Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue confirms to Wake Up the city's efforts to ask the state attorney general to file a criminal case against a CFO accused of misusing Project Homekey funding Three projects in Salinas were held up for months and eventually placed into default The city is working to get the projects up and running after KION's previous reporting showed the former CFO of Shangri-La was accused of misusing the funding Instead of refurbishing the potential homeless housing sites, the CFO allegedly purchased lavish items, such as Louis Vuitton bags, VIP Coachella tickets and expensive jewelry among other items. In a letter sent to Attorney General Rob Bonta Mayor Dennis Donohue cited the "irreparable" harm this did to the city's efforts to provide housing for the homeless The full interview with Mayor Donohue is provided at the top of this article We also asked the mayor if the state dropped its charges against the city for not working quickly to develop the Homekey sites. The mayor told KION he was unaware if the charges were dropped and spokespersons for the city have not answered our requests for comment Victor Guzman is the Assistant News Director at KION News Channel 5/46 KION 46 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here EEO Report | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Community Guidelines | FCC Applications | Do Not Sell My Personal Information Before Salinas voters cast their ballots in November for five seats on the council, Young Voices asked all candidates if they would support recently approved ordinances meant to protect renters None of the challengers responded to the questionnaires Young Voices sent them the new council voted to roll back the rental stabilization ordinances approved on Sept The council had asked  staff to provide them with a report about the Residential Rent Registration The report provided a summary of each ordinance and presented alternatives for the City Council’s consideration Challenges noted by the report included interpretations of ordinance requirements by landlords and issues with the registration platform and processes The report listed the following concerns from landlords:  Landlords also expressed concerns about the “Right to Return/Withdrawal Rental Unit” that one ordinance mandates if a vacated unit is withdrawn from the rental market and then re-rented within five years and the requirement that a unit be offered first to displaced tenants when it is withdrawn from rental for renovations or personal issues Another concern was a relocation assistance provision Landlords expressed concern about the financial burden of having to pay tenants a relocation payment when terminating tenancies for renovation the staff also proposed alternatives to the City Council including amending any or all four of the ordinances to address the concerns raised or to clarify requirements Staff would bring such amendments back to the council for consideration But recently elected Council member Jose Luis Barajas motioned to repeal the rent stabilization ordinances and focus on creating a rental assistance program as well as requiring that a monthly housing report be presented to the council Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue and Council members Margaret D’Arrigo José Luis Barajas and Aurelio Salazar voted for the substitute motion Council members Andrew Sandoval and Tony Barrera opposed it Salinas council members heard from roughly 130 members of the public on the topic Around 70 people spoke in favor of the rent stabilization ordinances It is very difficult to choose between going to school or maybe finding a place to live or choosing your rent,” said 20-year-old Athziri during public comments Athziri explained how the cost of living in Salinas forced her to choose between working and studying and made it impossible for her to rent a place on her own “I don’t think that should be an option for a person that works 12 hours every day.” the proposal to repeal the ordinances was met with approvals by landlords and associations representing property owners Many of them said the only way rents are going to stabilize is by building more housing “What we have encountered here in California is limits on the supply of housing Homebuilders know how to build housing and government at every level — whether be the state and that’s the only way the rents are going to become stabilized,” said Brian Higgins political director for the Monterey County Republican Party was taken after 4½ hours of reports and public comments Have something to say about this story? Send us a letter. SUPPORT NONPROFIT JOURNALISM GET OUR FREE NEWSLETTER Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Ayla Gonzalez Salinas was arrested after allegedly messaging the boy on social media and then meeting up with him I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 20-year-old woman has been accused of having sex with an underage boy she met at a funeral The boy’s exact age was redacted in the report is accused of messaging the boy on social media after meeting him at a service last November The messaging led to the pair meeting up and having sexual contact in December Authorities were alerted to the allegations in January and an investigation was launched The investigation found the pair exchanged text messages that discussed setting “their ‘story’ straight” The boy allegedly agreed to say he was the one who initiated sexual contact Salinas was arrested on Monday, booked into the Palm Beach County Jail and then posted bond on Wednesday, reported Law & Crime. Ayla Gonzalez Salinas is facing multiple charges govt and politics"},{"score":0.724453,"label":"/society/crime/personal offense"},{"score":0.630861,"label":"/health and fitness/sexuality"},{"score":0.598707,"label":"/society/crime/personal offense/homicide"},{"score":0.594332,"label":"/law accused of sex with underage boy she met at a funeral","description":"Ayla Gonzalez Salinas was arrested after allegedly messaging the boy on social media and then meeting up with him (CBS12) — A 20-year-old woman is accused of having sex multiple times with an underage boy she met at a funeral last fall According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) she connected with the child in November 2024 and they started messaging on social media PBSO alleges Ayla Gonzalez Salinas engaged in sexual activities multiple times throughout the course of December The age of the boy was redacted in the report however the allegations against her indicated he was between the ages of 12 and 16 years old She was arrested after authorities were alerted to the alleged relationship in January The subsequent investigation revealed text messages where the pair discussed “agreed they should get their ‘story’ straight,” which included saying that he initiated the sexual relationship and how many times they met Gonzalez Salinas was booked into the Palm Beach County jail on seven counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a victim Find more ways to stay up to date with your latest local news. Sign up for our newsletter to get the day's top headlines delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for the biggest stories and can't miss video Free naloxone (or Narcan) and fentanyl testing strips are now available 24/7 at public vending machines at four locations in Monterey County The vending machines are part of a countywide initiative to address the opioid overdose crisis locally County of Monterey Director of Health Services at a ribbon-cutting on May 1 at the Monterey-Salinas Transit (MST) Center in Salinas where one of the vending machines is located "Opioid overdoses are taking more than a 100,000 lives a year across the U.S and fentanyl is a major driver," Jimenez said 245 emergency room visits and 75 hospitalizations related to any opioid overdose and 126,000 prescriptions for opioids were issued." "While our county rate of opioid related deaths was 12 per 100,000 residents compared to approximately 21 per 100,000 residents in California we need to continue to address this urgent public health issue to prevent further harm to our residents from overuse of opioids," Jimenez said The vending machine at the Salinas station is one of four that were placed at locations throughout Monterey County Locations were selected based on being a hotspot for overdoses and having a high foot traffic The other sites are the Behavioral Health Access Outpatient Clinic at 30 Pearl St MST Transit Center in Marina at 280 Reservation Road and the Monterey County Jail at 1410 Natividad Road in Salinas and cities or agencies are encouraged to contact the health department if they are interested Each vending machine comes stocked with 200 doses of naloxone and 50 fentanyl test strips MST CEO Carl Sedoryk said that all too often bus drivers and other MST staff are called on to respond to a member of the public in crisis our bus drivers have people who are unresponsive and we don't always know what to do—or rarely know what to do," Sedoryk said we have to call in the EMTs or other public safety and that occurs all too frequently." In 2023, an MST bus driver had to pull their bus over at a Burger King parking lot in Soledad when a rider stopped breathing, according to reporting by KION Police arriving at the scene discovered the rider was overdosing and administered Narcan The driver kept dispatch informed of the situation and let the other passengers off the bus safely we have resources here in place at our facilities here in Salinas and Marina where people can help save a life," Sedoryk said The vending machines are part of a two-year pilot project and part of the county's broader public health strategy to reduce the impact of opioid use and create pathways to treatment and recovery using opioid settlement funds In partnership with Decoded a statewide educational campaign on substance use the county is also developing a youth-focused communications campaign to prevent opioid misuse before it starts and provide support for young people who are already struggling with substance use A presentation by Jumano Member and Speaker Bill Martinez Acosta Contact: Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go (WKRC) - A woman was taken into custody after she allegedly sexually abused a boy she met at a funeral According to WPEC, citing an affidavit 20-year-old Ayla Gonzalez Salinas of West Palm Beach Florida was involved in sexual activities with a child she met during a funeral in November 2024 The New York Post, citing the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office reported that there were multiple alleged sexual encounters during the month of December The station reported that Gonzalez Salinas began communicating with the boy believed to be between the ages of 12 and 16 The affidavit obtained by WPEC states that authorities were alerted to the alleged relationship in January and Gonzalez Salinas was arrested authorities found text messages in which the pair allegedly "agreed they should get their 'story' straight," which reportedly included the boy claiming responsibility for initiating the sexual relationship Gonzalez Salinas was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail and charged with seven counts of lewd or lascivious battery of a victim Salinas residents have a festive Saturday ahead of them with two unique events that put a focus on food the first-ever Salinas Food & Fly In at the Salinas Airport brings together exotic cars airplanes and an opportunity to learn more about aviation "We want to bring awareness and shed light on the Salinas airport and the many amenities and programs that it offers," said Jorge Casas which is being hosted at GateOne and Jet West at the airport hangar "We're talking about the Flying Artichoke restaurant GateOne as well as all the different programs such as the Bob Hoover Academy Salinas Pilots Association and flight schools." with pilots flying in from different areas around California "We will also have local organizations that can talk to the community about how they can join or how they can be a pilot or get into aviation mechanics or just learn more about aviation," he said Planes will not be the only things with powerful engines on display Casas said about 30 exotic vehicles are coming out as well which is like a $3 to $4 million Italian supercar." The event will also have local food and arts and crafts vendors The Salinas Food & Fly In is free and parking is free Coming hot on the heels of their successful inaugural event in March What's Grubbin Salinas returns on May 3 with their popular food truck night at 26 W Along with 25 food trucks serving an assortment of top nosh and drinks Pacific Grove and Scotts Valley—you can go to all these places and they all have food truck meetups," said Orlando Osornio former Salinas Councilmember and founder of What's Grubbin Salinas Osornio who used to own and operate "Tortas al 100" food truck wanted to bring some of that magic to Salinas not just those who have food trucks but enjoy eating at food trucks," Osornio said "We wanted a place where people can go and enjoy live music have a good time and enjoy diverse foods." and the first What's Grubbin Salinas on March 15 drew bigger than expected crowds "We were thinking we'd get anywhere from 500 to 750 people but there must have been thousands," Osornio said This time around organizers will set up more tables but the selection of food will be as diverse as before with food trucks coming from throughout the 831 we were looking for Hibachi—we were looking for hot chicken sandwiches "We wanted to make sure we brought food trucks from around the area from south Monterey County to Watsonville." The May 3 event is family-friendly and free to attend 2025Parade aims to feature only the best products and services the bestselling lamp is now on sale for as low as $36 — an incredible 60% off its retail price as this flash deal will only be available for a limited time with a chic linen lampshade topping a durable iron pole that stands just over 5 feet tall The sturdy frame features a round base with a 9.8-inch diameter making it compact enough to easily fit in tight spaces or next to furniture Its rotating lamp head can be adjusted horizontally or vertically to different angles directing the light as needed.   The gorgeous lamp comes equipped with a dimmable nine-watt LED bulb that's expected to last up to 30,000 hours and has three color temperatures to choose from: Use the bright 5000K option for reading and working swap to the cool white 4000K mode for daily activities or enjoy some warm atmospheric lighting with the 3000K temperature.  You can choose from two different color options — black and gold— to best match your decor Both varieties are available at a discounted price Prices are accurate and items in stock at time of publishing Ayla Gonzalez Salinas and the child allegedly “agreed they should get their ‘story’ straight” in text messages Salinas is looking for a Photographer-in-Residence Contact: Chief of Interpretation and Visitor Services (KION) - Over one hundred students from the Monterey County Office of Education ranging from moderate to severe disabilities enjoyed a day of fun and friendship during a field day at Robobank Stadium in Salinas "It's an opportunity for them to get out and socialize with their peers and get a day out of the classroom and have their special event just for them," said Beth Arabia Assistant Superintendent for Special Education for the Monterey County Office of Education and high-fives were seen at Robobank Stadium with over 180 students on Friday morning and all the educators who are here to support them today," said Deneen Guss the day was packed with activities designed to celebrate inclusion and movement "While it may seem that some of the activities they're involved in today it may look like these activities are simple But for our kids who have so many struggles and challenges whether it's health or other challenges they're facing all of these activities are not that easy for these students," said Guss themed as "Down on the Farm," started with hard-of-hearing students proudly performing the national anthem in American Sign Language ensuring every child could participate at their ability level so he used to come and do this event," said Peter "This is really a great opportunity for them to be able to see other students just like them besides outside of their classroom and it just gives them a day of fun and excitement," said Julia De La Torre Dania Romero is an reporter at KION News Channel 46 (KION-TV) -- People making it out to the streets of Salinas in what has been a national initiative Marches and rallies have broken out in various cities some here concerned about potential Medicaid cuts.  Hundreds made it out to the old Monterey County courthouse to protest potential cuts to Medicaid.   “People's lives and their health is going to be on the line,” Supervisor Luis Alejo saying in support of those present.  the name the medicaid service receives in California covers nearly 15 million people in the state Data from the California Healthcare Foundation says nearly 38 percent of residents have some sort of medical debt reductions to Medicaid will only make that worse.  “Any additional cuts or limits to coverage for residents would be devastating,” Francisco Rodriguez “It would lead to even more medical debt and The proposed cuts would look to add per-capita caps to costs Some here see that as a major issue in Monterey County where healthcare is already one of the most expensive in the state Republicans saying they would look to add more requirements to ensure services are provided only to those who need it most Rodrguez is saying the priority should be looking to provide affordable healthcare for all.  “Assuming that only those who need it the most should get it is only going to lead to health care crises,” he says “What we need to do is ensure that everybody has the ability to go to a doctor for preventive care as well as to address whatever medical issues they're facing at that time.”  He says this can be done by reducing costs and incentivizing competition among healthcare providers.  Both legislative chambers setting a July 4 deadline to make this decision And the month is bringing a long weekend with it and a couple of celebrations too While May isn't as packed with events as March and April were there are still a few days to look forward to folks will get a long-awaited three-day weekend on May 26 as Memorial Day comes around Here's everything you need to know about what May has in store this year and is considered a federal holiday Memorial Day always falls on the last Monday in May In total, 2025 has 12 federal holidays across 11 days, according to the Office of Personnel Management Will banks be closed on Memorial Day?Memorial Day is a bank holiday so some organizations will likely be closed There are multiple religious holidays in April The following are some of the holidays and traditions celebrated throughout the month, according to Interfaith America Other noteworthy days in MayHere are some more significant dates in May in Salinas and across Monterey County: Unique days in MayThe following are some of the more unique and odd days celebrated throughout the month of April Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz The latest addition to the Salinas restaurant scene is a dream come true for young chef Known locally as "Chef Philly," the 29-year-old food entrepreneur has made a name for himself at local pop-ups and as the creator of "Certified Butter" compound butters Pasalo has added another accomplishment to his résumé, owner of Certified Philly's, located at 1544 N. Sanborn Road in Salinas "This is like a dream come true," said Pasalo a week before the restaurant's grand opening on April 19 "This is something that I have always been talking about and now that it's right here 'It's a universal language'The last few months have been a whirlwind of activity for the new business owner — securing permits hiring staff and getting the new location ready for diners "It's a whole different experience than managing people," said Pasalo who spent years working at the Stillwater Bar & Grill in Pebble Beach — most recently as the sous chef "I learned a lot at Pebble Beach — the chef would encourage me to experiment with new dishes and develop new flavors," Pasalo said Certified Philly's aims to be a manifestation of Pasalo's love of food and flavor "I am developing new flavors all the time," Pasalo said The restaurant's initial menu is heavily influenced by Asian and Hawaiian cuisine and features locally sourced and sustainable seafood including salmon Pasalo's Certified Butter is also worked into the menu, adding richness and flavor to the chicken wings, garlic noodles, garlic fries, garlic shrimp and cheese rolls — made with rolls from Salinas artisan bakery, Otto's Bread Company Pasalo said the small menu will allow him to run regular weekly specials "I just love making people happy with food," Pasalo said Pasalo came to the United States when he was 3 years old who as young as 5 years old would sneak into the kitchen to watch his mom and grandmother cook "Eventually they started letting me help out," Pasalo said the young chef would fall in love with grilling the cousins were usually in charge of grilling all the meats," Pasalo said "I would set my alarm super early so I could help because that is when they would start cooking." Pasalo received his formal training at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa and started working at Pebble Beach when he graduated The dream of having his own restaurant was always with him he took on a second job at a retirement home Then came the popular pop-ups and compound butter business "Butter was always something that I used for my dishes whether it's making pastas or mashed potatoes or just even finishing off the steak with it — but the thing is it would take so long to make because I like cooking the garlic real one time I thought — I'm just going to make a big batch of it." After trialing the butter with friends and family and getting positive feedback "It is so versatile and convenient to use," Pasalo said It was around the pandemic when the pop-ups really took off my neighborhood would be so filled with cars," Pasalo said family and friends were there to show their unwavering support "That's why I picked this community for the restaurant — I want to build here," he said (KION) - Police are warning tonight about makeshift dirt bikes popping up on Salinas City streets and the dangers they're bringing with them Police say they don't want to discourage people from the hobby of creating these bikes where police responded to two minors riding the bikes Authorities say they're seeing more of these bikes zipping through neighborhoods.In many cases "There are different reasons behind the legality when it comes to these bikes riding on the street as a vehicle A lot of the bikes are makeshift kit bikes and then go out and ride them," said Zach Dunagan Sergeant with the Salinas Police Department SPD said two minors were caught riding recklessly in the Creek Bridge neighborhood.They say that one fled and abandoned the bike in a creek "There are different charges that could be charged so there's fleeing the police that can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on how reckless the fleeing becomes," said Dunagan Some people took to social media after the Salinas PD posted about the incident disagreeing with the measures the department took They were saying "Let kids be kids" and "We've got to give the kids a place to ride."Salinas police "This is merely an educational thing to try to stop something dangerous from potentially happening They don't involve an arrest," said Dunagan Police are urging parents to know what and where their teens are riding Police say if you see people riding the bikes ROAD CONDITIONS: Highway 1 Into Big Sur Is Now Open. Learn More > Stay Two Nights and Get Your Third Night Free Book and host your meeting before April 2025 and save up to $10,000 forming close relationships with many of the migrant workers in the area With his birthday around the corner (February 27th) there's no better time than now to visit these six Steinbeck-related landmarks Most high school students across the country have been assigned to read at least one John Steinbeck novel whether it was "Of Mice and Men" (1937) or "The Grapes of Wrath" (1939) These timeless classics feature a realistic portrayal of the working class the intricacies of family bonds and the importance of community A number of Steinbeck’s literary works were inspired by the agricultural fields rolling hills and ocean fronts throughout Monterey County But the city of Salinas deserves the most recognition here as it was Steinbeck’s hometown and primary inspiration So before heading to Monterey’s Cannery Row for sightseeing and a bite to eat take a half or one full-day literary tour in the city of Salinas This museum and memorial dedicated to Steinbeck's creative legacy is a must-visit for any fan of Steinbeck — or anyone just looking for a deeper knowledge of literary history. The National Steinbeck Center features frequent events such as contests for young writers and the annual Steinbeck Festival every June After you visit the Steinbeck Center, take a short walk to The Steinbeck House Steinbeck and his siblings were born and raised in this Victorian home visitors can stay for lunch and buy a Steinbeck novel and other memorabilia at the gift shop This is Steinbeck's humble boyhood home which now serves lunch to those who want an up-close-and-personal taste of the great writer's beginnings Delight in Steinbeck's memory with a good lunch at this cozy spot open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm Visiting Steinbeck’s Family Gravesite is another important stop on your tour place a flower on the family gravesite and pay homage and respect to Steinbeck Pulitzer Prize (1940) and Nobel Prize (1962) winner by reading aloud one’s favorite passage from one of his novels "Cannery Row in Monterey in California is a poem, a stink, a grating noise, a quality of light, a tone, a habit, a nostalgia, a dream," opens Steinbeck's iconic 1945 novel, "Cannery Row." Present-day Cannery Row is as charming as it was in Steinbeck's day, full of waterfront shops which showcases a gorgeous monument to the late great author and the migrant workers at the heart of the novel Keep walking down Cannery Row and you'll find Ed Ricketts's Lab which was also featured in the novel "Cannery Row." Head inside for a tour of Pacific Biological Laboratories and view a unique scientific setting that figured prominently in an American classic.  What trip to Salinas Valley is complete without hitting the Monterey Wine Trail Enjoy this singular wine-tasting experience in the lovely surroundings that Steinbeck once called home Steinbeck embodies the spirit of Monterey County quintessentially American and dedicated to natural beauty be sure to learn a thing or two about the life of John Steinbeck a man who stands apart as a central figure in the region's — and the country's — artistic history and local stories to help you make the most of your Monterey adventure AI Powered by Mindtrip The Boise State Department of Music is proud to share exciting news from two of our own Thirdspace Quartet’s new State of the Art series—a bold initiative spotlighting living composers—will feature the world premiere of a brand-new string quartet by composer and Boise State Music minor and Spanish double-major Jesse Salinas Anchored by the theme “People & Place,” this season of State of the Art explores collective and personal identities and the places we call home through the intimate and dynamic lens of the string quartet Selected through a call-for-scores competition led by Thirdspace Quartet and in collaboration with the Boise State Music composition program Salinas responded to the prompt with an original 20-minute three-movement work inspired by the symbolic and literal significance of one of Boise’s most beloved landmarks: the Boise Depot “Jesse is a sharp young musician with a penchant to learn deeply about many facets of humanity,” says Boise State director of bands Dr “His curiosity fuels compositions that resonate with our community—in this case Born and raised in the City of Trees, Jesse Salinas is a versatile composer whose work spans film scoring and even double bass quartets about Winnie the Pooh Deeply influenced by his Mexican-Canadian-American heritage Jesse’s music reflects a global appreciation for rhythm and an emphasis on emotional accessibility—aiming to connect trained musicians and first-time listeners and playing the double bass in groups that include the Boise State Symphonic Winds founded in part by Boise State Music alum Jake Saunders (MM: Performance created this project to spotlight new chamber music emerging right here in Boise “We tend to think of string quartets as something of the past—composed only by gentlemen in powdered wigs,” says Saunders “We were drawn to the concept of Jesse’s composition which utilizes the Boise Depot as a symbol to celebrate a variety of cultural groups who have emigrated to Idaho and contribute to Boise’s diverse cultural landscape both past and present. ” Following two in-person workshops with Salinas the Quartet has refined the commissioned work in collaboration with the composer ensuring the final piece reflects both professional artistry and student creativity The project also provides participants with professional audio/video recordings and public performances—resources often out of reach for emerging composers In addition to Salinas’s premiere, State of the Art features bold works by contemporary composers: The Department of Music invites the Boise State community—students and friends—to support Jesse Salinas and the incredible work of Thirdspace Quartet at the world premiere performances: and adventurous” journey through the multifaceted experience of “People & Place” in Boise and beyond State of the Art is generously supported by the Idaho Commission on the Arts and the Boise City Department of Arts & History. Tickets and additional event information are available on the Thirdspace Quartet website Join us in celebrating the vibrant future of chamber music—and the remarkable talents of our Boise State musicians Construction of a new playground structure at a Salinas park began earlier this month crews began work on a new universal playground at the 2-acre Northgate Neighborhood Park in the northwest part of the city during which time no traffic disruptions are expected A comprehensive review of the city's 35 playgrounds back in 2017 identified the existing structure at Northgate Neighborhood Park to be in need of replacement The new inclusive play place will provide a fun accessible and engaging space for children of all abilities The park's new design was selected by the public via an online survey and series of community pop-ups The total construction cost of the new facilities at Northgate Park is $974,090.54 and was federally funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) In 2021, the city of Salinas received $51,567,313 in COVID-relief funds, according to the staff report The city council allocated ARPA funds for a number of government service projects including $2 million for playground structures The majority of the park funds were to be spent in the 93905 and 93906 zip codes which were hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic The Northgate Neighborhood Park playground's grand reopening is scheduled for July 2025 The Northgate Neighborhood Park is the latest in a series of actions undertaken by the city to either add to its public parks or refurbish existing ones On April 7, a groundbreaking ceremony at Closter Park in the Alisal District marked the start of a $10 million renovation that will transform the popular park with new amenities upgraded sports facilities and picnic areas The park's grand reopening is estimated for late 2026 the trails at Cesar Chavez Park were renovated and new fitness pads and benches installed Ensen Community Park, a 73-acre plot of mostly open space in the heart of Salinas is a multi-phase project that is currently underway a 6-acre park with traditional amenities such as restrooms ball courts and playground is set to open during the 2025 summer some places in Salina are celebrating throughout the weekend with deals and specials the day commemorates the Mexican victory over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862 and now celebrated by many Mexican-Americans in the United States It is a popular day by that group of people and more to eat Here's just a sample of where in Salina to find deals and events this Cinco de Mayo weekend As part of the church's Hispanic Evangelization Ministry, Sacred Heart Cathedral is hosting its annual Kermes Fundraiser beginning at 5 p.m In addition to traditional Mexican food and drinks like tamales there will be a salsa contest with a $100 prize games and bounce houses for the whole family and live music Drink specials and Latin music at The PointBeginning at 8 p.m. on May 3, The Point Happy Hour and no cover charge will happen from 8 to 9 p.m and the venue said a surprise live show and Latin music including norteñas From 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 4 and 5, Don Toro's Kitchen at 1500 W Old Highway 40 will have food and drink specials there will be all Mexican-style breakfast burritos two for $7 and drink specials on margaritas Taqueria Fresnilla two-day Cinco de Mayo celebrationOn May 4 and 5, Taqueria Fresnilla at 211 W will have specials on food and drinks such as free small queso with the purchase of a Mexican flag burrito the restaurant is offering a free T-shirt with a Aztec Margarita Tower Beginning at 4 p.m. on May 4, Salina Smash courts are $40 an hour and those who play will get free tacos while supplies last with drink specials available throughout the day as well Saturday, March 8, 2025 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM CST Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home Racine Location 803 Main St. Racine, WI 53403 (262) 634-7888 Driving Directions At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice Sometimes there are people that come into your life and leave an indelible impression Fills a void you never knew existed until they leave again who left us in much sadness on the 26th of February to be with those of his family who had gone before him he lived most of his life on Ehlert Street with his brother Ruben Robert was known for his passion for all things cultural and could recite famous quotes from movies and TV shows as easily as he could recall the stats of André the Giant or Michael Jordan A lover of all forms of music from Elvis to Verdi one could often find Robert swaying to his old radio in his room or He was also a big fan of game shows and always tried to compete with the contestants on Jeopardy Robert was a free spirit and a fun-loving man who always gave a handshake or tip of his Cubs baseball cap to anyone who visited He enjoyed baseball in the summers and visiting the local festivals in Racine where live music would play or food could be tasted and his room was filled with posters and memorabilia of Elvis and magazines of varying kinds even an LP or two from some of his favorite artists Robert was preceded in death by his brothers He is survived by his sisters Rosalinda Salinas-Hultman (Jan) and Rita Salinas-Lonergan (Daniel) Relatives and friends are invited to share memories and refreshments with the family at the funeral home Saturday In honor of Robert please dress as if you are going to an Elvis concert At 3 pm all are invited to Island Park Bridge to honor Robert by placing a flower in the river Memorials to Careers Industries have been suggested We are sure we shall never forget Robert Salinas or the bond that there was among us JavaScript is disabled. In order to use all of the features on meredithfuneralhome.com, enable JavaScript.Close Johnson signed into law close to 300 conservation measures and expanded national parks He and his wife Lady Bird’s love of nature and the environment is part of their legacy And it could be that they were inspired by one artist’s oil landscapes of the Hill Country: Porfirio Salinas Alexa Ura wrote about Salinas for Texas Highways She spoke with the Texas Standard on the artist and the impact of his paintings Listen to the interview above or read the transcript below This transcript has been edited lightly for clarity: Texas Standard: So tell me a little bit about Porfirio Salinas so Porfirio Salinas is a native Texan who spent most of his life really working and painting these landscapes that we’re so used to and almost spoiled by in the Texas springtime – these landscapes of bluebonnets and these rolling hills – and managed to capture them in a way that really inspired folks like LBJ but also other Texans who were spending time away who really clamored for his art because of just how closely he was able to sort of capture the spirit of the Texas Hill Country Do we know how the Johnsons first came across his work They happened to be gifted one of their first oil paintings from a family friend And it sort of set off this lifelong love for Porfirio Salinas’ work And it’s really interesting because it ends up tracking And you end up seeing Salinas’s landscapes not only in the background of their family home but also in these meetings with foreign leaders in the White House His work really followed him through this ascent and ended up being this backdrop to a lot of what became LBJ’s kind of well-known political life about his oil paintings that captured their admiration I think there’s this sort of photographic quality but there’s really this sort of photograph quality that I think is really only appreciated in person versus even in sort of reproductions of his art And there’s almost not a whole lot of texture and contrast in his work And something that I heard in chatting with folks who are a bit more familiar with Salinas’s work is that folks will often look at one of these sort of outlooks out in the Hill Country and they can swear that they’ve seen that exact view from somewhere because of how realistic and true to these views of Texas he was – that he was able to do that I think there’s also sort of a simplicity to his work he was a bit known as more of a commercial painter as opposed to sort of this master of Texas art despite being one of the early landscape artists to his paintings that seems to be able to capture what it’s like to sort look out over the Hill Country in springtime it was sort of their backyard when they were in Texas like a “missing home” or “missing springtime,” maybe… This was a way for the Johnsons to really appreciate what makes the Texas Hill Country so special and I think there’s sort of a nostalgic aspect to some of his art the fact that so many folks who were no longer living in Texas or temporarily not living in Texas wanted to have it displayed just because of this relationship that built over time He became sort of a regular painter out there but his work was also appreciated by folks like House Speaker Sam Rayburn who actually hung some of his art in the Speaker’s dining room up on Capitol Hill there seemed to be sort of an affinity among folks who kind of wanted to take a little piece of Texas with them when they had to be away But could you try to describe one of your favorite paintings One of the first paintings I came across in person was at a gallery out in Fredericksburg It’s this painting where you see kind of these sloping-downward hills kind of those rolling hills that we’re used to seeing in the Hill Country and they sort of end on the banks of a very thin creek that’s kind of reflecting the sunlight you can almost hear the water rustling in that little creek massive canvas that’s on display at the Witte Museum in San Antonio the scale of which I can’t even really describe to you because of how massive it is and you’re just sort of wrapped up in these fields of bluebonnets and there’s a few little cows and a little bit of a walkway or pathway that you could almost think about walking down and hearing the rustling of those bluebonnets There’s something about the scale and the sort of realistic nature of his art that’s really fun to spend time with » GET MORE NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE: Sign up for Texas Standard’s weekly newsletters the gallery in Fredericksburg… Are there other places in Texas where folks can go see his art there are a few places where his art is available There’s another large painting at the Convention Center in San Antonio That original painting that the Johnsons received from him is usually on display at the LBJ National Historic Park out in the Hill Country There’s a painting at the Sam Rayburn Museum out in Bonham and there’s a gallery in Fredericksburg where they have a lot of his paintings on display The owner of that gallery has really sold just so many of Salinas’ paintings for so long that they’re just sort of in a regular rotation and that’s the Charles Morin Fine Art Gallery out in Fredericksburg You mentioned that Salinas was viewed as sort of a commercial artist my impression is that he’s quite popular among collectors of Texas art and that folks who are kind of in the know and in those circles are well aware of him and are still hoping to kind of find pieces of his to add to their collections as historians are hoping to sort of take a broader look on Texas history Salinas has sort of entered this important role we’re sort of in this moment of disputes over history and whose version is uplifted and who gets to capture our history One of the things that came up in my reporting was the importance of the documentation that Salinas left behind – the Texas Hill Country of the flora and the fauna – but also the importance of that documentation through his perspective as a native Texan who did most of his work here as a Mexican American who came up in this art space in some ways in spite of the odds of what life was like for Mexican Americans in Texas at the time he was growing up And so I think that there’s a growing view or a growing appreciation for Salinas’ work among historians who can appreciate not just the actual work he did but the significance of the fact that he was able to do it NC (WWAY) — A man has been arrested on child sex charges after he allegedly was caught trying to leave the country According to the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office the sheriff’s office issued a warrant for Joustin Jair Noyola-Salinas on statutory rape and indecent liberties with a child charges detectives learned that Noyola-Salinas was at the Raleigh-Durham airport for a direct flight to Mexico Noyola-Salinas was able to board a direct flight to Mexico and the flight had left the terminal and was on the tarmac waiting for clearance to take off Detectives were able to make contact with Homeland Security Investigations and the Raleigh-Durham Police Department and had the flight return to the terminal Agents boarded the plane and took Noyola-Salinas into custody Noyola-Salinas is in the New Hanover County Detention Facility under a $1,000,000 secure bond Video Central|Live Stream known as the "Salad Bowl of the World" for its rich agricultural production The valley’s fertile soil produces a significant portion of the nation's fruits and vegetables Downtown Salinas is a growing hub for local businesses It’s the perfect place to explore murals painted by local artists and experience the vibrant energy this area offers The California Welcome Center Salinas is located at the historic Southern Pacific Freight Depot in the Intermodal Transit Center of Downtown Salinas It is a regional heritage center that provides detailed information on places to eat and stay and houses a variety of artifacts and collector's items that highlight the history of the Central Coast Salinas offers a variety of dining experiences from casual eateries serving farm-to-table dishes to upscale restaurants showcasing international cuisine the local restaurants in Salinas cater to all tastes Villa Azteca is located in downtown Salinas and offers traditional Mexican food with a twist This restaurant has made waves for its lively atmosphere and delicious dishes like the lobster enchiladas bathed in a creamy swash blossom sauce or their fish tacos a women-owned brewery serving beer in a lively atmosphere Looking for fresh sushi and authentic Japanese food? Check out KoKoRo Japanese Restaurant and try sashimi A must-visit spot is El Charrito it has evolved into a popular burrito spot known for its hand-stretched flour tortillas made fresh in-house daily There is a lot more food to explore in Salinas. Check out the full list of places to try here. Wine tasting in Salinas Valley is a must! Along River Road, the Monterey Wine Trail offers stunning views while sipping on award-winning Pinot Noir The giant farmers standing 20 feet high in the fields off Highway 68 mark the entrance to The Farm – a great escape hatch for families trimmers and irrigators are a tribute to the hard-working men and women of The Farm Here you can stroll the working farm that unfolds with rows of lettuces book a custom tour which includes one-on-one time with a farmer and visit various parts of the vegetable faming operation while taking part in the daily routine of a real farmer don't forget to stop by the bakery to pick up some delicious pies Traveling down to South County, there is more to explore. Such as the Agricultural and Rural Life Museum in King City's San Lorenzo Park This is a great activity to do with the family to discover artifacts and stories from the late 1800s through World War II There are seven buildings within the museum: the Exhibit Barn La Gloria Schoolhouse and the King City Train Depot There is plenty of history to explore here For outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers, visit Pinnacles National Park The park is famous for its striking rock formations offering stunning hiking opportunities with panoramic views Pinnacles is also a top destination for birdwatching particularly for spotting California condors soaring overhead Looking for more outdoor recreation and relaxation? Lake San Antonio is a serene oasis perfect for that Surrounded by rolling hills and lush landscapes the lake offers ample opportunities for boating Its clear waters and peaceful atmosphere make it an ideal spot for camping picnicking and hiking along the scenic shoreline People throughout the Bay Area and beyond are quickly discovering what makes Hayward such an exceptional place to live From the peaks of the eastern hills to the city's pristine shoreline 150,000 people call Hayward home and nearly 65,000 pursue their education in the Heart of the Bay Let's build something great together.Today's Bay Area is arguably the most competitive business environment in the United States A "business friendly" location isn't enough; you need a partner who shares your goals pay your water bill or find out how to get a building permit We're working hard to make the services we provide accessible Our council-manager form of government combines the strong civic leadership of elected officials with the strong managerial experience of an appointed city manager We're doing our part to drive Hayward forward We need everyone's involvement to protect and strengthen Hayward’s environment This site is a one-stop shop for the resources you need to go green at home Thank you for everything you do to keep Hayward great for future generations Hayward Mayor Mark Salinas will deliver the annual Hayward State of the City address at a free public gathering at 6 p.m tonight at the Hayward Unified School District Performing Arts Center at 2390 Panama Street in Hayward The State of the City address is an opportunity each year for Hayward’s mayor to provide an update on city government and the outlook for the year ahead Likely topics include progress on creating more affordable housing work being done to prevent and prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies and how the City is responding to changing policies and priorities at the federal level This free civic event is open to the public with no ticket or reservation required. It also will be streamed live on the City's YouTube channel To watch a recording on YouTube of Mayor Salinas’ 2024 State of the City address, which took place at California State University, East Bay, go online here Stay informed about what's happening in your neighborhood and around town 510-583-4000info@hayward-ca.gov777 B Street Hayward Access Hayward is an online tool that connects you directly to the people abandoned cars or public safety concerns: report these and other issues directly to us and we’ll get to work on them Use Access Hayward to make sure your question is routed to the right person and handled properly by our team This is a quick and easy way to make a suggestion compliment a member of our staff or share an idea with us Download the Access Hayward app for your mobile phone Please choose a language below to be translated by Google News where family-owned businesses are the backbone of the community a collaboration is helping them build an online presence and reach more customers Crown College’s GetVirtual program at UC Santa Cruz and the Salinas United Business Association (SUBA) have joined forces GetVirtual was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to support local businesses struggling to stay afloat Created by UC Santa Cruz faculty member Nada Miljkovic the initiative provided businesses with free student-built e-commerce websites and digital marketing strategies it was just about helping businesses survive the pandemic,” Miljkovic recalls “We had no idea it would grow into something so much bigger it’s not just about websites—it’s about giving students real-world experience and providing small businesses with lasting digital tools.” Among the first to join the initiative was Yuliya Monastyrska (Crown ‘22 she discovered a passion for business management and creative problem-solving through Miljkovic’s entrepreneurship class she quickly saw how she and her peers could support the local economy “GetVirtual taught me that I didn’t need to wait to graduate to make an impact,” Monastyrska said but we were able to help keep these businesses running during one of the toughest times.” Over 300 students have gained hands-on experience in project management while more than 200 businesses have benefited from their work Monastyrska’s journey came full circle when she transitioned from student to instructor now leading the GetVirtual course at Crown College “The number one skill students gain is real experience in communication—whether it’s with clients or within their teams,” Miljkovic emphasizes “The program is about more than just building websites or design; it’s about building relationships.” a UC Santa Cruz alumnus and executive director of SUBA saw the potential in partnering with GetVirtual The collaboration felt like a natural extension of his formative experiences at UCSC where he was actively involved in student organizations and community work “SUBA is dedicated to fostering community unity and supporting local businesses,” Chávez said “GetVirtual was a perfect fit because it helps these businesses transition to the digital world in a culturally relevant and accessible way.” One example is a Salinas family-owned masa launched a website and expanded its customer base and they plan to use the website to offer online pre-orders soon SUBA celebrates 20 years of championing local businesses in East Salinas With a mission to establish a Business Improvement District for over 550 businesses SUBA plays a crucial role in strengthening the local economy in a region where the population fluctuates between 160,000 and 220,000 due to the agricultural season The partnership between SUBA and UC Santa Cruz is part of a broader effort to connect academic resources with local entrepreneurship. A key player in this effort is the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Development (CIED), which oversees GetVirtual and supports student entrepreneurship initiatives CIED’s impact was recently recognized with the Excellence in Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogical Innovation Award by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers serves as a gateway for students to gain real-world consulting experience Top-performing students have the opportunity to transition into paid internships through partnerships with organizations like the Santa Cruz Small Business Development Center (SBDC) allowing them to receive both academic credit and compensation for their work The program has also extended its reach beyond UCSC allowing students from other public colleges to participate through the Open California College program a UCSC Coursera version of GetVirtual enables students to learn at their own pace and apply as volunteers before moving into paid positions within the program the GetVirtual and SUBA collaboration is about more than technology—it’s about creating meaningful opportunities for students and small businesses alike “We’re teaching students how to find smart and forward-looking solutions for clients and make an impact in their communities,” Monastyrska said They’re building a stronger presence in a digital marketplace and expanding their reach The F150 pickup truck she was driving south on Highway 101 from Salinas was reported abandoned past the Camarillo exit before the concrete border end at about 5:15 a.m Anyone with any information about her whereabouts or who saw her vehicle is asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff's Office at 805-654-9511 Missing person information from California Department of Justice The California Department of Justice Missing Persons site for Guadalupe Coronel Mora of Salinas is desperately looking for their daughter 15 abandoned on the southbound lane of Highway 101 a half mile south of Camarillo Springs Road right before the concrete barrier ends and the guardrail begins The California Highway Patrol was notified of the abandoned pickup at 5:20 a.m. was last seen in Salinas at about 6:15 p.m keys to the truck and keys to her own personal vehicle were in the truck Her personal credit card is missing and her cell phone was left in her bedroom The California Department of Justice has listed Mora as a "Missing Person," with the following description. Her DOJ case number is 25010710. The DOJ site can be viewed at https://oag.ca.gov/missing/person/guadalupe-coronel-mora She was last seen wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt Anyone who might have seen her or her pickup the evening of Jan 15 or after is asked to call the Ventura County Sheriff's Office at 805-654-9511 Stephen Craig of the Salinas Police Department said his department is working with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office to find Mora who has been looking for his cousin with Mora’s parents said they have had no luck locating her and is asking the public to provide any information they can to help find her He said the truck had some minor damage on the passenger side Anyone with information can call the Ventura County Sheriff's Office at 805-654-9511 NOTE: This article is provided free. 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