KRKC COUNTRY

Salinas, CA – Monterey County voters can soon expect a pre-election mailing related to the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election. The mailing, sent by the Monterey County Elections Department, is used to verify residential and mailing addresses. Instructions are included on the card. If the information on the mailing is correct, no further action is needed.   The mailing will also include the voter’s registered party or the words No Party Preference if they are not registered with a qualified political party. In the March 5th Presidential Primary, the voter’s party will determine if their ballot includes a presidential contest. If the voter is registered with a political party, the presidential contest will include candidates for that party. The voter’s residential address will determine all other voter nominated and non-partisan local contests on the ballot.   According to Gina Martinez, Registrar of Voters, “We want our voters ready for the Presidential Primary and that means e

  MONTEREY COUNTY –Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County from Sunday, October 1 through Saturday, October 7.  Highway 101: North Bradley: October 1 – October 6 Alternating lane closures will occur along northbound Highway 101 about 100 feet just north and south of the North Bradley Overcrossing for work on the bridge from 6:30 pm – 7 am. Highway 101:  Northbound Camp Roberts Rest Areas: Long-Term There will be full closure of the Camp Roberts Rest Areas on northbound Highway 101 for work to upgrade the facility from 10 am to 12 pm. Arroyo Seco Road: September - December Repair work along Arroyo Seco Road in south Monterey County will begin in September to repair  damage that occurred during the heavy rains and flooding in March. The repair work will occur at mile post 2.5 and at mile post 4.2. The road is open to residents who live along that portion of road, and they will be allowed access in and out of the area. Once the repair work is complete

Salinas, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced that on August 25, 2023, the California Board of Parole Hearings granted Youthful Offender and Elder parole to Jose Francisco Velasquez who was 24 at the time of the commission of the murders and now is 81 years old. In December 1966, Velasquez was sentenced to 7-life for the murders, which reflected the sentencing scheme in effect at the time. Velasquez was the ringleader of the group of men who committed these murders. During a horrific crime spree in 1966, Inmate Velasquez and his crime partners Luis Francisco Pacheco, Jose Luis Galvan, Frank Urrea Gonzales, and Juan Vasquez Garcia, brutally murdered four victims. On July 29, 1966, Inmate Jose Franisco “Pancho” Velasquez and codefendants Gonzales and Garcia robbed Eduardo Dominguez, fatally stabbed him, and left his body in a ditch one-and-one-half miles from King City. Victim Dominguez was an acquaintance of the defendants. Victim Dominguez had bee

Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly luncheon meeting on Tuesday,October 3 at 11:30 a.m. at King Kora Restaurant, 611 Canal Street, King City.  The guest speaker will be Denice Gary-Pandol, Republican candidate for U.S. Senate. Ms. Gary-Pandol will discuss her candidacy for U. S Senate, a position currently held by Diane Feinstein. At the end of the meeting members will organize items gathered for the troops serving overseas. Items can be brought to the meeting or dropped off at the Rustler newspaper office or the King City Library. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or e-mail karenleonhard@yahoo.com 

The TAMC Board of Directors authorized the release for a call for nominations for the Transportation Agency ‘s 22nd Annual Transportation Excellence Awards. The award honors individuals, businesses, groups, or projects for their efforts to improve the transportation system in Monterey County. Examples of potential awards include:     Projects that exemplify TAMC’s mission to develop and maintain a multimodal transportation system that enhances mobility, safety, access, environmental quality, and economic activities in Monterey County;     Innovative activities that promote safer or more efficient use of the local transportation network;     Citizens or organizations that have made significant efforts to inform and educate the public about transportation issues;     Successful efforts to improve transit services and encourage the use of smart commute options as alternatives to driving alone; and/or     Transportation employees who excel at their jobs and go the extra mile to improve our

SAN BENITO COUNTY – A project to perform restoration on a curve alignment along State Route 25 is continuing with travelers encountering one-way reversing traffic control with flaggers on loose gravel along this new alignment with speeds reduced to 15 MPH.    Travelers will encounter daytime and overnight one-way reversing traffic control from just north of the San Benito Lateral to two miles south of State Route 146 near Pinnacles National Park, approximately 32 miles south of Hollister until the end of October.   Travelers can expect delays of 15 minutes. Commuters should allow for extra time traveling through this area.   Electronic message and directional signs will be in place to alert travelers of this work.   The contractor for this $4.3 million construction project is Teichert Construction of Salinas. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2023.   Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5,

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received information from the FBI regarding a threat of violence against Chualar School that had been made on Instagram at 1:44 am on Wednesday, September 27. The threat was posted at 7:35 pm on Tuesday night September 26th, 2023. The FBI provided information about 1 male juvenile suspect. Deputies contacted and interviewed that suspect and his family. All were cooperative with the investigation. No firearms were registered to the residence, to anyone living in the residence, and no firearm was located during a search of the residence. The interview resulted in the partial identification of another possible juvenile student suspect.  The Chualar School Superintendent was briefed regarding the ongoing investigation and what actions were taken by the Sheriff’s Office.    Investigating deputies responded to the Chualar School at 7:30 am on Wednesday morning, September 27 to continue their investigation and to ensure the safety and security of the stu

SALINAS, CA, September 27, 2023 – The California Rodeo Salinas will support the Man Up Crusade in October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, with a belt buckle drawing and more. The Man Up Crusade is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating public awareness on the issue of domestic violence. The Man Up Crusade chose professional rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) as its vehicle of choice to spread the word about the epidemic of domestic violence and teen dating violence.  Participating rodeos choose a local charity to fund. The California Rodeo Salinas has been working with YWCA of Monterey County for the past few years and the two organizations will join forces again in October to sell tickets for a drawing for a Man Up Crusade belt buckle while also generating awareness via social media and within the local community.  "The YWCA of Monterey County thanks the California Rodeo for their commitment to raising awareness of the community scourge that

  Salinas, CA – The party central committee candidate filing period for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election opens Friday, September 29 and runs through Friday, December 8. Interested candidates must meet the qualifications established by their political party.  Candidates can find more information about open seats and requirements in the Central Committee Candidate Guidelines available at https://tinyurl.com/Central-Committee-Guidelines   Candidates are encouraged to call the Monterey County Elections Office to schedule an appointment (831) 796-1499 or by email at CandidateServices@co.monterey.ca.us.   Find more information about this election at www.MontereyCountyElections.us  

  MONTEREY COUNTY –Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County from Sunday, September 24 through Saturday, September 30.  Highway 101: North Bradley: September 25 – September 29 Alternating lane closures will occur along northbound Highway 101 about 100 feet just north and south of the North Bradley Overcrossing for work on the bridge from 6:30 pm – 7 am.   Highway 101:  Northbound Camp Roberts Rest Areas: Long-Term There will be full closure of the Camp Roberts Rest Areas on northbound Highway 101 for work to upgrade the facility from 10 am to 12 pm. Arroyo Seco Road: September - December Repair work along Arroyo Seco Road in south Monterey County will begin in September to repair  damage that occurred during the heavy rains and flooding in March. The repair work will occur at mile post 2.5 and at mile post 4.2. The road is open to residents who live along that portion of road, and they will be allowed access in and out of the area. Once the repair wo

  According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a report of a hit and run suspect who fled the scene of an accident and carjacked another vehicle from a residence in an unincorporated area of Gonzales on at 2:24 pm on Monday, September 18. Several callers from the community reported that a suspicious vehicle was driving erratically as it traveled north towards Salinas and as it traveled through the City of Salinas towards north Monterey County. The red sedan that had been carjacked was involved in another collision near the intersection of Highway 101 and Highway 156 at 3:24 pm. The suspect fled from the scene of the accident and shot a loaded firearm at a moving vehicle.  The suspect then fled to a nearby Park'n'Ride and attempted to carjack another vehicle, however he was unable to get the vehicle started. He then fled from the Park'n'Ride and forcibly entered a nearby residence on Meridian Spur Road where he brandished a firearm at the home

  A 3.0 earthquake rattled South Monterey County on Monday afternoon, September 18. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake shook 14 miles northeast of San Ardo before 3:30 p.m. with a depth of about 4.3 miles. No damages were reported.

  MONTEREY COUNTY –Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County from Sunday,  September 17 through Saturday,  September 23. Highway 101: Alta Street/Old Stage Road: September 20 – September 22 There will be full closure of the northbound and southbound off ramps of Highway 101 at Alta Street/Old Stage Road for striping operation work from 9 pm to 5 am.  Highway 101: San Ardo – Paris Valley Road: September 18 – September 20 One lane closure will occur along northbound Highway 101 between San Ardo and Paris Valley Road for guardrail repair work from 8 am to 2 pm. Highway 101:  Northbound Camp Roberts Rest Areas: Long-Term There will be full closure of the Camp Roberts Rest Areas on northbound Highway 101 for work to upgrade the facility from 10 am to 12 pm.  Arroyo Seco Road: September - December Repair work along Arroyo Seco Road in south Monterey County began in September to repair  damage that occurred during the heavy rains and flooding in March.

  SALINAS, CA, September 14, 2023 – On September 13, 2023, the California Rodeo Salinas demonstrated its commitment to the community by contributing $771,020 to various local non-profit organizations, Western industry groups, and other community associations.  This figure marks a substantial increase of 36% compared to donations made in 2022.  Factors contributing to the rise include increased Rodeo attendance, inaugural donations to VetTix, increased scholarship funds, and allocating additional volunteer positions to local organizations.  The grand total also encompasses reduced rates for facility rentals and the provision of complimentary tickets to further support the community.     Donations were earned by groups that undertook a wide range of responsibilities such as managing parking, selling food, ushering guests, and more during events produced by the California Rodeo Association from October 2022 to September 2023. Some of the non-profits and other groups who benefit from these

  Salinas, California – September 13, 2023 The County of Monterey is thrilled to announce its enthusiastic support for the highly anticipated FIRA USA 2023 Event, set to take place in Salinas, California, from September 19th to 21st. This premier event promises to be a dynamic catalyst for the Agriculture Robotics industry, aligning perfectly with our commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability within our vibrant community. FIRA USA 2023 is poised to be a groundbreaking gathering of industry leaders, researchers, innovators, and enthusiasts from around the world. This three-day event will showcase the latest advancements in agriculture robotics, precision farming, and automation technologies, offering a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration. Salinas, California, often referred to as the "Salad Bowl of the World," is the perfect backdrop for an event dedicated to advancing agriculture through robotics and automation. The County of Monterey Ec

  A 3.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the Salinas Valley at 7:43 pm on Wednesday night. The U.S. Geological Survey reports that the quake took place over 13 miles northeast of Soledad with a depth of 4.9 miles. No damages were immediately reported.

  City Manager Steve Adams has announced the appointment of Doreen Liberto as the King City full-time Community Development Director effective January 2, 2024.  The City Council recently approved the creation of a full-time Community Development Director position in the current budget.  The City has been contracting for part-time Community Development Director services for the past 20 years.  According to City Manager Adams, “this will be an important step in the City’s efforts to enhance services to its customers and to facilitate development to address vital economic development, housing, commercial and job creation needs.”   Doreen Liberto has extensive experience and expertise in City Planning.  She has served as the City’s contract Community Development Director since 2003 in her role as owner/president of Earth Design International (EDI), which will be inactive after 25 years of land use planning, mediation and facilitation services.  During that period, she performed a variety o

  Salinas, CA – Thursday, September 14, 2023, marks the opening of the Signatures In-Lieu of Filing Fee period for the March 5, 2024, Presidential Primary Election for federal, state and county offices. The period is set to close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.   According to Gina Martinez, Registrar of Voters, “Depending on the number of signatures collected, candidates can use these petitions to offset a portion or all of the filing fee while getting an early start on required nomination petitions. Candidates are encouraged to both review the candidate guidelines on the Monterey County Elections website and to make an appointment with our office for each intended visit. This will help us prepare documents before the visit and ultimately save the candidate time.”   For detailed information related to the primary election, including candidate guidelines and filing requirements, please visit:       Federal/State Candidates: www.sos.ca.gov/elections/upcoming-elections/pres-p

  SACRAMENTO, Calif.–The deadline to apply for FEMA disaster assistance has passed, but help is still available for survivors of the severe winter storms and mudslides that began Feb. 21 and ravaged 14 counties. FEMA strongly recommends that renters and homeowners in Butte, Kern, Madera, Mariposa, Mendocino, Mono, Monterey, Nevada, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Cruz, Tulare and Tuolumne counties who applied for disaster assistance by the Sept. 1 deadline stay in touch. They will need to keep FEMA updated on any changes in mailing addresses, email addresses, or phone numbers as well as the current status of their insurance settlements. FEMA can be reached by going online to disasterassistance.gov, by using the FEMA mobile app, or by calling (800) 621-3362 toll-free, The telephone lines are currently operating round the clock, seven days a week. People who use a relay service, captioned telephone service or other assistive service should give FEMA the number for that

PASO ROBLES, CA - [September 8, 2023] – The Paso Robles City Council appointed Mayor Pro Tempore John Hamon to the seat of Mayor during a special City Council meeting held on Thursday, September 7. The appointment was made due to the seat becoming vacant after the passing of Steve Martin. Mayor Hamon will hold office for the remainder of the original term, until that seat is up again as part of the regular election cycle in November 2026. As a result of the appointment of Mr. Hamon, the District 1 City Council seat became vacant. The City Council directed staff to begin accepting applications from interested individuals with the intention of filling the seat through an appointment process. A Special City Council Meeting to interview applicants is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2023. If the City Council determines there is a qualified and preferred applicant, the intent is to have that individual be sworn in at the regular City Council meeting on October 3, 2023. Those i

  MONTEREY COUNTY –Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County from Sunday,  September 10 through Saturday,  September 16.  Highway 101: Main Street/Chualar Street: September 10 – September 15 One-way traffic controls will be in place along eastbound and westbound Main Street/Chualar Street at the Grant Street intersection and at the southbound off ramp of Highway 101 to Main Street for striping operations work from 9 pm to 6 am. Highway 101:  Northbound Camp Roberts Rest Areas: Long-Term There will be full closure of the Camp Roberts Rest Areas on northbound Highway 101 for work to upgrade the facility from 10 am to 12 pm. Highway 101: First Steet – Jolon Road: September 11 – September 15 There will alternating lane closures on northbound and southbound Highway 101, as well as full closure of the northbound and southbound on and off ramps of Highway 101 between First Street and Jolon Road for guardrail and utility work from 8 am to 4 pm. There will al

In an effort to streamline the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) building process, The County of Monterey is excited to offer three (3) pre-designed ADU plans available to homeowners. ADUs are a smaller, independent residential dwelling unit located on the same lot as a standalone single family home. ADUs present affordable additional housing for parents, grandparents, friends, young people, or even long term rental income. Our pre-designed ADU Standard Plans are free of charge and have been reviewed and stamped ‘Approved’ by the County of Monterey Building Division in compliance with the California Building Code. This means that these plans have been determined to meet the California Building Code requirements and use of the plans will not require structural engineering. It also means that use of these plans will save time and money when applying for a building permit because they will have already been reviewed and approved. Please note these plans are: • Only for new construction • Not

  Salinas, CA – Are you interested in serving your community by registering eligible citizens and helping Monterey County get vote ready? Monterey County Elections is hosting a voter registration drive training.   Attend the training to prepare for National Voter Registration Day, high school voter education weeks, an upcoming campaign, or simply to help strengthen the democratic process by registering people to vote. This is a great opportunity for candidates gathering signatures for nominations to learn how to assist voters who need to register or re-register to vote.   The training will take place at 3pm on Monday, September 11, 2023, at the Government Center at Schilling, Cayenne Room at 1441 Schilling Place - North Building, Salinas.    This training will provide an overview of:     Requirements to register to vote     How to complete a registration card     Treatment and confidentiality of voter registration cards     Laws that protect voter registration    There is no cost to at

MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that a temporary redesign along Front Street in Soledad for a Safe Routes to School project demonstration is open for community members to test out beginning tomorrow, September 8, 2023, through October 6, 2023.   The demonstration is a temporary reconfiguration along Front Street that includes a separated bikeway between Oak Street and Nestles Road, and upgrades on the crosswalks to make them more visible. The goal of these changes is to improve safety for people walking and biking and to get feedback from the community.   When discussing the temporary street design, Todd Muck, TAMC’s Executive Director, said that it was an opportunity for parents, children, and other community members to “get a sense of what safer and more visible bikeways and crosswalks would feel like.” Anyone who tries out the temporary design will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the Transportation Agency by sharing what t

  Halloween is just around the corner and the King City Recreation Department is looking for participants for their 6th Annual Trunk or Treat!  This event is for local families and is held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds Expo Lawn on Halloween Tuesday, October 31.  This spook-tacular event has become a tradition and they need YOU to help make their event a success!   Student groups, community organizations, sports teams, churches, businesses, individuals - all are welcome to participate to help give King City kids a safe, FUN Halloween!   You can register online at www.kingcityrecreation.com ●          Be prepared with candy for approximately 1000 children – Please buy SMALL candies - not fun size. ●          Vehicles can be decorated to advertise a business/organization or just in Halloween fun!  Games or activities are welcome! ●          All decorations MUST be in good taste – NO blood and gore.  If in doubt, don’t use it. ●          Registered vehicles

  MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, September 3 through Saturday, September 9.  Highway 101: Canal Street: September 5 – September 7 There will be full closure of the on ramps of northbound Highway 101 at Canal Street for utility work from 8 am to 4 pm. Highway 101: Wild Horse Road – Jolon Road: September 5 – September 9 There will alternating lane closures on northbound and southbound Highway 101, as well as full closure of the northbound and southbound on and off ramps of Highway 101 between First Street and Jolon Road for guardrail work from 8 am to 4 pm. There will also be alternating lane closures along First Street.  Arroyo Seco Road: September - December Repair work along Arroyo Seco Road in South Monterey County will begin in September to repair damage that occurred during the heavy rains and flooding in March. The repair work will occur at mile post 2.5 and at mile post 4.2. The road is open to residents who

  The City of King is launching a new weekly walk/bike/run event in conjunction with the Blue Zones Project, which will kick off on Wednesday, September 6.  The Blue Zones Project is a community well-being initiative designed to implement built environment improvements, food practices, and more active oriented lifestyles associated with areas around the world where people live the longest.                  The community is invited to meet at the Town Square at 200 Broadway Street next to the King City Cinemas every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. for a leisurely 30 minute walk through the community.  Runners and cyclists are also welcome.  It will be an opportunity for everyone in the community to come together and make friends, meet City officials, and promote good health and happiness.  It is intended to be a social activity to have fun while also becoming more active.  Participants can go at whatever speed they choose and have the option of shortening or lengthening their route based on what