KRKC COUNTRY

The financial outlook for the City of King is continuing to improve as City Manager Steven Adams reported at the State of the City Address in the Orradre Building of the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds on Tuesday, January 30. Adams stated that the debt in the General Fund has gone down a lot in over 3 years being reduced from $5 million to $2 million and he is expecting the debt to drop down to around $1.5 million by the end of this fiscal year. Another positive stat that Adams brought up was how crime has gone down quite a bit within the last year in King City. There were 32 shootings in King City in 2017, but in 2018 there was only 1 shooting that occurred. Police Chief Robert Masterson also went over work his Department has accomplished recently with the Greenfield Police Department involving arrests that were recently made and he feels that the new camera systems that were installed in King City have something to do with that. Mayor Mike Lebarre feels very optimistic regarding where t

P,G&E was notified on Tuesday, January 29 at 3:22 pm that a 3rd party contractor hit a gas line causing an outage off of the 1900 block of Monterey Street in Soledad. P,G&E worked with first responders to make sure that the area was safe. Zero customers were affected, no one was hurt and evacuations in the area were lifted sometime before 6 pm. P,G&E work crews were on the scene throughout the evening to make the necessary repairs.

Staff at Pinnacles National Park went back work on Monday, January 28 to resume regular operations at the Park after 35 days of closure due to the partial government shutdown. The staff at Pinnacles National Park is reminding people who may be going through the Park that time will be needed to fully clear the roadways from a rockslide and clear downed trees. Staff will also be making sure that restrooms and other facilities will be open and that they'll be in good condition for the public to use. Plus, they're also going to check fire alarm systems, and ensure that the park is safe for visitors. For questions and more information call 831-389-4485 or go online to www.nps.gov/pinn/index.htm.

2 single vehicle accidents took place in Gonzales during the last weekend of January. A car crashed off of the 800 block of Fifth Street before 7:30 pm on Saturday night, January 26, while a 1 vehicle collision occurred on Highway 101 Southbound past Fifth Street sometime after 3 am on Sunday morning, January 27. No injuries were reported in both accidents and no other information was provided.

On Saturday night, January 26 at about 6:28 PM, Greenfield Police Officers, the Greenfield Fire Department and the CHP - King City unit responded to a vehicle accident off of Highway 101 north of Walnut Avenue. The driver of the Toyota that was on the Highway is suspected of driving under the influence and picked up minor injuries. The vehicle was totaled from the collision.

On Friday, January 25 the Greenfield Police Department Gang Enforcement Team, in conjunction with the CDCR, conducted a series of parole and probation compliance checks at: the 300 Block of Eucalyptus Drive the 600 Block of Apple Avenue the 300 Block of 5th Street the 1100 Block of Elm Avenue the 200 Block of Palo Verde Street The compliance checks resulted in the arrest of the following individuals for parole or probation violations that included Manuel Ernesto Chan - Parole Violation Juan Jose Arreola - Parole Violation Gerardo Salas - Probation Violation Cameron Clark - Parole Violation Erika Velasquez - Probation Violation These arrests came 1 day after Greenfield Police Officers assisted in compliance checks in King City where 3 individuals were taken into custody for parole/probation violations and the Major Crimes Unit's arrests of 5 individuals for homicide.

A car fire sparked off of 12th and Walnut Avenue in Greenfield sometime after 6:30 am on Friday morning, January 25. Greenfield Fire Chief Jim Langborg stated that the vehicle was a complete loss from the blaze adding that it about 10 minutes to put it out. No one was hurt. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

King City, CA – The Salinas Valley Fair was recognized for outstanding achievement in marketing at the 2019 Western Fairs Association Convention in Reno, Nevada for its 2018 “Lettuce Turnip The Beet” advertising and promotions campaigns. The Convention was held from January 20 to January 23 at the Grand Sierra Resort. The Salinas Valley Fair won 1st Place awards for their Daily Schedule, Print Marketing Campaign, Commemorative Poster and Any Other Advertising which included the Fair’s head lettuce stress balls, pig key chains and tote bags. In the 1st Place categories, South County Newspapers produced the daily schedule and the commemorative poster was printed by local business Casey Printing. The Fair’s downtown street pole banner campaign, official program and television advertisements were awarded 2nd place while the fair’s advertising poster and promotional carnival photographs were recognized with 3rd place honors.

On Thursday, January 24, investigators from the Major Crimes Unit along with the assistance of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the Monterey County DA’s Office, the Salinas Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and the CDCR- Investigative Services Unit served search warrants in King City on the 900 block of Broadway Street, on the 100 block of River Drive, on the 200 block of Carlson Street and on 300 block of South Vanderhurst in connection with the January 13, 2019 murder of 19-year-old Charles Adolfo Jose in Greenfield. Taken into custody were 22-year-old Jose Armando Juarez who was charged for Conspiracy, Gang Enhancements and Providing weapons for a crime, along with 21-year-old Luis Sarabia who was booked for Conspiracy and Gang Enhancements and 18-year-old Eduardo Solis who was charged with Homicide, Conspiracy and Gang Enhancements. Also arrested was a 16-year-old male juvenile who was charged for  Homicide, Conspiracy and Gang Enhancements along with another

If you live in King City and are a homeowner you might be eligible to receive free solar for your home. Energy for All Program Outreach Coordinator Mayra Guzman said that King City Community Power is providing funds to allow 24 income-qualified homeowners to receive free solar for their home in 2019. In partnership with local nonprofit, GRID Alternatives, homeowners will save thousands of dollars in electricity costs using solar energy. This free program is available for a limited time exclusively for low to moderate income homeowners. For more information, call 831-784-8549 or go online to www.gridalternatives.org/centralcoast.

On January 24, 2019 investigators from the Major Crimes Unit along with the assistance of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the Monterey County DA’s Office, the Salinas Police Department, the California Highway Patrol and the CDCR- Investigative Services Unit served search warrants in King City in connection with the January 13, 2019 killing of 19-year-old Charles Adolfo Jose in Greenfield. 5 suspects were taken into custody on various charges. There will be a news conference at 12:30 pm on Thursday, January 24 in the Greenfield City Council Chambers at 599 El Camino Real where further information will be released.

A fire broke out off of 4th Street at Riojas Market in Soledad sometime after 1 am on Wednesday morning, January 23. Soledad, Greenfield and Correctional Training Facility Fire Departments were paged to the scene along with the South Monterey County Fire Protection District and Cal Fire to help extinguish the blaze. Cal Fire Investigators believe this fire was started intentionally as they found footsteps on the roof of the market and suspect that someone tried to burglarize the store through a skylight and when they couldn't get in, they lit the roof on fire. The roof received $20,000 in damages from the fire. No injuries were reported. Investigators are reviewing surveillance video in the area to try and gather more information.

The King City City Council had a packed agenda holding their regular meeting on Tuesday night, January 22 at City Hall. Mayor Mike LeBarre presented a Mayor's commendation to John Nuno who was who was named 2019 Firefighter of the Year for the work he has done and continues to do for the King City Volunteer Fire Department for about 10 years. Also recognized by Mayor LeBarre with a Mayor's commendation was Optometrist Dr. Robert Mackin who recently retired from his practice after almost 30 years of serving the King City community. In other business, the King City City Council agreed to adopt a resolution by approving a sponsorship in the amount of $7,000 for the King City Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture's Aerial Fireworks Show that will be taking place on July 3. After over 30 minutes of discussion, the Council approved unanimously a proposed U.S. 101/Broadway Roundabout Layout and Grant Agreement Amendment with the Monterey Bay Air Resources District by approving the

A greyhound bus hauling band equipment caught fire off of State Route 198 east of Peach Street in King City sometime after 2 pm on Tuesday afternoon, January 22. Traffic was slowed down for over 2 hours in order for firefighters to knock down the blaze and have a Hazmat crew do cleanup work since the bus spilled diesel fuel onto the roadway before it was towed away. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is unknown.

King City, CA – The Salinas Valley Fair is searching for the next  Miss Salinas Valley Fair.  If you are a girl who is a junior or senior in high school who resides in and is a student of a School District in the counties of Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Southern Santa Clara, Northern San Luis Obispo, Parkfield or Coalinga, you are eligible to compete in the 2019 Miss Salinas Valley Fair competition. Contestants may not be less than 16 years of age as of January 1, prior to the competition, and no more than 19 years of age as of December 31, 2019.  Entrants may enter more than once, but only win one time. There is no fee to apply but the deadline is Monday, March 4, 2019. The contest will be held at the Fairgrounds March 15 & 16, 2019, while the winner will reign over the Salinas Valley Fair, which runs May 16 to 19, 2019 in King City. Entrants will be judged on personality (40%), scholastic ability (25%), poise and appearance (20%) and horsemanship (15%). The 2019 Miss Salin

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, January 17, District 12 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), District 19 Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced legislation to provide farmworkers a path toward earned legal status and eventual citizenship. Under the Agricultural Worker Program Act (H.R. 641), farmworkers who have worked in agriculture for at least 100 days in the past two years may earn “blue card” status that allows them to continue to legally work in the Unites States. Farmworkers who maintain blue card status for the next three years or five years—depending on hours worked in agriculture—would be eligible to adjust to lawful permanent residence (green card). "Immigrant farmworkers are not only the backbone of our nation’s agriculture industry, they and their families are the heart and soul of many rural communities, like mine on the central coast of California.  They plant and harvest the food that goes on our dinner tables and enrich the

PASO ROBLES, CA – The Paso Robles Department of Emergency Services with assistance from Cal Fire responded to a motorhome fire on the 2000 block of Park Street on Thursday night, Jannary 17 at around 6:13 pm. The fire was quickly contained by 6:30 pm and crews remained on the scene for approximately 30 minutes overhauling the fire. The vehicle owner and his dog were able to safely escape the blaze with no injuries. The 1979 Dodge Motorhome sustained significant damage, while a 1980 Chevy El Camino, parked adjacent to the motorhome was saved and only sustained minor paint damage. The cause of the fire is unknown.

A chicken sale fundraiser will be held at  455 El Camino Real, Suite A in Greenfield on Saturday, January 19 beginning at 10 am for the family of 19-year-old Charles Adolfo Jose who was shot and killed on Sunday, January 13. Family friend and organizer Myra Garcia said that they're looking to raise money for the family of Jose to help pay for funeral expenses.

The Winter Festival of Square Dancing is taking place on January 18, 19 & 20 at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City. the event is free for the public to checkout. Fair CEO TJ Plew said that square dancers from all over the West Coast will be at the event along with callers from the Midwest and Texas. Plew added that this year's Winter Festival Square Dancing event could the last one that is ever held in King City.

Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Thursday, Janaury 17 that on Wednesday January 16, 2019 a jury found 34-year-old Brandon Keen, an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison, guilty of murder and assault with a deadly weapon by an inmate. On October 4, 2013, Keen was found in his cell unharmed after he alerted correctional officers that his cellmate was “down”. The victim, 31-year-old Dimitris Kalatzakis, was found lying face up in a large pool of his own blood and the cell walls were covered in blood spatter. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. An autopsy revealed that Kalatzakis had suffered 6 stab wounds by an inmate manufactured weapon, had been beaten so badly that there was blunt force injury with broken bones throughout his face and that he had ultimately been strangled to death by a ligature. Kalatzakis had an anticipated release date of October 15, 2015. The jury also found that on August 31, 2016 Inmate Keen was fighting with another inmate

The Soledad Pharmacy officially closed their doors on Tuesday, January 15 as owners Jeff Hoogendyk and Ann Trebino have retired and sold their business to CVS after serving the community for over 30 years. Hoogendyk has been a part of the Soledad Pharmacy since 1964 before buying it from Jack Franscioni in 1988. The Soledad Pharmacy had been in business over 100 years owned by a number of different people before Hoogendyk and Trebino purchased the business.

A 1 vehicle accident occurred off of Highway 101 Southbound near a rest area in Bradley sometime after 8 am on Tuesday, January 15. The CHP reports that the driver hit his brakes and went off the road adding that the cause of the accident was an unsafe turning movement that the driver made due to his intoxication level. The driver was arrested for Driving Under the Influence and the slow lane on Highway 101 South in that area was closed for 15 minutes in order to get the vehicle extracted from the side of the road. No one was injured. There was also a 2 vehicle collision that took place off of Highway 101 Northbound and Jolon Road in King City on Tuesday, January 15 just before 11 am and a 1 vehicle accident that took place off of Highway 101 Northbound and SR 198 sometime after 11:30 am on Tuesday, January 15. No injuries were reported from both accidents and no other details have been released.

The Greenfield Recreation Department is inviting boys and girls K through 8th grade to take part in winter youth basketball this year at Greenfield High School. Late registration is taking place until Friday, January 18 at the Greenfield Community Center from 4 pm to 8:30 pm. Volunteers are also welcome. The cost is $45 per player. For more information on registration or volunteering call 831-304-0150 or 831-236-1230.

MONTEREY COUNTY – Bicycle and skateboard riders will soon have more places to park their bikes and skateboards in Monterey County thanks to the Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s Bicycle Secure Program. Under the program, the Transportation Agency pays the purchasing price of the racks, lockers, and repair stations, including tax and shipping, while applicants are responsible for installing and maintaining the equipment. Applicants proposing an artistic bicycle rack design are also eligible for financial assistance. Applications are due to the Transportation Agency by Friday, February 1, 2019. The Agency encourages interested businesses, schools, non-profits, and other public agencies in Monterey County to apply. The program serves the Agency’s public mandate to achieve a coordinated and balanced regional transportation system by promoting active transportation. By providing secure bicycle parking, businesses can attract more bicycle-riding patrons, employers can support t

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) recently announced that two Monterey County projects are being recommended to receive $12.4 million in funding from the Active Transportation Program. Debbie Hale, the Executive Director of TAMC, said, “The confidence that voters placed in them with the approval of Measure X is being rewarded and indicated that they were able to apply for the $12.4 million of matching grants from the SB 1 funded Active Transportation Program for pedestrian and bicycle safety projects that will benefit the Salinas Valley, Monterey Peninsula and North Monterey County.” The staff recommendations going before the California Transportation Commission for approval later this month includes $10.3 million for the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) and $2.1 million for a Safe Routes to School Education Program. The recommended funding for the FORTAG project will be matched with $2 million of Measure X funds. It will be used to fund the Highwa

On Sunday, January 13 at 3:11 pm Officers of the Greenfield Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of 7th Street regarding a call of shots being fired and a man was down. Upon the arrival of the officers they found a Hispanic man on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wound(s). The subject showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators from the Major Crimes Unit were called to take over the investigation. The ensuing investigation revealed the subject who was identified as 19-year-old Charles Adolfo Jose of Greenfield who was outside a residence washing a car when an unknown adult Hispanic man who stood at between 5’06 to 6’00 tall with medium build wearing a charcoal colored hoodie, black pants and white shoes approached the victim and shot several rounds from a handgun at him which struck and killed the victim. The suspect fled the area in an unknown direction. The cause of death is pending an autopsy by the Monterey County Sheriff’s and Cor

Over 150 cowboys, cowgirls and youngsters from the central coast are expected to compete in this year’s Monterey County Ranch Rodeo at the Salinas Valley Fair Rava Arena on Sunday, January 13t in King City. The production is a fundraiser for the Monterey County Cattleman’s and the Salinas Valley Fair which will feature events that demonstrate the skills needed for everyday working ranch hands. For more information about how you can support this event go online to www.SalinasValleyFair.com.

At the Greenfield City Council meeting on Tuesday night, January 8 the Council agreed to appoint Bob White for a vacant Council seat that became open after Lance Walker was elected as Mayor in November of 2018. Plus, the Council agreed to move forward on a modified farmworker housing project submitted by Avila Construction that will consist of 112 residential units off of Walnut Avenue and 3rd Street. In other business, Greenfield Mayor Pro Tem Nely Martinez was recently appointed to serve on the League of California Cities’ Housing, Community and Economic Development Policy Committee.

U.S. health officials on Wednesday, January 9 declared an end to an E. coli outbreak that was blamed on romaine lettuce from California. From October to December of 2018, the E. coli outbreak sickened 62 people in 16 states. No one died, but 25 people were hospitalized. Illnesses were also reported in Canada. Investigators concluded that romaine lettuce grown in central and northern California was the likely source. They found the same bacteria at a farm in Santa Barbara County. Officials said that no new illnesses have been reported for a month, and lettuce from the area is no longer in stores or restaurants. Romaine harvesting has since shifted to winter growing areas, primarily Arizona, Florida, Mexico and California's Imperial Valley.

At the King City City Council meeting on Tuesday night, January 8 at City Hall the Council presented a Certificate of Recognition to Ralph Lee for the time that he has put in working for the Planning Commission for the last couple of years. In other business, the Council approved that the Mesa Del Rey Airport can hold a Speed Car event on Wednesday, August 14 that will be put together by Hypercar, LLC. The Council also agreed for construction of Phase II of the Citywide Police Security Camera Project and Ongoing Maintenance to start. SurveillanceGRID Integration Incorporated will be doing the work at a total cost of $130,000 for the Phase II cameras, while annual maintenance will be $20,000 per year and up to $10,000 in change orders if any of them become necessary once the cameras are installed. The Council will appropriate $150,000 for this project from the Supplemental Law Enforcement Services Fund. The Council also approved to be the Successor Agency for the purchase and sale of

Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated held their first meeting of 2019 on Tuesday, January 8 at Lawrence's Restaurant in King City as Mayor Mike LeBarre was the guest speaker. Mayor LeBarre spoke about some of the things that he was proud to be a part of in 2018 that he feels made King City a better place to live such as improving public safety, helping put together an after school program for elementary school kids along with helping form a new drug and alcohol recovery center and how more of the City's debt has been eliminated. Mayor LeBarre also indicated that they're going to have to update their Wastewater treatment facility and in addition they're looking to add more ag employee housing.

Due to the partial Government shutdown Pinnacles National Park is now closed to all visitors except those with confirmed campground reservations.

Over 30 people were on hand to socialize and eat cake to celebrate the 72nd Birthday of the City of Greenfield in the Council Chambers on Monday, January 7. Mayor Pro Tem Nely Martinez, newly elected Councilwoman Angela Untalon, Greenfield City staff, Greenfield Police Officers and other people from the community of Greenfield were in attendance for the festivities. 

Hiking with a backpack, some clothes along with a sleeping bag and other essentials, Irishman and Stand-up Comic Francis Cronin is over 3 weeks into his 500+ mile walking journey from San Francisco to LA as he raises money for Homeless Health Care Los Angeles. Cronin stopped by the KRKC and KC102 studios on Saturday, January 5 stating that he is sleeping outside during his long walk to better understand what people who are homeless go through everyday and added that he's been affected by someone he is very close to who has experienced being homeless. Cronin said that he's been hiking on average about 20 miles per day and he's raised close to $10,000 so far. Cronin is hoping to reach Los Angeles sometime in early to mid February. The entire interview done with Cronin can be listened to on our KRKC Country Facebook page.

USA Softball tryouts in King City for girls ages 8 to 14 are coming up sometime in February of 2019 and registration is going on until January 31. The cost is $60 per player, $100 for 2 siblings and $130 for 3 siblings, while registration will include a jersey and USA insurance. Coaches are also needed and if you have a child they can play for free. To register go to the King City Recreation Center or King City City Hall. The season begins sometime in March of 2019 and will run through the month of May 2019. The games will be played on Saturdays in King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales. For more information, call Andrea Wasson at 831-385-6748 or email her at awasson@kingcity.com. You can also go online to KingCityRecreation.com.

On Thursday, January 3 at about 12:50 am, Greenfield Police Officers along with the Greenfield Fire Department and CAL FIRE responded to the 300 block of 7th Street for a house fire that sparked. Upon arrival of the Greenfield fire personnel, a small single-story residential structure was found fully engulfed in flames. The blaze was extinguished and contained to the structure of origin. The house was not occupied and was undergoing a major remodel at the time of the fire. No one was injured. Greenfield Police later conducted checks of abandoned homes throughout the City. The cause of the fire is under investigation. If anyone has any information about this fire, please call the Greenfield Fire Department 831-320-2299.

The Hartnell College King City Education Center and South County Education Services are getting prepared for another semester which begins on January 14. Dean Mostafa Ghous says that they are offering a wide range of classes such as Ag Tech, Chemistry, Biology, Anthropology, Communication Studies, some Counseling courses, Early Childhood Education classes, English, Geology, History, Math, Oceanography, Photography classes, Spanish and Psychology classes. In addition, they also offer dual enrollment classes for kids in High School that are looking to get a head start in College. For more information contact the Hartnell College King City Education Center at  (831)386-7100 or go online to hartnell.edu/king-city.

A new year means that new laws in the state of California have kicked in which could affect people in the Salinas Valley in 2019. Governor Jerry Brown signed thousands of bills into law over the course of his time in office and will leave his post as Governor on January 7, 2019. Some of the laws that went into effect on Tuesday, January 1 are as follows: Assembly Bill 1066 mandates that agricultural workers will receive an overtime payment in their salaries. This regulation will slowly increase the wages for extra hours for agricultural employees over a period of four years. Changes begin on Jan. 1, 2019 for employers who hire more than 25 employees. As part of Senate Bill 3, the minimum wage has increased to $11 an hour for those who work at a company with 25 employees or less. For those who work for businesses that employ 26 or more people, minimum wage will be $12 an hour. It's all part of a gradual increase in wages that will help California reach its goal of a $15 an h

A fire house broke out off of 355 Ventana Avenue in Greenfield sometime after 10 am on Tuesday morning, January 1 to begin 2019. Greenfield Fire Chief Jim Langborg said that the occupants at the residence used a garden hose to try and contain the fire, but the Greenfield Fire Department was paged in a joint response with CAL FIRE with 3 engines on the scene to put out the blaze in less than 10 minutes. The fire was contained to the room of origin and was caused by unattended candles in a back bedroom. No one was injured and no arson is suspected. The fire caused around $40,000 in damages to the home.