Good morning, Salinas.

Renovations have been completed at Tatum’s Garden in Salinas—the city’s first fully accessible playground—with new rubber surfacing and updated equipment making the park safer and more engaging for all children.

The nonprofit project was privately funded and celebrated with a Nov. 6 ribbon-cutting that spurred community interest in similar inclusive play initiatives.

The Fort Ord Environmental Justice Network in Salinas has struggled to keep its weekly food drive going—held every Friday at 10:30 a.m. on Rossi and Rico—because donations are low and demand has increased; the ministry, started by Le'Vonne and Pastor Donald Stone after Fort Ord closed, now serves 80 to 120 people each week and is raising funds for a new facility after losing its building in October.

Monterey County Unified School District will host the fourth Annual Community Resource Festival on November 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the North County Recreation and Park District (11261 Crane Street in Castroville), where local booths will offer health, wellness, education and safety services along with free food, live music and family activities.

Monarch butterflies have returned to the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary after last year's record low migration season.

As of November 7, the sanctuary counted 87 butterflies—nearly 10 times more than on the same date last year— although experts say the numbers remain far below historic levels.

After the government shutdown ended on November 12, full November CalFresh benefits have reached low-income residents to help pay for groceries—5.5 million Californians receive SNAP every month.

Federal workers will get their back pay between November 15 and November 19 as the government is funded through January 30.

Twelve Vietnam veterans were honored Wednesday morning at the Monterey Conference Center to mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War and to recognize their service—decades after many veterans faced rejection upon returning home.

Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and former Monterey City Manager Fred Meurer hosted the ceremony and urged veterans to work with the VA for needed benefits.

Monterey County Health Department's Behavioral Health Bureau is asking for community input on a plan to build six 16-bed mental health rehabilitation centers in Salinas on a county lot near the Salinas Regional Sports Complex.

Two listening sessions will be held at Natividad Medical Center on Monday at 6 p.m. and December 6 at 10 a.m. for locals to share their feedback.

Eli Dukes rushed for 248 yards and four touchdowns as he led Palma to a 28-0 win over Soquel in the CCS Open/Division I playoffs.

The Central Coast Section released playoff brackets on Sunday showing four Salinas teams in postseason play—undefeated Palma hosted its game on Friday while Salinas will face Archbishop Riordan today at 1:00 pm in the Open Division, and North Salinas and Alisal played on Friday in Division II.

Life In The Fast Lane - A Tribute To The Eagles

7:30-9 p.m. — Fox Theater — Ticket prices vary — Experience the classic rock hits of the Eagles performed by a talented tribute band.