KRKC COUNTRY

  SALINAS, California - Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni, together with the Napa County District Attorney, announced on September 30 that Monterey County Superior Court entered a judgment against Missouri-based US Automotive Protection Services LLC (“USAPS”), and its owners, Brandon Schrader and Michelle Schrader. The defendants were ordered to pay $5.9 million in civil penalties, in addition to restitution to California consumers, for false and misleading advertising related to the sale of unlicensed insurance products. From 2021 through 2023, USAPS sent more than 4 million deceptive advertisements to California consumers. The mailers were designed to create a false sense of urgency, leading recipients to believe they would lose their automobile warranty protection unless they immediately called the telephone number provided. Consumers who called the number were then subjected to additional misrepresentations by USAPS sales representatives, including claims th...

  MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that the removal of k-rail to re-open Carlton Drive in Del Rey Oaks to traffic began on the morning, Monday, September 28, 2026, with the anticipation for the removal to be completed by the end of the day or early Tuesday morning, September 29. The closure of Carlton Drive was due to the ongoing construction of the Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG). The Transportation Agency further stated that although Carlton Drive will be open, there are outstanding construction items that will require temporary short-term road closures in November before the project is complete. More information about those remaining items and the anticipated schedule for work activities will be provided in future project updates. The Canyon Del Rey segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway (FORTAG) is the first phase of the larger 28-mile effort to connect communities in and ar...

  On Saturday night, September 26, 2026, at approximately 10:03 PM, King City Police responded to a disturbance at a party where 22-year-old Luis Rodriguez of Soledad, allegedly brandished a firearm and threatened another person before leaving the area. King City Police developed information that Rodriguez may be traveling to another gathering at a location on the 500 block of Bitterwater Road and requested assistance from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in an attempt to locate him. An MCSO deputy responded and saw Rodriguez, who immediately fled on foot through a crowd of people while carrying a firearm. During the foot pursuit, Rodriguez threw the firearm to the ground and continued running. The deputy utilized his department TASER in an effort to help apprehend Rodriguez. Rodriguez continued to flee and was eventually located hiding underneath a vehicle and taken into custody without further incident. During the pursuit, a woman associated with Rodriguez allegedly interfere...

  SALINAS, CA — On Tuesday, September 22 Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) visited Hartnell College’s Child Development Center in Salinas to deliver a $250,000 check as one of her 13 community projects she submitted for the Fiscal Year 2026 congressional appropriations cycle. These funds will be used to renovate the Center’s outdoor learning environment and make essential safety upgrades.   “It’s great to visit Hartnell College again and celebrate this win for the children of Salinas,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “The Child Development Center here has provided great programming for kids and has helped parents with young children pursue their educational goals. Every parent wants their child to be able to play outside safely, and I’m happy to help deliver this funding to help renovate the outdoor learning environment."   "We're thankful for this investment, which will finally allow us to give our youngest students a space that matches the quality of learning we want to provide ...

  SALINAS, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on September 23 that 43-year-old Lorena Hernandez Alvarado of King City and former correctional officer at Salinas Valley State Prison pled no contest to felony insurance fraud and admitted the fraud exceeded $100,000 in loss. She also pled guilty in two separate DUI cases. The criminal case arose out of a workplace injury claim made by Alvarado in April 2021. Alvarado claimed she injured her shoulder, neck, back and knees while wielding a heavy shield to protect herself from liquid thrown on her by an inmate at Salinas Valley State Prison. The prison’s insurance company – State Compensation Insurance Fund – accepted Alvarado’s insurance claim. Alvarado never returned to work and received well over $100,000 in insurance benefits, including wage replacement and health care treatment. In the ensuing investigation by the California Department of Corrections’ Internal Affairs, it was determined that ...

  SOLEDAD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the death of an incarcerated person at Salinas Valley State Prison (SVSP) as a homicide. On Sept. 21, 2026, at approximately 12:50 p.m., correctional staff observed inmates 28-year-old Dillon King and 44-year-old Justin Learmont approach inmate 43-year-old Michael Loftin in a recreation yard and begin battering him with an improvised weapon. Staff immediately intervened, quelling the attack. King and Learmont were secured in handcuffs. An improvised weapon was recovered at the scene. Staff activated 911 and initiated life-saving measures. A medical doctor at the institution pronounced Loftin dead at 1:19 p.m. King and Learmont were placed in the restricted housing unit pending further investigation by the SVSP Investigative Services Unit and the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office. The Office of the Inspector General was notified. Loftin was most recently received from Del Norte C...

JOLON, CA — On Tuesday, September 22 Representative Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) announced that the County of Monterey Department of Public Works, Facilities, and Parks has received a $9,784,000 federal grant to rehabilitate approximately 8.7 miles of Jolon Road (from the Mission Road south to Bradley Lockwood Road). Running parallel to U.S. Highway 101, Jolon Road is the only corridor that serves U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett. The funding comes from the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), which addresses deficiencies in community infrastructure that supports a military installation’s readiness. “I am thrilled to see that this grant was secured and that Jolon Road will be getting necessary safety improvements,” said Rep. Lofgren. “It’s fantastic news for the Monterey County residents that regularly drive this narrow road, especially our brave troops at Fort Hunter Liggett that rely on it. I commend Supervisor Lopez and Monterey County for their work on this issue, and I’ll...