Good morning, Salinas.

A community survey on the January fire at the Vistra Moss Landing Energy Storage facility showed 83% of 1,539 respondents experienced symptoms such as headaches, sore throats, and coughs and noted delayed emergency alerts during the incident.

Health officials from Monterey and Santa Cruz counties plan to use the findings (including environmental concerns like elevated heavy metal levels in Elkhorn Slough) to improve response plans and outreach efforts.

Coca-Cola announced its Salinas distribution site will close on August 1, putting 81 jobs at risk although most employees can transition to roles in San Jose or within the Reyes family businesses—only about a dozen could lose their jobs.

Mayor Dennis Donohue said local leaders will soon decide how to use the empty building that has served the community since 1955.

PG&E has delayed restarting its Tesla Megapack battery energy storage system at the Moss Landing substation because a clamp failed and coolant leaked—company officials said the system will come back online when repairs are complete.

Pacific Gas and Electric said it is delaying the restart of its Elkhorn battery storage facility after a clamp failure and coolant leak were found during planned reactivation on June 1.

The facility, which shut down in January after a fire, will remain offline until the company fixes the issues — ensuring safe grid operations.

Taylor Farms is sponsoring the Golden Ticket Reading Incentive Program at Natividad Elementary School where 242 third graders who score at or above grade level on state tests will receive $250 checks, available for pickup at the district office starting today.

The five-year program—backed by a $60,500 investment—is designed to boost reading skills as part of Salinas City Elementary School District’s ongoing efforts.

Monterey County leaders proposed a pilot program at the Alisal Health Clinic in East Salinas to hire indigenous medical interpreters and community health workers for appointments and paperwork—Supervisor Luis Alejo said the plan will flag interpreter needs and use video to explain billing— and the program will be evaluated for possible expansion.

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.