KRKC COUNTRY

PAICINES, CA - Due to damage caused by high winds and heavy rainfall over the past few days, the west side (Soledad, CA) of Pinnacles National Park and the Balconies trail are temporarily closed to all users. The closure will allow staff to remove down trees, repair trail washouts, and mitigate any safety concerns. “Pinnacles received more than five inches of rain over the past 48 hours. This has resulted in a number of unsafe trail conditions. Since visitor safety is paramount, we need time to remove down trees and repair any unsafe conditions on the west side of the park,” said Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky. The closed areas of the park will reopen as soon as the safety concerns are addressed. If additional unsafe conditions are found these areas of the park may remain closed. Visitors are asked to refer to the park website, www.nps.gov/PINN and social media sites for the most current park conditions. www.nps.gov About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 Nation...

On Friday, January 29 officers from the King City Police Department responded to a report of a juvenile victim who said she had been sexually assaulted by an elder Hispanic male. The victim said she was walking on the 400 block of North Vanderhurst Avenue when an elder Hispanic male approached her and began to speak with her. The Hispanic male attempted to obtain identifying personal information from the victim. When the victim attempted to end the interaction with the Hispanic male, he began to hug her and then inappropriately touched an intimate part of her body. The Hispanic male walked away, but was later located by officers who conducted an in-field identification which positively identified the Hispanic male as the male who had sexually battered the victim. The Hispanic male was identified as 70-year-old Jose Perez Cardenas of King City, CA. The male was subsequently arrested for violating California Penal Code 243.4 and booked into the Monterey County Jail. Currently this inves...

On Friday, January 29 at approximately 08:30 am, detectives from the Major Crimes Unit with assistance from personnel with the Salinas Police Department served a search warrant off of the 200 block of Brighton Avenue in King City as part of an ongoing investigation related to an attempted homicide that occurred in King City in October of 2020 on Amherst Drive. The investigation is continuing at this time and no further information is being released. If members of the community have information regarding this crime, they are encouraged to contact Major Crimes Unit Sergeant John Dow at 831-386-5969.

The nonprofit VNA Hospice’s innovative Latino Mobile Resource Center van will be at 3 Monterey County locations in February - Gonzales, King City, and Salinas. The van, which was launched in November 2019, continues its mission to deliver information and resources about end-of-life decisions and care to the local Spanish-speaking communities of Monterey County. The van, funded in part by the Hospice Giving Foundations, will be at the following physical locations: • Wednesday, February 17 from 3-5 p.m. Canyon Creek townhomes 1834 Chablis Way., Gonzales. • Sunday, February 21 from 9-11 a.m. St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 504 N. 3rd St., King City • Wednesday, February 24 from 3-5 p.m. Los Abuelitos Senior Housing 528 East Market St., Salinas. Since 1951, the nonprofit VNA Hospice has used an integrated, team-oriented approach to helping those facing a life-limiting illness, along with their families and caregivers. For more information or to find events near you, visit www....

SACRAMENTO – On Friday, January 29 Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) released the following statement on Senate Bill 91, which extends the eviction moratorium to June 30, 2021, and was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom: “SB 91 is a necessary and important measure for this time of crisis if we want to prevent a wave of homelessness and reduce the spread of COVID-19. “Even before COVID-19, 3.3 million households in California were living paycheck to paycheck. All it took was one unexpected cost to jeopardize their ability to pay rent. “COVID-19 is a financial disaster that no household could have prepared for – and it’s our black and brown communities who are feeling the worst impacts of the virus. Not only are Latinos disproportionately more likely to contract the virus than the general population, but they are more likely to have lost their jobs due to the subsequent recession. Latinos, who make up 38 percent of the workforce, account for 50 percent of statewide job ...

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Friday, January 29 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 39,040 people, while 206,986 people have been tested in the County. 11,952 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 2,006 in King City, 2,549 in Greenfield, 5,730 in Soledad, 1,275 in Gonzales, 103 in San Ardo, 184 in Chualar, 58 in San Lucas while 48 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 6,855 are from person to person transmissions, 5,094 have come from community transmissions, 175 are currently hospitalized, 284 people have died, 37,145 people have recovered, 22,509 are under investigation and 3,250 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

A horse and a pony are safe on Thursday night, January 28 after being stuck in mud for up to 18 hours. SPCA Monterey County rescuers brought the horse and pony to the SPCA for care and to be treated by Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic Veterinarians. Due to their condition, they are now being transported to Steinbeck Country Equine Clinic for overnight care. The horse and pony were found stuck in mud on Limekiln Road in Salinas, off of River Road. The area experienced a debris flow last night that trapped the two equines. When the owners found the horses, they immediately flagged down passing fire departments and contacted SPCA Monterey County for help. SPCA Monterey County thanks all the first responders who performed this amazing rescue, including Hayward Fire Department, Fremont Fire Department, Alameda Fire Department, Fresno Fire Department, Marina Fire Department, Monterey County Regional Fire District, Monterey County Public Works, and more. We also thank all the kind neigh...

PASO ROBLES, CA – On Thursday, January 28 at approximately 1:55 pm, Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services was dispatched to the area south of the Niblick bridge for a person that was surrounded by water in the Salinas riverbed. The first units arrived at scene within approximately 3 minutes. The stranded person was located, and it was determined that the Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services personnel using water rescue equipment could safely access and relocate the individual. Two fire engines, one rescue, one squad and two battalion chiefs from Paso Robles responded. Paso Robles Police Department also responded and assisted in locating the person and providing traffic control. Additionally, San Luis Ambulance Service responded a unit and remained on standby through the duration of the rescue. The person denied any medical complaints and was relocated to a safe location.

SALINAS, CA – On Thursday, January 28 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that UC Santa Cruz will receive a $625,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant. The federal funding will be used to research the impacts of decision making by artificial intelligence. The NSF federally funds research and education in science and engineering, through grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Congressman Panetta secured $8.5 billion, an increase of $208.4 million, for the NSF in this the FY2021 appropriations package passed at the end of 2020. “Based on the incredible research done at UCSC, I’m proud that the federal government continues to recognize and reward their work,” said Congressman Panetta. “This deserved grant will greatly assist UCSC in their artificial intelligence research and allow them to continue their work on this cutting-edge project.”

SALINAS, CA - On Thursday, January 28 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) reintroduced legislation to create a tax credit to encourage municipalities to purchase and use zero-emission buses. The Green Bus Tax Credit Act creates a 10% manufacturer’s tax credit for electric and hydrogen fuel-cell buses. Representatives Dan Kildee (MI-05), Don Beyer (VA-08), Earl Blumenauer (OR-03), Julia Brownley (CA-26), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03) joined the legislation as original cosponsors. California law mandates that all new municipal buses purchased by municipalities must be zero-emission starting by 2029, and all fleets must be zero-emission by 2040. This legislation will encourage municipalities to meet that requirement ahead of time by reducing the price of zero-emission buses. It will help California meet its goal to reduce transportation sector emissions within the budgets of local transit agencies. The legislation will also spur the development of the zero-emission bus industry, ...

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Thursday, January 28 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 38,853 people, while 206,157 people have been tested in the County. 11,910 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 1,994 in King City, 2,540 in Greenfield, 5,716 in Soledad, 1,270 in Gonzales, 103 in San Ardo, 181 in Chualar, 58 in San Lucas while 48 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 6,852 are from person to person transmissions, 5,090 have come from community transmissions, 175 are currently hospitalized, 280 people have died, 35,325 people have recovered, 22,516 are under investigation and 3,234 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

1 vehicle overturned off of State Route 198 and Highway 101 Northbound over 5 miles south of King City at 12:52pm on Wednesday, January 27. The occupants in the vehicle received minor injuries in the crash. The cause of the accident is unknown.

SPCA Monterey County is currently caring for 41 evacuated pets, including 9 dogs, 14 cats, 17 horses, and one donkey due to evacuation orders and debris flows during this major winter storm. If you are given orders to evacuate, please always take your pets with you. SPCA Monterey County will be here to shelter animals if you do not have other places to take your pets. If you need assistance with sheltering, please call the SPCA at 831-373-2631 during the day or 831-264-5424 at night. Prepare now to ensure a calm evacuation should you receive orders. We have tips available at spcamc.org. How You Can Help: Please donate to help at www.spcamc.org/disaster-donate. Thank you for your support that makes all our programs, including disaster response and preparedness, possible. We are here for you, because of you. If You Are Given Evacuation Orders: Please take your animals with you. If you need assistance, please call us at 831-373-2631 during the day or 831-264-5424 at nig...

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. – All low-water crossings off Mission Road at Fort Hunter Liggett are closed for safety reasons until further notice. Anyone needing to travel to the Indians can use Mission Creek Road via Red Grade Road. Nacimiento-Fergusson and Del Venturi roads are also closed until further notice. During storm events, always remember to be aware of rapidly rising water levels and swift moving water. "Turn around and Don't Drown." The Salinas River is extremely hazardous during these rain events and ALL Residents are advised to stay clear of the river bed. Those residing in low lying areas prone to flooding are advised to take pre-cautionary measures in advance of these storms. Storm preparations may include sandbags, clearing storm drains and gutters of debris, and having safe and alternative lighting and heating in the event of power outages. Stay up-to-date on the Fort Hunter Liggett Facebook page (www.facebook.com/forthunterliggett) and webs...

Sandbags and sand are available at the King City Fire Station at 422 Bassett Street if anyone needs any to prevent potential flooding from occurring at their property because of rain that has been progressively falling. You will need to fill and load the bags yourself. Sand and sandbags are also free to pick up behind the Chualar Fire Station off of Chualar Road and Foletta Road, just West of the Highway 101 Chualar exit.

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Wednesday, January 27 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 38,713 people, while 205,514 people have been tested in the County. 11,860 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 1,987 in King City, 2,519 in Greenfield, 5,710 in Soledad, 1,255 in Gonzales, 102 in San Ardo, 181 in Chualar, 58 in San Lucas while 48 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 6,852 are from person to person transmissions, 5,090 have come from community transmissions, 175 are currently hospitalized, 274 people have died, 35,308 people have recovered, 22,530 are under investigation and 3,225 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

WHEN: Effective January 26th at 4:00 p.m. WHERE: Carmel and River Fires Burn Scar Areas WHAT: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Order for areas within and two miles down slope of the Carmel Fire and River Fire burn scars due to the upcoming atmospheric river and the high likelihood for debris flows. These include: ∙ C Zone 1 ∙ C Zone 2 ∙ C Zone 3 ∙ C Zone 4 ∙ C Zone 5 ∙ C Zone 6 ∙ C Zone 7a ∙ C Zone 7b ∙ C Zone 8AA ∙ R Zone 1 ∙ R Zone 10 ∙ R Zone 13 ∙ R Zone 13a ∙ R Zone 15B ∙ R Zone 1a ∙ R Zone 2 ∙ R Zone 2a ∙ R Zone 3 ∙ R Zone 4 ∙ R Zone 5 ∙ R Zone 6 ∙ R Zone 7 ∙ R Zone14A ∙ R Zone14B The Evacuation Order will take effect Tuesday, January 26th at 4:00 p.m. If you feel that your life is in danger, do not wait for an emergency notification. The Evacuation Warning has been upgraded to an Evacuation Order for the Carmel and River Fire Burn Scars and Evacuation Zones effective January 26th at 4:00 p.m. Beginning late Tuesday night into early Wedn...

A major winter storm is approaching. If you haven’t already, please prepare now for a disaster and for how to care for your family and pets should you need to evacuate or if you lose power for an extended period of time. If you are given orders to evacuate, please always take your pets with you. SPCA Monterey County will be here to shelter animals if you do not have other places to take your pets. And if you are in an evacuation warning area, please make plans for your animals now. It is much easier to move your animals during the calm daytime than in the dark during the height of the storm. As always, thank you for your support that makes all our programs, including disaster response and preparedness, possible. We are here for you, because of you. If you need assistance with sheltering, please call the SPCA at 831-373-2631 during the day or 831-264-5424 at night. If you are self-evacuating, please call us so we can direct you to safe sheltering. Prepare now to ensure a calm ...

SALINAS, CA - On Tuesday, January 26 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced $2,815,000 in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding for the Pajaro River Flood Risk Management Project. The funding will be used to complete the preconstruction, engineering, and design (PED) phase of the project in Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. This funding is the product of extensive Congressional efforts and will help ensure the safety and prosperity of communities on the Central Coast of California. “I’m very proud to announce this major amount of federal funding for such a crucial phase of the Pajaro River Flood Risk Reduction Project,” said Congressman Panetta. "It’s nowhere near finished and it’s been a slog to move the project forward, but this funding for the completion of the PED is a huge step in the right direction. Today’s announcement is a result of the honest and trustworthy partnerships that we have developed with local leaders and national agencies, as well as ou...

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Tuesday, January 26 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 38,434 people, while 204,933 people have been tested in the County. 11,776 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 1,959 in King City, 2,493 in Greenfield, 5,683 in Soledad, 1,252 in Gonzales, 102 in San Ardo, 181 in Chualar, 58 in San Lucas while 48 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 6,851 are from person to person transmissions, 5,087 have come from community transmissions, 175 are currently hospitalized, 261 people have died, 35,294 people have recovered, 22,435 are under investigation and 3,213 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

Monterey County Health Department announced today that sufficient progress has been made vaccinating Phase 1a health care workers and that providers may now begin to offer COVID-19 vaccine to Monterey County residents 75 years of age and older in Phase 1b Tier I of the California COVID-19 Vaccine Plan. Vaccination efforts will continue to reach the remaining health care workers in Phase 1a. In accordance with guidance provided by the California Department of Public Health, while vaccine supplies are extremely limited, individuals 75 years of age and older will be prioritized within Phase 1b Tier I. Individuals 75 years and older are at much higher risk of severe illness and are dying at much higher rates than individuals in younger age groups. “After consulting with representatives from our local health care community and reviewing data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we believe that prioritizing people 75 years of age and older at this time will save t...

WHEN: Effective January 25th at 4:00 p.m. WHERE: Carmel, River and Dolan Fires burn scar areas WHAT: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for areas within and two miles down slope of the Carmel Fire, River Fire, and Dolan Fire burn scars due to the upcoming atmospheric river and the high likelihood for debris flows. There is also currently a Flash Flood Watch in place. The Evacuation Warning will take effect Monday. January 25th at 4:00 p.m. This warning is being given well in advance of our incoming storm system due to anticipated rainfall. Beginning late Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, the National Weather service is predicting 8 to 10 inches of rain over the course of the storm in the Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County, which would impact all wildfire burn scar areas. The Evacuation Warning that will be in place will be upgraded to an Evacuation Order if the Flash Flood Watch in place upgrad...

SALINAS, CA – On Monday, January 25 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) reintroduced the California Central Coast Conservation Act, which establishes a moratorium on all new oil and gas leasing on federal public land on the central coast of California. This is the first bill Congressman Panetta has introduced in the 117th Congress. Congressman Panetta originally introduced this legislation in December 2019 in direct response to the Trump Administration’s decision to allow for new oil and gas leasing and development on over 720,000 acres of public land in Central California, primarily in Fresno, Monterey, and San Benito counties. The bill prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from implementing the decision until it completes and publishes a supplemental environmental impact statement assessing the impacts of oil and gas drilling on the Central Coast. Specifically, the review must consider potential impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change,...

The Hartnell Community College District has received a 2020 Excellence in Energy and Sustainability Award from the California Community Colleges Board of Governors for solar power generation and other energy-reducing steps expected to save $26 million over their lifetime. The projected 4.7-million-kilowatt hour reduction in electricity use offsets more than 3,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide – equivalent to removing 714 cars from the road each year. Hartnell College was among five of the state’s 73 college districts recognized on Jan. 19 for actions by their own governing boards to drastically reduce their carbon footprint and save taxpayer dollars through lower utility bills or for leadership and teaching on climate and sustainability. “California’s community colleges have long been leaders in putting into practice the lessons and skills they teach their students, and matters relating to sustainability are no exception,” said Board of Governors President Pamela Haynes. “On ...

On Friday, January 22 personnel from the King City Police Department responded to a report of a theft that occurred overnight off of the 200 Block of Bassett Street. During the investigation, the investigating officer reviewed video surveillance footage that captured the theft. As the officer continued his investigation attempting to locate additional video surveillance footage and/or witnesses around where the crime had occurred, he observed a man matching the description of the suspect while wearing what appeared to be the same clothing he had just observed on the video footage that had captured the crime. The officer contacted the male who was identified as 21-year-old Javier Silva Jr. of King City and asked him about the recent theft. While speaking with the officer Silva admitted to committing the crime and the stolen items were recovered when Silva led officers to where he had discarded the property. Silva was subsequently arrested. The stolen property was returned to the ow...

The rain we are experiencing in Monterey County on Friday, January 22 is increasing the risk of debris flow in and around our wildfire burns scars. Debris flows are rivers of rock, earth, and other debris soaked with water and are a fast-moving type of landslide that can reach rates faster than 20 mph, occur with little or no warning, and travel for miles. Monterey County Office of Emergency Services is hearing reports of some flow and is encouraging residents who live one to two miles from any of the burned areas to be on heightened alert for debris flow. Signs of debris flow include: Rising and/or water that turns from clear to muddy. Movement of fences, retaining walls, poles, boulders, trees or bulging/shifting ground at the base of a slope. New cracks in plaster, tile, brick, streets, or foundations. Windows/doors jamming for the first time. Unusual sounds (ex. trees cracking. boulders knocking together, faint rumbling that is increasing in volume). Collapsed pavement, mud, ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, January 22 Representatives Jimmy Panetta, Jason Crow, Lauren Underwood, and Dean Phillips announced the introduction of the Health Force, Resilience Force, and Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act (Health Force Act), legislation that would invest billions in the nation’s public health jobs and infrastructure and aid the country’s lagging vaccine distribution campaign. The bicameral legislation will be introduced in the Senate by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand, Michael Bennet, Brian Schatz, Ed Markey, Chris Van Hollen, Amy Klobuchar, Richard Blumenthal, Cory Booker, Bob Casey, Tammy Duckworth, and Jack Reed. The Health Force Act, championed by the lawmakers, would invest billions in local public health infrastructure to recruit, train, and employ hundreds of thousands of Americans to build public health capacity in underserved communities. Additionally, the Resilience Force would complement the Health Force by bolstering the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA...

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Friday, January 22 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 36,950 people, while 201,218 people have been tested in the County. 11,346 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 1,879 in King City, 2,396 in Greenfield, 5,517 in Soledad, 1,186 in Gonzales, 99 in San Ardo, 174 in Chualar, 46 in San Lucas while 49 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 6,844 are from person to person transmissions, 5,086 have come from community transmissions, 175 are currently hospitalized, 259 people have died, 14,645 people have recovered, 21,104 are under investigation and 3,205 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

At the Soledad City Council meeting on Wednesday night, January 20 the Council approved to appoint Brent Slama as permanent City Manager. The Council designated Slama as the interim City Manager on July 20 of 2020 replacing Michael McHatten who was let go on July 1 after almost 3 years on the job. Slama stated that there's a lot of buzz going on in the city right now even though the COVID-19 pandemic is still going on regarding some changes he's looking to make in providing more opportunities for youth along with getting infrastructure projects complete in the city. Slama said that he'll also still be the Community Development Director for the City of Soledad which he has held for over 8 years since November of 2012 until they find someone to fill that position. Slama was also the Interim City Manager for the City of Greenfield before he began working in Soledad.

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Thursday, January 21 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 36,668 people, while 199,158 people have been tested in the County. 11,284 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 1,867 in King City, 2,379 in Greenfield, 5,495 in Soledad, 1,178 in Gonzales, 99 in San Ardo, 171 in Chualar, 46 in San Lucas while 49 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. In addition, 6,844 are from person to person transmissions, 5,086 have come from community transmissions, 162 are currently hospitalized, 259 people have died, 14,646 people have recovered, 20,824 are under investigation and 3,205 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

MONTEREY COUNTY – A bridge retrofit project will result in a 4 month closure of the northbound lanes of US 101 at the San Antonio River Bridge in Monterey County. The San Antonio River Bridge is located on US 101 in Monterey County, north of the Camp Roberts Rest Areas and approximately one mile south of the Bradley Rd. exit. Click on link for a map of this location https://goo.gl/maps/JSUTZCykg5hZW14T8 The San Antonio River Bridge is in effect two separate bridge structures, one which carries two lanes of northbound traffic while the other span carries two lanes of southbound traffic. Retrofit work will take place on the northbound structure and will require a complete long-term closure of the northbound span. The Crossover While the northbound bridge at San Antonio River is closed for construction, northbound traffic will be detoured across the median divide to the southbound bridge. Both northbound and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction using the two a...

SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, January 21 Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister), Vice Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, released the following statement on the Wednesday, January 20 swearing-in of California’s first Latino United States Senator, Alex Padilla: “Yesterday was a historic day for our nation and our state. “The swearing-in of U.S. Senator Alex Padilla was particularly monumental to the progress of Latinos in the State of California. For the first time, we have seen a Senator who looks like us, has a similar story to us, and shares our experiences. “I cannot overstate how meaningful and influential this is to Latinos in our State, particularly for young Latinos who make up 54 percent of our K through 12 public school students and are now seeing what is possible. Senator Padilla, the son of Mexican immigrants, has shown that Latinos can represent all Californians - and when young Latinos see that, they aspire to lead like him. They aspire for more. “Senat...

SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, January 21 Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) introduced Assembly Bill 284: Natural & Working Lands Climate Goal, which ensures that the State incorporates natural and working lands in its strategies and plans to reduce atmospheric carbon and make communities more resilience to climate impacts. The bill, which is sponsored by The Nature Conversancy and California Climate & Agriculture Network, will require the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to work in collaboration with relevant State agencies to set an overall climate goal for the State’s natural and working lands to capture carbon, while identifying best practices and policy incentives to achieve that goal. “California has ambitious environmental goals, and AB 284 will help make those goals a reality,” said Asm. Rivas, who serves as the Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. “This bill will not only help us reduce new emissions of carbon, but it also provides recommendations ...

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, January 20 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) attended the inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. and Vice President Kamala D. Harris in Washington, D.C. “In taking their oaths of office today, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embarked on their duty to unify our democracy,” said Congressman Panetta. “On the very same steps where we witnessed an insurrection two weeks ago, today, President Biden made clear his intent to heal our wounds by working together. We now can rely on our President to lead with faith and empathy to sustain the soul of the nation. The next four years offer so much opportunity for our country and the Central Coast and I look forward to working with President Biden and Vice President Harris to deliver vaccines as well as pandemic relief, affirmatively act on the climate crisis, invest in our nation’s infrastructure, fix our broken immigration system, advance our values, and ensure greater op...

MONTEREY, CA. (Jan. 20, 2021) — The Monterey County Fair has announced two officers to the Board of Directors of the 7th District Agricultural Association, Teri Short as President and Dan Presser as Vice President. Short, who was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to the Board of Directors in March 2017, is the first African-American woman to serve on the board. She previously served as Vice President. Presser is the owner of FourWinds Travel in Carmel and was appointed to the Fair Board by Gov. Brown in 2014. Short has been a community advocate serving the cities of Monterey County for decades. Her involvement and leadership stems throughout numerous organizations advocating for social justice, income inequality, community organizing, and collaborating with stakeholders to find solutions to improve the lives of our families. Her career has been in the non-profit, tax, and title industries. She has also spent time as a campaign consultant. Short has shown a strong commitme...

Monterey County has selected Mike Novo, former Monterey County Planning Director, to be Interim Director of the Housing and Community Development. Mike will lead the newly-formed department as the county recruits for a permanent director, replacing outgoing Director Carl Holm who is retiring from the County on Saturday, January 23 after almost 20 years of service. Novo is a familiar face around the county having retired as Monterey County Planning Director in 2016 and later returned in a part-time role to process some major land use projects and act as Zoning Administrator. Novo’s first day as Interim Director is expected to be Tuesday, January 26 as the County Board of Supervisors needs to approve this action. In addition to Interim Director, two key positions have been filled in Monterey County’s newly formed Housing and Community Development Department. Erik Lundquist has been named Chief of Planning. Lundquist has a degree in Planning from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a Ma...

PAICINES, CA - Annual measures to protect nesting raptors of Pinnacles National Park will be reinstated as of January 19, 2021, according to Park Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky. In 2020, seven pairs of Prairie and Peregrine Falcons produced a total of 22 fledglings. Additionally, the park had successful nesting by birds of prey including American Kestrels, Golden Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Long-eared Owls, Barn Owls, and Great Horned Owls. Park researchers will continue to monitor raptors to better understand these interesting and beautiful birds. “We ask you to refrain from any off-trail hiking and climbing in sensitive areas which include the High Peaks, the Balconies Cliffs area, the Piedras Bonitas/Gargoyle area, Resurrection Wall, Little Pinnacles/Yaks Wall, and the Egg Rock/Teapot Dome areas,” said Stransky. “Thanks to the cooperation we receive from the climbing community and from park visitors in avoiding the advisory areas, these ...