Good morning, Salinas.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office arrested two Royal Oaks residents, Rene Alvarez Landa and Jose Olegario Gonzalez, for possession of a stolen tractor reported early Sunday near 20 Live Oak Road; the tractor was tracked to 1200 San Miguel Canyon Road and found in the middle of a repainting during a search conducted Monday around 5 p.m. — Alvarez Landa was also found with ammunition and methamphetamine for sale, with bail set at $75,000, while Gonzalez is held with bail at $30,000 —.

North Salinas High School student Mya Pop was named the 2025—2026 Monterey County Youth Poet Laureate and will begin her term on May 1 with duties to promote poetry and literacy while receiving a $1,000 honorarium.

The community will mark her achievement on April 29 with a 10 a.m. recognition at the County Government Center and a 5:30 p.m. ceremony at the Marina Library Community Room featuring youth poetry performances.

About 30 residents from Never Again Moss Landing met at the Prunedale Grange last week to talk about health and safety concerns after the Jan 16 battery plant fire near Moss Landing Harbor—many reported symptoms like eye irritation and headaches.

They say county updates and tests for water, soil and dust are not enough—residents plan another meeting soon to demand clear answers.

Since early April, SPCA Monterey County Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center has rescued 16 emaciated pelicans from the Monterey Peninsula Landfill in Marina and a neighborhood in Royal Oaks—many birds are too thin to fly and blood tests reveal health issues.

The center is stabilizing the pelicans in serious or critical condition—if you spot an animal in distress, please call 831-264-5427.

The County of Monterey is working with King City to purchase the former Project Homekey site at the Days Inn on Broadway Street—if approved, a $300k contribution will help convert the property into 45 studio units for people living in encampments along the Salinas River.

This effort aims to establish a permanent homeless shelter after previous setbacks with the project's management.

On Tuesday, Monterey County’s Geographic Information System launched an interactive map showing current soil, water, air and screening area data from testing sites at the Vistra Energy fire site in Moss Landing.

Residents and business owners submitted a letter demanding more data + battery removal is delayed as officials consult with LG.

Salinas City Council voted 5—2 on Tuesday night to repeal four ordinances on renter protections and to explore a rental assistance program along with a monthly housing report.

New council members and Mayor Donohue supported the change while two members and several local residents opposed it.

Jennifer Edwards, the new executive director of the Big Sur International Marathon, said the race on April 27 will return to its pre-2024 point-to-point course from Big Sur to Carmel, including Hurricane Point.

Edwards said the marathon team is meeting with emergency personnel (Caltrans, sheriff's office, and Cal Fire) to finalize safety plans.

Local baseball rankings show Palma leading an eight-game winning streak with Carmel set for a key three-game series that may boost playoff hopes.

Rankings list Santa Cruz, Soquel, St. Francis, Hollister, Monte Vista, Stevenson, Monterey and Pacific Grove on top while teams like Soledad, Alisal, Harbor, Salinas and Greenfield remain on the bubble—each looking to improve with upcoming games.

Salinas Food Truck and Fly In

11 AM - 3 PM — Salinas Municipal Airport — Free entry — Enjoy local food trucks and aviation displays while exploring the world of flight.

9th Annual Job & Resource Fair

6:30 PM — Manzanita County Park — Free entry — Connect with over 50 employers at one of the largest job fairs in Monterey County.

9th Annual Job & Resource Fair

1:30 AM — Hartnell Park — Free entry — Connect with over 50 employers ready to hire at one of Monterey County's largest job fairs.

California Roots Pre-Party Wine Mixer

6-9 p.m. — Rustique Wines — $20 for general admission, $15 for wine club members — Kick off the California Roots Festival with local wines, music from Rise Up, and delicious food.