KRKC COUNTRY

  As levels of circulating respiratory viruses increase and people spend more time indoors for the holiday season, it’s important to know all the ways to stay healthy this winter.     All Bay Area Health Officers recommend the following actions:      Get Vaccinated Against COVID-19, Flu and RSV.        Staying up to date on vaccination is the best way to protect against severe COVID-19, influenza (flu) and RSV disease. These viruses pose the greatest risk to infants, older adults, and persons with certain health conditions. Getting recommended vaccines when pregnant protects pregnant people as well as their babies.           One dose of this year’s updated COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older, at least two months after their last dose. Children 6 months to 4 years of age and immunocompromised persons who have never been vaccinated are recommended to get additional doses.            People without insurance or whose insurance does not cover the cost of va

  As we head into the winter months, Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) knows that it is the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book and read! To help you get your snuggle on, MCFL invites library users of all ages to sign up for the fourth annual Winter Reading Program. Starting December 1st, visit any MCFL Branch to get your reading log, or sign-up online by visiting Beanstack https://emcfl.beanstack.org/.  Winter reading is for everyone and all who signs-up – kids, teens and adults – can select a FREE book to keep as their sign-up bonus (books available in Spanish and English). Track your reading for up to 6 hours to earn your choice of finisher prize. Prizes for kids include a stuffed penguin or snowman slime and prizes for adults and teens include lip balm or a USB. Or finishers can select another free book as their prize. All reading counts including parents reading to children and listening to audiobooks, so have fun, and discover some new stories. The Winter Reading Prog

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on November 30 that on November 28, 2023, the Honorable Mark E. Hood sentenced 29-year-old Adrian Rojas Sebastian of Greenfield to 20 years in prison for committing 3 counts of forcible rape and for personally inflicting great bodily injury upon a victim during the rape. These offenses are serious and violent felonies and considered strikes under California’s 3 Strikes law. Sebastian will also be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. The incident took place in the Fall of 2022. Jane Doe reported that Sebastian had come to her house to socialize the night of the crime. After everyone had gone to bed Jane Doe told Sebastian he should stay at her home because he had consumed too much alcohol to drive safely. Jane Doe tried to go to bed but Sebastian grabbed her and forced her to the floor. Sebastian then proceeded to rape Jane Doe. Jane Doe told Sebastian “no” numerous times.

  The King City Police Department reports that scammers are out and about trying to steal money from the public through fake HHS websites and social media scams.  The Office of the Inspector General of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is warning the public about a fraud scheme that uses fake social networks and websites to steal money from people offering fake HHS grants. The scheme involves scammers pretending to offer HHS grants and asking for payment or personal information to receive the fake grants. Scammers can use various social media platforms and chat apps to communicate with you and target you to fake websites, online chats, chat boards or live customer care to lure you into providing your personal or financial information. These scammers can impersonate a "friend" or someone from HHS. While the exact message may vary, the scammer provides false HHS employee information or a link to a fake HHS website, tells you they'll receive fre

  1 vehicle overturned off of 4800 Interlake Road in Bradley at 7:57 am on Tuesday morning, November 28. 1 occupant received injuries as a result of the crash. 

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) will celebrate the grand opening of the “King City Traffic Garden” with community members on Saturday, December 2 from 11 am – 2 pm at San Antonio Park in King City. The grand opening will begin at 11 am with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a community celebration. This family fun event features the traffic garden where community members are invited to bring their bikes and scooters to try out the course, safety trainings, bike & scooter repair workshops, a bike rodeo, sidewalk chalk art, hoola-hoops, and raffle prizes throughout the day! Traffic gardens are safe and fun spaces. Their purpose is to be a place where children can learn the rules of the road and practice bicycling and driving skills in a safe environment. They feature small-sized streets with scaled-down traffic features to teach how to navigate streets and traffic. The King City Traffic Garden is one of 12 traffic gardens installed in the

  WASHINGTON, DC – After a thorough review of the Ethic Committee’s report to the House of Representatives in the Matter of Allegations Relating to Representative George Santos, consideration of House precedent, and in light of a likely vote in the U.S. House of Representatives during the week of November 26, U.S. Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) released the following statement:    “On November 1, 2023, I voted against the House Resolution to expel Rep. George Santos and stated that, ‘once either the court or official [Ethics] Committee processes conclude, I am prepared, based on known facts, to vote to expel the Congressman.’ That time has arrived.   “In modern times, it is House precedent that Representatives are only expelled after conviction of a felony. In the matter involving Rep. Santos, the Ethics Committee has now found and documented conduct that is as serious as that of Members who on prior occasions have been expelled following felony convictions.   “Precedents of the Hou

  Salinas Valley Health and Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem) announced on Monday, November 27 that they have successfully reached an agreement on a new multi-year contract that focuses on new care delivery models designed to lower costs and increase value for Anthem members in Monterey County. The new contract provides those in Monterey County insured by Anthem, the reassurance, comfort and convenience of in-network access to Salinas Valley Health, consisting of the Hospital, Salinas Valley Medical Clinics, Taylor Farms Family Health & Wellness Center and Doctors on Duty Medical Group. In addition to supporting access to valuable patient care options, the new contract aligns reimbursement rates with improved health outcomes and quality-of-care indicators, reflecting Salinas Valley Health’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality care.  “We are pleased with this new contract,” says Pete Delgado, Salinas Valley Health President/CEO. “Our leadership team as well as our counterparts at

  MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday, November 26 through Saturday, December 2.  Highway 101: Espinosa Road: November 27 – December 1 There will one lane closure, as well as closure of the right shoulder along northbound Highway 101 at Espinosa Road for miscellaneous work along the highway from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Highway 101: Walnut Avenue: November 30 – December 1 There will one lane closure, as well as closure of the shoulder along northbound and southbound Highway 101 at Walnut Avenue for miscellaneous work along the highway from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Highway 101: Thorne Road: November 28 – November 30 There will one lane closure, as well as closure of the shoulder along northbound and southbound Highway 101 at Thorne Road for miscellaneous work along the highway from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Highway 101: North Bradley: November 27 – December 1 One lane closure will occur along northbound Highway 101 100 feet just north and s

SALINAS, Calif. – The Hartnell Community College District Governing Board made a provisional appointment of Sonia Jaramillo as the new District 6 trustee to fill a vacancy left by Erica Padilla-Chavez, who filed a letter with the Monterey County Board of Education on November 1, 2023 stating that she would resign her board position effective November 2, 2023. Since 2015, Jaramillo has served as senior director for Monterey County Office of Education’s Early Learning Program (Head Start and State Preschools), overseeing a $32 million budget and supervising more than 150 employees. Jaramillo has credentials in School Administration, Reading Specialist and Bilingual Teaching, and fluency in Spanish. In accordance with Education Code sec. 5091, Jaramillo was provisionally appointed following a series of interviews and a board vote during its Tuesday, November 21 meeting. The Gonzales resident was 1 of 3 candidates who expressed interest in representing Area 6, which includes parts of North

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. – As millions of people begin to venture out onto California’s busy roadways for the upcoming holiday, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in King City and throughout the state is preparing to serve up its annual Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP).    Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 26, the MEP aims to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities during one of the year’s busiest travel periods. “Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and celebration, but the holiday is also associated with increased travel and a higher risk of traffic incidents,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee.  “Our officers will be on patrol to take enforcement action as necessary and to provide assistance to motorists who are stranded or in need of help on the side of the road.” During the MEP, CHP officers will be working to assist and educate motorists and enforce traffic safety laws throughout the state, act

  Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto announced on Monday, November 20 that Commander Jason Smith has been promoted to the rank of Chief Deputy and Sergeant Veronica Olguin has been promoted to the rank of Commander effective November 18, 2023. Sheriff Nieto stated, “I spoke with both this morning about the expectation of leadership roles at their levels in the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. Both understood the responsibility that comes with their new positions, and their steadfast commitment to the personnel that make up this fine this organization to help create the best Sheriff’s Office in this state and eventually in this nation. We are all in this together.” Chief Deputy Jason Smith has been a member of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for 30 years. Chief Smith started as an Explorer Scout Volunteer in 1989. He took a brief hiatus as a Volunteer Firefighter with the City of Marina in 1994 until he returned to his roots in law enforcement when he self- sponsored himself t

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Monday, November 20 that on Friday, November 17, 2023, a jury convicted Juan Pablo Aragon-Herrera of Greenfield of committing lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under the age of 14, as well as assault with the intent to commit lewd and lascivious acts upon the same child, and child endangerment. These constitute the first criminal convictions for Juan Pablo Aragon Herrera, and three of the four charges are “strikes” pursuant to California’s Three Strikes Law. Judge Rafael Vazquez presided over the one-week jury trial. Juan Pablo Aragon-Herrera faces a maximum sentence of 13 years in state prison. He will be sentenced on January 18, 2024. On July 2, 2023, Juan Pablo Aragon-Herrera was visiting the residence where Jane Doe and John Doe, both under 14, were hanging LED lights in a bedroom. Aragon-Herrera walked into the room and used a ruse to be able to remove Jane’s pants and place her on a bed

SALINAS, CA, November 20, 2023 – This year, Kelly Mata Navarro, an 11-year-old who triumphed over cancer, represents the California Rodeo Salinas as a delegate in the Golden Circle of Champions. The Golden Circle of Champions, a non-profit, extends support to pediatric cancer patients and their families through financial aid and additional resources.   The program, which originated in Santa Maria, CA, expanded in 2018 to include 20 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association-sanctioned rodeos. These rodeos sponsor a child, funding a trip to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The children and their families are honored at an annual banquet and paired with professional rodeo athletes who teach them about rodeo and spend quality time with them. The children and their families then attend a rodeo performance, cheering for their new friend, the professional rodeo athlete they met at the banquet.   Kelly Navarro, a survivor of Ewing Sarcoma, faced the disease twice before her 11th

  MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for South Monterey County from Sunday, November 19 through Saturday, November 25.  Highway 101: Espinosa Road – Thorne Road: November 20 There will one lane closure, as well as closure of the shoulder  along northbound and southbound Highway 101 between Espinosa Road and Thorne Road for miscellaneous work along the highway from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Salinas –  Spreckels: Harkins Road & Hunter Lane:  Long - Term There will be temporary lane closures and one lane reversible traffic controls along Harkins Road and Hunter lane for pavement work beginning Monday, October 16, 2023. The work hours are 7:00 am to  5:00 p.m., with occasional nighttime work. The Harkins Road work will be located from the City of Salinas limits to Fifth Street in Spreckels. The Hunter Lane work will be taking place from State Route 68 to Harkins Road.  Arroyo Seco Road: September - December Repair work along Arroyo Seco Road in south Monter

 King City, Calif. – The King City Police Department was awarded a $72,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). The grant will support our ongoing enforcement and education programs to help reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths on our roads. “This funding will strengthen our commitment to public safety in our community,”  said. “We will be able to increase our efforts in making our roads safer for everyone and focus on critical areas such as distracted driving, impaired driving and speeding.”  The grant will provide additional programs and resources, including:  DUI checkpoints and patrols focused on stopping suspected impaired drivers. High-visibility distracted driving enforcement operations targeting drivers in violation of California’s hands-free cell phone law. Enforcement operations focused on the most dangerous driver behaviors that put the safety of people biking or walking at risk.  Enforcement operations focused on top violations that cause cra

  County of Monterey Health Department's Public Health Bureau is the recipient of a $250,262 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to support its Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Program. This grant will promote safe practices for pedestrians and bicyclists in the city of Greenfield and provide education about the importance of sharing the road. The City of Greenfield was selected for this grant due to the recent increase in automobiles crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2019 Greenfield was ranked 8th for crashes involving pedestrians. In 2020 Greenfield was 13th for crashes involving bicyclists. Monterey County Public Health is excited to continue working with OTS to promote walking and biking to and from school and provide safety education. OTS funding will support continued outreach and education in the City of Greenfield while making walking and biking to school safer, more interactive and fun for families and students. “Everyone deserves a safe en

MONTEREY COUNTY ~ PUBLIC WORKS SAND STOCKPILES Updated March 10, 2023 PURPOSE: Sand for sandbags is available free to the public at the below-listed stockpiles only for flood-prevention measures for citizens in the UNINCORPORATED areas of Monterey County. For further information concerning sand stockpiles, contact the Monterey County Public Works Maintenance Office at (831) 755-4925. Sandbags are available from the citizen’s nearest unincorporated area fire station. SAN MIGUEL ROAD DISTRICT– NORTH MONTEREY COUNTY (Castroville / Prunedale / Aromas / Las Lomas / Moss Landing / Pajaro / Ralph Lane / UNINCORPORATED SALINAS (Boronda / Bolsa Knolls / Davis Road at Salinas River / Spreckels) STOCKPILE LOCATION TONNAGE Bolsa Knolls: Russell Road at Eisenhower St. (Island) ……. ............................................................ ..25 Cornwall Street: 301 Cornwall Street at Ferrasci Park…………………………………………………….25 Castroville: Salinas Street at McDougall .....................................

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency of Monterey County (TAMC) will celebrate the grand opening of the “King City Traffic Garden” with community members on Saturday, November 18  from 11 am – 2 pm at San Antonio Park in King City. Community members are invited to bring their bikes and scooters to celebrate the grand opening and try out the course. The family fun event will feature safety training, bike & scooter repair workshops, and raffle prizes! Traffic gardens are safe and fun spaces. Their purpose is to be a place where children can learn the rules of the road and practice bicycling and driving skills in a safe environment. They feature small-sized streets with scaled-down traffic features to teach how to navigate streets and traffic. The King City Traffic Garden is one of 12 traffic gardens installed in the past couple of months at various locations throughout Monterey County. The project is a collaboration between the Transportation Agency, Ecology Action, Greenfiel

  Only a few seats remain available for the "Pearl's Diary" event planned on Saturday, November 18 by the San Antonio Valley Historical Association.          The event is part of the Fall Lecture and Annual Meeting being held in the social hall of St. Mark's Church in King City at the corner of Bassett Street and South Third Street.  It will begin at 1 p.m. with a luncheon followed by a talk at 2 p.m.  The public is invited.            Featured speakers will be Marvin Daniels of Pismo Beach, Dan Daniels of King City and Redding, and Marlene Daniels Thomason of Parkfield.   The siblings have been working for nearly four years to transcribe 45 years of entries in the diaries of their mother, Pearl (Rist) Daniels.   The writings are a fascinating glimpse into the life of a Southern Monterey County ranch wife including references to national and local events.            Cost for the event is $15 for SAVHA members and $20 for non-members.  Payment in advance is required an

  Come and join a collaborative event between Hartnell College Registered Nursing Students and The Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic on Saturday, November 18, 2023 from 12 P.M. to 4 P.M. at the Japanese School House at 11119 Geil Street in Castroville as they will be offering Community Members:  -FLU SHOTS  -COVID TESTING   -BLOOD PRESSURE READINGS   -BLOOD GLUCOSE READINGS   -WELLNESS CHECKS   -FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

  WASHINGTON, DC – On Tuesday, November 14 U.S. Representative Zoe Lofgren announced that the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs will distribute a total of $1,572,405 in federal funding for law enforcement transparency, and violence prevention and counseling services in Salinas and Watsonville.   “Effective public safety requires strong public trust, and communities need appropriate resources to both prevent and respond to incidents of violence. That’s why I’m pleased to announce federal funding for equipment that improves transparency and for organizations that support victims in the Salinas Valley,” said Rep. Lofgren.    Rep. Lofgren announced the following grants:     $972,405 to the Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County to support the Luna y Sol Familia Center and Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance Center – both of which support children and families experiencing violence and offer community safety and prevention services.     $600,000 to th

  SALINAS, CA, November 9, 2023 – Join the California Rodeo Association’s 1st annual Country Christmas Celebration presented by MYCARS.com on November 30 at the Salinas Sports Complex from 5 pm to 7 pm. This free community event will feature a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 pm as well as complimentary photos with cowboy Santa Claus, hot cocoa, candy canes, letters to Santa, ornament-making, and more. The tree, donated by Jenkinson Family Christmas Trees, will be approximately 20 feet tall and stay lit through the new year. “We are excited to bring the community together to kick off the holiday season and hope to see many local families here enjoying the festivities,” said Rodeo President Steve Davis.   The California Rodeo Association is seeking sponsors and donors for this event at a minimal cost. Contact Victoria Carlisle at 831-775-3109 or vcarlisle@carodeo.com to support this event. Get more event details here: https://www.carodeo.com/events/2023/country-christmas     About California

SALINAS, CA – Monday, November 13 marks the beginning of the candidate filing period for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election. Candidate forms will be available only during the official filing period and must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023.   Official nomination documents will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, during the filing period at the Monterey County Elections Department, 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, Salinas, CA. Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment.   Monterey County Candidate Guidelines and a virtual candidate seminar are available at https://www.montereycountyelections.us/03052024-candidate-guidelines/.   For more information and to schedule an appointment call (831) 796-1499/toll-free (866) 887-9274 or email CandidateServices@co.monterey.ca.us.

  MONTEREY COUNTY – Here are the major scheduled road and lane closures for Monterey County from Sunday,  November 12 through Saturday,  November 18.  Highway 101: North Bradley: November 13 – November 16 Alternating lane closures will occur along northbound Highway 101 100 feet just north and south of the North Bradley Overcrossing for work on the bridge from 6:30 pm to 7 am. Salinas –  Spreckels: Harkins Road & Hunter Lane:  Long - Term There will be temporary lane closures and one lane reversible traffic controls along Harkins Road and Hunter lane for pavement work beginning Monday, October 16, 2023. The work hours are 7:00 am to  5:00 p.m., with occasional nighttime work. The Harkins Road work will be located from the City of Salinas limits to Fifth Street in Spreckels. The Hunter Lane work will be taking place from State Route 68 to Harkins Road.  Arroyo Seco Road: September - December Repair work along Arroyo Seco Road in south Monterey County will begin in September to repai

  WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18) and Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) and U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Mike Lee (R-UT) on Wednesday, November 7 introduced the bipartisan, bicameral (bai·ka·mr·uhl) Government Surveillance Reform Act to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act with important new protections for Americans’ constitutional rights.   “It would be unwise for Members of Congress to greenlight another major surveillance reauthorization without carefully considering and enacting surveillance reform measures. For too long, federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies have had nearly unchecked access to Americans’ personal data,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “Our bipartisan, bicameral comprehensive and calibrated legislation provides reform solutions sought for decades. With widespread support from across the political spectrum the Government Surveillance Reform Act would dramatically curb surveillance abuse and protect Americ

  On September 30, 2023, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office was awarded a $600,000 grant for body worn cameras from the United States Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). The BJA was created in 1984 to reduce violent crime, create safer communities, and reform our Nation’s criminal justice system. BJA strengthens the Nation’s criminal justice system and helps America’s state, local, and tribal jurisdictions reduce and prevent crime, reduce recidivism, and promote a fair and safe criminal justice system. BJA focuses its programmatic and policy efforts on providing a wide range of resources, including training and technical assistance, to law enforcement, courts, corrections, treatment, reentry, justice information sharing, and community-based partners to address chronic and emerging criminal justice challenges nationwide. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office submitted a comprehensive grant proposal in April to the BJA for consideration. The proposal detailed t

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced on November 3 that the Honorable Judge Rafael Vasquez sentenced farm labor contractors 43-year-old Elias Perez, Jr. and 40-year-old Alejandra Perez both of King City to 3-years in prison for insurance fraud committed between 2013 and 2017. Judge Vasquez also suspended those prison sentences, placing each Defendant on 7-years felony probation subject to a variety of conditions. The Defendants, who are brother and sister, are corporate officers for Future Ag. Management, Inc. and Future Harvester & Packers, Inc. Since 2013, those companies have operated as farm labor contractors under California and federal licensing laws. The 2 companies have employed as many as 1500 farm workers at any one time. As employers, the Defendants are required to maintain workers’ compensation insurance to ensure injured workers have access to medical care, disability and other benefits. Between 2014 and 2016, the Defenda