KRKC COUNTRY

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly luncheon meeting on Tuesday, April 4 at 11:30 a.m. at King Kora Restaurant, 611 Canal Street, King City. The guest speaker will be George Worthy, columnist for the King City Rustler Newspaper. The subject of his talk will be "Politics in the Salinas Valley." Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or e-mail karenleonhard@yahoo.com 

  SPCA Monterey County cared for 244 pets evacuated from the Pajaro flood in March 2023, and they are still lovingly caring for over 120 evacuated pets. We also rescued dozens more from flooded areas and reunited them immediately with their loving families and we provided pet food and supplies to all local emergency shelters and to anyone evacuating with their pets.  All disaster response services are free to the community, thanks to the support of donors.  The evacuated pets include dogs, cats, chickens, parakeets, doves, parrots, canaries, cockatiels, pigeons, finches, a rabbit and an iguana.  Since evacuation orders were lifted last week, the SPCA is reuniting pets with their loving families. 124 pets in our shelter have returned home, in addition to the dozens of pets we rescued and immediately reunited with their families.  Thanks to the support from donors the SPCA is sending pet food home with every reunited pet and giving free pet food to everyone in need so residents of Pajaro

  MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County from Sunday, April 2 through Saturday,  April 8.  Highway 101: North Soledad Overhead:  April 3 - 7 There will be full closure of the off ramp of northbound Highway 101 at the Soledad Overhead for bridge work from 7 am to 5 pm. Highway 101: Broadway: April 3 - 5 There will be full closure of the northbound and southbound Highway 101 on and off ramps at Broadway for miscellaneous work from 8 am to 4 pm. Highway 101: Canal Street: April 3 - 6 There will be full closure of the northbound and southbound Highway 101 on ramps at Canal Street for miscellaneous work from 8 am to 4 pm. Highway 101: First Street – Wild Horse Road: April 7 There will be one lane closure along southbound Highway 101 between First Street and Wild Horse Road for miscellaneous work from 7 am to 2 pm. Highway 101: First Street: April 3 - 6 There will be full closure of the northbound and southbound Highway 101 off ramp at

  (PASO ROBLES, CA) – The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce that world-wide pop music superstar and GRAMMY® Award-Winning artist, Lauren Daigle has been confirmed to perform in concert on Thursday, July 20 at 7:30pm. Daigle will be performing her smash hits, “You Say”, “Rescue”, her current single, “Thank God I Do” and songs from her forthcoming self- titled album releasing May 12. An opening act will be confirmed at a later date. The concert will take place in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center and is part of the Michelob Ultra Concert Series presented by Visit SLO CAL. This will be Lauren’s very first appearance at the California Mid-State Fair. Ticket prices for the show are $40, $60, $80, $90, and $130 (Pit, standing only) and will go on sale Friday, April 7, 2023, starting at 10:00 am. Tickets can be purchased on the California Mid-State Fair’s Official website www.MidStateFair.com. The Box Office cannot guarantee the authenticity or validi

  The City of King is developing an application for the Clean California Local Grant Program, which provides funds to beautify and improve local streets and roads.  The proposed King City project includes a number of recommendations to improve and beautify parkways and parking strips throughout the community.  Therefore, it may impact your neighborhood, so you are invited to provide your ideas and input.  As part of the process, the City has scheduled a public workshop on Tuesday, April 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at 212 S. Vanderhurst Avenue to review the recommendations and solicit input on options under consideration.  Participants can attend in person or virtually at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83205014376?pwd=bzhtdVJxNHptZHlxU1BSM0FPcU5GUT09.    For questions or more information, you may contact City Hall at 831-385-3281.

  Pajaro – Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis met with Monterey County District 2 Supervisor Glenn Church, CAL FIRE, agricultural industry representatives, and community members on Wednesday, March 29 to tour affected storm areas in Pajaro, located in Monterey County. While in Pajaro, Lieutenant Governor Kounalakis made stops at local berry farms flooded by the recent Pajaro River levee breach. They ended with a caravan tour of the affected area, where thousands of acres of farmland and homes were destroyed.     Pajaro was among the hardest-hit parts by storms that hit California earlier this March when an atmospheric river drenched the area with rain, breaching the 74-year-old levee and flooding the town. More than 2,000 people were evacuated, and many community members lost not only their homes but their livelihoods. California has experienced more than a dozen atmospheric rivers in just the past three months, and response efforts have engaged nearly every facet of state and local

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that the Greenfield City Council approved funding for Safe Routes to School projects for near- term implementation at their Council meeting on March 14, 2023. The projects recommended by the Greenfield Safe Routes to School Steering Committee will fill sidewalk gaps; and install crosswalks, curb ramps, high visibility signage, and flashing stop signs at locations through the city. The four projects approved for funding are: 1. 12th Street Sidewalk between Oak and Elm Avenues: Install 0.24 miles of sidewalk, high visibility crosswalk, curb ramp, and flashing stop signs. 2. Upgrade signs around all school campuses. 3. 12th Street between Cherry Avenue and Harvest Way: Install 0.12-mile sidewalk on 12th Street. 4. Heidi Drive Crosswalk and Signage: Install high visibility crosswalk and school crossing signage. The Greenfield Steering Committee, made up of residents, students, and community advocates, worked

  MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, March 26 through Saturday, April 1.  Highway 101: North Soledad Overhead:  March 27 – March 31 There will be full closure of the off ramp of northbound Highway 101 at the Soledad Overhead for bridge work from 7 am to 5 pm. Highway 101: Broadway: March 27 – March 30 There will be full closure of the northbound Highway 101 off ramp at Broadway for miscellaneous work from 8 am to 4 pm. Highway 101: Canal Street: March 27 – March 30 There will be full closure of the northbound and southbound Highway 101 off and on ramps at Canal Street for miscellaneous work from 8 am to 4 pm. Highway 101: First Street – Wild Horse Road: March 27 – March 31 There will be one lane closure along southbound Highway 101 between First Street and Wild Horse Road for miscellaneous work from 7 am to 3 pm. Highway 101: First Street: March 27 – March 30 There will be full closure of the northbound Highway 101 off

  SALINAS, CA, March 24, 2023 – The California Rodeo Salinas’ Hall of Fame was established in 2010 during the centennial celebration of the largest professional rodeo in the state. The hall honors performers, contestants, volunteers, livestock, and others who have had a profound impact on the California Rodeo Salinas. The 2023 inductees are: “The Hall of Fame means a lot to the legacy of the California Rodeo Salinas, and we are proud to honor these inductees who have been a significant part of our history,” said Craig Andrus, Past President of the California Rodeo Salinas, and Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee. The bi-annual induction luncheon will take place Thursday, July 20th from 11:30am to 1:30pm on the Mike Storm Director’s Patio at the Salinas Sports Complex at 1034 N. Main Street. Tickets are $30* per person and include lunch and beverages during the ceremony where inductees and/or their families or representatives receive their trophies, gives speeches and more. The lunch

  On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, twelve suspects arrived in 3 vehicles at a marijuana facility on Cherry Avenue. Security staff called 911, and Greenfield Police Officers arrived on the scene within minutes, preventing product from being taken. The suspects fled in 3 vehicles in different directions.  Greenfield Officers pursued one vehicle, and with assistance of the Salinas Police Department, the  CHP - Monterey, and the Monterey County Sheriff's Department, the vehicle was safely stopped just north of Salinas.  5 suspects fled, but officers and Salinas PD K-9 were able to take 20-year-old Mekhi Bryce Goodspeed of Oakland into custody.  However, the investigation didn’t stop there! Detectives identified 25-year-old Roman Jibre Penn of Oakland and his vehicle as being involved in the burglary. A state-wide BOL (be on the lookout), was broadcast and an arrest warrant for Penn was issued.  On Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Pleasanton Police Department located Penn and his vehicle at a s

  On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at approximately 10:35 AM, officers from the King City Police Department were dispatched to a business on the 100 block of Broadway Street for a report of a commercial burglary that occurred the previous night. Through investigation, officers developed information indicating that 26-year-old Ulises Diaz of King City, was responsible for the burglary. At approximately 6:53 PM, officers located Diaz in an encampment near the 1300 block of Broadway Circle. Officers attempted to take Diaz into custody but he resisted and attempted to flee. Officers overcame his resistance and took him into custody for commercial burglary and resisting arrest. During a search incident to arrest, Diaz was found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Diaz was booked into the Monterey County Jail for commercial burglary, resisting arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and for an outstanding warrant from a previous burgla

  As of 10:00 am on Thursday, March 23, 2023, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office has lifted the Evacuation Orders for the community of Pajaro effective immediately. The MCOS understands that many residents are eager to return to their homes and begin the process of recovery and clean-up, but they urge caution and emphasize that there are still health risks associated with re-entry. Monterey County and the Pajaro Sunny Mesa Community Services District are working tirelessly to repair and restore the wastewater sewer system. At this time, there is still no potable water, and toilets cannot be flushed. It is not recommended that residents live in their homes until sewer and water is restored. Those who choose to enter the area do so at their own risk. To assist residents with the re-entry process, bus service is available from the Evacuation Shelters to the Community of Pajaro. There are 18 bus stops established in the community for residents to get to and from the resource hub loca

  The US Geological Survey reports that a 3.4 magnitude earthquake shook things up a bit in San Benito County Wednesday night, March 22. The quake struck at 8:38 p.m. and was centered 6.9 miles south, southwest of Tres Pinos. Light rattling was reported in Hollister, Salinas, Gonzales, Marina, Monterey, Carmel and Carmel Valley. No damages were reported. 

  On Monday, March 20, 2023, deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office took a report of an armed Robbery incident that happened at an Exxon gas station located at 10784 Merritt Street in Castroville, CA. Detectives with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division, assisted the Patrol Division with the investigation and began following up on leads. On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, The Investigations Division began conducting surveillance at a local motel in Castroville, CA. During their surveillance, detectives located a stolen Mercedes sedan which was later recovered at the conclusion of the investigation. Detectives on the scene observed a male, later identified as 35‐year‐old Javier Vasquez of Salinas exit a Motel room and begin walking away from the location. A marked patrol vehicle conducted a pedestrian check of Vasquez and determined that he had a felony warrant for his arrest and was on PRCS (Post Release County Supervision) with conditions allowing for a se

  According to the Greenfield Police, a marijuana distribution site was burglarized on Tuesday morning, March 21 on the 500 block of 10th Street. Police were called into Flora Culture at 4:30 a.m. and discovered that 10 to 12 suspects using 3 vehicles tried to burglarize the location, but they could not find anything. A vehicle chase then occurred, but because of the weather and reckless driving, the Greenfield PD stopped their pursuit outside of Soledad. However, the CHP and other agencies were paged and a chase of the vehicle continued near Crazy Horse Canyon and Highway 101. The Salinas PD put out a spike strip which immobilized the vehicle in Prunedale, and 5 suspects got out of the vehicle fleeing the scene. A police K9 was able to bite and capture 18-year-old Mekhi Bryce Goodspeed who was arrested and booked into Monterey County Jail, while the 4 other suspects got away.

  On March 20, 2023, at approximately 9:45 am, Monterey County Child Protective Services contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report that they had received information about an incident involving the sexual abuse of a child. At that time the Sheriff’s Office Investigations Unit initiated a criminal investigation into the incident. The Investigations Unit contacted and interviewed the confidential juvenile victim. The Investigations Unit was able to determine that the suspect was utilizing a fake name and then determined his true identity. The Investigations Unit located the suspect identified as 48-year-old Jose Ruiz Santos of San Ardo and he was taken into custody without incident. A search warrant was then served at an address on the 20200 block of Cattleman Road in San Ardo where a forensic collection of evidence was conducted. The suspect was booked into the Monterey County Jail charged with Lewd Acts with  a Child Under 14 Years of Age, Oral Copulation with a Child Under 14 Years of

  Reentry Information Town Hall for Pajaro Residents on Tuesday night, March 21.   The County of Monterey is holding a Town Hall meeting for residents of Pajaro on Tuesday, March 21st, at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2061 E. Lake Blvd in Watsonville, from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. The meeting will be held in the Resource Center Building at the Fairgrounds, one of the buildings currently in use to serve residents residing at the emergency shelter. The meeting will be conducted primarily in Spanish with translation services available in English and Mixteco. The meeting will be live streamed on Facebook and YouTube. The live stream will be the Spanish version of the meeting, but a version recorded using English translation will be posted later.   Live stream links: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MontereyCoInfo/   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MontereyCountyTV   The gathering will focus on plans to return safely into neighborhoods which have been flooded. Topics will inc

  For the many who are asking about donations for Pajaro – YES! Donations are being accepted and Monterey County has a coordinated effort to receive items and get them distributed to those in need. The County of Monterey Department of Emergency Management is coordinating with ALL In Monterey County Inc. for donations, collection of donations and distribution of necessary items for those impacted by the storms. There are hundreds who cannot return to their homes for now and hundreds who will still need support and necessities when they are able to return home. Donating There are many who have already donated, and your support has helped many. ALL In Monterey County is operating a donation and fulfillment center at the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road, Monterey. It is currently open 11 am - 7 pm Monday - Sunday to receive donated items. Donors, please check the Most Needed items list on the organization website and please give items that are in new and like new conditio

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on March 20 that on March 15, 43-year-old Angel Rojas Lugos of San Ardo, was found guilty by a Monterey County jury of 2 counts of oral copulation on a child 10 years old or under, and 14 counts of forcible lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 years of age. All 16 of the charges are violent felonies and are considered “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes law. The Honorable Jennifer J. O’Keefe presided over the trial. Jane Doe reported that Angel Lugos, a family member, molested her many times over a 2 year period. Jane Doe was under 10 years old at the time the molestation began. Jane Doe stated she waited to report the molestation because she was afraid she would be get in trouble and that she would not be believed. At trial, Jane Doe bravely testified about the repeated instances of molestation that occurred. An expert in the psychological effects of child sexual abuse also testified t

  On March 16, 2023, at approximately 10:13 PM, officers from the King City Police Department were dispatched to the 400 Block of Jayne Street regarding a report of subjects cocking a handgun and getting into a vehicle not known to the area. When officers arrived, a resident pointed out a vehicle. Officers contacted the vehicle and discovered 18-year-old Romeo Tejeda-Gonzalez slumped over in the back seat. As officers attempted contact with Tejada-Gonzalez, he charged them. The officers were able to stop Tejada-Gonzalez and took him into custody. Upon a search incident to arrest, a loaded handgun was located in one of Tejada-Gonzalez’ pockets. Inspection showed the handgun did not have a serial number and is frequently referred to as a “Ghost Gun.” Tejeda-Gonzalez was booked into the Monterey County Jail on multiple weapon charges, battery on a police officer, and resisting arrest. The King City Police Department would like to thank the community for reporting suspicious activity when

MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County on Highway 101 from Sunday, March 19 through Saturday, March 25.  ALERT: STORM UPDATES For the latest storm updates, click onto  the Department of Emergency Management Incident Page: https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/administrative-office/office-of-emergency-services/incidents/2023-pineapple-express  For the latest updates about Monterey County  road closures due to the storm, click here:   https://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-i-z/public-works-facilities-parks/public-works/road-closures-information Highway 101: North Soledad Overhead:  March 20 – March 24 There will be full closure of the off ramp of northbound  Highway 101 at the Soledad Overhead for bridge work from 7 am to 5 pm. Highway 101: Jolon Road  (Northbound):  March 20  –  March 23 There will be full closure of the on  ramp  of northbound  Highway 101 at Jolon Road  for miscellaneous   work 

  County of Monterey staff is passing out these letters in Pajaro to residents who are in our emergency shelters and gathering at the bridge to inquire about reentering the area. They were posted on social media along with a special message to residents of Pajaro which is also attached and being distributed by hand. There are a lot of questions about reentering areas that have been damaged. Reentering and repopulating neighborhoods is a multi-agency effort. Monterey County OES will continue to keep the community informed.   The first part of this effort is CalFire Damage Assessments. That work is underway and nearing completion. An interactive map showing that work is linked to our storm information page:   https://tinyurl.com/PineappleExpress2023 . Click on “Recovery.” After the initial surveys, there will be additional work done by environmental health and building inspectors and others.  There is no time set yet for reentry.

  County of Monterey staff is passing out these fliers in Pajaro to residents who are in our emergency shelters and gathering at the bridge to inquire about reentering the area. They were posted on social media along with a special message to residents of Pajaro which is also attached and being distributed by hand. There are a lot of questions about reentering areas that have been damaged. Reentering and repopulating neighborhoods is a multi-agency effort. Monterey County OES will continue to keep the community informed.   The first part of this effort is CalFire Damage Assessments. That work is underway and nearing completion. An interactive map showing that work is linked to our storm information page:  https://tinyurl.com/PineappleExpress2023 . Click on “Recovery.” After the initial surveys, there will be additional work done by environmental health and building inspectors and others.  There is no time set yet for reentry.

  (PASO ROBLES, CA) – The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce that superstar Tim McGraw has been confirmed to perform in concert on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30pm. An opening act will be confirmed at a later date. The concert will take place in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center. This will be McGraw’s eighth performance on the main stage at the California Mid-State Fair. Ticket prices for the show are $50, $75, $90, $150, and $175 (Pit, standing only) and will go on sale Friday, March 17, 2023, starting at 10:00 am. Tickets can be purchased on the California Mid-State Fair’s Official website www.MidStateFair.com. The Box Office cannot guarantee the authenticity or validity of any tickets purchased outside of our official channels. Tim McGraw has sold more than 90 million records worldwide and dominated the charts with 46 worldwide No. 1 singles and 19 worldwide No. 1 albums. He’s won 3 Grammy Awards, 19 Academy of Country Music Awards, 14 Country Mu

  MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, March 12 through Saturday, March 18.  Highway 101: North Soledad Overhead:  March 15 There will be one lane closure along southbound Highway 101 at the North Soledad Overhead for guardrail repair work from 9 am to 3 pm. Highway 101: Lockwood/San Lucas Road – State Route 198: March 16 There will be one lane closure along northbound Highway 101 between Lockwood/San Lucas Road and State Route 198 for guardrail repair work from 8 am to 2 pm. Highway 101: Broadway: March 13 – March 16 There will be full closure of the northbound Highway 101 off ramp at Broadway for miscellaneous work from 8 am to 4 pm. Highway 101: Canal Street: March 13 – March 16 There will be full closure of the northbound and southbound Highway 101 off ramp at Canal Street for miscellaneous work from 8 am to 4 pm. Highway 101: First Street – Wild Horse Road: March 13 – March 17 There will be one lane closure along so

Paso Robles, CA. March 9, 2023, 2:00PM – City officials and staff are preparing for a series of two atmospheric river storms forecasted to bring multiple inches of rain each to Paso Robles between Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 17. Please note the following: Storm Info : o This storm is now looking very similar to the storm activity we witnessed on January 9 and 10. o A flood watch is in effect from 4:00PM Thursday, March 9 until 4:00am Saturday, March 11. o Wind Gusts upwards of 50 MPH. o Peak rainfall rates expected 8:00PM to noon tomorrow. Could see rain rates as high as ¾ to 1” per hour. o Rainfall projections are 2-5 inches through SLO County and 5-10 inches in the NW areas of the County. Road Closures and Safety Measures: o River Road will be preemptively closed to through traffic from Navajo to Creston and Union to River Oaks beginning at 7:00PM on Thursday, March 9 and will reopen when it is safe to do so. Access to businesses along N. River Road just north of Union