California Transportation Commission Reserves $7.5 Million for Phase 1 of King City’s Accelerated Access Rail Platform & Multi-Modal Transit Center

On March 16, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved a $7.5 million rail reserve from the Interregional Improvement Program for Phase 1 of King City’s Accelerated Access Rail Platform and Multi-Modal Transit Center (MMTC). This represents a significant first step in funding the $28 million needed for construction of Phase I and can be leveraged to help obtain the additional funding. Mayor Mike LeBarre, who has been actively pursuing funding for the station said, “This is amazing! It’s an exciting time for our city…We could not have made it this far without the strong support from Caltrans, CalSTA, Amtrak and all our regional partners.” The MMTC is widely supported, including: Fort Hunter Liggett (FHL), Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST), Monterey Bay Air Resources District (MBARD), Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments (AMBAG), Monterey County Board of Supervisors, Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) and the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG). According to City Manager Steve Adams, “City staff has done an amazing job making progress on this complex project, which has truly been a team effort working with all our partners to bring new mobility opportunities for our region that will benefit the residents of our underserved rural community.” The project will increase connectivity, access to jobs and services benefiting low-income and underserved minority communities, provide new housing opportunities and promote economic development. Additionally, it will support Fort Hunter Liggett’s resiliency goals and the U.S. Army’s Energy and Environmental Sustainability efforts to reduce emissions and its carbon footprint. Community Development Director Doreen Liberto-Blanck said, “The MMTC will enhance our economic development efforts while providing an alternative to vehicular travel, reducing vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality.” City Engineer Octavio Hurtado added, “The City has been working on this since 2006 and our project will reestablish the historic 1886 passenger rail station, King Station and provide new rail access to travelers on the Central Coast.” King City’s Accelerated Rail Platform and Multi-Modal Transit Center will bring back passenger service which ended in the 1940s. Amtrak has stated they intend to use the King City platform for the Coast Starlight which runs from Los Angeles to Seattle, Washington. Phase 1 consists of the construction of the accelerated rail platform, rail realignment, parking lot, and staging area for Fort Hunter Liggett which serves as a training facility for all U.S. military service branches and hosts approximately 50,000 visitors and soldiers annually. Questions can be directed to City Hall at 831-385-3281. Sincerely, Steven Adams City Manager

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Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni on December 19 released preliminary information concerning the officer involved shooting (OIS) which occurred at about 1:20 a.m. outside the city of Soledad on December 16, 2025. Just before 1:00 a.m., Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Carlos Pina, who has been a peace officer for 10 years all with MCSO, and Deputy Blain Councilman, each in separate patrol cars, were dispatched to 32097 McCoy Road. A resident at the farm labor camp reported a suspicious individual with a handgun whose white Honda 4 door sedan was parked in space 18 at the complex. Before parking there, the suspect drove around and around, stopped in front of the reporting party’s (RP’s) truck, and got out. The RP could hear music. Deputy Pina drove the lead patrol car and arrived just after 1:20 a.m. His dashcam video, which does not record sound but which he installed on his own and at his own expense, depicts the following: He drove down ...

King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

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