Where’s the water? Drought threatens California’s lifeline
Even as California moves toward a full reopening from pandemic restrictions next month, many counties are still in danger.
From drought.
Earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended emergency drought orders to 41 counties across the state. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 84% of the...
2025 Year In Review | A Look Back at King City’s Top Stories That Shaped the Past Year
From major community milestones and public safety moments to student achievements, arts, agriculture and housing progress, 2025 was a year of significant change and resilience in South Monterey County.
The following stories were selected by Rustler staff as the top news of the year, highlighting...
South Monterey County’s first inclusive park to open Saturday
SOLEDAD — City of Soledad will host a grand opening for the much-anticipated Orchard Lane Park on Saturday, Aug. 19, at 10 a.m.
The park, which has been under construction for more than a year, will be the first of its kind in South Monterey...
Bat tests positive for rabies in Cachagua area of unincorporated Monterey County
MONTEREY COUNTY — A Mexican free-tailed bat found on Sept. 29 in the Cachagua area of unincorporated Monterey County has tested positive for the rabies virus.
Hitchcock Road Animal Services investigated this incident and determined that there was exposure to owned pets. Those pets that...
CHP urges Californians to buckle up and drive sober this Thanksgiving weekend
CALIFORNIA — As the holiday season gets underway, California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding motorists that the simplest way to stay safe on the road this Thanksgiving weekend is to buckle up before every trip.
CHP will begin its Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) at 6:01 p.m. on...
Monterey County meeting provides insight on Covid-19 vaccines
MONTEREY COUNTY — More than 10,742 Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in Monterey County, out of the total of 24,150 doses of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines allocated and delivered to the county so far.
Monterey County Health Officer Dr. Edward Moreno made the announcement...
King City Police make additional arrest, charges in December murders
KING CITY — An additional arrest and more criminal charges have been made in connection with the murder of two residents last month in King City.
According to the King City Police Department, gunshots were reported Dec. 26 at 1:22 p.m. in the area of...
King City farm labor contractors receive suspended prison sentences for workers’ compensation fraud
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...
More early issues of King City Rustler available online
KING CITY — San Antonio Valley Historical Association (SAVHA) has announced that issues of the King City Rustler newspaper from 1926 to 1936 are now available online through the California Digital Newspaper Collection (CDNC).
Donations from SAVHA began the process in 2019 to upload copies of...
Monterey County library branches offer new language-learning system
MONTEREY COUNTY — Monterey County Free Libraries has announced the availability of Transparent Language Online for Libraries, a complete language-learning system with courses and lessons designed to build listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
“We are excited that students receiving literacy instruction can augment their...
