KRKC COUNTRY

  SOLEDAD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are investigating the Friday, June 27, 2025, death of inmate 26-year-old Jose Rodriguez at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) in Soledad as a homicide. At approximately 3:34 p.m. staff observed cellmates 36-year-old Steven Miranda and Jose Rodriguez, noting Rodriguez as unresponsive. Staff immediately restrained and removed Miranda from the cell. Medical aid and 911 were initiated for Rodriguez; however, he was pronounced dead by medical staff at 5:04 p.m.   Miranda has been placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by the SVSP Investigative Services Unit and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for possible attempted murder felony prosecution. Rodriguez was received from Orange County on October 15, 2019, to serve 15 years for attempted second-degree murder with enhancements for discharge of firearm inhabited dwelling/vehicle/aircraft and participation of criminal g...

SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on June 27 that on June 26, 2025 45-year-old Lawrence Adams was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder, assault by a life prisoner, and custodial possession of a weapon. The Honorable Judge Stephanie E. Hulsey presided over the four-day trial. On October 5, 2022, Adams stabbed fellow inmate Robert Tunstall more than 15 times in the yard at Salinas Valley State Prison using an inmate-manufactured weapon. Mr. Tunstall died within minutes of the attack. The jury also found true allegations that Adams has prior convictions for carjacking in Yolo County in 2000, assault with a deadly weapon in Yolo County in 2000, criminal threats in San Joaquin County in 2001, and arson in Tuolumne County in 2007, all of which qualify as “strike” offenses within the meaning of California’s Three Strikes Law. Adams faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. This case was investigated ...

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on June 27 that on June 26, 2025, the Honorable Rafael Vazquez sentenced 37-year-old Armando Rodriguez Garcia to 15 years to life in prison plus an additional term of 41 years and 8 months. In May of 2025, Rodriguez Garcia was convicted by jury of willful, deliberate, and premediated attempted murder of a peace officer, seven counts of assault on a peace officer with a semiautomatic firearm, three counts of armed robbery, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and being a felon in possession of ammunition. The jury also found true that Rodriguez Garcia personally used and discharged a firearm during the commission of many of these offenses. On June 4, 2024, Rodriguez Garcia approached 3 men who were walking over a bridge in King City, pointed his semiautomatic firearm at them, and demanded their phones and wallets, which they surrendered. Rodriguez Garcia then ran and entered the passenger se...

  A wrong way 3 vehicle collision happened on Highway 101 southbound near Chualar on Wednesday night, June 25. According to the Monterey California Highway Patrol, the wrong way driver was traveling northbound on southbound Highway 101 crashing head-on with 2 other vehicles before 9 p.m. and caught fire with the driver still trapped inside. The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle by first responders and was transported to a hospital with major injuries. One other person involved in the accident was also taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries. The crash forced a full closure of the southbound lanes on Highway 101 in the Chualar area for over 5 hours and all of the lanes were reopened before at 2:30 am. on Thursday morning, June 26. The Monterey CHP says that they do suspect alcohol or drugs were involved in the wreck.

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on June 25 that on June 24, 2025, Judge Rafael Vazquez sentenced 25-year-old Giovanni Lopez Orozco of Soledad to 6 years in prison for committing 1 count of a Lewd Act Upon a Child Under 14 years of age. This offense is a serious and violent felony and is considered a strike under California’s Three Strikes law. In addition to his prison sentence, Orozco will also be required to register as a sex offender for at least 20 years. Jane Doe reported that Orozco, a family member, had molested her on 3 occasions over her clothes when she was under 14 years of age. Jane Doe delayed reporting the crimes to police because she had a close relationship with Orozco and was afraid that she would not be believed. According to research into sexual assault victim behavior, it is very common for victims to delay reporting sexual abuse, especially when the victim is a minor and has a close relationship with the pe...

  WASHINGTON, DC – A dozen Members of the California Congressional Delegation, led by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), chair of the California Democratic Congressional Delegation, sent a letter to House Appropriations Committee calling for the Committee to reject the Trump Administration’s drastic cuts to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). The President’s budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) included only $1.56 billion for USACE construction – 53% below the fiscal year 2024 enacted funding level – and excluded vital flood prevention projects in California. This funding request is seriously insufficient to meet the flood risk management, navigation, ecosystem restoration, and other needs of communities across the country.   Specifically excluded from the Budget request were four California projects which have previously received strong, unambiguous Congressional support. The four projects are: the American River Common Features, Natomas Basin, CA project; the Pajaro ...

  SALINAS, CA, June 24, 2025 – The California Rodeo Salinas is proud to announce the 2025 Miss California Rodeo Salinas Contest, a distinguished event recognizing young women for their horsemanship, personality, appearance, and academic accomplishments. The current titleholder, Vianette Garcia, will pass the crown to one of the following exceptional contestants: ●      Emily Drost, Miss San Benito Rodeo ●      Summer Fanning, Miss Old Santa Ynez Days Rodeo ●      Rachel Lancaster, Miss Marine Corp. League #014 ●      Gracie Skow, Miss San Benito County Jr. Rodeo Association The 2025 contest, presented by Holiday Inn Express & Suites, will take place Tuesday, July 1st through Thursday, July 3rd, with the new Miss California Rodeo Salinas crowned during the awards ceremony before noon on July 3rd. The winner will serve as an ambassador for the California Rodeo Salinas, attending rodeos, parades, and community events thro...

  On June 22, 2025, at about 12:51 am deputies observed a dirt bike traveling at a high rate of speed and in a reckless manner, in the area of Van Buren Avenue, Fillmore Street in Bolsa Knolls. Deputies attempted a traffic stop near Van Buren Avenue and San Juan Grade Road, but the rider failed to yield, prompting a brief pursuit of approximately a 1/4 mile. The pursuit ended when the dirt bike stalled near the intersection of San Juan Grade Road and Newlyn Street. The rider, later identified as 30-year-old Benny Joe IV Rodriguez of Soledad, fled on foot, leading deputies on a short foot pursuit. However, deputies deployed a Taser and Rodriguez taken into custody without further incident. A search revealed Rodriguez was in possession of a loaded unregistered handgun with a high-capacity magazine tucked in his waistband. He was also found in possession of methamphetamine, heroin, and stolen property. Additionally, Rodriguez had 2 outstanding warrants – 1 felony and 1 misdemeanor. Th...

Salinas, CA – June 20, 2025 – Hitchcock Road Animal Services (HRAS) is sending a reminder to ALL pet owners to be aware of upcoming fireworks and the effect it will have on their pets. Locally, fireworks tend to start a few weeks ahead of the holiday and continue a few weeks after. Recent increases in animal intakes have local shelters already full of pets ahead of a holiday that traditional increases animal intakes an additional 20-30%. Many of the animals that will end up in the shelter after July 4th go unclaimed by their owner. It’s unfortunate as many of these pets could have remained safely in their home had their pet owners planned ahead and taken some basic precautions. It is absolutely the responsibility of every pet owner to ensure the safety of their pets at all times. To protect your pet on the Fourth of July and prevent it from ending up in a shelter, Hitchcock Road Animal Services recommends that you take these precautions:     Make sure your pets are wearing ide...

  SALINAS, CA – The California Rodeo Salinas has awarded $30,000 in scholarships through the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) to support local students pursuing higher education or vocational training. For 39 years, the Rodeo’s scholarship program has helped empower young leaders who demonstrate academic promise, community involvement, and dedication to personal growth. “We are so grateful for the assistance of the Community Foundation of Monterey County staff.  They help us with the nearly impossible task of selecting our recipients by reviewing and scoring their applications and interviews,” said Kelly McCarthy Sutherland, Chair of the California Rodeo Salinas Scholarship Advisory Committee. “We had so many deserving applicants.  Each of our final six recipients demonstrated resilience, leadership skills, amazing time management skills, and a strong commitment to their future. We’re proud to invest in their journeys and the positive impact they’ll make on...

  PASO ROBLES — The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce that tickets to the 805 Country Rodeo Finals, presented by Hearst, and Monster Truck Takeover, presented by Slime, will go on sale Tuesday, June 24 at 10:00 AM. The 805 Country Rodeo Finals will take place on Saturday, July 26, and Monster Truck Takeover will take place on Sunday, July 27. Both shows begin at 7:00 PM inside the Main Grandstand Arena. TICKET PRICING: 805 Country Rodeo Finals (Saturday, July 26): • Reserved Seating (All Ages): $40 • General Admission: Adults (13+): $30, Youth (3-12): $25 • Day-of-Show (All Ages): $40 Monster Truck Takeover (Sunday, July 27): • Reserved Seating (All Ages): $35 • General Admission: Adults (13+): $25, Youth (3-12): $20 • Day-of-Show (All Ages): $35 Seating maps for both shows are available at MidStateFair.com. The 805 Country Rodeo Finals is the thrilling conclusion to the day’s rodeo action, showcasing top cowboys and cowgirls in events such as match roping, team penn...

  The County of Monterey Board of Supervisors approved the County's 2025-2026 fiscal year budget by a 4-1 vote at their regular meeting on Tuesday, June 17 in the final step, wrapping months of preparation, public input, and hearings. The County's 2025-2026 budget reflects the Board's priorities for the coming fiscal year across the County's 27 departments. The new budget takes into consideration additional revenue sources from a voter voter-approved sales tax measure AA in November of 2024.  Monterey County still faces fiscal challenges in part due to State and Federal funding reductions, and the end of one-time Federal funding that supplemented many important County initiatives. The County has historically been very proactive about seeking grants to fund programs; this is a practice that will continue in order to close some gaps due to greater State and National economic conditions.  With the passage of the 2025-26 fiscal year budget, the Monterey County Board of Supe...

  Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have arrested 46-year-old Elvis Deo Sundar of San Lucas for multiple sexual assault related charges. On June 8, 2025, Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputies received a report of a victim that had sexually assaulted over a period of time by a known family member. Detectives began investigating this matter and were able to arrest Sundar of San Lucas on June 16, 2025. Sundar is a San Lucas Union Elementary School District Board Member. At this time, this investigation does not lead the County Sheriff's Office to believe that any students from the San Lucas Union School District are victims, however, if you or someone you know believes they are a victim of sexual assault or any crime, you're encouraged to contact the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Elvis Sundar has been booked into the Monterey County Jail for rape by force or fear, sexual battery by restraint and other sex related crimes. His bail has been set at $2,000,000.00. If you ha...

SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on June 4 that 40-year-old Travis Harris of Scotts Valley, was sentenced to 40 years and 8 months to life in prison, after being convicted by a jury of 8 counts of Lewd Act on a Child aged 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 Pam...

  (PASO ROBLES, CA) – The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce the following performers for the 805 Beer Frontier Stage, presented by Casey Printing. All shows start at 8:00 PM and are free with your paid admission to the Fair. 7/16/25 – Miss CMSF Scholarship Pageant (6:00 PM) sponsored by Cattaneo Brothers and Boot Barn: Celebrating the spirit, intelligence, and community pride of San Luis Obispo County, the annual Miss California Mid-State Fair Scholarship Pageant is a local institution for good reason. Each contestant will share their personal/Fair platform, participate in interviews, evening wear, and talent segments. Scholarships are awarded, and the winner will represent the Fair throughout the year. 7/17/25 - Stephen Pearcy: Stephen Pearcy, founder, lead singer, and songwriter of the multi-platinum rock band RATT, is a pioneering force of the 1980s Sunset Strip metal scene whose four-decade career—including iconic hits like "Round and Round," "Lay It D...