KRKC COUNTRY

  SALINAS, CA – The November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election is here and there are a couple of things voters should know to get vote ready. Monterey County local voter information guides and state voter information guides are now in the mail and will continue to mail into next week. Ballots will begin mailing October 3. All active voters will receive a ballot in the mail and in-person voting options will be available.   Important Dates:   September 27      - Local Voter Information Guides begin mailing October 7 - Ballots mailed by this date October 7 - In-person voting available at the Monterey County Elections Office, 1441 Schilling Place – Salinas October 21 - Deadline to register to vote October 22 - Same day voter registration period begins October 26 & 27 - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Weekend Voting at Monterey County Elections October 29 - Last day the Elections Office will mail ballots to voters - Last recommended day for voters to return ballots via USPS - Elect

  The King City Police Department received a report of gunshots heard in the area of the 600 block of Sycamore Street at around 1 am on Sunday, September 29. While enroute, the King City PD was advised that 2 victims were transported to Mee Memorial Hospital by private vehicle to be treated for gunshot wounds.   Upon arrival, officers were told that a single unknown suspect opened the gate to a fenced yard and fired 10 rounds into a crowd attending a party. 2 individuals were struck by the gunfire, after-which the suspect fled on foot.  The suspect was described as wearing a dark colored hoodie and pants. The 2 victims are a 16-year-old juvenile male who was shot 3 times and an 18-year-old male who was shot 1 time.  Both victims were transported to Natividad Hospital from Mee Memorial and are currently listed in stable condition. Detectives from the King City Police Department are currently working the investigation with assistance from the Greenfield Police Department Crime Scene Unit

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 1 starting at 11:30 a.m. at King Kora Restaurant located at 611 Canal Street in King City. The guest speaker will be  Corina Powers, Chairwoman of the Republican National Hispanic Assembly of California. Powers topic will be “Engaging the Hispanic Community and Voter Outreach.”  Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or email karenleonhard@yahoo.com 

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on September 25 that 27-year-old Paulo Cesar Alcaraz Ortiz of Greenfield, was sentenced to a total of 30 years and 8 months to life after being convicted of First Degree Murder for intentionally running over Guadalupe Garcia, Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Peace Officer, Evading a Peace Officer Causing Death, Unlawfully Driving a Stolen Vehicle, and Resisting an Executive Officer. Judge Andrew Liu sentenced Ortiz on September 25 after hearing from members of Guadalupe Garcia's heartbroken family. On November 16, 2021, Ortiz was in a car stolen from a friend’s parent. A police officer tried to contact the Ortiz, but he refused to obey the officer’s orders and began a high-speed chase from arrest. On several occasions Ortiz attempted to strike pedestrians with his car and missed. At one point he rammed a police car to avoid capture. Finally, he targeted the victim Guadalupe Garcia with an inten

  The City of King is inviting everyone to attend the King City Ciclovía event on Sunday, October 13   from noon to 4:00 p.m.  Broadway Street in the downtown area from First Street to San Lorenzo Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic for walkers, cyclists, runners and other non-motorized transportation.  It is part of a variety of efforts undertaken throughout the year in support of the City’s efforts to become a Blue Zones Project community.  It will also feature activities, entertainment, bounce houses, free and discounted healthy food items, great raffle prizes, and information on community and social services – all items designed to support health, happiness and overall well-being.     The City would like to recognize the event major sponsors, which include TAMC, Mee Memorial Hospital, Rio Farms, Salinas Valley Health, SGH Holdings, and Benitez Security Services.  The first 1,500 people will receive $3 food booth coupons and the first 500 families will get a free

  Monterey, CA – September 20, 2024 – Spectrum, the #1 rural internet provider in the nation*, announced the launch of Spectrum Internet, Mobile, TV and Voice services to nearly 100 homes and small businesses in the community of San Lucas in South Monterey County. Earlier this year, Spectrum completed the launch of service to more than 170 homes and small businesses in the community of San Ardo in South Monterey County, and in parts of North Monterey County.  Spectrum’s newly constructed fiber-optic network buildout in San Ardo and San Lucas is partly offset by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) broadband grant, awarded by the County of Monterey. To celebrate the launch, Spectrum will host a community celebration of the expansion of services to San Ardo and San Lucas in conjunction with the County of Monterey at the San Ardo Branch Library on Monday, September 23 at 6 p.m. The community celebration will consist of a short informational program including how to sign up for Spectrum ser

  Effective October 1, 2024, 10 branches of Monterey County Free Libraries (MCFL) will be adjusting their hours of operation. The number of hours that libraries are open to the public will remain the same. The changes are minor shifts to accommodate library users. MCFL conducted 2 month long community surveys in the summer and fall of 2023 to get input from community members regarding convenient hours for library use. With input from computer data and based on feedback from the community members and staff open hours were adjusted and approved by the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.  Library Director Hillary Theyer says, “We collected input from our communities to respond to each community’s needs within our capacity. Morning hours in several locations were in higher demand. Open hours will not be reduced, just shifted.” The following branches will be adjusting their hours of operation starting October 1, 2024: Aromas, Buena Vista, Carmel Valley, Castroville, King City, Parkfield,

  Wreaths Across America, sponsored by Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will have a booth at the King City Center near Safeway from 10am-2pm on Saturday, September 21.  Information and application forms to donate for a wreath will be available at the booth. A donation for a wreath  this year is $17 each. The annual Wreaths Across America ceremony to place wreaths on Veteran's graves will be held at the King City Cemetery on Saturday, December 14, 2024.  For more information about Wreaths Across America, call Kathy Imamura, (408) 802-4437.

  The City of King is still offering a grant program to help offset the costs for residents to install security cameras at your home by providing up to $200 per household for purchase and installation costs. Security cameras installed and maintained by residents at their homes have been instrumental in the City’s public safety efforts. A registry is maintained so officers can contact private residents to inquire about camera footage when a crime is committed in a neighborhood. This helps the Police trace information to the City’s cameras and identify suspects. An application can be found on the City’s website at www.kingcity.com. Simply fill out and submit the application. Submit the receipts when the system is installed and an officer will inspect them to ensure the system is installed correctly prior to processing the grant payment. To qualify, the system must include cameras directed at the street, must have video storage that will be provided to the Police Departmen

SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on September 16 that 22-year-old Eliazar Arellano Ayron pled guilty to 2 counts of 1st degree murder while personally using a firearm for the benefit of the Sureno criminal street gang. On December 26, 2021, Ayron, a Sureno criminal street gang member from King City and 3 other Sureno gang members, including Raul Lucas who in 2022 was sentenced to 58 Years to Life on this case, drove to Sussex Way in King City where they ambushed the victims as they exited their vehicle in front of their house. The victims were shot numerous times and killed. King City street cameras captured the license plate of the vehicle involved in the murders. A search warrant was served at a Salinas residence associated with the vehicle and one of the firearms used in the murders was located. Ayron fled the jurisdiction after the murders, but a task force from numerous jurisdictions assembled and successfully apprehended him 9 m

  County of Monterey Vacation Rentals Ordinances, which regulate vacation rental operations in Inland unincorporated Monterey County, will take effect October 14, 2024. Vacation Rentals Ordinances will not take effect for the county’s Coastal Zone until they are certified by the California Coastal Commission. The Inland Vacation Rentals Ordinances were passed and adopted by the Board on August 27. On that day, the Board also approved a Resolution of Intent to approve Coastal Vacation Rental Ordinances after review and certification by the Coastal Commission. On September 10, 2024, the Board also adopted ordinances requiring annual licenses and registrations for vacation rental operators. These new Ordinances establish three types of Vacation Rentals: • Homestays are allowed countywide and require the property owner stay in the home while it is rented. • Limited Vacation Rentals are allowed countywide and allow a house to be rented three times or fewer per year. • Commercial Vacation Re

  KING CITY, CA September 11, 2024 — Mee Memorial Healthcare System’s (MMHS) King City Clinic has received the 2023 HEDIS award honoring a commitment to delivering exceptional services for the second year in a row. The audit period runs from January through June and measures care that was delivered in the prior calendar year.   “It is an honor to receive this prestigious award for the second year running,” said Heidi Pattison, Director of Clinic Services. ”We have a dedicated team who work tirelessly every day to serve the South County community. I am proud of their achievement.”   The Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures performance in health care where improvements can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. The HEDIS® audit evaluates how well the Alliance network of providers is delivering services to its patients. In addition, the audit subjects specific healthcare data elements to integrity checks, tests of completeness, transparency of report

  KING CITY, CA September 10, 2024 -- Mee Memorial Healthcare System (MMHS) was awarded the highest rating of “Superior Performance,” by the Cal Hospital Compare Opioid Care Honor Roll for consistently achieving the highest level of performance, and implementing advanced, innovative opioid stewardship strategies across multiple service lines.   According to Cal Hospital Compare more than 21,000 emergency room visits were related to opioid overdoses in 2022. To accelerate hospital progress in building systems to treat hospitalized patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) and train health care professionals in opioid safety practices, Cal Hospital Compare developed the California Opioid Care Honor Roll Program.   The goal of the program is increased access to addiction treatment for hospitalized patients and reduction of opioid-related deaths. All California adult, acute care hospitals were invited to participate, and 157 hospitals voluntarily submitted data sharing their progress on impl

  September is Pedestrian Safety Month in California. County of Monterey Health Department would like to remind drivers to slow down and be alert for people walking on our roads. By always taking extra precautions, you can help protect pedestrians and reduce the risk of crashes and injuries. Walking should always be an easy and safe option for getting around any community. According to projections from the Governors Highway Safety Association, 7,318 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes across the United States in 2023. In California alone, pedestrian deaths make up more than 27 percent of all traffic-related fatalities, highlighting the urgent need for increased awareness and safety measures on our roads. “Every step we take towards greater pedestrian safety is a step towards saving lives," Evilin Lopez Zavala said. "We want to remind everyone that safety begins with you, whether you're behind the wheel or on foot. Small actions, like slowing down, putting away dist

  Friday, September 6, 2024 – Salinas, CA – Can you feel it?  Fall is in the air.  Now’s the time to jump into the job search at any of our upcoming job fairs and recruitments planned by the Monterey County Works Salinas Career Center.   See our list of upcoming events below. Register today on the hyperlinks provided below to see which employers will be attending.       Wednesday, September 11 @ 344 Salinas Street, Salinas, Suites 205-206. Multiple Employer Job Fair, 1pm-4pm       Tuesday, September 17 @ 275 Main Street, Watsonville Civic Plaza, Community Room, Watsonville. Multiple Employer Job Fair, 1pm-4pm       Wednesday, September 18 @ 344 Salinas Street, Salinas, Suites 205-206. Multiple Employer Job Fair, 1pm-4pm       Wednesday, September 25 @ 344 Salinas Street, Salinas, Suite 203, Industry Spotlight Recruitment Event: Hospitality, 1pm-4pm   Need help registering for our upcoming events?  Reach out to Monterey County Works Salinas Career Center at (831) 796-3335.  Learn more a

  SALINAS, CA – The nomination period to qualify as a write-in candidate for offices going to election in November, runs Monday, September 9, 2024 through Tuesday, October 22, 2024.   To qualify, candidates must meet the requirements of office and file write-in candidate nomination forms. Nomination forms must be filed at the Monterey County Elections Office located at 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, Salinas, CA 93901. There are no filing fees or candidate statements, and the write-in candidate’s name will not appear on the ballot. Write-in candidates for city contests will file at the office of the applicable City Clerk.   To schedule your appointment:     Call: (831) 796-1499, or     Email:  CandidateServices@countyofmonterey.gov   For more information visit CountyofMonterey.gov/Elections or call (831) 796-1499.