Monterey County News

Playwright, writer and film director Luis Valdez gives the keynote speech during the closing ceremony for the Mesa Junior Otters program at CSU Monterey Bay in Seaside on Wednesday.

"Transitioning from being a soldier into the civilian world is really hard for them," Stand Down volunteer Gilbert Bernabe said.

The Cowichan Pipes and Drums group from Cowichan Valley Vancouver Island, British Columbia, march during the opening ceremonies at the 2013 Scottish Games and Celtic Festival in Monterey.

Officers were on scene in Salinas on Laurel and Towt streets around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, after a car chase that started south of the city.

One of the dogs rescued from a filthy home in Greenfield last week has given birth to four puppies, the SPCA for Monterey County said.

Large pot operation cleared in San Juan Bautista More than 20,000 plants valued at $25 million were cleared in San Juan Baptista.

Brian Benjamin Balistreri , Suzanne Wood and Jared Hussey in the Wharf Theater's "The Mikado."

PRUNEDALE >> A 51-year-old man suspected of firing a shotgun in front of his residence Wednesday morning sparked a SWAT standoff for more than five hours, deputies said, More than 20 deputies from the Monterey County Sheriff's Office responded to reports about 5 a.m. saying that Jeffery Howard walked his wife out of the house holding a shotgun, ... (more)

More than 20 officers from the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, SWAT and hostage negotiator are on scene on Crazy Horse Canyon Road Wednesday morning.

The election year promise is very pervasive. Have you ever heard of a politician say he or she is opposed to "local control?" Neither have I. However, a bill currently making its way through the State Legislature, AB 155, would do just that, setting a dangerous precedent that would paralyze local governments and politicize public works projects.

Leave the white tablecloth and five-star wines safe in storage until autumn winds blow our dining indoors.

The white wine grape gewurztraminer is a world of its own. No other grape, when made into a wine, can boast that it has perfume and flavor as fierce as gewurztraminers - of rose petals and orange blossoms, litchi fruit, citrus and bergamot peel, and juicy, ripe tropical fruits.

Doctors from Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital showed up at the Board of Supervisors meeting to voice concerns about Natividad's proposed level two trauma center, they're concerned that Natividad Medical Center may be cutting corners trying to get the trauma center up and running earlier.

Monterey County's homeless veterans will have a community of their own for 3 days beginning at noon August 1. During the Stand Down homeless veterans, men, women and families will have access to free medical and dental care.

SALINAS >> After nine years of Monterey County courtroom appearances, the man accused earlier this month of stabbing a Salinas Valley State Prison guard admitted on the witness stand he "slaughtered" his cellmate in 2005.

Monterey County health officials are advising people not to go into the water at Asilomar Beach until further notice due to elevated bacteria levels.

Salinas man sentenced for scalding stepson Enrique Sanchez Tejada was sentenced to prison for submerging his stepson in hot water Check out this story on thecalifornian.com: http://bit.ly/1mZXX74 A Salinas man was sentenced to four years in prison Tuesday for submerging his 5-year-old stepson in scalding water as a punishment, according to the ... (more)

Police said Michael Paul Verga, 55, of Seaside was found buried in Laguna Grande Park after officers received a tip.

For tourist Bruce Pasarow of Buena Park, California, leaving Illinois before seeing what's billed as the "World's Largest Bottle of Catsup" was not an option.

Salinas City schools recall effort takes a turn Principal supported by parents leaves district; recall zooms in on Building a Better Board Check out this story on thecalifornian.com: http://bit.ly/1mWG0X7 Parents waging a recall effort against a member of the Salinas City School District Board of Trustees have lost their martyr.