Monterey County Dispatchers Commended for Exceptional Performance During 2 Critical Search-and-Rescue Incidents in 2025

Monterey County, CA — County of Monterey Emergency Communications Department on December 4 proudly recognized the outstanding actions of Dispatchers Dawn McNeil and Donald Clark, whose professionalism and technical expertise directly contributed to the safe recovery of 2 lost hikers in separate incidents this fall.

On October 18, 2025, Veteran Dispatcher Dawn McNeil received a 9-1-1 call from a young woman who became lost while hiking with her dog in San Lorenzo Park in South Monterey County. Disoriented and increasingly panicked after circling dense brush, the caller sought emergency assistance. McNeil remained calm and reassuring, leveraging RapidSOS technology to accurately determine the caller’s location. Over the course of approximately 13 minutes, she provided step-by-step guidance, safely directing the hiker and her dog back to their vehicle.

In a separate incident on November 4, 2025, at approximately 6 pm Dispatcher Donald Clark managed a 9-1-1 call from a young woman lost in Point Lobos State Park after nightfall. Clark immediately accessed RapidSOS to identify her exact position within the park and stayed on the line for 24 minutes, offering detailed, turn-by-turn instructions. His composed and steady guidance enabled the caller to navigate back to her vehicle safely along the highway.

These incidents highlight exemplary composure, operational skill, and the effective use of advanced location technology. McNeil and Clark’s actions reflect the core mission of the 9-1-1 system: providing calm, professional, and life-saving support in moments of urgent need.

Dawn McNeil and Donald Clark are hereby formally commended for their exceptional performance and exemplary application of technology in the service of public safety.

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Fatal 3 Vehicle Accident Involving Wrong Way Driver on Highway 101 Outside of King City on January 10

A fatal multi-vehicle collision happened on Saturday night, January 10 at 9:51 p.m. on northbound Highway 101 outside of King City. According to the King City CHP a 2016 Toyota Tacoma driven by 65-year-old Paul Lee Cooper of Otis, Oregon was heading the wrong way going southbound in the northbound lanes south of Jolon Road, while a 2006 Toyota Corolla driven by 33-year-old Dinora Maribel Gomez of Salinas was heading northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road in the #1 lane and a Honda Accord driven by 36-year-old Ignacio Sangerman of King City was also traveling northbound on Highway 101 south of Jolon Road but was in the #2 lane. Due to Cooper's level of impairment his vehicle went the wrong way on Highway 101 going directly into the path of Gomez' vehicle causing the rear of her car to crash with the front of the vehicle driven by Sangerman. Cooper was arrested, sustaining major injuries and was transported to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where as of January 12 is...

Monterey County DA Releases Preliminary Information Concerning an Officer Involved Shooting Incident that Occurred Outside of Soledad on December 16

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King City City Council Announces Selection of José Arreola as New City Manager

January 7, 2025-Following an extensive recruitment process, José Arreola has been selected by the King City City Council to be its next City Manager. Arreola will replace Steve Adams, who is retiring after serving in the position for the past 10 years. Arreola was selected from 31 applicants and 8 finalists for the position. The King City City Council will formally consider the proposed city manager contract at its meeting on Tuesday night, January 13. Arreola's first day on the job is scheduled to be February 23. José Arreola has a distinguished career of serving the community with a particular commitment to youth. He has worked for the City of Salinas for 12 years as their Community Safety Program Manager, Community Safety Administrator and Assistant to the City Manager. Among other responsibilities, Arreola has led several programs to eliminate gang violence which aligns well with the City of King’s efforts and priorities. Prior to that, Arreola worked as an Educa...

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