Good morning, Salinas.

Teachers and staff from Monterey Peninsula Unified School District have begun moving into new workforce housing on Garden Road to ease long commutes and high housing costs.

The 64-unit complex, purchased for $35 million, has 30 units already occupied and offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.

At the Fungus Festival in Big Sur today, organizers led an educational walk in Big Sur State Park to warn visitors about wild mushrooms—especially the deadly Death Cap.

They aim to help locals correctly identify species amid rising poisoning cases in Monterey.

Following this weekend’s winter storm, a heavy blanket of snow is insulating garden beds but weighing down evergreen branches in Salinas.

Gardeners can gently knock excess snow off trees with a long-handled broom and use magnesium chloride on walkways to help prevent ice formation.

Salinas City Council is discussing a program this week that would use over $1 million from local housing funds to help first-time buyers with mortgage down payments up to $125,000 or 17% of the purchase price on a first-come, first-served basis; more details are expected today.

Night work started Monday on Highway 218 near Frog Pond Wetland Preserve to install temporary road barriers and shift traffic while the FORTAG project continues.

Carlton Drive remains closed through March (drivers must use alternate routes).

Vitalant will hold two blood drives+ Feb.

5 from 1 to 5 p.m. and Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hilltop Park Center to help hospitals meet urgent needs during a national blood shortage.

Montage Health and Anthem Blue Cross reached an agreement Monday to keep coverage for Anthem members at CHOMP (Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula) and other services in Monterey County, avoiding care interruptions ahead of the Jan.

31 deadline. The contract supports HMO, EPO, and PPO plans.

James Garner's Tribute to Johnny Cash

7-11 p.m. — Fox Theater — Event pricing not listed — Experience the authentic live sound of Johnny Cash’s legendary music performed by James Garner and his talented band.

Carlos Daniels Tribute to Juan Gabriel

8 PM – 12 AM — Fox Theater — Tickets from $132 — Experience a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Juan Gabriel by Carlos Daniels.