Salinas
Morning News
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Salinas. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ 70 supporters rallied in Santa Cruz yesterday to back a Coastal Rail Trail design that saves train tracks for future service; a summer Transportation Commission decision will determine their fate. In Monterey, Friends of Seaside Parks host workdays (20–30 volunteers) to build pollinator habitats at Lincoln Cunningham park. KAZU
- ➤ Staff Sgt. Carl F. Abbott’s remains arrived yesterday at San Jose airport (at 12:06 p.m.) and traveled through Highway 101 to a Salinas funeral home on Lincoln Avenue. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday at 2 p.m. at Garden of Memories Cemetery, with a CHP escort expected to slow traffic. KSBW
- ➤ An orphaned baby bobcat was rescued on May 20 on San Jose Creek Canyon Road near the Carmelite Monastery in Salinas and is now receiving care at the SPCA Monterey County wildlife hospital (170 wild animals are being treated). KSBW
ACCIDENTS NEWS
- ➤ Yesterday, a 2-acre vegetation fire burned along northbound Highway 101 near the Betabel on-ramp, causing heavy traffic delays while fire crews worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from growing to 3 acres, and no structures were threatened. KSBW
CRIME NEWS
- ➤ Authorities in Humboldt County are investigating Miranda’s Rescue after evidence claims that dogs from Central Coast shelters were abused, including an instance where a dog was shot and buried (an allegation under review). Monterey officials said there is no proof that local animals were harmed. KSBW
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Cali Roots Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary this weekend at Monterey Fair and Event Center. Festival producer Dan Sheehan announced its Sunday night closing act (a special presentation by Cali Roots All-Stars) set to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime performance with a mix of legacy and new artists. Monterey Herald
- ➤ Work to clean and stabilize Republic Café in Chinatown nears completion, setting the stage for its conversion into a museum and cultural center. Nonprofit (ACE) plans to lease the space by fall once further renovations begin after finishing stabilization in June. Monterey County Now
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The MGA Scholarship Program awarded scholarships to 30 new and renewed 26 returning Monterey County students last November through its Scholar’s Cup golf tournament at Quail Lodge in Carmel Valley + Salinas native Alpha Wong will attend UC Berkeley this fall for electrical and computer engineering, with the next tournament set for Nov. 6 and 7. KSBW
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Monterey County’s Civil Grand Jury proposed measures to curb seawater intrusion into our groundwater basin by urging local agencies to release a schedule with cost estimates and project dates by year-end—awaiting responses from county boards. KSBW
- ➤ Monterey County supervisors approved a 12‑month no‑parking zone near Bixby Bridge (on Highway 1) to improve safety amid record tourism. The measure followed documented traffic congestion and concerns over emergency access. The Californian
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ Monterey County public health officials urge residents to update their pertussis shots as cases have risen to 43 so far this year — nearly half involve children aged 5 to 17. Santa Cruz County also saw increases with 15 cases in 2024, 35 in 2025, and 55 reported since January. KSBW
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Los Originales de San Juan and CLAVE AR
9 p.m. — Hacienda Mexican Grill — Buy your ticket on Ticketón — Experience a vibrant live performance from CLAVE AR, a Latin music band that fuses traditional rhythms with contemporary sounds.
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TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
~ Beverly Sills
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