KRKC COUNTRY

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Monday, November 30 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 15,189 people, while 135,242 people have been tested in the County. 4,482 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 965 in King City, 1,163 in Greenfield, 1,569 in Soledad, 597 in Gonzales, 62 in San Ardo, 93 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 16 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,736 are from person to person transmissions, 4,458 have come from community transmissions, 830 people have been hospitalized, 122 people have died, 10,728 people have recovered, 3,177 are under investigation and 2,954 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

A handful of power outages blacked out over 140 customers in South Monterey County on Monday, November 30. The first outage that occurred was at 8:06 am affecting 1 customer off of 12th Street in Greenfield and was a planned outage due to maintenance work that was being done in that area. Power was restored for that customer at 10:29 am. The 2nd outage happened at 9:56 am off of Jolon Road affecting 139 customers in Lockwood and 1 customer in San Lucas. Electricity was brought back on for all of the affected customers at 10:44 am. The cause of the outage is under investigation. The 3rd power outage transpired at 12:26 pm impacting 2 customers living off of San Lucas Road in San Lucas. Power was restored for both customers at 2:09 pm. The cause of this outage is also under investigation.

SALINAS, CA – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) has been selected to serve as a conferee for the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA authorizes Department of Defense programs, spending, and priorities for the coming fiscal year. Democrat and Republican Congress members and Senators are selected by their leadership as conferees to work together to resolve differences between the two national security bills from the House of Representatives and the Senate. “I am honored to serve as an NDAA conferee in support of our men and women in uniform, the installations on the Central Coast of California, and the security of our nation,” said Congressman Panetta. “Although I was able to successfully incorporate numerous provisions in the House legislation to enhance support services for our nation’s troops and their families, improve military housing, and advance our national security, I now get to confer with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the

SALINAS, CA – FEMA has approved a 30-day extension of its non-congregate shelter program for CZU Lightning Complex Fire survivors in Santa Cruz County. This approval came one day after Congressman Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) requested the agency to expeditiously review and approve California’s request for a 30-day extension of the shelter program. The FEMA non-congregate shelter program provides emergency housing assistance to those impacted by recent wildfires while adhering to COVID-19 safety protocol, keeping survivors distanced from those not in their households to prevent the spread of illness. This is the second shelter extension the Representatives secured for CZU Lightning Complex Fire survivors since October. “As the Central Coast continues to recover from the wildfires amid an ongoing pandemic, it is our duty in Congress to ensure that the federal government continues to provide the proper resources for the victims of these natural di

SALINAS, CA – On Friday, November 27 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) commended the completion of a Marine Life Studies Whale Entanglement Team (WET) project. As a proponent for the protection of marine wildlife, Congressman Panetta advocated for the WET project with a letter of support to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation last year, urging the consideration of the project’s grant application. The WET project then received $91,000 in grant funding for its removal of abandoned fishing gear on the sea floor that posed a risk to the wellbeing of local marine life. The debris removal and project completion will prevent the entanglement of whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, fish, and other marine wildlife in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. “With the number of marine life entanglements increasing every year, more needed to be done to help safeguard the species living in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary,” said Congressman Panetta. “The WET pro

Major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County from Sunday, November 29 through Saturday, December 5. Highway 101: First Street – Jolon Road (northbound): Nov. 30 – Dec. 1 There will be one lane closure along northbound Highway 101 from First Street to Jolon Road (northbound) for striping work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highway 101: First Street – Jolon Road (northbound), King City: Dec. 2 – Spring 2021 There will be one lane closure along northbound Highway 101 from First Street to Jolon Road in King City for excavation work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highway 101: Highway 101 – Wild Horse Road: Nov. 30 – Dec. 4 There will be full closure of the northbound and southbound off and on ramps at Highway 101 and Wild Horse Road for miscellaneous work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highway 101: First Street: Dec. 1 – Dec. 2 There will be full closure of the northbound offramp at Highway 101 and First Street for striping operation work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highway 101: Layous – Firs

PASO ROBLES, CA – A brush fire was swiftly put out on Friday, November 27 in the Salinas River of the Paso Robles area. The blaze began at 7:30 a.m. as Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services was dispatched to a vegetation fire on the south side of the Niblick Bridge. The first fire engine arrived on the scene within 5 minutes. The initial arriving units found fire burning in thick vegetation and debris within the riverbed. The fire was estimated to be one eighth of an acre with a potential for 5 acres. Due to the City’s vegetation management treatments, the first arriving fire engines were able to quickly access the fires safely through one of the firebreaks. The blaze was contained at one eighth of an acre, and resource commitment time was minimized. Two fire engines, one squad and one Battalion Chief from Paso Robles responded. Under the City’s automatic and mutual aid agreements one aircraft, three engines, one bulldozer, and a Battalion Chief responded from CAL FIRE. The cause

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Sunday, November 29 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 15,089 people, while 134,557 people have been tested in the County. 4,470 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 965 in King City, 1,162 in Greenfield, 1,563 in Soledad, 591 in Gonzales, 62 in San Ardo, 94 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 16 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,712 are from person to person transmissions, 4,450 have come from community transmissions, 825 people have been hospitalized, 122 people have died, over 11,000 people have recovered, 3,115 are under investigation and 2,954 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

On Saturday, November 28 from 11 am to 1 pm Sol Treasures will be having a natural holiday wreath workshop, while they'll also be holding an open-house from 1030 am to 3 pm. The wreaths are all made out of real pine and everything that will go into them will be with natural greenery. You will also learn how to make a holiday bow to add to your wreath. For questions or more information call 831-386-9809. Social protocols will be enforced. Please don't forget your mask.

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Wednesday, November 25 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 14,369 people, while 130,626 people have been tested in the County. 4,344 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 944 in King City, 1,142 in Greenfield, 1,524 in Soledad, 551 in Gonzales, 57 in San Ardo, 94 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 15 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,610 are from person to person transmissions, 4,403 have come from community transmissions, 791 people have been hospitalized, 116 people have died, over 11,000 people have recovered, 2,641 are under investigation and 2,934 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

SALINAS – On Tuesday, November 24 the California County Boards of Education (CCBE) presented Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) with the prestigious CCBE Outstanding Legislator Award for his leadership in working to improve California’s public schools and his support of local counties and school boards. He was nominated by Janet Wohlgemuth, Board Member of the Monterey County Board of Education (MCBE) and President of CCBE, who gave the award to Asm. Rivas in a small ceremony at 12 p.m. “It is an honor to be recognized for this award by the California County Boards of Education,” said Asm. Rivas. “Education is personal to me. I come from a family of educators – both my mom and aunt are teachers in Assembly District 30 – and prior to becoming an Assemblymember, I worked as an adjunct professor at Gavilan College. This is an incredibly difficult job, made more complicated by inadequate funding and a lack of teachers. I’m proud of my accomplishments to increase funding for scho

SALINAS, CA – On Tuesday, November 24 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Congressman Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska) introduced the bipartisan Preserving Charitable Incentives Act to temporarily eliminate tax incentives to destroy property rather than donate goods to charity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation increases the cap for charitable tax deductions to incentivize companies to donate goods such as clothing, shoes, and diapers. Currently, charitable tax deductions are limited to 25% of a business’s taxable income, while other deductions, such as destroyed property, do not face this limitation. Representatives Panetta and Smith’s legislation will raise this cap to 100%, ending the tax incentive to destroy property, instead of donating it, through 2021. Their legislation also directs the Department of the Treasury to improve regulations to enable restaurants to donate more food to charity. Currently, restaurants that prepare food to be donated receive an enh

CHP Officer Mike Rigby in King City recently announced that he is retiring at the end of November 2020 after 24 years with the Agency. Officer Rigby stated that he'll remember the special group of people he's worked with over the years during his time with the California Highway Patrol which he considers as the best law enforcement agency in the country. Officer Rigby said that his future plans are to hopefully do more traveling and take care of his parents who are getting older.

A fire destroyed a white GMC Acadia on Highway 101 Northbound near the Central Avenue exit outside of King City on Tuesday night sometime after 7pm. Four occupants were able to out of the vehicle and were not injured. The #2 lane was shutdown for 20 minutes. Firefighters put out the blaze sometime after 7:30 pm. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Salinas, CA – on Tuesday night, November 24 Monterey County Registrar of Voters, Claudio Valenzuela certified the results for the November 3, 2020 General Election. The official results, available at https://www.montereycountyelections.us/latest-election-results/, show a voter turnout of 80.21% and the highest voter registration level in the history of Monterey County, with 206,917 registered voters. Monterey County Elections has proactively been preparing for an all vote by mail election even before COVID-19. The preparation that went into Election Day started years ago when the department moved to their new facility which allows multiple election activities to run simultaneously. Additionally, acquiring a vote by mail processing system and updating their vote by mail practices, allowed the elections department to process large quantities of ballots in a shorter amount of time without compromising the security and integrity of the vote. Even as COVID-19 added a layer of complexit

At 5:00 AM on Tuesday morning, November 24 the Soledad Police Department, along with the assistance of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, the California State Parole, the Sacramento County Probation Department, and the Placer County Task Force, executed two residential search warrants in Rancho Cordova, and two additional residential search warrants in Soledad. The warrants were for stolen property, Illegal weapons, and narcotics. Officers located a Glock 9mm handgun with the serial number removed, a Glock 9mm handgun reported stolen out of Yuma, Arizona, stolen property, narcotics, and illegal fireworks. Arrested on Tuesday, November 24 were Luis Rios and Jose Alvarado. Both were booked into the Monterey County Jail on numerous charges. In the last month, Soledad Police Officers have removed 11 illegal handguns and rifles from their streets.

SALINAS, CA - Representatives Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley), Steven Horsford (NV-04), and Darin LaHood (IL-18) have introduced the bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act to revitalize the tourism and hospitality industries, which have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation will provide comprehensive relief for the convention, entertainment, hospitality, and travel industries and their workers by creating new recovery incentives and enhancing the employee retention tax credit until regular travel and tourism safely resumes. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Keven Cramer (R-N.D.) introduced the Senate companion legislation to the House bill. “With the pandemic surging and restrictions by states and local governments continuing, it is the federal government's responsibility to provide some form of economic relief, especially to our local hospitality industry. The Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act would afford those t

SALINAS, CA - On Tuesday, November 24 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Congressman Van Taylor (TX-03) led 233 of their colleagues in sending a letter urging the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to address the growing backlog of requests due to the closure of its facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The letter requests the agency to implement new policies to resume processing military personnel, health, and medical records requests while maintaining the health and safety of NPRC employees. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, NPRC reduced on site operations on March 23, 2020, only processing “emergency requests” and remains in the current status with no definitive timeline for addressing the backlog or improving processing times. Personnel records are needed for veterans, military, civil service retirees, and their dependents to qualify for a range of benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. “In dealing with this

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Tuesday, November 24 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 14,228 people, while 129,645 people have been tested in the County. 4,320 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 941 in King City, 1,138 in Greenfield, 1,516 in Soledad, 544 in Gonzales, 57 in San Ardo, 92 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 15 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,520 are from person to person transmissions, 4,365 have come from community transmissions, 788 people have been hospitalized, 116 people have died, over 10,000 people have recovered, 2,634 are under investigation and 2,914 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

On Friday night, November 20 at approximately 7:00 PM, Soledad Police Officers were investigating a shooting at the Cesar Chavez Apartments. During the course of the shooting investigation, officers were directed to Roberto Lara, who was found to be in the possession on an un-serialized 9mm Glock handgun (Ghost gun). Lara was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail on weapons violations. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office and the Greenfield Police Department also helped out during this case which was unrelated to an earlier shooting that had occurred.

On Friday, November 20 at approximately 4:00 PM, Soledad Police Officers heard gunshots coming from the area of Market Street and West Street. While responding, several citizens called 911 and reported a shooting in the area of Benito Street. Moments later, a victim of a shooting was reported in the area of Monterey Street and Kidder Street. The victim of the shooting was uncooperative with investigators and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. With the help of witnesses and excellent police work, the investigation led to the Cesar Chavez Apartments in Soledad where the suspected shooter, a 17-year-old male, was identified and apprehended. The weapon involved, an un-serialized 9mm Glock handgun (Ghost Gun) was located and seized. The 17-year-old male was booked into Monterey County Juvenile Hall on attempted murder and weapons violations. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office and the Greenfield Police Department also assisted.

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Monday, November 23 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 13,913 people, while 128,736 people have been tested in the County. 4,262 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 928 in King City, 1,131 in Greenfield, 1,498 in Soledad, 530 in Gonzales, 56 in San Ardo, 88 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 14 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,464 are from person to person transmissions, 4,326 have come from community transmissions, 784 people have been hospitalized, 115 people have died, over 10,000 people have recovered, 2,434 are under investigation and 2,905 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Sunday, November 22 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 13,868 people, while 127,916 people have been tested in the County. 4,248 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 926 in King City, 1,129 in Greenfield, 1,491 in Soledad, 528 in Gonzales, 56 in San Ardo, 87 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 14 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,444 are from person to person transmissions, 4,318 have come from community transmissions, 775 people have been hospitalized, 114 people have died, over 10,000 people have recovered, 2,421 are under investigation and 2,903 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

Soledad, CA November 19, 2020- The Women’s Health Clinic will expand the health services to the community with a higher level of care specifically for women. The Soledad Community Health Care District virtually had a grand opening of the Women’s Health Care Center on Thursday, November 19th.. The Women’s Health Clinic will be a separate building that is roughly 3,000 square feet in size and includes additional exam rooms, full-time OB-GYN and ultrasound services, a state-of-the-art mammogram machine and classrooms for perinatal and nutritional education. Anna M. Caballero formed part of the grand opening as a special guest. “Thank you, for your vision for the past 15 years and to bring this incredible facility to provide access to women’s health care services in South Monterey County. To have this facility here is incredibly important,” said Anna M. Caballero. Anna was elected in November 2018 to the California State Senate to represent the 12th Senate District, which inclu

SALINAS – On Friday, November 20 Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) responded to the California Department of Public Heath’s announcements earlier this week implementing a so-called ‘emergency brake’ and a limited curfew based on a recent, sharp increase in COVID-19 cases. All four counties in Assembly District 30—Monterey, San Benito, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz—now join 95% of all California counties placed in the most restrictive purple tier. These health and safety announcements have important implications as residents plan for the upcoming holiday seasons. “I appreciate the state’s exercise of caution at this time when cases are spiking not only here in District 30, but all across California and the United States,” Asm. Rivas said. “As we make decisions about holiday gatherings, I urge all of us to consider the health and safety of our loved ones above all else.” The California Department of Public Health reported on Thursday, November 19, that the 14-day average cas

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Friday, November 20 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 13,524 people, while 125,988 people have been tested in the County. 4,138 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 919 in King City, 1,117 in Greenfield, 1,423 in Soledad, 509 in Gonzales, 55 in San Ardo, 84 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 14 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,383 are from person to person transmissions, 4,274 have come from community transmissions, 767 people have been hospitalized, 113 people have died, over 10,000 people have recovered, 2,244 are under investigation and 2,892 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

Most Thanksgivings, families come together to share a meal and enjoy time together, this year may look a little different in many households. With the added stress and uncertainty of Covid-19, District 3 Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez and California Water Service want to help alleviate just a little bit of that anxiety for local families. In partnership with California Water Service, Supervisor Chris Lopez is taking this opportunity to lift just a little bit of that stress. Working through local schools and non-profits, they are honored to be distributing care packages that include a turkey voucher from California Water Service, and a matching gift card to help put together all the trimmings that families need to gather around and enjoy a wonderful dinner. Supervisor Lopez stated, “The need in our community this year has been exacerbated by the economic challenges, health challenges and natural disasters that have impacted our entire state this year. Making this holiday a lit

Due to the high rise in COVID-19 cases across Monterey County and all over the state, Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Public Health on Thursday, November 19 announced a limited Stay at Home Order requiring that non-essential work, movement and gatherings stop between 10 PM and 5 AM for counties who are in the purple tier. Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties are all in the purple tier. The order will take effect at 10 PM on Saturday, November 21 and remain in effect until 5 AM on December 21. This is the same as the March Stay at Home Order, but applied only between 10 PM and 5 AM and only in purple tier counties that are seeing the highest rates of positive cases and hospitalizations.

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, November 19 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Representatives Mike Thompson (CA-05), Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Barbara Lee (CA-13), and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) announced the introduction of the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. This bipartisan bill, introduced by members from districts hit hard by wildfires, reactivates the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 natural disasters, including wildfires. Currently, WHIP only covers losses incurred in 2018 and 2019, and this bill would extend that support to losses incurred in 2020. The WHIP program offers critical assistance to agricultural producers, including winegrape growers, whose crops were impacted by smoke taint. “This year, record-breaking wildfires wreaked havoc on many of our communities on the Central Coast of California. In addition to the structural damage, large swaths of our agriculture, including tons and tons of winegrapes, were tainted due to smoke ex

A Grand Opening Ceremony for a new Womens Health Center took place on Thursday, November 19 in Soledad. The new Clinic is 3,000 feet in size and it includes additional exam rooms, full-time OB-GYN and ultrasound services, a state of the art mammogram machine and classrooms for prenatal and nutritional education. It took over 15 years to get this new Womens Health Center in Soledad constructed at a cost of over $4.5 million dollars. Funding for this project was made possible by grants and donors. The new Womens Health Center in Soledad is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Thursday, November 19 that 28-year-old Eric Anthony Magana of Salinas, has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for driving with a blood alcohol content of over .08%, causing injury, and for evading police officers with reckless disregard for the safety of the public. On July 11, 2020 at 4:20 p.m., an officer of the California Highway Patrol in Greenfield was stopped at the shoulder of US-101 South at the El Camino Real overcrossing near Thorne Road, when he observed a dark sedan traveling at approximately 90 mph down the highway. The officer activated his lights and sirens, however the sedan, driven by Magana, refused to yield. Eventually, Magana left US 101 via the Greenfield exit of Walnut Avenue. Magana turned onto 12th Street from Walnut Avenue and sped through a stop sign at the street’s intersection with Cherry Avenue. Magana continued to speed down 12th Street, running stop signs at its

On Wednesday, November 18 Soledad Police Officers were conducting parole and probation compliance checks in Soledad. While attempting a compliance check, Damian Guerrero attempted to run from officers and tried to toss a backpack with 3 loaded firearms, additional ammunition, and narcotics inside of it. Guerrero ended up getting apprehended and was booked into the Monterey County Jail on weapons and narcotics violations.

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Thursday, November 19 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 13,410 people, while 124,586 people have been tested in the County. 4,084 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 917 in King City, 1,115 in Greenfield, 1,384 in Soledad, 499 in Gonzales, 55 in San Ardo, 83 in Chualar, 17 in San Lucas while 14 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 5,319 are from person to person transmissions, 4,232 have come from community transmissions, 762 people have been hospitalized, 111 people have died, over 10,000 people have recovered, 2,278 are under investigation and 2,877 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

SACRAMENTO – On Wednesday, November 18 Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) led his first hearing as Chair of the Assembly Agricultural Committee to discuss the devastating impacts of wildfires on agriculture in California. The hearing included three panels of experts addressing the effects on agricultural workers, farms, and farmlands, the economic impacts on the industry, and agriculture-based wildfire mitigation opportunities. These experts proposed a variety of solutions to help mitigate and avoid such impacts in future years—solutions the Committee will consider heading into the new legislative session. “I look forward to leading this Committee and working to ensure that California agriculture continues to be the most innovative, nourishing, and productive on the planet,” Asm. Rivas said. “This year, 2020, has been the largest, most destructive wildfire season recorded in California history. We all saw it – from the darkened red skies to the charred hillsides. We all stru

PASO ROBLES, CA – On Tuesday, November 17 the Paso Robles Police Department, San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT team, San Luis Obispo County SED team, San Luis Obispo Gang Task Force, San Luis Obispo Probation and the San Luis Obispo County D.A.’s Office served a search warrant on the 2300 block of Winter Wheat Place. 36-year-old Lauro Valenzuela was arrested on a felony probation warrant. Valenzuela is also a person of interest in a shooting on the 1100 block of Alamo Creek that occurred the previous evening. Valenzuela was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail for a felony probation warrant and continues to be a person of interest in the shooting investigation. This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to call the Paso Robles Police Department at 805-237-6464 and ask for Det. Bryce Lickness. Persons wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers' 24-hour hotline at 549-STOP or by texting “SLOTIPS” plus your mess

PASO ROBLES, CA – November 18, 2020. Paso Robles City Manager Tom Frutchey has announced his retirement. His last day with the City will be February 3, 2021. Mr. Frutchey has been with the City since January of 2016. During his five years with the City of Paso Robles, Mr. Frutchey led the City organization as Paso Robles was coming out of the Great Recession, experiencing tourism growth, implementing significant street repair and maintenance work, and most recently, responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has overseen many changes and projects, including, among others: Facilitating the approval of Olsen-South Chandler, Beechwood, and Gateway Specific Plans Advancing Economic Development priorities Enhancing the City’s Community Engagement program Increasing General Fund Reserves Building a caring and diverse workforce, committed to public service Advancing Riverbed cleanup efforts to protect public safety Passing Measure J-20 Sales Tax to maintain essential City services Reducing t

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, November 17 the House unanimously passed the Congressman Panetta-cosponsored (D-Carmel Valley) FEMA Assistance Relief Act, to ease financial burdens for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments that have received FEMA disaster assistance for emergencies, such as wildfires, in 2020. Currently, governments receiving FEMA disaster assistance under the Stafford Act are responsible for 25% of associated costs. H.R. 8266 adjusts this federal cost share to ensure communities have the resources necessary to respond to crises along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Congressman Panetta introduced H.R. 8266 with Representatives Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Mike Thompson (CA-05), Dina Titus (NV-01), Nita Lowey (NY-17), and Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40) in September. “COVID-19 has further compounded the challenges the Central Coast faces as we endure a difficult wildfire season,” said Congressman Panetta. “My colleagues and I introduced the FEMA Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, November 18 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) cosponsored two pieces of legislation to restore infectious disease standards and increase oversight of nursing homes and long-term care facilities. The Promoting Restoration of Emergency Preparedness and Advancing Response to Epidemics in Long-Term Care Act (PREPARE LTC Act) would restore Obama-era infection control regulations to require nursing and long-term care facilities to maintain infection prevention programs and emergency plans to protect residences during an emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The Protecting Residents with Oversight, Transparency, and Enforcement for Compassionate Treatment in Long-Term Care (PROTECT LTC Act) would provide $100 million to State Survey Agencies for increased oversight of nursing homes and increase penalties for those that fail to provide adequate protection to residents during public health crises and other emergencies. “COVID-19 continues to th