KRKC COUNTRY

Two of Monterey County’s wild residents, two orphaned bobcat siblings, are back home at Jacks Peak Park. The two cubs, a brother and sister, were rescued by the SPCA of Monterey County last summer in the Jacks Peak Park area. They spent the last 8 months at the Wildlife Center of Silicon Valley (WCSV) where they could grow up safely and prepared for release back into the wild. The two were raised together in a naturalized enclosure, were fed live rodents and carrion with no human contact so they would be self-sufficient in the wild with a natural fear of humans. On Wednesday March 24, the two bobcats – now juveniles -came back to their home territory with a lot of humans in tow to see them go free. Monterey County Parks staff transported the cubs and wildlife center personnel deep into Jacks Peak Park, where the bobcats were successfully returned to their natural habitat. For more information contact, Bryan Flores 831-601-7464, Monterey County Parks Operations Manager for Jacks

Monterey County, Calif. – As students and staff return to schools for in-person instruction, the Monterey County Health Department reminds everyone to keep the safety of students in mind when traveling around schools. This includes stopping for school buses. California law requires drivers to stop when a school bus is in front of them and extends its stop sign with flashing red lights. Drivers must remain stopped as long as the red lights are on. Drivers in both directions must stop on any two-lane road without a median or a two-lane road with a center turn lane. Please drive carefully in school zones and help keep students safe to ensure a smooth transition back to in-person learning. The Monterey County Health Department offers the following tips for drivers, parents and students: Walk on sidewalks and use marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. Watch for cars entering/backing out of driveways or leaving parking spaces. If you need to walk into the s

PASO ROBLES, CA – On April 8 and 9, 2021 Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services Department will be performing live fire training exercise at 1741 North River Road in Paso Robles. Live fire training is being conducted for a regional Fire Investigation class that the fire department is hosting. Following the Fire Investigation class, the structure will be utilized for new firefighter recruit training. This training will allow firefighters to gain valuable knowledge and practical fire experience in a safe environment.

PASO ROBLES, CA – On Tuesday night, March 30 at approximately 8:37 PM Paso Robles Fire and Emergency Services responded to a report of a vegetation fire in the riverbed South of the Niblick bridge in Paso Robles. First arriving firefighters found a 1/4 acre vegetation fire in the riverbed burning in and around trees and brush. Firefighters were able to contain the fire within 20 minutes and worked to fully extinguish the fire over the next hour. Two fire engines, one Paramedic Squad and one Battalion Chief from Paso Robles responded. Under the City’s automatic aid agreements, two fire engines and one Battalion Chief from Cal Fire / SLO County also responded. Fifteen firefighters responded to the incident with traffic control assistance from the Paso Robles Police Department and CHP. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Over 110 Community Health Workers (CHWs) in ten organizations are now available to help Monterey County residents navigate COVID-19 Resources where they live, eat, play, work and worship. Thanks to a $4.9 million program funded by the County of Monterey in partnership with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), CHW’s are trained and equipped to deliver information about the importance of COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and assist community members with access to resources. The collaborative program, named “VIDA” (Virus Integrated Distribution of Aid) began in January and is reaching 7,000 each month through phone calls, information distribution and personal outreach. In addition to English and Spanish, one of the partner organizations, Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indígena Oaxaqueño (CBDIO), is providing information in Triqui, Zapoteco, and Mixteco, indigenous languages from the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero in Mexico. “Our health outreach workers g

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Wednesday, March 31 that on Tuesday, March 30 a Monterey County jury found 28-year-old Leonardo Ramirez Jr. of King City, guilty of violently raping a 10-year-old girl, during the commission of a residential burglary in which he had the intent to commit a sex offense. The jury also found that he personally inflicted bodily harm on the child and personally used a dangerous weapon. On February 3, 2018 at around 7 am as a 10-year-old girl woke up to a man in her bedroom wearing a mask over his entire face, gloves, a dark hoody, and who was holding what looked like a black handgun. When she tried to scream for help, he covered her mouth and nose and told her to shut up as he pointed the gun at her head. She was scared for her life and complied. For over 2 years, police interviewed suspects and took DNA swabs, trying to identify the young girl's rapist. However, all potential suspects were excl

SALINAS, CA – On Tuesday, March 30 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announced that Santa Cruz County and Monterey County in addition to community health centers across the Central Coast will receive $25.46 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The funding will help counties and community health centers prevent, mitigate, and respond to COVID-19 and enhance healthcare services and infrastructure. ARPA includes $6.1 billion in public health funding for counties and community health centers experiencing the greatest need during the pandemic. “Our Counties and community health centers on the Central Coast are on the front lines when it comes to our efforts to defeat the pandemic and drive our recovery by providing accessible healthcare services, especially for those who need it the most. However, the pandemic is far from over and that’s why our CHCs and counties continue to need federal assistance to support their work,” said Congressman P

SALINAS, CA — Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) along with Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-52) and Scott Peters (CA-52) are leading their California colleagues in a letter urging the Biden Administration to transition to a year-round federal firefighting workforce. “As we have seen firsthand on the central coast of California, wildfire seasons, unfortunately, are turning into wildfire years,” said Congressman Panetta. “My colleagues and I are trying to stay ahead of that issue with the creation of a year-round federal firefighting workforce. Such perennial and critical fire fighters will bring stability, consistency, and reliability to the efforts to not just suppress but also prevent wildfires. “As California and the West continue to contend with historic and destructive wildfire seasons, it has become clear that we are entering a ‘new normal’ in which increasingly intense wildfires wreak havoc during a nearly year-ro

Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures in South Monterey County from Sunday, March 28 through Saturday, April 3. Highway 101: First Street – Jolon Road, King City: Long-Term Closure There will be one lane closure along northbound and southbound Highway 101 from First Street to Jolon Road for roadway excavation and pavement work from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists can expect delays of up to 10 minutes. Highway 101: San Antonio River Bridge, King City: Long Term There will be one lane closure along northbound and southbound Highway 101 at the San Antonio Bridge for bridge and paving work from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Message and directional signs will be in place to assist motorists traveling in the area. Motorists are advised to expect delays of up to five minutes and to allow extra time for their travel. Please keep in mind that construction work is weather-dependent.

The City of Paso Robles is launching an annual Senior Downtown Parking Permit. Seniors 65 and older can purchase a permit for $5 per year. Permits are valid from April 1st – March 31st. With the Senior Permit, seniors can park in any paid parking space Downtown without payment. Senior Downtown Parking Permit applications are available at the following locations: Paso Robles Police Department Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center Paso Robles Library Online at www.prcity.com/parking Additional information on Downtown Parking and the Senior Downtown Parking Permit program can be found at www.prcity.com/parking.

It’s Spring, which means songbird eggs are hatching and baby mammals are being tended to by their parents. Sadly, this time of year also means potential tragedy for these tiny babies when people inadvertently damage their nests during tree trimming or when the babies are caught by house cats. The SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is currently caring for many babies who became orphans due to tree trimming, including 8 baby squirrels (see photos attached). We are also raising a baby who survived being caught by a cat. The SPCA strongly recommends not tree trimming this time of year. Bird and squirrel nests are designed to blend into their surroundings, making them hard to see before it’s too late. Pause for now, and begin trimming trees and shrubs again in the fall and winter months when parents are not nesting. The SPCA also recommends keeping cats indoors. Last year, 7% of wild patients at our hospital were caught by cats, but far more do not survi

Edy Antonio Jr. is living the life he hoped for as a 2018 Hartnell College graduate in respiratory therapy, and he has immediately invested his good fortune to help other students like him. Antonio works full-time at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula and part-time at Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital (SVMH), and he and his fiancé have a 6-month-old son. But he isn’t simply feeling proud of his accomplishments and looking to the future. This first-generation college student from Salinas has funded an annual scholarship program for other respiratory care students at Hartnell, presenting the first two $500 checks earlier this month. “I had a lot of mentors growing up, and they said, ‘If you’re able to, the best thing you can do is always give back to those who have helped you get to where you are,” Antonio said. “So that’s what I’m trying to do here, is give back to the program that got me to where I am, that got me to where I’m financially stable and happy with my career.”

On Monday night, March 29 at around 6 pm, local dispatchers received a 911 call from a hysterical female off of the 2400 Block of Branch Creek in Paso Robles. The line then disconnected. A callback from dispatchers could hear a female crying and coughing. The line then disconnected again. Paso Robles Police Officers then raced to the scene to hear the sounds of a struggle inside, but nobody would answer the door. Fearing the female was in trouble, officers booted the door and were met by a female victim and young child who escaped the house. The female victim was suffering from a laceration to the back of her head. The suspect, 25-year-old Ivan Peraltabarrios, retreated deeper into the apartment. As officers pushed into the apartment, they spoke with Peraltabarrios who barricaded himself in a bathroom. Peraltabarrios stated he was armed and would not surrender and mentioned that police would have to shoot him. Undeterred, officers continued their efforts to speak with Peraltabarrios

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Tuesday, March 30 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 42,934 people, while 42,825 people have been released from isolation and 231,896 people have been tested in the County. 12,779 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 2,165 in King City, 2,727 in Greenfield, 6,094 in Soledad, 1,361 in Gonzales, 106 in San Ardo, 196 in Chualar, 63 in San Lucas, while 18 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. There have also been 27 cases reported in Bradley and 22 in San Miguel. In addition, 11,086 are from person to person transmissions, 4,793 have come from community transmissions, 27 are currently hospitalized, 341 people have died, 23,752 are under investigation and 3,529 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

On Friday, March 26 at around 3:00 PM the Soledad Police Department received a call about a structure fire that lit up off of Nestles Road in Soledad. Officers arrived to find one of the abandoned buildings on fire and were directed to a suspect who fled towards the rear of the property. Officers briefly chased the suspect identified as Elton Turner who tried to hide, but was taken into custody. The Soledad PD was assisted by the Greenfield and King City Police Departments, while the Soledad Fire Department, the Greenfield Fire Department, the CTF Fire Department, and CalFire worked to bring the blaze under control. Turner was later booked into the Monterey County Jail on multiple charges related to the fire.

On Saturday, March 27 at 2:30PM PT, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) will hold a press conference on the introduction of his 2 bills to prevent further decline of the Western Monarch Butterfly. Congressman Panetta will be joined by Mayor Bill Peake of Pacific Grove and Mayor Donna Meyers of Santa Cruz in the Central Coast Native Plant Garden at the Natural History Museum in Pacific Grove. A staff representative of the museum will be in attendance to answer questions surrounding the native plant garden, which is home to local plants that attract the Western Monarch and play a crucial role in the species’ conservation. In March of 2021, Congressman Panetta reintroduced the bipartisan, bicameral Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat (MONARCH) Act in addition to the introduction of his Monarch and Pollinator Highway Act. The bills would invest in the conservation of the Western Monarch, which faces the threat of population collapse. Members of the media

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Thursday, Macrh 25 that 23-year-old Heber Veronica and 22-year-old Francisco Martinez both of King City each pled guilty to attempted murder while personally discharging firearms for the benefit of the Sureno Criminal Street Gang. On January 13, 2018 in the City of King, Veronica and Martinez were traveling on San Antonio Drive when they observed an SUV they thought was occupied by Norteno Criminal Street Gang members. Veronica and Martinez displayed gang signs and followed the SUV from San Antonio Drive onto Highway 101 northbound. The victims realized they could not out-run Veronica and Martinez and decided to turn around and head back to town. Veronica, the driver, and Martinez, the front passenger, began shooting at the victim SUV striking it once. As the victim SUV began traveling southbound Veronica and Martinez continued to give chase. During the shooting the victims were actively rep

PASO ROBLES, CA – On Saturday, March 27, 2021 from 1pm to 3pm, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) students will be conducting a training exercise in the downtown area. The exercise is part of a communications class to teach students how to use a portable radio and emergency communications plan. CERT members will be identified by bright green vests and will be seen in the downtown park, City Hall parking lot, and in front of the Public Safety Center conducting their emergency response radio training. Community members interested in emergency preparedness training can go to the Northern SLO County CERT website at https://northslocountycert.org. Upcoming classes will use a hybrid approach of virtual and small group training to ensure a healthy environment.

SACRAMENTO – On Thursday, March 25 in commemoration of “National Ag Day” being celebrated this week, Assemblymember Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) released the findings and policy proposals stemming from his two-month tour of the state’s agricultural sector as the newly appointed Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. During October and November 2020, Chair Rivas met with approximately 70 stakeholders across the state, including farmers and ranchers, agricultural workers, industry and union leaders, environmentalists, scientists and academics, and elected officials. He visited over 50 sites from the Central Coast, the Central Valley, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, San Diego and more. “The magnitude and diversity of our state’s ag industry is truly staggering,” Chair Rivas said. “Everywhere you go in this state, people are growing things – in community gardens in Los Angeles and Oakland, in large farms and ranches in Salinas, the Central Valley, to the Oregon borde

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Thursday, March 25 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 42,844 people, while 42,681 people have been released from isolation and 230,408 people have been tested in the County. 12,770 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 2,166 in King City, 2,726 in Greenfield, 6,086 in Soledad, 1,360 in Gonzales, 106 in San Ardo, 195 in Chualar, 65 in San Lucas, while 18 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. There have also been 26 cases reported in Bradley and 22 in San Miguel. In addition, 11,065 are from person to person transmissions, 4,933 have come from community transmissions, 27 are currently hospitalized, 339 people have died, 23,679 are under investigation and 3,524 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

1 vehicle overturned off of Arroyo Seco Road and River Road in Soledad at 5:22 pm on Tuesday night, March 23. At least one person suffered minor injuries in the crash. The cause of the crash is unknown.

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Wednesday, March 24 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 42,817 people, while 42,665 people have been released from isolation and 230,109 people have been tested in the County. 12,770 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 2,166 in King City, 2,726 in Greenfield, 6,086 in Soledad, 1,360 in Gonzales, 106 in San Ardo, 195 in Chualar, 65 in San Lucas, while 18 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. There have also been 26 cases reported in Bradley and 22 in San Miguel. In addition, 11,058 are from person to person transmissions, 4,932 have come from community transmissions, 32 are currently hospitalized, 338 people have died, 23,679 are under investigation and 3,524 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

2 suspects were caught and arrested in Soledad on Tuesday, March 23 in connection to a shooting that took place in Salinas. According to the Salinas Police Department, they were able to gather enough evidence through video footage of the shooting to serve 2 search warrants in Soledad and bust both suspects. The Violence Suppression Task Force along with other Federal and State Agencies served the search warrants in Soledad taking into custody without incident 25-year-old Zachary Canchola and 40-year-old Jason Wilder. During their search they found 4 unregistered firearms including 1 fully automatic handgun. Canchola and Wilder were transported to the Monterey County Jail where they were booked on several charges ranging from felon in possession of a handgun to charges stemming from the shooting that happened in Salinas. The Salinas PD has not stated which shooting incident in Salinas they believe both men took part in.

Major scheduled road and lane closures in South Monterey County from Sunday, March 21 through Saturday, March 27. Highway 101: Front Street – Moranda Road: March 22 There will be one lane closure along northbound Highway 101 between Front Street and Moranda Road for bridge inspection work from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Highway 101: North Soledad Overhead – Front Street: March 22 There will be one lane closure along southbound Highway 101 between the North Soledad Overhead and Front Street for bridge inspection work from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Highway 101: Paris Valley Road – Lockwood/San Lucas Road: March 22 – March 26 There will be one lane closure along northbound and southbound Highway 101 between Paris Valley Road and Lockwood/San Lucas Road for pavement work along the highway from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday – Thursday; 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Highway 101: First Street – Jolon Road, King City: Long-Term Closure There will be one lane closure along northbound and southbound Highway

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Congressman Dan Newhouse (R-4-WA) are leading 15 bipartisan members of Congress in sending a letter to the Administration, expressing concern that the World Health Organization (WHO) may modify its assumptions regarding viral transmission of COVID-19 via food and food packaging at the urging of the Chinese government. Currently, there is no credible evidence to support the transmission of COVID via food or food packaging. Any guidance from WHO stating otherwise would pose a threat to the stability of the U.S. food supply chain. The letter calls on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to urge the World Health Organization (WHO) to commission a panel of objective and independent virus experts to review the evidence presented by the Chinese government. Additionally, it asks the Administrat

The SPCA Monterey County Wildlife and Rehabilitation Center rescued a western gull who was found with multiple fish hooks in his face, beak and wing. The gull had a hard plastic lure stuck to him, with three treble hooks. The hooks were embedded in the gull’s face, upper and lower beak, and left wing, making it impossible for him to eat or drink. The gull was rescued in Seaside in a yard on Noche Buena on March 7th. We had received reports about him in the days leading up to his rescue, but he was still able to fly and easily evade capture. We thank our compassionate community members who continued to contact us so we could capture and help him. The gull was emaciated and very dehydrated. Our skilled wildlife rescue team gave him pain medications, IV fluids, and antibiotics, and sedated him to remove the hooks and treat his wounds. The next day, the gull was alert and eating on his own, but still weak and needed weeks to recover. We are thrilled to share that he was released

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Tuesday, March 23 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 42,794 people, while 42,644 people have been released from isolation and 229,888 people have been tested in the County. 12,766 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 2,163 in King City, 2,726 in Greenfield, 6,085 in Soledad, 1,360 in Gonzales, 106 in San Ardo, 195 in Chualar, 65 in San Lucas, while 18 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. There have also been 26 cases reported in Bradley and 22 in San Miguel. In addition, 11,044 are from person to person transmissions, 4,932 have come from community transmissions, 27 are currently hospitalized, 338 people have died, 23,696 are under investigation and 3,523 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.

On Sunday night, March 21 at 7:45 pm, King City police officers responded to the 100 block of Keats Avenue regarding several gunshots being fired. The investigation revealed that multiple gunshots were fired that struck a fence, traveled into a back yard and into another small building. Officers during their investigation spoke with individuals in the area and reviewed home surveillance camera video as well. Suspects were seen fleeing the area on foot and to another residence after the gunshots occurred. As a result of the investigation, one 15-year-old juvenile male resident of King City was identified as a suspect in the crime. A search warrant, authorized by a Monterey County Superior Court Judge was obtained and served on the juvenile’s residence where he was taken into custody. Anyone with further information regarding this case is encouraged to call the King City Police Department at (831) 385-4848; Sgt. J. Dow at 831-386-5969, Detective R. Kenedy at 831-386-5991 or the WeTip li

In the last 3 weeks, the Agricultural sector of Monterey County has achieved a 25% vaccination rate of the expected population of farmworkers employed in the Salinas Valley for this spring season. This remarkable level of vaccination comes after weeks of pressing for supplies of vaccines from the State’s supply, prioritizing the essential workers in the farm and ranch operations that are critical to maintaining our food supply chain to retail and restaurant outlets. Many more farmworkers who are work in Monterey County have been vaccinated in Santa Cruz County at clinics held in recent weeks. Efforts will continue in the coming weeks with additional clinics to vaccinate more farmworkers in Monterey County, including temporary workers arriving for harvest crews. Acknowledging that the farmworker community of Monterey County has been hit hard by COVID-19 infections and exposures, local, state, and federal elected officials and community leaders came together and advocated f

Every Spring, the SPCA Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center rescues hundreds of baby birds. These tiny birds receive critical care while they are raised at the SPCA, and then released back into the wild to fly free. Some of the first babies to arrive every year are hummingbirds. They come to us after being blown from trees during storms or when the trees they are nesting in are trimmed. While our team will always try to reunite these little nestlings with their parents whenever possible, sometimes the baby is in too critical a condition or it is simply not safe to do so. You can help by avoiding trimming trees during baby bird season. If you see a nest or baby bird on the ground, please call us at 831-264-5427 for advice. Hummingbird nests are tiny, about the size of a walnut or a golf ball. Because of this, they are almost impossible to see when trimming trees or shrubs. Hummingbird nestlings are even tinier, about the size of a jelly bean, and weigh about 1/3 the weight o

SALINAS, CA – On Sunday, March 21 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) released the following statement about the current challenges at the southern border and his upcoming visit to a southern border facility in Carrizo Springs, Texas: “Despite an historic week in Congress in which the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan immigration reform legislation, that I helped to author, to protect our Dreamers, TPS recipients, and farmworkers with an earned pathway to citizenship and modernize our agriculture worker visa program, we also must now confront the tremendous challenges that our nation continues to experience at our southern border. Currently, our federal government is trying to keep up with the deluge of asylum seekers fleeing violent and dire economic conditions in parts of Central and South America. In the first weeks of his administration, President Joe Biden took the necessary and appropriate steps to stop the shamefully inhumane and shamelessly politic

On Friday night, March 19 at about 10:30 PM, Soledad Police Officers conducted a traffic stop for a vehicle code violation. During the stop, officers immediately recognized all 3 occupants to be active Norteno Gang members. After a search of the vehicle, 3 fully loaded "Ghost guns" with high capacity magazines were located. Jesus Lopez, Robert Ruacho and a 17-year-old juvenile, all from Soledad, were arrested. All 3 were charged with multiple weapons violations, including possessing un-serialized firearms, high-capacity magazines, gang enhancements and violation of a court order. Lopez and Ruacho were booked into the Monterey County Jail, while the juvenile was sent to Monterey County Juvenile Hall.

1 vehicle overturned between King City and Greenfield off of Metz Road and Elm at 10:47 am on Friday morning, March 19. According to the King City CHP, the driver was operating a white GMC Yukon during the accident receiving minor injuries and was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence.

SALINAS, California -- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, March 19, 2021 that the Honorable Pamela L. Butler sentenced 24-year-old Efrain Eulogio Donato of Greenfield to 4 years in state prison. Donato previously entered a no contest plea to a felony charge of stalking and a misdemeanor charge of violating a criminal protective order. He also admitted one prior “strike” offense under California’s “Three Strikes Law.” Donato and a woman were in a dating relationship from July 2019 until February 2020. After the woman ended the relationship, Donato began to continuously harass her. He sent her over 40 messages on Facebook and called her over 200 times. In October of 2020, despite the woman blocking his phone number, Donato began leaving the woman various life threatening voicemails. On November 1, 2020, Donato went to the woman's house and rang the doorbell. The woman did not answer. Donato jumped the fence into the woman's backyard and

At the 1 year anniversary of the pandemic in Monterey County, many in our community continue to struggle with the economic impacts of this crisis. Support and assistance is available and in some cases, is expanding, such as programs for rent and food assistance and business grants. If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, there are many options for personal and business needs. Here is a list of resources provided by Monterey County. If you need help and aren’t sure where to look, call 2-1-1. General assistance, food services Community Benefits: CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, General Assistance, EBT: http://mcdss.co.monterey.ca.us/benefits/. Family & Children’s Services: CPS, Foster Care and Adoptions: http://mcdss.co.monterey.ca.us/families/. Aging & Adult Services: APS, IHSS, Public Authority, SSI Advocacy: http://mcdss.co.monterey.ca.us/aging/. Great Plates Delivered senior meal program: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/soci

WASHINGTON, D.C. – During the week of March 14, 2021 Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and his House colleagues passed H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act. Congressman Panetta is a cosponsor of the legislation, which would allow Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to continue to contribute, work, and remain legally in the United States by providing an earned pathway to citizenship. "Dreamers and TPS recipients don’t just live here, they are employees and employers, attend school, serve in our military, own homes, and have families here. Despite their devotion and dedication to our communities, these individuals remain largely unprotected and struggle to obtain the status that they need to continue contributing to our nation,” said Congressman Panetta. “The American Dream and Promise Act would provide an earned pathway to legalization to protect the future of these immigrants and their families

Updated numbers from the Monterey County Health Department on Friday, March 19 report that confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the County are now at 42,712 people, while 42,548 people have been released from isolation and 228,668 people have been tested in the County. 12,753 of the cases are out of South Monterey County which include 2,161 in King City, 2,720 in Greenfield, 6,083 in Soledad, 1,360 in Gonzales, 105 in San Ardo, 195 in Chualar, 63 in San Lucas, while 18 cases are from other cities or towns in South Monterey County. There have also been 26 cases reported in Bradley and 22 in San Miguel. In addition, 11,029 are from person to person transmissions, 4,934 have come from community transmissions, 28 are currently hospitalized, 338 people have died, 23,674 are under investigation and 3,518 people who work in Agriculture have come down with COVID-19.