Salinas
Morning News
Friday, February 20th, 2026
Good morning, Salinas. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 20th of February.
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Salinas crews rescued four people and four dogs stranded on an island in Carr Lake after rising water cut off their exit — firefighters used inflatable rafts to bring them safely to shore with no injuries reported. KSBW
- ➤ A driver moved road-closure barriers near Regent’s Slide on Highway 1 and got stuck in a mudslide today; the California Highway Patrol said the road will remain closed until the rain stops and crews assess the roadway (officials urge drivers to obey the closures). KSBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Sara Andrea Fajardo won the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal on Feb. 20, 2026, crediting her start at Alisal Community School for inspiring her as a writer. Her picture book, Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka Con La Papa, celebrates her cultural heritage & lifelong passion for storytelling. The Californian
- ➤ Following Kodiak Greenwood's permit loss, Big Sur saw its last legal cannabis farm close, and the state has begun spending millions to preserve heirloom strains like Big Sur Holy Weed. This legendary cannabis, rooted in local lore and once cultivated by growers (such as Roberts), is threatened by new rules. KSBW
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Cal State Monterey Bay awarded the inaugural Dr. Bobbi Bonace Memorial Scholarship to softball player Ellie Escalante (a senior on the Otters) and freshman basketball player Riley Walls during halftime at the men's basketball game against Cal State East Bay on Thursday, honoring Dr. Bonace's legacy. Monterey Herald
- ➤ Black Students United at Cal State Monterey Bay met on Thursday to demand clearer action after racist graffiti was found on the loading dock near the Otter Student Union. University officials said they will boost security and bias training to help protect Black students, but the group remains unsatisfied. KSBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Monterey County closed the Davis Road Bridge between Reservation Road and Foster Road on Thursday, and motorists are advised to use alternate routes while traffic controls remain in place. Rain is forecast for next week. KSBW
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Valley Health Associates unveiled its new Mobile Unit (a custom-built outreach vehicle) in South Salinas on Wednesday to deliver substance abuse care, providing medication-assisted treatment, counseling and peer support to patients who have difficulty reaching the center. Monterey Herald
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Alvarez High earned the No. 1 seed in the CCS Division I boys soccer playoffs while girls teams from Salinas and Monterey secured the No. 3 seeds — a result that sets up competitive playoff action. Monterey Herald
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Allison Wheeler - Winterspring featuring Alex Sjobeck
7-9 p.m. — Wendi Kirby Music LLC — Tickets available — Experience an intimate evening of jazz with vibrant performances from emerging talents.
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Nb Ridaz Live at MI Hacienda
7:30-11:30 p.m. — Hacienda Mexican Grill — No refunds — Get ready to vibe with Nb Ridaz in Salinas, it's going to be a night to remember!
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
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Reveal the authorAbout Salinas Morning News
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