54.8 F
King City
January 29, 2026

King City farm labor contractors receive suspended prison sentences for workers’ compensation fraud

Law judge court
KING CITY — Monterey County Judge Rafael Vasquez has sentenced King City residents and farm labor contractors Elias Perez Jr., 43, and Alejandra Perez, 40, to three years in prison for insurance fraud committed between 2013 and 2017. Vasquez also suspended those prison sentences, placing...

South County Ag Tour to visit Greenfield, San Ardo and PeachTree Farms

The 41st Annual South County Ag Tour is set for Aug. 25, hosted by Monterey County Agricultural and Rural Life Museum, and will visit several agricultural destinations in South Monterey County.

Work continues on King City High’s new FFA facility

KING CITY — Construction continues at King City High School as the new Future Farmers of America facility begins to look more like a finished building. The site will include new agriculture classrooms and workshops for KCHS students in the FFA program, and replaces...

From horses to Merrill’s Thundering Herd: Rose Escobar shares love of rodeo and serving others

SALINAS VALLEY — Ever since a young child, Rose Escobar dreamed of becoming a Rodeo Queen — a best-in-class combination of horsemanship and athletic abilities paired with personal skills of public speaking and knowledge of the heritage of agriculture. That dream came true this year...

Senior researcher joins Farm Fuel

Dr. Joji Muramoto recently joined Farm Fuel part-time as senior researcher/consultant to conduct research improving the efficiency of mustard seed meal and ASD applications and products.

Rancho Cielo’s Veggie Box fundraiser a big success

SALINAS VALLEY — Rancho Cielo’s annual Veggie Box and BBQ Fundraiser took place Aug. 8-11 on the Rancho Cielo Youth Campus in Salinas. The fundraiser was the biggest success to date, with more than 14,000 boxes sold, 300 volunteers packing boxes and over 2,000 barbecued...

UPDATE: Full SNAP/CalFresh benefits to be issued beginning Friday in Monterey County

UPDATE — Nov. 7, 2025: Full November SNAP/CalFresh benefits have begun posting to the EBT cards of Monterey County residents, according to the County of Monterey Department of Social Services on Friday. ā€œThe California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is telling us that California has initiated...

18 farmworkers treated for possible pesticide exposure

The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is investigating an incident of possible exposure of farmworkers to pesticides.

Lofgren visits Salinas Valley, receives nod from Panetta and Rivas

Zoe Lofgren salinas
SALINAS — As the decennial redistricting process wrapped up last month, the concern from The World’s Salad Bowl started to mount. Local politicians, regional business giants and other community leaders asked how a plan to pair the international agricultural hub with the Silicon Valley...

Balestreri named 2023 Miss King City Stampede

KING CITY — Cristina Balestreri, who grew up in the Salinas Valley, has been named the 2023 Miss King City Stampede. Balestreri, daughter of Monterey County natives Mario and Josephine Balestreri, received the title, sash and crown during the third annual King City Stampede, a...