Good morning, Salinas.

On Jan. 1, California’s statewide minimum wage increased from $16.50 to $16.90 per hour.

Employers must ensure exempt employees now earn at least $70,304 a year to maintain their status (some sectors face different hourly rates) and review local wage rules for compliance.

Joby air taxi rides will soon be available in Dubai where Uber Air powered by Joby will carry up to four passengers this year + the company is expanding its Marina facility with a six-month apprenticeship that has placed over 70 locals in aerospace jobs.

Everett Alvarez High School hosted its annual Black Owned Night Market to celebrate Black History Month.

Local entrepreneurs shared soulful dishes, candle-making lessons, and upcycled keepsakes to support Black-owned businesses and spark future growth in Salinas.

Monterey Regional Airport served 659,867 passengers in 2025 — the highest number in its 85-year history and a 6.3% increase from the previous year.

B.R.A.K.E.S. will offer a free driver training program for teens at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Feb.

28 and March 1 — the sessions combine classroom instruction with behind-the-wheels practice to boost road safety skills.

The Diocese of Monterey announced it will close Notre Dame High School (the all-girls Catholic school in Salinas) at the end of the current school year due to low enrollment, with only six applications received for the upcoming term after two years of enrollment-boosting efforts.

Cal State Monterey Bay received the ACE/Fidelity Investments Award for Institutional Transformation for its innovative efforts to reverse enrollment declines and boost student success.

The university will use the $10,000 award to fund transformational projects (announced after the ACE Annual Meeting).

Federal guidelines to cap the use of grant money for permanent supportive housing, blocked last fall, could return in July (a change local advocates fear) and put 50 Monterey and San Benito county residents at risk of losing their housing.

Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo withdrew his Alisal Arch proposal for East Salinas after community members voiced strong objections on Feb.

26. The $100,000 seed funds will now support improvements at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.

Palma girls basketball rallied in the fourth quarter for a 41-34 win over Crystal Springs Upland in the CCS Division V semifinals, and the team now is headed to the finals to face defending champion Castilleja on Saturday.

Monterey Bay Football Club, Salinas Soccer Femenil and Cosmos Femenil F.C. will join forces to form a women’s USL W League team with free try-outs on March 8 (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and a second round on March 28 at Cardinale Stadium.

Four county wrestlers advanced to the quarterfinals at the CIF State Championships.

Aiden Garcia of Palma, Jacob Perez of Alvarez, Fabian Martinez of Alisal, and Areli Rodriguez of Alisal won early matches and will wrestle today at Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield.

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.

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!