Monterey County News

The Monterey County Film Commission has launched a search for a site for county film museum.

Three men, including a murder suspect, are back at the Monterey County jail after a brief escape this morning.

Three inmates who escaped Monterey County Jail on Thursday have reportedly been captured.

Swine flu has infected as many as 1 million Americans, U.S. health officials said Thursday, adding that 6 percent or more of some urban populations are infected.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest budget proposal includes changes to criminal law that would undermine public safety and offenders' accountability, Monterey County District Attorney Dean Flippo said Tuesday.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is reporting the arrest of Francisco Javier Maldonado, 33, of Santa Cruz, following a vehicle pursuit Monday night in the Pajaro area.

A task force that combats agricultural crime in Monterey and nearby counties could get three more years to do its work under legislation sent to the governor's desk Monday.

A Carmel man is in jail today on suspicion of raping a 19-year-old woman at his residence around 9 p.m. Saturday.

Two alleged gang members were arrested in the parking lot of a Salinas Bar during the weekend after one was found to have a handgun and the other was in violation of parole, police said.

A breakaway group of workers attempted a coup against Monterey County's largest union today.

A passenger was killed when a white Toyota Camry carrying four women crashed at 4:45 p.m. Friday on Doud Road near Soledad.

Federal officials say they arrested eight Mexican nationals -- some linked to the notorious Mara Salvatrucha street gang - during a sting operation Thursday in Salinas and Seaside.

Interim Police Chief Blair Ulring's competition to lead the Stockton Police Department is San Jose Deputy Police Chief Donald K. Anders.

Sgt. John Lynn of the Salinas Police Dept., campaign coordinator, reports that cities and the two local offices of the California Highway Patrol will field extra patrol cars over Independence Day weekend.

French tourists have filed a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit for that April tour bus crash that killed five people in Soledad.

Agriculture is holding steady in Monterey County. Led by leaf lettuce, strawberries and head lettuce, agricultural commissioner Eric Lauritzen reported Tuesday that the 2008 value of Monterey County crops increased to $3.8 billion, a 10th of a percent higher than 2007.

Some people call the Carmel Valley area, "a hidden treasure" and are avoiding a major proposal for change.

CASTROVILLE, Calif.- As law enforcement in Salinas struggle to get people to come to evening community meetings in the last few months, the Sheriff's Department was faced by a large crowd in Castroville Tuesday.

A Salinas electrician was arrested Monday after Monterey County Sheriff's deputies found him in possession of a billy club during a traffic stop, officials said.

While food banks in the Central Valley scramble to keep pantries full after three years of drought and a year of recession, Food Bank for Monterey County has benefited from more favorable weather and a steady flow of donations, a spokesperson said.