Good morning, Salinas.

Central Coast farmworkers remain food insecure even as harvest season brings abundant produce — local groups like Center for Farmworker Families and partners hold monthly events to provide food, though turnout has been low due to ICE fears and rising costs.

Recent events served only about 90 families, highlighting the gap between high agricultural revenue and the basic needs of the workers.

On Memorial Day, the Salinas community will host two events to honor fallen service members—one at Central Park will unveil a statue honoring Army Ranger Ricardo Cerros Jr at 11:00 a.m. and another at the Police Activities League building will unveil five new memorial highway signs at 2:00 p.m.

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office warned residents that an illegal food stand network (linked to Merced County) is operating in Monterey County and nearby areas, selling unrefrigerated and unpermitted food that risks E. coli, salmonella and listeria growth (with a stand found at 348 San Juan Grade Road in Salinas) amid an ongoing investigation since late 2024.

A Gonzales man—Jesus Tejeda, 37—was sentenced to 38 years and eight months in prison on May 20 after pleading no contest to voluntary manslaughter with a firearm, attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon connected to three incidents, including the December 13 shooting in Salinas that left a vehicle crashing into an apartment wall.

Jesus Tejeda, 37, from Gonzales was sentenced to 38 years and eight months after pleading no contest to charges for a fatal shooting in Salinas on Dec.

13, a cinderblock assault on Jan. 5 near a Gonzales farm, and a jail stabbing on March 9 as announced by Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a man from Greenfield at his home Thursday morning as he was leaving to take his child to school, and Monterey County officials confirmed the detention through local police—his name and record remain unknown.

Cali Roots will offer a deep lineup that lets fans explore emerging music styles plus established acts such as the Salinas native Estrella and The John Dank Show, Doah’s Daydream, and Aurorawave.

The festival will present a unique mix of reggae, rock and more for those ready to experience fresh sounds.

Monterey County officials traced a network of illegal food stands to Merced kingpins — they reportedly make about $100K monthly from unpermitted vendors that use unsafe practices and pay below minimum wage.

Health inspectors and district attorney investigators impounded food, equipment, and vehicles from stands in Soledad and Greenfield and will continue gathering evidence to improve food safety.

Monster Truck Throwdown

2:00-3:30 p.m. — Salinas Sports Complex — Check local listings for pricing — Experience an afternoon of motorized mayhem with thrilling monster truck action.

ACP Compost Workshop & Demo Day

8 AM – 5 PM — National Steinbeck Center — Free entry — Explore innovative strategies in composting and organics recycling at this expert-led workshop.