California broadens access to Covid-19 booster shots
California is opening up eligibility for booster coronavirus vaccine shots to include anyone 18 or older, making it at least the second state to expand official eligibility beyond older adults and people in high-risk circumstances. Colorado took a similar step this week.
California’s vaccination sites...
Covid-19 cases, deaths surge to new highs in Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY — Thousands of new cases and dozens of deaths related to Covid-19 have been reported in Monterey County since the beginning of the new year, less than two weeks ago.
According to California’s Covid-19 reporting system, last updated Jan. 12, Monterey County’s virus...
Soledad prison tackles Covid-19 outbreak as families protest over health concerns
SOLEDAD — A small group of about a dozen family members and activists protested Saturday outside the entrance of Salinas Valley State Prison and Correctional Training Facility in Soledad.
Their goal was to raise awareness of the increasing Covid-19 infections and deaths inside the facilities,...
Unemployment claims rise as pandemic hits 1-year mark
The surge in unemployment filings in March 2020 provided one of the first clear warnings of the havoc the pandemic was wreaking on the U.S. economy.
One year later, that klaxon is still blaring.
More than 746,000 people filed first-time applications for state unemployment benefits last...
California’s vaccinated can go mostly mask-free beginning June 15
Vaccinated Californians will be able to go mask-free in indoor stores, bars, restaurants, movie theaters and many other places as part of the state’s grand reopening next Tuesday, officials announced on Wednesday.
The new rules are aligned with federal guidance, meaning that face coverings will...
New program aims to expand access to Covid-19 resources
MONTEREY COUNTY — A new community program called VIDA (Virus Integrated Distribution of Aide) was announced with a formal name during the March 31 press briefing for Monterey County, in which the City of Gonzales is a founding partner group.
The formal start to the...
Monterey County remains in Orange Tier
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County will remain in the moderately restrictive Orange Tier in the state’s reopening blueprint system as determined Tuesday, following County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno’s announcement last week that the region could possibly shift soon.
During a press briefing May 5,...
Monterey County mask order still on the table
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Board of Supervisors has moved forward with a countywide indoor face covering ordinance, which could take effect in late October.
Last week the board introduced language for the mask mandate and met on Tuesday for approval. However, due to amendments...
What can reopen in California’s red tier?
CALIFORNIA — Coronavirus cases have continued to recede. President Joe Biden said that there will be enough vaccine available for all U.S. adults by the end of May, sooner than previously expected, because of a deal with Johnson & Johnson to boost supply. More...
California is reinstating an indoor mask mandate
California will once again require residents to wear masks in indoor public settings everywhere in the state, amid uncertainty surrounding the rapid spread of the omicron coronavirus variant and rising case rates as the holidays approach.
The mandate will go into effect Wednesday and will...





















