KRKC COUNTRY

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that the deadline to submit nominations for their “23rd Annual Transportation Excellence Awards” is Friday, December 6, 2024. The awards honor individuals, businesses, groups, or programs and 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 commute options as alternatives to dr...

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 3 at 11:00 a.m. at Pozzi’s Stampede located at 207 Broadway in King City. The annual Christmas meeting will feature entertainment by the Los Vaqueros Hunting Club Traveling Band. Members and guests are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or gift for a child between the ages of 7 and 14 years of age which will be donated to Loaves and Fishes Food Distribution. Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or email karenjleonhard@gmail.com. 

  With thousands of people getting ready to start their Thanksgiving travel plans, the roadways are going to be very busy. Add in the rainy weather and things could get messy on our roadways. The California Highway Patrol in King City and throughout the state will be out in force as they start their Thanksgiving Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP). This MEP will begin on Wednesday, November 27 at 6:01 pm and continue through Sunday night, December 1 at 11:59 pm. The CHP wants nothing more than for everyone to make it safely to and from their destinations and enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family. Drive safely everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving.

  Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto released a statement on November 25 after the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced that they would not be filing charges against a Monterey County Sheriff Deputy who was arrested for concealing a handmade weapon and committing criminal conspiracy while working inside the jail facility. Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said, “We believe a crime did in fact occur, however, it is up to the District Attorney to make a decision on whether or not to file charges. This decision does not change the circumstances of what occurred and what was investigated in this case.” Deputy Gaspar Estevez was arrested on November 5, 2024, after the Monterey County Sheriff's Office received a tip that he had concealed a sharp-edged handmade weapon - commonly known as a shank - that was provided to him by an incarcerated person. Through the course of the investigation, Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives developed probable cause to believe that a crim...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on November 25 that her office completed a review of a case submitted by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office concerning suspect Deputy Gaspar Estevez. The District Attorney’s Office determined that proof beyond a reasonable doubt does not support that Deputy Estevez committed any crime. During a conversation, an inmate told Deputy Estevez that there are weapons in every housing unit at the jail. According to Estevez, he told the inmate to turn a weapon over to prove he wasn’t bluffing. About a week later, the inmate provided Estevez with a five-and-a-half-inch-long inmate-manufactured weapon, commonly referred to as a shank. At the end of his shift that day, Estevez took the shank home and put it on his garage shelf. On November 7—approximately 2 weeks later, according to an inmate who indicated he had observed the shank exchange—sheriff’s investigators interviewed Estevez. Estevez told the inv...

  SALINAS, CA – The Monterey County Elections Department will certify the final results of the November 5, 2024, Presidential General Election on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.   Voters who need to correct a missing or mismatched signature on their vote-by-mail ballot have until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, 2024, to submit a signature statement. All voters with a signature challenge have been mailed a signature statement to correct their signature. The statement is also available online at tinyurl.com/Sig-Statement   How to Submit a Signature Statement Voters can submit their signature statement using any of the following methods:     Online: Visit tinyurl.com/Sig-Statement     Email: Send to vbm@countyofmonterey.gov     Fax: (831) 755-5485     In Person: Deliver to the Monterey County Elections Office during regular business hours, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Closed on weekends and holidays.     By Mail: Ensure timely...

  SALINAS, California -- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Monday, November 18 that 42-year-old Michael Ellison of Riverside, CA, was convicted by a jury of First-Degree Murder, First- Degree Attempted Murder of a Peace Officer, and First-Degree Attempted Murder. Ellison was also convicted of 3 counts of Assault by a Life Prisoner. The Honorable Judge Stephanie Hulsey presided over the trial. On April 8, 2018, Ellison stabbed fellow prisoner Jason Lewis to death in the prison yard at Salinas Valley State Prison in Soledad. On July 26, 2019, Ellison, while housed in administrative segregation at Correctional Training Facility in Soledad, stabbed a Correctional Officer multiple times. On August 12, 2023, Ellison stabbed his cellmate at Salinas Valley State Prison. The jury also found true allegations that Ellison has a prior conviction for Murder out of Riverside County in 2004, Assault by a Prisoner with a Deadly Weapon from Kings County in 2005, and...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, November 15 that a man is recovering in the hospital following a Soledad police-involved shooting that occurred late Thursday night, November 14, 2024, near the 1700 block of Vosti Avenue in Soledad. The incident is currently under investigation by the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. At approximately 11:38 PM, Soledad Police Dispatch received a 911 call reporting that a man was hiding and had been threatened by people who were allegedly shooting at him. This initial report indicated he was near the 1700 block of Vosti Avenue in Soledad. The Dispatchers updated the call to a reported shooting into an occupied dwelling. Just prior to police arrival, the reported shooting was determined to be unfounded. At 11:42 PM, Soledad Police Dispatch contacted a resident on the 1700 Block of Vosti. The situation remained unclear and was being investigated with a response by three office...

  Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto announced on Thursday, November 14 that after a national recruitment process utilizing a firm retained through the Monterey County Human Resources Department, she has extended an offer of employment to Timothy Lanquist to become the next Corrections Operations Bureau Chief Deputy Sheriff. An official start date is yet to be determined, pending the standard hiring process. For more than 29 years, Chief Deputy Timothy Lanquist has dedicated himself to public service. He served 6 years with the United States Navy, attaining the rank of Lieutenant, serving in various management and leadership roles including as Naval Academy Sports Information Officer, Recruit Training Division Officer, Manpower Officer, and Assistant Director of Military Training at the Navy’s only boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois. Lanquist started his law enforcement career with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office in 2001, graduating from the Ventura County Criminal Justice Trai...

  The County of Monterey congratulates Probation Chief Todd Keating on his retirement after 33 years of county service. Keating will be honored with a special Board of Supervisors resolution on Tuesday, November 12, 2024. His final day of county service will be on Saturday, November 30, 2024. Chief Keating began his career with the County of Monterey’s Probation Department in 1991 as a Deputy Probation Officer, rising through the ranks to executive leadership as Assistant Probation Chief in 2014 and then to Chief Probation Officer in 2019. Additionally, he served as the Chair of the Children’s Council, the Child Abuse Prevention Council, the Community Restorative Justice Commission, the Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council, and the Community Corrections Partnership. Among his many achievements, Chief Keating oversaw the opening of the new Juvenile Hall in 2020 and provided steadfast support and guidance both for staff and clients served by Probation during the worldwide pandemic. ...

Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have arrested 25-year-old Jesus Julian Rios of Salinas and 26-year-old Regino Mendoza Arce of Salinas for their involvement in a shooting that left 2 victims injured while attending a gathering at the St. Theodore’s Catholic Pastoral Center in Chualar. At about 1:07 AM, on Sunday November 3, 2024, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received multiple calls from the area of Grant Street and Scott Street in Chualar. Reporting parties were stating that two persons had been shot and assistance was needed. Upon arrival, Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies located 2 victims who had sustained gunshot wounds. Both victims were transported to hospitals for treatment of their injuries and were expected to survive.  Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stated, “Our detectives immediately took action to identify and find the persons responsible for this tragic incident. It is my hope that our Chualar community can rest easy knowing these individuals ar...

  The Gonzales Unified School District Board of Trustees is excited to welcome Dr. Joey Adame as the new Superintendent. Countless hours were spent by community members, staff and the Board in an effort to select the most qualified candidate. The Board wants to thank everyone involved for their contributions to the selection process. Dr. Adame has served the education community for over 25 years as a school counselor, assistant principal, elementary, middle, and high school principal, director, and most recently as the Superintendent of the Los Molinos Unified School District where he served with commitment and dedication for the last 8 years. He is well known for improving student academic achievement through the implementation of sustainable system changes that benefit students, parents, staff, and the community at large. Dr. Adame recognizes the value of social and emotional programs for students and believes every kid needs a champion. His passion and commitment to student equi...

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that the California Transportation State Transportation Agency awarded $63 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to provide rail improvements along the Coast Line between Monterey and Santa Barbara Counties.   The funding was awarded to the Facilitating and Accelerating Service Transformations on the Central Coast Program (FAST Central Coast Program), a collaborative effort of the Coast Rail Coordinating Council involving the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, and the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN Rail Corridor) Agency.   The grant award provides funding for several coordinated projects along the coast rail line between Monterey County and Santa Barbara County to increase ridership, reliability, and train frequency. The coordina...

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at the Cork and Plough Restaurant located 200 Broadway in King City. The guest speaker will be Dean Flippo, retired Monterey County District Attorney. Flippo will discuss the results of the November 5 Presidential Election.  Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or send an email to karenjleonhard@gmail.com

  A Monterey County Sheriff Deputy was arrested on Tuesday, November 5 for concealing a handmade weapon and committing criminal conspiracy while working inside a jail facility. Deputy Gaspar Estevez was arrested and will be booked into the San Benito County Jail for multiple felonies. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office received a tip that a deputy had concealed a sharp-edged handmade weapon - commonly known as a shank - that was provided to him by an incarcerated person. Through the course of the investigation, Monterey County Sheriff’s Detectives developed probable cause to believe that a crime occurred, and that the deputy and the incarcerated person were both involved in the crime. Detectives were able to recover the weapon as part of their investigation. "This behavior is a betrayal of public trust and breaks my heart. It jeopardizes the safety of both our employees and our incarcerated population whom we are entrusted to keep safe. Unfortunately, we sometimes have to po...

  The California Highway Patrol (CHP) Monterey Area Office recently appointed a new commander on November 1, 2024: Captain Nicholas King.   Captain King, an accomplished veteran of the California Highway Patrol Academy since June 2003, began his illustrious career in the East Los Angeles Area office before moving on to the Riverside Area. His time at Riverside involved a full-time assignment to the multi-agency Riverside County Regional Gang Task Force. In 2013, he ascended to the rank of sergeant with a transfer to the Santa Fe Springs Area office. Roles in Morongo Basin Area and Arrowhead Area followed suit, where he worked from April 2015 to September 2016. His subsequent promotion to lieutenant took him to the El Centro Area. Throughout his time in this position, he served across a variety of divisions and locations, including Inland Division, San Bernardino Area, the Office of Inspector General, Altadena Area, and Rancho Cucamonga Area. January 2024 saw Captain King being...

  Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto is joining the nations law enforcement associations in issuing a statement ahead of the 2024 Elections. She joins the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), and the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) as they stand ready and united to ensure that Election Day 2024 is secure, safe, and fair. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has prepared for this year’s election by receiving briefings from federal, state, and local partners, sharing intelligence and threat information, holding conversations with election officials and elected officials to secure the election process. Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said, “It is important for everyone to feel safe when it comes to exercising their right to vote. We will have deputies patrolling our election facilities as well as conducting patrols in and around polling places throughout Monterey County.” She further stated that it is important for the community ...

According to the Monterey CHP, on Monday, November 4, at approximately 2:07 P.M., CHP Officers were notified of a 2 vehicle crash that occurred on Monte Road outside of Marina, north of Neponset Road, on the Salinas River Bridge. CHP units responded to the scene and upon arriving, started a crash investigation.   Preliminary information of the crash revealed that a red pickup driven by a Lockwood resident was traveling northbound on Monte Road, while a white International pickup driven by a King City resident was traveling southbound on Monte Road. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the red pickup veered to the left, onto the southbound lane of Monte Road, and directly into the path of the white international pickup. Both pickups crashed in a head on crash. The red pickup continued in a north westerly direction, crashed into the west bridge barrier, went through the west bridge barrier, and landed on its roof, at the bottom of the bridge. The driver of the red pic...