KRKC COUNTRY

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced they are hosting a series of workshops seeking community input on developing a “Monterey County Regional Vision Zero Plan,” to help make local streets and roadways safer.   According to Todd Muck, TAMC’s Executive Director, "Over the past five years, 230 lives have been lost on Monterey County roadways. We need the community's help to develop a Monterey County Regional Vision Plan aimed at eliminating all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while promoting safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for everyone."   The community is invited to attend a workshop to learn more about the plan and share where they would like to see safety improvements. Workshops will be held in May from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at the following locations throughout the county:     Greenfield: Mon. May 12 at City Council Chambers     Soledad: Tues. May 13 at Soledad Community Center     Gonzal...

  On Thursday, May 1 at 1 p.m., MST Salinas Transit Center, 110 Salinas St, Salinas,  Monterey County will host a ribbon-cutting event to mark the launch of a new initiative to provide free, 24/7 access to naloxone and fentanyl test strips through public vending machines located throughout the county. WHO: Monterey County Health Department and Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST). WHAT: In recognition of Mental Health Month and National Fentanyl Awareness Day, Monterey County is taking action to prioritize public health and reduce overdose deaths with the launch of four new naloxone and fentanyl test strip vending machines throughout the county. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will mark the installation of one of four new machines, which are stocked with naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, and step-by-step instructions in English and Spanish. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is a safe and effective medication that can reverse an opioid overdose within minutes. By increa...

  SALINAS, California -- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on April 30 that Salinas Valley State Prison Inmate 30-year-old Juan Jose Bueno was sentenced to serve a term of Life Without the Possibility of Parole after being convicted by a jury of First-Degree Murder. Bueno was also convicted of Assault by a Life Prisoner Causing Death and Possession of a Weapon. The Honorable Stephanie Hulsey presided over the trial. Bueno admitted he had previously been convicted of four “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes Law, including a prior conviction for murder. At the time of the murder, Bueno was already serving a life sentence for his prior murder conviction. On March 21, 2023, Bueno and his co-defendant, Roberto Carlos Cortez, participated in a two on one stabbing of inmate Steven Lovely during recreational time in the day room at Salinas Valley State Prison. They used inmate-manufactured weapons to stab Lovely close to 50 times until he was unresponsi...

  Lake San Antonio, South Shore will close Thursday, May 1 through Sunday, May 4 for the Wildflower Experience (Wildflower). The Wildflower Experience is a 3 day event including a weekend festival and triathlon (bicycle, running and swimming) race. This event includes both races and a festival featuring live entertainment, celebration beer garden, wine tasting and informative race clinics. Attendance is estimated to be 7,000 people including participants, spectators, volunteers and employees. Race details are at https://www.wildflowerexperience.com/ South Shore will be closed from Thursday, May 1 through Sunday, May 4. There will be no general public admittance at South Shore from Wednesday, April 30 after sunset through Sunday, May 4. South Shore will reopen to the public at 7 a.m. on Monday, May 5. North Shore will remain open to the public during the event. Boat launching will not be restricted at North Shore on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4 during the race. However, boats m...

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be holding its monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 6 starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Cork & Plough Restaurant located at 200 Broadway in King City. The guest speaker will be retired broadcast journalist Lee Schell. The topic will be “Whatever Happened to Journalism?” Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting. For reservations and further information call (831) 385-1333 or email karenjleonhard@gmail.com  

  According to the Soledad Police Department, at 9:25 pm on Thursday night, April 24 officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 1700 block of Vosti Avenue in Soledad. Upon arrival, officers were directed to a male victim identified as 42-year-old Francisco Ochoa lying in the roadway suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life saving efforts by officers and emergency medical personnel, Ochoa was pronounced dead at the scene.  This is an ongoing investigation. If anyone has any information regarding this homicide then they're asked to please contact Detective Vargas at the Soledad Police Department at 831-223-5125 or for anyone wishing to remain anonymous they can call the WeTip hotline at 1-800-782-7463.

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on April 24 that Salinas Valley State Prison inmate 32-year-old Jaime Demicio Romero was sentenced to serve a term of 45 years to life in prison, after being convicted of Second-Degree Murder. Romero was also convicted of personally using a deadly or dangerous weapon to commit the crime. Judge Stephanie Hulsey presided over this trial. Judge Hulsey found that Romero he had previously been convicted of three “strikes” under California’s Three Strikes Law. On the morning of January 12, 2018, correctional officers observed blood smeared on the window and leaking out beneath the door of the cell of the victim in this case, 19-year-old Jose Alcantar-Ortega. When correctional officers reached the cell, they observed Alcantar-Ortega lying motionless on the floor in a pool of blood, and inmates Cortez and Romero standing in the back of his locked cell. Two inmate- manufactured weapons were discovered flu...

  Southern Monterey County Republican Women Federated will be hosting its Scholarship Luncheon on Friday, April 25 from 11:00am-1:30pm at the King City Recreation Center located at 401 Division Street in King City. The best cooks in town will prepare salads and lunch specialties. There will be a silent auction and raffle prizes, while Jeff Pereira will provide guitar entertainment. The proceeds from this event help fund two $1000 scholarships for High School seniors in South County. Everyone is welcome to stop by for lunch or carry out.  Tickets are $12 each and are available from any member or at the door. Call (831) 385-1333 for further information.

  Paso Robles, CA — The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce that Juntos, the exciting collaboration between Josi Cuen and Jorge Medina, has been confirmed to perform at the 2025 Fair. The show will take place on Sunday night, July 20, 2025, at the Chumash Grandstand Arena at 7:30 PM. Ticket prices are $80, $100, $130 and $170 and will go on sale Friday, April 25, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM. After breaking records and selling out shows across Mexico, celebrated Regional Mexican music stars Jorge Medina and Josi Cuén have joined forces as Juntos. Together, they deliver an unforgettable experience, bringing to life the songs that have become the soundtrack of countless lives. With more than 40 musicians on stage, their powerful performances celebrate nostalgia, unity, and the rich traditions of Mexican music. Following a wildly successful run in Mexico, their tour was expanded to the United States, delivering nights filled with timeless hits, deep emotions, and the unmist...

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on April 18, 2025 that a jury convicted 21-year-old Jonathan Rojas of Greenfield, of first-degree murder. On December 31, 2020, around 6:51 p.m., Greenfield police responded to a shooting on Heidi Drive. Officers approached the victim’s car idling in the driveway and saw multiple bullet holes in the driver’s window. They found the victim, Ricardo Gonzalez, dead inside the vehicle with corresponding gunshot wounds. During the investigation, law enforcement executed an early morning search warrant at Rojas’s house, arrested him, and seized his cell phone that had been hastily discarded in a toilet. The cell phone was undamaged and contained evidence of his involvement in the murder, including location data showing him near the crime scene when the victim was killed. Law enforcement also seized Rojas’s shoes, which were consistent with shoe impressions documented where witnesses saw the suspect flee...

  WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, April 17 Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Doris Matsui (CA-07) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) reintroduced the Clean Energy Victory Bond Act, bicameral legislation to give individuals the opportunity to buy Clean Energy Victory Bonds and help build America’s clean-energy future. Modeled after the highly successful victory bonds sold during World Wars I and II, which raised billions of dollars to finance the costs of war, Clean Energy Victory Bonds would help the country create jobs and save taxpayers money while investing in clean-energy infrastructure and fighting the climate crisis, protecting future generations.   The bill would direct the U.S. Secretaries of Treasury, Energy, and Defense to develop and issue $50 billion in Clean Energy Victory Bonds that support energy efficiency, solar, wind, geothermal, and electric vehicle efforts. For as little as $50, all Americans would be able to voluntarily purchase these Treasury bonds ...

  Easter is the busiest day of the year for County of Monterey day-use parks which include Toro, Royal Oaks and San Lorenzo Parks. Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, will likely be no different. While we look forward to providing a wonderful experience for our residents and visitors, we would like to remind park users about some of the rules and regulations that help the County of Monterey keep parks the amazing places they are to visit, recreate and create lasting memories. • Day-use parks will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Park rangers and staff will make multiple announcements about park closing times. Cars remaining in parking lots and the park past the closing time will be cited, please plan your activities accordingly. • Please practice good stewardship of our parks, pick up your trash, pack it in and pack it out. • Confetti eggs (cascarónes) will not be allowed in the parks. Use of confetti eggs is considered littering under Monterey County Code 14.12.050, and individuals ...

SALINAS, CA – The United States Elections Assistance Commission (EAC) announced that the County of Monterey: Books and Ballots program was selected to be honored for excellence in election administration with a national Clearinghouse Award for Innovation and New Practices in Election Administration. Also known as the “Clearies,” the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) presents the awards program annually to celebrate the hard work of election offices across the country. Now in its nineth year, this year’s Clearie Awards honored programs that took place during the 2024 presidential election year.   The Books and Ballots program reflects a joint effort of the Monterey County Elections Office and the Monterey County Free Libraries. The program brings the Monterey County Elections office and all services, including candidate filing, data requests, voter registration, and voting, directly to the community on dates and times that are convenient for them in familiar neighborhood loc...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on April 15 that 40-year-old Travis Harris of Scotts Valley, convicted by a jury of 8 counts of Lewd Act on a Child, age 14 or 15, in violation of Penal Code Section 288(c); 6 counts of Lewd Act on a Child under 14, in violation of Penal Code section 288(a); 1 count of Oral Copulation of a Child 10 or under, in violation of Penal Code section 288.7(b); 1 count of Contacting a Minor for Purposes of Committing a Sex Offense, in violation of Penal Code section 288.3(a); 2 counts of Sending Harmful Material to a Minor, in violation of Penal Code section 288.2; 2 counts of Unlawful Sexual Intercourse, in violation of Penal Code section 261.5(c), 1 count of Using a Minor for Sex Acts, in violation of Penal Code section 311.4(c); and 2 counts of Providing Cannabis to a Minor over 14, in violation of Health and Safety Code section 11361(b). Judge Pamela Butler presided over the trial. The defendant met ...

 (PASO ROBLES, CA) – The California Mid-State Fair is excited to announce that legendary guitarist Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles, will perform on Friday, July 25, 2025. The special event, An Evening of Music and Wine with Don Felder, will take place in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center and is part of the Michelob Ultra Concert Series. Tickets for this highly anticipated show will go on sale Friday, April 18, 2025, at 10:00 AM on the Fair’s official website, www.MidStateFair.com. The ticket prices are $40 (grandstand) and $70 (Golden Circle). New this year: The California Mid-State Fair has partnered with Ticketmaster! Fans can now use their Ticketmaster accounts to purchase tickets. Visit www.MidStateFair.com, click “Buy Tickets,” and you will be directed to the purchasing page! Ticket Tips: Arrive 10 minutes early and complete these steps before the sale begins: • Sign in to your account in advance to speed up your purchase later. • Check that your ...

  SACRAMENTO— California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas hosted a delegation of Mayors, Councilmembers, and County Supervisors from Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Santa Clara Counties for a full day of state legislative activities in Sacramento on Wednesday, April 9. During the visit to the State Capitol district leaders heard remarks from Speaker Rivas and had the opportunity to meet with key legislative policy committee chairs and staff. “I remember when I first came to Sacramento, how isolating it felt. My colleagues didn’t know much about the Central Coast or the diverse communities that we all represent. The staff didn’t know much about the region and, as a result, didn’t understand the unique issues that mattered most to the people we represent,” said Speaker Robert Rivas. “That’s why it was so important for me and my team to bring together the leaders from my district for a full day of engagement and learning, because their voices matter.” Speaker Rivas was a San ...

  APRIL 8, 2025 SOLEDAD, CA – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating an alleged homicide of incarcerated person 36-year-old Joseph Mendoza which occurred on Tuesday night, April 8, 2025, at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad. At approximately 5:39 p.m., staff observed incarcerated persons 30-year-old Edgar Frayre and 32-year-old Nicolas Young attacking Joseph Mendoza with improvised weapons on the dayroom floor in Facility C. Staff immediately responded and issued several verbal commands to stop, which were ignored. Staff then deployed multiple less-than-lethal use-of-force options, which ultimately quelled the incident. Frayre and Young were secured in handcuffs. Medical aid was initiated for Mendoza; however, he was pronounced deceased at 6:10 p.m. Medical evaluations were conducted on Frayre and Young, and no serious injuries were reported. Frayre and Young have been placed in restricted housing pending an investigat...

  SPCA Monterey County still has space available for cats in their upcoming free spay/neuter clinics in South Monterey County. These free clinics for South County residents are sponsored by our friends at Hitchcock Road Animal Services and staffed by SPCA Monterey County’s veterinary team. This is in addition to our low-cost Veterinary Clinic at the SPCA, available by appointment Monday through Friday every week, which spays and neuters over 8,000 animals every year and offers free feral cat surgeries year-round.  These free mobile clinics have spots left for feral and friendly cats located in South Monterey County, from Chualar south to the county lines (all dog appointments are currently full). As always, our affordable Veterinary Clinic at the SPCA remains open to all Monterey County residents.  Our upcoming free surgeries in South Monterey County include:     Wednesday, April 16: Soledad - Soledad Lions Club, 161 Park St.     Wednesday, April 23: K...

  SALINAS, CA, April 8, 2025 – 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 over the years. “The Hall of Fame is a vital part of preserving the rich history of the California Rodeo Salinas. Each of these inductees has left an unforgettable mark on our organization, and we’re proud to honor their legacy,” said Warren Wayland, Chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee, and a Past President of the California Rodeo Salinas. The 2025 inductees are: Ace Berry – Contestant Bobby Christensen, Jr. – Personnel The Jesus Esparza Family – Notable Fred McCargar – Staff Bruce Taylor – Contributor & Supporter The bi-annual Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon will take place on Thursday, July 17th, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the Mike Storm Director’s Patio...

  SALINAS, California - Please join members of our community in honoring victims of crime on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Monterey County Courthouse courtyard, located at 142 W. Alisal Street, Salinas. The event will feature Maria Alcantar as our Inspirational Speaker. She is the mother of Azahel Cruz, an innocent 6-year-old child who was murdered in 2010 resulting from gang violence. Additionally, the ceremony will invite survivors to announce the names of their loved ones lost to homicide. Doves will be released in memory of all victims of crime. A special video presentation honoring victims of homicide in Monterey County will also be available on our Facebook page at https//www.facebook.com/montereyda. During the week of April 6 through April 12, 2025, crime victims, survivors, and those who serve them will join across the United States to promote victims’ rights and services, and to educate our communities about the devastating impact crime has on victims, neighborhoods, scho...

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office will host a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Re-Entry Resource Center. The event will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday April 8, 2025, at the Monterey County Jail located at 1410 Natividad Road in Salinas, California. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is constructing a Re-entry Resource Center at the Monterey County Jail site that will provide essential services to individuals transitioning from incarceration, helping them reintegrate into the community by offering resources such as employment training, counseling, housing support, and legal assistance. This is a key part of our commitment to supporting vulnerable populations and reducing recidivism rates within out community. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $5,000,000 in CalAIM JI Grant Round 3 funds. An additional $1.66 million dollars has been allocated and approved as part of the FY 2024-2025 approved budget to help complete this project. Construction on the Monter...