Good morning, Salinas.

State gas prices are set to decline for the second consecutive week as the average price for regular fuel will drop to $4.40 per gallon on Monday from last week's $4.48 and will have risen 5 cents since last month.

Prices in California will remain about 44% higher than the national average of $3.06 per gallon.

A study found that more than half of pregnant women in Monterey County lived within one kilometer of pesticide spray zones, and local activists met outside the Monterey County Government Building to call for stricter pesticide rules—fearing that new chemicals may bring fresh health risks. Farm officials claim current rules already make pest control hard while activists say history shows banned pesticides are quickly replaced by others with similar dangers.

Carmel’s runner Jasper Bolante finished 32nd at the state cross country championships in Fresno, completing the 5k in under 16 minutes.

The Monterey Herald released its preseason Top 10 girls’ soccer rankings and Salinas is ranked first—followed by Soquel, Hollister, Alisal, Soledad, North County, Rancho San Juan, Pajaro Valley, Aptos and Stevenson.

Alvarez, Monterey, Pacific Collegiate, Scotts Valley and Gonzales are on the bubble.

North County High graduate Ryan Ruiz—who scored the only goal—led Hartnell to a 1-0 win over Evergreen Valley, advancing the team to the 3C2A State Soccer Final 4.