Local News

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Superior Court Presiding Judge Carrie Panetta announced that Judge Jennifer O’Keefe has been elected by the bench to serve as the court’s next assistant presiding judge as of Jan. 1. O’Keefe will serve in that role for 2026 and 2027...

KING CITY — King City High School HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) officer team delivered donations of coloring books, pencils and crayons to Mee Memorial Hospital on Feb. 4 as part of the Golden Hearts Initiative. The activity kits will support children visiting the...

MONTEREY COUNTY — South Monterey County students and families are building reading skills and enjoying literacy through a countywide initiative launched this past December by the Read to Me Project. The program, called Literacy for All, is designed to expand early literacy access, encourage family...

ELECTION CANDIDATES MONTEREY COUNTY — The candidate filing period for elective offices in the June 2 Statewide Direct Primary Election opened Feb. 9. Candidate forms will be available only during the official filing period and must be completed and submitted by the deadline on Friday,...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Alliance on Aging has announced the return of its free tax preparation services for older adults and people with disabilities, beginning Feb. 2. The program is available to adults age 60 and older, as well as individuals with disabilities, and is designed...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Arts Council for Monterey County (Arts4MC) has named Marie Boucher, also known as Marie Butcher, as the 2026-27 Monterey County Poet Laureate. Boucher officially assumed the role on Jan. 1, 2026, beginning a two-year term through December 2027. The honorary position celebrates the...

CHUALAR SURVEY CHUALAR — Residents can now take the Chualar Community Plan Survey online in English or Spanish. The survey seeks input on housing, parks, transportation, safety, local businesses and other community priorities. Responses will help guide local planning decisions. The survey closes Feb. 12....

KING CITY — A stretch of Highway 101 near King City is set for major rehabilitation as part of a broader slate of state and federally funded transportation projects aimed at improving safety and extending the life of California’s roadways. Granite announced Jan. 29 that...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County health officials and community partners have released the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment, a comprehensive report identifying the county’s most pressing health challenges and priorities. The assessment, compiled by the Monterey County Health Needs Collaborative, analyzes population health data to...

KING CITY — Hundreds of South Monterey County third graders took part in the 2026 South County Farm Day on Jan. 22 at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds in King City, getting a hands-on introduction to agriculture, public safety and local resources. The annual event, hosted...