Good morning, Salinas.

Car Week on the Monterey Peninsula drew over 100 thousand visitors for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance that raised more than $4 million for local nonprofits—money that helped boost hotel and restaurant revenue while supporting programs like job training and youth education at the Boys and Girls Club. The event showed how local community organizations benefited from the surge in tourism during the busy week.

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office announced that Ira Ulysses Bastian—an 85-year-old former employee of Smith’s Restaurant—was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder for the 1991 killings of restaurant owner George Smith and his 79-year-old mother-in-law Eva Thompson in Prunedale following his arrest in 2024.

The California Highway Patrol will increase its presence on local roads this Labor Day weekend from Aug.

29 at 6:01 p.m. until Sept. 1 at 11:59 p.m.—all available officers aim to stop impaired drivers and prevent crashes.

A juvenile was arrested Monday night in Salinas after an accidental shooting at a residence on Declaration Street where police found a 21-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to her foot and linked the gun to the youth—who is related to the woman—police said.

A Cal Poly study found that a Salinas Valley farm’s regulatory costs increased 1,366% over the past 18 years — mainly due to new labor rules that forced the operation to hire extra staff.

Farmers say rising costs without matching crop prices are squeezing profits and could force more farms to close if rules do not change.

SPCA Monterey County is now registering children ages 7–12 for One-Day Animal Camps on select Saturdays and school breaks during the academic year — the camps run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SPCA’s Claire Jacobson Learning Center — where staff and guest speakers will teach animal care and safety.

Doctors at Salinas Valley Health have performed a new minimally invasive heart valve repair procedure on local patient Tom Ament, who returned home the next day and showed significant improvement.

The procedure used a catheter through his groin to repair his tricuspid valve—an approach that may help prevent serious health issues.

La Arrolladora Banda El Limon Live

2-3:30 p.m. — Salinas Sports Complex — Ticket prices vary — Experience the vibrant performance of La Arrolladora Banda El Limon in concert.

GRIDLIFE Laguna Festival

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca — Check website for pricing — Experience the thrilling finale of motorsports with races, drifting, music, and food at this vibrant festival.