KRKC COUNTRY

  SACRAMENTO— The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding motorists to slow down and drive responsibly as they head out for Independence Day celebrations statewide. To address unsafe driving and keep California’s roads safe, the CHP will conduct a Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) from July 2 at 6 p.m. to July 5 at 11:59 p.m., with an emphasis on combating speeding.   During last year’s 78-hour Independence Day HEP, CHP officers responded to more than 850 speed-related crashes. Tragically, at least seven of those collisions resulted in the loss of life, and nearly 400 crashes resulted in injuries to those involved. In addition, CHP officers made 1,311 arrests for driving under the influence – an average of one DUI arrest every three and a half minutes.  “Reckless driving and speeding continue to endanger lives on California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “As families and friends travel this holiday weekend, we urge everyone to slow down, be considerat...

  MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – With the 4th of July just days away, SPCA Monterey County is issuing an urgent reminder to local pet owners: this week can be a terrifying and hazardous time of the year for companion animals. The sudden, unpredictable explosions from fireworks can cause otherwise calm pets to bolt blindly into danger. Locally, illegal fireworks celebrations have already begun, and devastated owners are using social media to post about pets already lost. Tragically, this sharp influx of escaped pets also often corresponds with a devastating rise in animals hit by vehicles. “Independence Day celebrations can be fun for families, but the noise terrifies many of our pets,” said Beth Brookhouser, SPCA Monterey County Vice President of Marketing & Communications. “When the unexpected blasts begin, frightened animals can scale high fences or tear through window screens. Taking a few proactive safety measures at home today can mean the difference between a happy holiday and a h...

  SALINAS, California -- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on June 17 that 38-year-old Karen Rodriguez and 34-year-old Elizabeth Vargas both current residents of Arizona, have pleaded no contest to 2 counts each of felony embezzlement and sentencing enhancements for theft over $500,000 because of their $3 million dollar embezzlement scheme from Taylor Farms. Rodriguez and Vargas will be sentenced to 6 years and 8 months in the California Department of Corrections. Rodriguez and Vargas were employed in the Human Resources department of Automated Harvesting LLC, a subsidiary of Taylor Farms, between 2019-2023. During that time, Rodriguez and Vargas issued and cashed hundreds of fraudulent checks that were made out to former H1B Visa employees who had returned to Mexico and were no longer working for the company. Salinas Police Department Detectives Byron Gansen and Pete Gomez began an investigation after Taylor Farms discovered the theft in 2023. The Dis...

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has arrested 2 adults and 2 juveniles related to an early morning burglary at a cannabis greenhouse facility that resulted in 2 vehicle pursuits ending in San Benito County and San Francisco. Two additional adults are facing multiple felony charges. On Sunday, June 14 just after 4:00 AM, deputies were dispatched to a burglary in progress at a cannabis greenhouse facility along the 26,800 block of Encinal Road in the unincorporated area of Monterey County just south of Salinas. A security guard reported multiple vehicles, and multiple armed subjects had accessed the business by cutting through a fence. The suspects were reported to be taking processed cannabis. While responding, deputies were able to locate vehicles they believed were involved in the burglary. One deputy encountered and attempted to stop a red Honda Accord which failed to yield. The vehicle led deputies on a pursuit into San Benito County and then into Santa Clara County. San J...

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an early morning burglary that has led to multiple vehicle pursuits and has resulted in multiple arrests. On Sunday, June 14 just after 4:00 AM, deputies were informed of a burglary in progress at a cannabis greenhouse facility along the 26,800 block of Encinal Road in an unincorporated area of Monterey County. Multiple vehicles and armed subjects were reported to be involved. Deputies responded and encountered vehicles believed to be involved, traveling along Old Stage Road. Both vehicles failed to yield to deputies. One vehicle was pursued into San Benito County and was ultimately stopped in San Francisco by the California Highway Patrol. A second vehicle was also pursued and came to a stop after losing control in the area of Highway 101 and Highway 129. This is an active investigation. Multiple people have been arrested, and property has been recovered. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office wishes to thank the Salinas Police Depar...

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Agricultural Crimes Unit has been investigating a series of ongoing copper wire thefts throughout Monterey County. During the investigation, detectives identified a suspect using surveillance cameras and Flock automated license plate readers. The suspect was identified as 30-year- old, Filadelfo Osorio Diaz, of Patterson. Detectives authored search warrants and conducted surveillance as part of the investigation. On June 11, 2026, detectives contacted Diaz who agreed to come in and speak to them. During an interview, Diaz admitted to the theft of copper wire from multiple agricultural properties in Monterey County and other thefts in surrounding counties. The estimated total loss associated with the thefts in Monterey County alone exceeds $50,000. Diaz was recycling the stolen copper wire at metal recycling businesses in the Central Valley. Diaz was taken into custody and booked into the Monterey County Jail for multiple felony violations incl...

  GREENFIELD, Calif. – June 10, 2026 – The City of Greenfield announced on June 12 that its temporary building moratorium on certain new development projects is now in effect following final review and approval by the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The moratorium was originally adopted by the Greenfield City Council through Ordinance No. 575 on August 26, 2025, in response to critical wastewater treatment capacity constraints at the City’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The ordinance temporarily suspends the issuance of new building permits for projects that would require new wastewater connections or increase wastewater flows to the City’s wastewater system. The moratorium became effective on June 10, 2026. “This action is necessary to protect public health, safeguard the environment, and ensure compliance with state and regional water quality requirements while the City advances critical wastewater infrastructure improvements,” said Paul Woo...

  The Monterey County Sheriff’s Coroner Office announceD on June 11 that the family of 53-year-old Pedro Sousa Garcia has been located.  On June 9, 2026, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Coroner Office requested the public’s help in locating the family of 53- year-old Pedro Sousa Garcia, who passed away on May 7, 2026, in the City of Salinas. The Coroner’s Office had exhausted all available information and attempts to locate his family were unsuccessful. “Social media has become a powerful tool for connecting with our community and reaching people in ways that traditional databases and records searches sometimes cannot,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto. “In this case, our public request for assistance generated valuable information that helped us locate Mr. Garcia’s family. The response we received demonstrates the strength of community partnerships and how, by working together, we can help reunite families and provide the closure and dignity their loved ones deserve during a difficult t...

  WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, June 11 Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), the only former immigration law professor in Congress, re-introduced The Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2026, a bill that would provide unaccompanied children with legal representation during proceedings in immigration courts. Lofgren is joined by 15 original co-sponsors. The Senate companion bill, S. 1297, was introduced by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and currently has 28 co-sponsors.  "It's absolutely heartbreaking and nonsensical to see children as young as four years old, unable to speak English, showing up to immigration court to face these complex proceedings alone," Rep. Lofgren said. "These kids can't represent themselves in court. The Trump Administration's move last year to terminate legal services for unaccompanied minors was cruel and not how our immigration system should operate. I'm introducing this bill today to protect these children and provide them the represen...

  SALINAS, Calif. — The County of Monterey announces that it has reached a comprehensive settlement agreement resolving all pending litigation related to the Life Foundation Building at 1000 South Main Street in Salinas, clearing the way for the County's previously approved acquisition of the property and securing the long-term future of critical public services delivered from the site. The Monterey County Board of Supervisors previously approved the exercise of the County's purchase option and acquisition of the facility for $7 million. Under the settlement agreement, the parties have established a clear pathway to complete the transaction, satisfy remaining bond obligations associated with the property, transfer ownership to the County, and permanently resolve all legal claims. The settlement represents a fiscally responsible outcome for Monterey County taxpayers. In addition to preserving the County's contractual right to acquire the property at the established purchase ...

  The Monterey County Coroner’s Office is requesting the public’s help in locating the family of 53-year-old Pedro Garcia, who passed away on May 7, 2026. The Coroner’s Office has searched numerous databases and attempts to locate family have been unsuccessful. The decedent was last known to reside in Salinas and was believed to be an unhoused individual. It is critical to locate the immediate family members to allow them the opportunity to make appropriate funeral arrangements. DECEASED PERSON INFORMATION Full Name: Pedro Sousa Garcia Age: 53 Sex: Male Height: 5’3” Weight: 153 lbs Hair Color: Black-Greying Eye Color: Brown Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic Distinguishing Marks (tattoos, scars, piercings): None Clothing Description: Black sweatpants IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION Please contact: Monterey County Coroner’s Office Phone: (831) 755-3792 Email: Coroner@countyofmonterey.gov

  The Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office is requesting help from the public in locating the family of 74-year- old David Martinez Guzman, who passed away on April 29, 2026. The Coroner’s Office has searched numerous databases, but attempts to locate family have been unsuccessful. Finding the immediate family members is a priority to allow the Coroner's Office the opportunity to make proper funeral arrangements.  Full Name: David Martinez Guzman Age: 74 Sex: Male Height: 5’3” Weight: 178 lbs. Hair Color: White/Gray Eye Color: Brown Race/Ethnicity: Hispanic If you have any information then please contact the Monterey County Sheriff-Coroner's Office at 831- 755-3792. You can also send an email to Coroner@countyofmonterey.gov.

  PASO ROBLES, CA – The California Mid-State Fair is pleased to announce that Phil Wickham will perform Sunday night, July 19, 2026 at 7:30 PM in the Chumash Grandstand Arena at the Paso Robles Event Center. Special guest Bodie will open the show. Tickets for the concert go on sale Friday, June 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM and are priced at $45, $55, $75, and $105. Fans should begin their purchase at MidStateFair.com, which links directly to the official ticketing provider. About Phil Wickham Phil Wickham is a GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning modern worship artist whose songs have been sung in churches around the world. His latest album, Song Of The Saints, released in September 2025 and debuted as his largest release to date. The album includes the longest-running #1 single of 2025, What An Awesome God. His 2024 Grammy-nominated album, I Believe, went #1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. At the 2024 GMA Dove Awards, Wickham was the most-awarded artist, taking home nine awar...

  Salinas, CA – Monterey County Elections will conduct the 1% Manual Tally for the June 2, 2026, Statewide Direct Primary Election on the following schedule:       Random selection of batches begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2026.     The 1% Manual Tally begins Wednesday, June 10, 2026.   Observers are welcome to view the random selection process and the manual tally at the Monterey County Elections Department located at 1441 Schilling Place – North Building, in Salinas.   “The 1% manual tally is one of numerous audits taken to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the vote count.” According to Gina Martinez, Registrar of Voters. “The process is completely open to public observation.”   During the official canvass following each election, the elections official randomly selects batches of ballots to manually tally and compare against official reports from the computer vote count system. Although the process is known as the 1% Manual Tally, f...

  The California Mid-State Fair announced on June 3 the 2026 Mission Square Stage lineup, featuring 12 nights of talented local and regional musicians performing throughout the Fair's run, July 15–26. And new this year - on select dates an Improv Crooner will take the stage after each band. Located in the heart of the Fairgrounds, Mission Square has become a favorite destination for Fairgoers looking to enjoy live music, local beer and wine, food, shopping, and a relaxed atmosphere. All Mission Square Stage performances are free with paid Fair admission. Bands perform from 7:00 PM to about 10:00 PM. See the stage or on-site Daily Schedule for an up-to-date schedule. 2026 Mission Square Stage Lineup: July 15 – The JD Project July 16 – Monte Mills & The Lucky Horseshoe Band                                                     July 17 – Katie Chappe...

  Salinas, California — The County of Monterey Health Department on June 3 announced it has successfully completed a review process to maintain national accreditation status through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). In maintaining its accreditation status for another five years, the County of Monterey Health Department has demonstrated that it meets PHAB’s quality standards and measures and has the capacity to continue to evolve, improve, and advance efforts to protect and improve the health and well-being of Monterey County residents. The non-profit PHAB works to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation. PHAB’s accreditation program, which receives support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sets standards against which the nation’s governmental public health departments can continuously improve the quality of their services and performance.   “We are incredibly prou...

  SAN JOSE, CA - On Tuesday, June 2 Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) released the following statement after the Associated Press reported that she will advance to the general election in November: "Thank you to the people of California's 18th district for making your voice heard in today's primary election," Rep. Lofgren said. "I am honored to have your trust to continue fighting in Congress for our communities. Californians are demanding that Washington focus on pocketbook issues, not vanity projects and culture wars. As our campaign marches on to November, I will continue to speak out against the chaos we're seeing from the Trump administration and the Republican majorities in Congress. I will also do everything I can to help Democrats win all of our state's competitive seats and secure a House majority that will fight for everyday Americans. We have just five months to make our case and put this country back on the right track, and I'm ready to ge...