David Rodriguez Photography

‘It’s snowing in the Eastside’: Salinas celebrates the holidays with Christmas in Closter Park Bright lights, music, and snowball fights kicked off the holiday season in Salinas at the 1st Annual Christmas in Closter Park on Dec. 11-12.

GALLERY: Parents help kids roll up their sleeves to receive Pfizer vaccine The Monterey County Health Department distributed over 100 pediatric Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines for children 5-11 years old in Greenfield, CA.

GALLERY: Roars of aircraft fill the Salinas sky at California International Airshow Hundreds of people eagerly waited in line on Halloween weekend to watch the 40th California International Airshow in Salinas. Aircraft of all kinds drew admiration from the crowd.

Farm worker study exposes hardships during COVID-19 pandemic Findings from a new COVID-19 Farmworker Study (COFS) revealed that Indigenous farmworkers face massive economic challenges as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘We’re fed up’: Parents join California school walkout to protest student vaccine mandates Parents took part in a School Walkout 2021 protest as part of a statewide pushback against California’s vaccine mandate for students.

‘It’s never too late’: Salinas dental hygienist spent 11 years as farmworker Now a dental hygienist, Salinas resident Martina Hernandez Garcia spent 11 years as a farmworker harvesting lettuce before changing her career.

Salinas non-profit offers low cost Chromebook and technology literacy to Monterey County families Salinas non-profit Loaves, Fishes & Computers provides computers and technology literacy to low-income families in Monterey County.

GALLERY: 111th California Rodeo Salinas returns to a celebratory crowd of over 10,000 After last year’s COVID-19 cancellation, the California Rodeo Salinas returned this past week and saw a crowd of over 10,000 people.

GALLERY: Over 100 people gathered at Salinas Fire Station 1 to honor the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks Part of W. Alisal St. in Salinas was blocked off for the City of Salinas 9/11 20-Year Memorial to honor victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

Disciplinary action taken against Salinas High School students involved in racist social media posts “We understand that the public is seeking more answers about all of the involved parties and the punishments doled out."

'I don’t want this to be minimized': Community speaks out at SUHSD board meeting against 'Shaniqua' doll Salinas Union High School District board meeting attracted over 100 concerned community members following an incident at Salinas High School jamboree.

‘Unexpected dream come true’: Everett Alvarez High School senior accepts full scholarship to Harvard After receiving acceptance letters to 21 colleges, 18-year-old Everett Alvarez High School senior Jorge Luis Antonio Marquez Sanchez accepted a full scholarship to Harvard College.

Natividad Elementary School welcomes students back to full in-person learning Natividad Elementary School welcomed students back to school. Safety guidelines require staff and students to wear masks, sanitize hands, and social distance.

Monterey County class of 2022: Here’s what school will look like this year School districts are preparing for a full return to in-person instruction this fall. Safety guidelines will be implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Metallica’s All Within My Hands nonprofit donates $100,000 to Hartnell College Heavy metal band Metallica’s nonprofit All Within My Hands donated $100,000 to Hartnell College in Salinas to help veterans experiencing homelessness.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra visits farmworker vaccination clinic in Salinas U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra visited a farm worker vaccination clinic in Salinas hosted by Clinica de Salud del Valle de Salinas (CSVS) and the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) on Friday July 23, 2021.

‘DACA changed my life’: Salinas recipient frustrated with Texas ruling barring new applicants On July 16 a federal judge in Texas ruled that the DACA program is illegal, leaving many young undocumented immigrants without a legal way to work.

Young Salinas wrestler with big dreams wins national championship in Las Vegas Salinas wrestler Casey Bittner, 10, became the 9 & Under 73 lb. Champion and the 9 & Under Outstanding Wrestler at the Rocky Mountain Nationals

Monterey County's second-largest school district leads the way with fall reopening plans After nearly a year of distance learning, Monterey County school districts are anticipating a full in-person return in the fall.

What did the pandemic teach us about education? Six new findings reveal steps for student success As schools return to in-person learning, education technology company Instructure surveyed hundreds of parents and teachers to reveal findings about the future of education.

Tassajara Fire Crew made up of zen monks defend monastery from the Willow Fire Seven monks belonging to the Tassajara Fire Crew participate in daily structure protection drills inside the monastery near Big Sur.

“Agriculture saved my education,” Salinas native graduates top of his class at Chico State University Everett Alvarez High School alumni who found inspiration in FFA graduates from Chico State University at the top of his class. “Agriculture saved my education,”Barba said. “It provided me with a path to follow.”

Redwood grad Lauren Billys set to return to Olympics in Tokyo Redwood High School graduate Lauren Billys has qualified to compete in equestrian eventing at the Tokyo Olympics later this summer.

GALLERY: Crews bore through Highway 1 to install a 280-foot drainage pipe system Crews work together to bore 10-foot pipes through Highway 1, creating a 280 foot drainage system that will help clear all the debris to prevent further collapse on Rat Creek.

From Cowboy to Golden Bear, 'East of Salinas' star heads to UC Berkeley Salinas High School senior Jose Anzaldo says, I’m not just here to help contribute to the fields of this country. I’m here to contribute more.”

Oasis gains new life after Monterey County Office of Education votes to renew contract After 90 days of review, the Monterey Office of Education unanimously voted to renew Oasis Charter Public School’s contract through June 30, 2026 with a unanimous 7-0 vote.

GALLERY: Salinas residents honor veterans at Garden of Memories cemetery on Memorial Day Monterey County residents visit the Garden of Memories cemetery on Memorial Day to honor veterans who served for the United States on Monday, May 31, 2021.

GALLERY: Everett Alvarez High School celebrates in-person graduation Everett Alvarez High School's Class of 2021 celebrates graduation in their football stadium where families were socially distanced from one another.

GALLERY: North Salinas High School students celebrate their in-person graduation with family North Salinas High School's Class of 2021 celebrates graduation at Rabobank stadium where families were socially distanced from one another.

GALLERY: Alisal Trojans celebrate their in-person graduation ceremony with loved ones Alisal High School's Class of 2021 graduates celebrated their graduation at the football stadium where families socially distanced from one another.