Local News

SALINAS VALLEY — Taylor Farms has awarded more than $650,000 in scholarships through its enhanced annual scholarship program this year. Students are awarded in three distinct categories: the Extraordinary Scholarship, the Innovative Scholarship and the Employee Scholarship. A total of 38 new scholarships have been...

GREENFIELD — Lavender Creek, a family-run lavender farm and growing wellness brand near Greenfield in South Monterey County, has transformed its first Lavender Wellness Experience at the farm into a growing series of community workshops that bring calm and comfort directly to seniors and...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) is helping expand access to 211 services across Monterey County — an essential lifeline that connects residents to food, shelter, health care, financial assistance and other critical resources. As part of its 2025 charitable contributions, PG&E’s...

KING CITY — Community Food Pantry of King City is again partnering with Goodwill Industries for another collection drive Oct. 18-19. The Food Pantry is asking local residents to bring new or gently used items — such as clothing, shoes, books, blankets, linens, curtains, dishes,...

SALINAS VALLEY — Several dozen community members gathered for a news conference at the County Government Center in Salinas last Tuesday to release a new study that found that pregnant women in Monterey County are more likely to be exposed to far higher levels...

KING CITY — Becker’s Hospital Review has released its 2025 list of “Rural Hospital and Health System Presidents and CEOs to Know,” and Mee Memorial Healthcare System CEO Rena Salamacha has earned a spot on the list for the third consecutive year. “These dedicated leaders...

MONTEREY COUNTY — The combined Monterey County Elections Ballot and local Voter Information Pamphlet began mailing last week for the Nov. 4 Statewide Special Election. State Voter Information Guides are now in the mail and will continue to mail into this week. All active voters...

BIG SUR — The Regent’s Slide closure on Highway 1 south of Big Sur has been sending drivers on alternative routes since January 2023. New research from Beacon Economics explores the magnitude of the economic impacts of the closure, estimating the region has lost $13...

SALINAS VALLEY — Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) has announced that Jackie Cruz, VP of Advancement at Hartnell College and executive director for the Hartnell College Foundation, and Gayle Pitman, Hartnell’s VP of Research, Effectiveness and Success, as two of 40 leaders in the nation selected for the 2025-26...

MONTEREY COUNTY — Lions International District 4C-6, in partnership with the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), has announced the inaugural Mental Health and Wellness Service Carnival, a community-focused event dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and providing essential resources for well-being. The carnival, a...