KRKC COUNTRY

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on March 23 that on March 12, 2026, the Honorable Jennifer O’Keefe sentenced Noel Aguilera Ledesma to 25 years to life in prison for the 2010 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Yvette Martinez. A jury convicted Ledesma, formerly of Soledad and Yuma, Ariz., of first-degree murder in February 2026. In early 2010, Martinez and Ledesma dated, but they subsequently broke up. Despite the breakup, they remained connected to each other. For months, Ledesma attempted to persuade Martinez to get back together with him. However, in mid-September, Martinez began dating another person. On October 9, 2010, Martinez went out with friends and her then-boyfriend. She went out drinking in Salinas and then went to a corn maze with her boyfriend. She saw a different friend at a Salinas restaurant before heading home. Throughout the night, Ledesma was calling and texting Martinez’s cell phone, but she largely ignored his t...

  Paso Robles, CA — The California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles will host Treaty Oak Revival live in concert Thursday night, July 23 at 7:30 PM at the 2026 CA Mid-State Fair, with special guest William Clark Green, as part of the Michelob Ultra Concert Series in the Chumash Grandstand Arena. Tickets for this show are $50, $75, and $100, and will go on sale Friday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. at MidStateFair.com. Hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the most exciting live experiences in all of music,” Treaty Oak Revival have risen from the oil fields of Odessa, Texas to become one of the most formidable independent forces in modern country rock. Blending Southern grit, punk energy and red-dirt storytelling, the five-piece band built a fiercely loyal following by touring relentlessly and releasing music on their own terms. Their first two albums, No Vacancy and Have A Nice Day, were both self-released and produced multiple Platinum and Gold singles. Their third studio album, West Texas Deg...

  PASO ROBLES, CA, March 23, 2026 — The California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles will host Megadeth live in concert Monday night, July 20 at 7:30 PM at the 2026 CA Mid-State Fair, with special guest Exodus, as part of the Michelob Ultra Concert Series in the Chumash Grandstand Arena. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 27 at 10:00 AM and are priced at $50, $60, $80, and $90 (pit). Fair admission is sold separately. Tickets will be available at MidStateFair.com and Ticketmaster.com. MEGADETH—Dave Mustaine (vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer), Teemu Mäntysaari (Lead, Rhythm, and Acoustic Guitars), James LoMenzo (Bass Guitar) and Dirk Verbeuren (Drums)—are always and forever the point of no return for metal. It would be nearly impossible to conceive where heavy music and culture would’ve gone without the band founded, fronted, and fueled by vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, and producer Dave Mustaine. The blast radius of their impact has only magnified since 1983. Thus far, the...

  Monterey County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested a subject that brandished a firearm in a Castroville bar. He was arrested after resisting arrest which resulted in minor injuries to two deputies. The loaded firearm was recovered. On Thursday night, March 19, 2026 at about 7:45 PM, deputies were dispatched to the 10700 block of Merritt Street in Castroville for a report of a person that had just brandished a firearm inside the establishment. The subject was reported to possibly be intoxicated. Deputies arrived on scene and saw a male matching the description provided enter the establishment. The reporting party met with deputies and told them the subject had entered the restroom. Deputies entered the establishment. As a deputy pushed open the door to the restroom, he saw the subject holding a gun pointed towards deputies. The door quickly closed on its own, forcing deputies to retreat from the door for safety. Deputies gave the subject commands to come out and he exited the...

  (Washington, DC) – On Wednesday, March 18 the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology passed H.R. 7813, NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, during a full committee markup. This important legislation will direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to modernize and expand a nationwide Weather Radio network, provide emergency alerts, and remain resilient during emergencies. “When every second counts, it is essential for the U.S. to have a reliable Weather Radio network,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “The NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act will ensure all Americans have access to life-saving alerts even in times of power outages or extreme weather events. As natural disasters continue to intensify, this legislation marks an important step towards proactively protecting Americans from catastrophe.”   Highlights of H.R. 7813:     Classifies National Weather Service personnel as protective service occupations and directs NOA...

  March 18, 2026 King City, CA: Mee Memorial Healthcare System is proud to announce the arrival of the Fuji Aspire Crystalle 3D Digital Mammography system with Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), bringing advanced breast imaging technology to South County.   This new system is designed to enhance patient comfort, improve diagnostic accuracy, and streamline the imaging process.   The Fuji Aspire Crystalle system features a Comfort Paddle, allowing for a more comfortable patient experience during mammography, along with fast image acquisition to minimize time spent in the exam room.   Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT), or 3-D Mammography, offers several benefits over conventional, 2-D mammography, including higher cancer detection rates (especially for invasive cancer), reduced callback rates for potentially unnecessary follow up tests, and improved image clarity that is particularly helpful for women with dense breasts. These benefits can lead to more confident diagn...

  WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Thursday, March 19 Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) issued the following statement regarding the multi-year investigation by The New York Times into alleged sexual misconduct by the late César Chávez: "I'm shocked and horrified by these revelations that César Chávez groomed and sexually abused young women and minors," said Rep. Lofgren. "My heart breaks for the survivors who had to carry this pain for so many years, including UFW co-founder Dolores Huerta, and my thoughts are with all the brave women who have shared their stories. The United Farm Workers and the movement it represents is so much bigger than one man, and we must continue confronting the injustices faced by America's farmworkers."

  Considering recent allegations about César Chávez, the County of Monterey remains committed to ensuring that survivors of violence are heard and treated with dignity and respect. The Farmworker Rights Movement was advanced by thousands of individuals and families dedicated to the fair treatment of those who labored to put food on tables worldwide, ending in a historic change for themselves and future generations of farmworkers. This work continues and advances through ongoing advocacy by Monterey County Officials in the community, the next generation which has inherited the reins of this effort on a path paved by history makers.

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) received the California Association of Councils of Governments (CALCOG) “Eureka! Award for Regional Excellence” on Monday, March 9, 2026.   The award was presented during the California Regional Excellence Award Ceremony in Long Beach, giving recognition to the Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan & Participatory Budgeting Program. The plan and participatory budgeting process was deemed to be innovative, with creative leadership and thinking needed to develop and implement new ideas that can serve as examples or best practices for others to follow.   The Salinas Valley Safe Routes to School Plan & Participatory Budgeting Program was a two‑year effort that identified barriers to safe access for students at 22 public schools in South Monterey County and recommended both infrastructure and programmatic improvements. A key focus of the plan was developing an equitable process that meaningful...

  Salinas, CA, March 17, 2026 – Reservoir officially opened Reservoir Farms - Salinas, its flagship on-farm innovation hub for specialty crops, turning its vision for an on-farm agtech innovation center into a working reality. The new site features multiple innovation barns and 24 acres of dedicated commercial test fields, creating the most concentrated ecosystem of technology leaders, growers, and startups anywhere in agriculture to rapidly scale solutions for global food production challenges. “From our early days, Reservoir listened intently to partners to understand where innovation in agriculture was stuck,” said Danny Bernstein, founder and CEO of Reservoir. “Once our vision to create an on-farm innovation center was clear, we worked relentlessly with partners across the industry to bring the energy, focus and skills necessary to manifest the space and people necessary to make this a reality. With the doors open, the focus turns to execution and impact – in the form of real-w...

  With unseasonably high temperatures expected during the week of March 15, the SPCA Monterey County reminds pet owners that hot weather can quickly become dangerous for animals. What feels hot to you is also hot for your pet. Keep pets safe by following these tips:     Keep pets indoors whenever possible. If they must be outside, provide shade and plenty of fresh water.     Never leave pets or children in parked cars. On a warm day, the inside of a vehicle can reach 120° in just minutes even with windows cracked, causing brain damage or death.     Remember: shady spots can quickly become sunny and dangerous as the day changes.     Protect paws: pavement and asphalt can become scorching hot and burn your pet’s feet. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws.     Walk or exercise your dog in the cooler morning or evening hours     Watch for signs of heatstroke: heavy panting, lethargy, vomiting, lack of coo...

  SPCA Monterey County is bringing affordable pet wellness services to Gonzales this spring to help local pets stay healthy and prevent overpopulation. These donor-funded mobile clinics are open to all Monterey County residents. Spay & Neuter Clinic (Appointment Required)     When: Saturday, March 21     Where: Gonzales Police Department, 109 4th St.     Cost: $95 for male dogs/puppies; $140 for female dogs/puppies; $55 for all cats/kittens. Price includes surgery and rabies vaccination.     Requirements: Pets must be 2 months to 6 years old and weigh between 2 and 30 pounds. A deposit is required to secure your spot.     Appointments: Book now at www.spcamc.org/mobile. Walk-In Vaccination Clinic (No Appointment Necessary)     When: Saturday, April 11, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm     Where: Gonzales Police Department, 109 4th St.     Cost: $25 per vaccine; $5 dewormer. These mobile clinics supplement the year...

  Washington, D.C. — Rep. Zoe Lofgren, alongside Reps. Eric Swalwell, Lateefah Simon, Kevin Mullin, and Nanette Barragán and Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State demanding urgent answers following the deportation of a Hayward mother and her two young children, including her six-year-old son, Joseph, who was removed from the country without his assistive hearing devices.    The letter outlines serious humanitarian and due-process concerns surrounding the deportation of Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez and her children after they appeared for a routine immigration check-in in San Francisco. According to the family’s attorney, Rodriguez Gutierrez complied with the law and presented herself for the required check-in, where she and her children were detained and deported to Colombia Joseph had been learning American Sign Language and attending school in the United States before the depor...

  Your SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center is caring for a tiny long-tailed weasel who came to us as an orphan.  The 2 1/2 week old baby, so young that his eyes are not yet open, was found in the middle of a hiking trail in Ft. Ord. Weasels are born underground and do not venture above ground until their eyes are open and they are active and mobile, around five to six weeks of age.  The small baby weasel currently weighs 28 grams, about the weight of one single strawberry.  The orphaned baby weasel was dehydrated, thin, and vocalizing for his mother. He is now being raised in our gentle, professional care. Skilled SPCA wildlife technicians are feeding him formula with a syringe eight times a day and through the night. He is in an incubator snuggling close to a stuffed toy.    SPCA Monterey County expects the baby weasel to be in our care indoors for about a month, when he will graduate to an outdoor enclosure to learn to run, hunt...

  WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Mike Lee (R-UT), on Thursday, March 12 introduced an updated version of the Government Surveillance Reform Act to enact new protections for Americans’ rights, including stopping the federal government from buying data on Americans from shady data brokers, while reauthorizing and reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The Government Surveillance Reform Act is the only bipartisan, bicameral bill on offer to reform FISA 702 and other government surveillance programs. It is cosponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). “Now more than ever, unchecked government access to Americans’ personal information threatens their privacy, their civil liberties, and our democracy,” Rep. Lofgren said.  “Congress should not reauthorize broad domestic surv...

  [MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – MARCH 12, 2026] – The Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) is pleased to announce that applications for the Spring Cycle of the Community Arts Grants will officially open on Monday, March 16, 2026. These grants are designed to empower local nonprofit organizations to bring vibrant public arts and culture programs to life across the region. The Community Arts Grants provide awards of up to $7,500 annually to support both new initiatives and the sustaining of beloved existing programs. To be eligible, nonprofit organizations must have a total annual revenue less than $3 million. “We are proud to support the vision of our local organizations that work tirelessly to enrich our community through the arts,” said Jacquie Atchison, Executive Director at Arts4MC. “Whether it’s a mural, a performance, or a community workshop, these grants help ensure that arts and culture remain accessible to everyone in Monterey County.” The Community Arts Grants are made poss...

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on March 12 support for Assembly Bill 46 (Nguyen), legislation that would give courts greater discretion to consider public safety when deciding whether a defendant should receive mental health diversion. This bill closes legal loopholes in California’s mental health diversion law by restoring judicial discretion and ensuring the program provides treatment while protecting community safety. Mental health diversion, created under Penal Code §1001.36, was designed to help individuals suffering from mental illness receive treatment instead of incarceration. However, recent court rulings and statutory limitations have significantly restricted judges’ ability to deny diversion, even in serious and violent cases, leaving courts with limited authority to evaluate whether diversion is truly appropriate. Under current law, once a defendant meets certain statutory criteria, judges have very limited discret...

  According to Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto the Sheriff's Office is aware of concerns being raised by the public about a possible planned attack on the state of California by Iran. The Sheriff's Office received multiple calls throughout Wednesday afternoon, March 11 from concerned residents regarding this information and has been in contact with their federal partners since the beginning of the conflict and can confirm that THESE THREATS ARE UNSUBSTANTIATED. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office asks that the public exercise caution and not share unverified and non-credible information so as to not cause unnecessary fear and panic in their communities. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office will continue to communicate with their federal partners and if they are made aware of any credible and imminent threats to California or Monterey County, they will communicate this information to the public through their social media platforms and through the local media.

  Salinas, CA – The regular candidate filing period for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election has closed. The filing period for the following offices, in which an eligible incumbent did not file, is extended until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.   OFFICE NAME     Auditor/Controller     Monterey County Superintendent of Schools   Information regarding state office extensions will be added to the Monterey County Elections website as available.   Candidates filing during this period must meet all filing obligations. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call (831) 796-1499, toll-free (866) 887-9274 or email CandidateServices@countyofmonterey.gov.

  PASO ROBLES, CA – The California Mid-State Fair is proud to announce that 8-Time Academy of Country Music “Group of the Year” Old Dominion will perform Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM as part of the Michelob ULTRA Concert Series in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center. Openers are Dasha and Annie Bosko. Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday, March 13, 2026 at 10:00 AM and are priced at $70, $80, $90, $110, and $120. Tickets are available online only. To ensure ticket authenticity and face-value pricing, fans should begin their purchase at MidStateFair.com, which links directly to the official ticketing provider. Old Dominion’s skyscraping anthems and electrifying live shows have put the multi-platinum-selling band prominently at the forefront of country music. Fusing clever lyrics and an infectious sound, their lyrical wit and hook-heavy songwriting has certainly proved to be a winning formula for Nashville’s hottest band. Since breaking onto the m...

  Salinas, CA – Monterey County Elections is excited to announce the inaugural, Future Voter Sticker Contest, inviting young artists across the county to showcase their creativity and civic pride. This initiative encourages students to express what voting and community participation mean to them through original sticker designs that will be shared with voters in future election cycles.   Winning designs will be printed and distributed throughout Monterey County at voting locations, outreach events, and community activities. Selected students and their schools will also be formally recognized by the Monterey County Elections Department and the Monterey County Board of Supervisors.   The contest is open to local students within the designated grade levels outlined in the official guidelines. Artwork submissions must follow the contest rules regarding size, format, and theme.   For full contest details, including eligibility, submission instructions, and deadlines, plea...

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), in partnership with the City of King, and Sol Treasures has released a “Call for Art” for the King City Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Art project. This is an opportunity for local artists of all ages and experience levels to create beautiful and interactive artworks on the sidewalks throughout King City to highlight the safe walking routes connecting schools, parks, and community spaces with long-lasting sidewalk art.   The art competition is open to artists who live in Monterey County. It is funded through an Active Transportation Program grant and Measure X and is part of TAMC’s Safe Routes to School program. Artists may compete in one of five categories: Elementary School, Middle School, High School/College, Adult Amateur Artist (18+), and Professional Artist. Compensation will be awarded only to the top designs in each category. Art can be submitted in various sizes of Small – 2’ by 2’, Medium – 3’ ...