior Teagan Soares. Each of the 3 contestants will be judged on personality (40%), scholastic ability (25%), poise and appearance (20%) and horsemanship (15%). Miss Salinas Valley Fair will be crowned following a BBQ lunch hosted by the King City Rotary on Saturday, March 17 at the Orradre Building in King City. The 2018 Miss Salinas Valley Fai...

A resident who lives with her family in a Mobile Home Park asked the King City City Council at their regular meeting on Tuesday night, March 13 why her garbage bill has gone up by as much as $80 in 1 month and was wondering if the Council could help her resolve this issue? City Manager Steven Adams said that the billing that she is referring to is coming from the Mobile Home Park and that Waste Management has been reaching out to the management people at the park to schedule a meeting to discuss with them ways about lowering garbage costs. Adams went on to say that he’ll be researching this issue further to find out if the city has the authority at all or not to enforce something like this if people are being improperly charged.  Adams also stated that there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new King City welcome sign on Friday, March 23 at 12 pm. In other business the Council approved a recommendation to appropriate $15,000 for expenses associated with the purchase and i...

District 20 Congressman Jimmy Panetta, along with other U.S. Senators and Representatives on March 7 introduced the Commercial Engagement through Ocean Technology (CENOTE) Act. This bicameral, bipartisan legislation would advance the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) use of unmanned maritime systems, encourage private sector research and development, and ensure that marine data is readily available and reliable.  The legislation highlights the unique role that non-defense interests such as NOAA, academia, and the private sector play in the advancement of unmanned systems, which can gather a wide range of ocean data with fishery management, navigation, economic, and national security implications.

The Greenfield Union School District approved the adoption of Resolution 1003 at their last regular meeting on Thursday night, March 8. The purpose of the resolution is to protect staff and students in the District from the health risks of agricultural pesticides by supporting a transition to less chemically-intensive agriculture along with implementing buffer zones and notification systems for drift prone pesticide applications around schools and neighborhoods in Greenfield.

On Sunday, March 11 at around 2:57 pm, the Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services responded to an apartment  fire at 2041 Riverside Avenue in Paso Robles. A Paso Robles Police Officer found an occupant of the apartment lying on the floor in smoky conditions within sight of the open front door. The officer, with assistance from a bystander, removed the occupant from the structure. A Fire Battalion Chief arrived in under 4 minutes to find Paso Robles Police Officers with a victim lying in the front yard and smoke coming from a bottom floor apartment. The first arriving Engine Company treated the burn victim and confirmed the kitchen grease fire was out. San Luis Ambulance transported the victim to a local hospital with burn injuries to the hands and body. Firefighters confirmed there was no fire extension to additional units within the building and removed smoke from the residence. A total of 15 firefighters from the Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services, CalFire/SLO...

The community was out in full force for the King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Annual Awards Dinner on Saturday night, March 10 at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds. A silent auction started things off at 5 pm and a live auction began at 7 after dinner. Ricky Humphreys was named Friend of the Community, taking home Business of the Year honors was Lynn’s Too and receiving Citizen of the Year accolades was Paulette Bumbalough.

Monterey County District Attorney Dean D. Flippo announced on Thursday, March 8 that 37-year-old Maria Cabrera and 34-year-old Frank Salas of Greenfield, pled guilty to felony receiving aide by misrepresentation. The plea was taken by Monterey County Superior Court Judge Andrew Liu.  Between the dates of June 1, 2016 and May 1, 2017, both Cabrera and Salas were living together and receiving cash aide and food stamps. They claimed they were unemployed and needed the aide to support their family. A subsequent investigation conducted by the Department of Social Services and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office revealed that both Cabrera and Salas were employed during the fraud period and were receiving income well above their income threshold level to receive benefits. In addition, it was discovered that both individuals had misrepresented their income on their eligibility status reports to the Department of Social Services. This misrepresentation resulted in a total ove...

On Thursday, March 8, at approximately 11:30 am, the King City Police Department along with members of the MADCAT Task Force, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol and State Parole Agents were able to locate and arrest 23-year-old Giovanni Velasquez, taking him into custody without incident on the 300 block of South Vanderhurst in King City. Velasquez was booked into the Monterey County Jail with a no bail parole hold and was charged with Domestic Violence, Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Child Endangerment, Destroying/Concealing Evidence and Delaying/Obstructing Officer involving a domestic violence incident that occurred on Tuesday, February 20 on the 100 block of Division Street in King City which resulted in a stabbing of a woman.  The King City Police Department appreciates the professional cooperation and teamwork of their local law enforcement partners that led to the successful apprehension of this individual.

Francis Sonny Rianda, founder of Coastal Tractor, died on Friday, March 2 at the age of 85. A Rosary will be held on Monday night, March 12 at 7 pm at Struve and Laporte Chapel in Salinas, while a Funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday, March 13 at 10 am at St. Theodore’s Church in Gonzales and burial will follow at Gonzales District Cemetery.

Steve Pritt, Director of Eden Valley Care Center and the Soledad Medical Group died of a heart attack on Saturday, March 3 at the age of 69. A Memorial will be held on Friday, March 9 at 10 am at Madonna Del Sasso Catholic Church in Salinas. Burial will be private. A celebration of life for Pritt will occur on Saturday, March 17 from 11 am to 1 pm at Eden Valley Care Center.

Yesy’s Restaurant located on Broadway Circle has been open in King City now since Friday, March 2. Owners Yesy Tapia and Victor Torres are very happy that the community in King City has welcomed them with open arms. Tapia and Torres live in Prunedale, but are hoping to move to King City sometime later down the road. They also own a Yesy’s Restaurant in Watsonville. Torres said that people can order either breakfast, lunch or dinner during anytime of the day or night. Torres said that everything they cook is made from scratch. Torres indicated that their pancakes are very popular along with their hamburgers, steak dinners and salmon dinners. Yesy’s Restaurant is open 7 days a week in King City from 7 am to 9 pm.

A King City Union School Board Study Session was held on Wednesday night, March 7 at the Magnet Arts Auditorium. The first item on the agenda that was approved was an agreement with Regreen, Inc. to have lighting replacement and fixture work completed for all of the schools in the District. The work will be paid for through $406,000 of Prop 39 funds and a $115,000 PG&E Direct Bill. The next topic involved discussion of grade level configurations in the District. Pros and cons were brought up regarding what it would do for the District to have a K through 8 th grade Academy school, a dual immersion school, a technology, arts and science school and another school at a site that would be determined later. Pros and cons were also brought forth about breaking up all of the grades PreK through 8 th grade into 4 public schools or having them configured into 2 schools. In addition, they also talked about the pros and cons of what having a single track year-round school program could ...

On Tuesday night, March 6 at around 8:30 pm, the Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services responded to an Alert 3, Category 1 Aircraft Incident near the Paso Robles Airport. Arriving resources found an upright aircraft in an agriculture field just south of Dry Creek Road.  The single-engine Piper aircraft took off from the Paso Robles Airport with 2 people on board after a brief layover from the Bay Area. The student pilot and his instructor had engine failure in their plane prior to reaching full altitude. The instructor immediately took over the controls in an attempt to return and land at the airport safely. The pilot maneuvered the gliding aircraft from homes, power lines, and traffic falling short in his attempt to reach the airport. Neither occupant sustained injuries. The aircraft sustained moderate damage without the release of any contaminants into the environment. The FAA and NTSB were contacted from the scene. Additional assistance was also provided by CAL FIRE, th...

Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated held their regular general meeting luncheon at Lawrence’s Restaurant with 2 guest speakers on Tuesday, March 6. Robert Poythress addressed the crowd asking them for their support as he runs for a State Senate seat in District 12 and Mark Meuser also spoke at the luncheon asking people for their support as he runs for Secretary State. The next Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated general meeting will be on April 3.

A 4 vehicle collision occurred at the Shandon Rest Area on State Route 46 at 5:47am on Monday morning, March 5. The accident involved 3 tractor trailer big rigs, and a Ford Expedition. The driver and passenger in the Expedition, 52-year-old Eric Jennings and 48-year-old Erin Jennings both of Visalia, were transported to Sierra Vista Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Their 3 dogs also received injuries from the crash. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Alcohol and drugs do not appear to be contributing factors.

A residential structure fire broke out on Saturday night, March 3 at 11:30 PM on the 2000 block of Vista Oaks Way in Paso Robles. First arriving firefighters found smoke and fire coming from an exterior wall and extending into the attic. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to the area of origin and worked to prevent smoke and water damage to the remainder of the structure. 16 firefighters responded to the incident with additional assistance from the Paso Robles Police Department and the San Luis Ambulance Service. A mother and 2 children were able to safely evacuate prior to the firefighters arriving. The cause of the fire appears to be from an in-use wood burning fireplace.

On Thursday, March 1 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) announced the 2018 Congressional Art Competition for high school students throughout California’s 20th Congressional District. The U.S. House of Representatives sponsors this competition each spring to recognize and honor talented young artists from each congressional district across the country. The winning entry will be proudly displayed in the corridors of our nation’s Capitol in Washington, D.C. for 1 year. The winner and a family member will also be invited to attend a special ceremony with other young artists from around the country in Washington, D.C. at the end of June. Karenna Fife, a student at Carmel High School, won the  2017 Congressional Art Competition  for California’s 20 th  Congressional District for her photograph, “La Vieja.”  Each school can submit up to 5 pieces of original student artwork. Exceptions will be made for schools that have 7th through 12th grades on 1 campus. Student...