Local News

SALINAS VALLEY — Monterey County health officials have been working with agricultural companies and have reiterated safety plans with the onset of the new growing season, with the goal of keeping ag workers safe and the food supply network stable. “With the start of the...

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Thursday used the full force of his presidency to push two-thirds of U.S. workers to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, reaching into the private sector to mandate that all companies with more than 100 workers require vaccination or...

CALIFORNIA — A variant first discovered in California in December is more contagious than earlier forms of the coronavirus, two new studies have shown, fueling concerns that emerging mutants like this one could hamper the sharp decline in cases overall in the state and...

SALINAS — Old Town Throw Down, a barbecue fundraiser for the 2021 Monterey County Veteran’s Day Parade, raised an estimated $5,000 for the event last Saturday and had an attendance of about 5,000 guests. Pork rib tickets sold out within the first hour of the...

KING CITY — Hartnell College Foundation invited donors to its King City Education Center expansion last Thursday for a luncheon and ribbon-cutting ceremony, celebrating completion of an 18-month project that doubled the size of the downtown center. Hartnell Community College District Trustee Candi DePauw, whose...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County’s indoor face covering ordinance has been triggered, with countywide mask requirements taking effect as soon as this Friday. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published data Monday morning showing that Monterey County was in the “substantial” community transmission rate...

Today, we’re starting with some big news: There will be no green tier after all. In fact, very soon, we’re set to say goodbye to the purple, red, orange and yellow tiers that have for months dictated so much about our lives. California plans to...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo submitted a pandemic economic recovery ordinance for the county on Feb. 3, aimed at recalling laid-off county hospitality, restaurant and travel workers when the economy re-opens.  The ordinance would request those recalls based on greatest length of...

TAX PREP MONTEREY COUNTY — United Way Monterey County has launched its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service, offering free tax preparation services through Tax Day, April 15. UWMC and IRS-trained VITA volunteers will provide this service in English and Spanish for anyone who earned less...

The U.S. vaccination campaign has been rolling along and picking up steam. Some 22% of California’s roughly 40 million residents are fully vaccinated, and more are signing up for appointments. COVID-19 case rates in the state are at some of their lowest levels since...