Author: KION

Jeanette Bent

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV) — The City of Soledad celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday to unveil the city’s newest public art installation at Aerial Apparatus Bay on Monterey Street.

The city saying that the artwork is to commemorate Soledad’s “rich identity and heritage and serves as a vibrant tribute to the dedication, courage, and service of the City’s first responders.”

Supervisor Chris Lopez, who awarded the City a $40,000 grant to help fund the mural, said “Public art is a reflection of who we are as a community; it tells our story, honors our values, and brings people together. The Soledad Fire Apparatus Bay mural is a perfect example of how creativity and collaboration can transform a space into something meaningful for all who pass by.”

Lopez attributing the mural’s location on the new fire apparatus bay to first responders’ sacrifice and service to the communities in the past, current, and future.

The mural was designed and created by three artists: Brenda Scettrini Saglio, Paul Richmond, and Briden Cole Schueren, with a lot of community input. The city saying that it is meant to weave together themes of cultural diversity, Soledad’s past, present, and future, while honoring the vital role of local first responders within our community.

“Our public safety professionals are the backbone of Soledad. This mural is a powerful reminder of their courage, sacrifice, and daily commitment to keeping our community safe. It is also a symbol of the deep respect and gratitude we hold for those who serve,” said Anna Velazquez, Mayor of Soledad.

“There are a few Easter eggs imbedded in the piece as well that make it special and heartfelt,” wrote Supervisor Chris Lopez in a Facebook post. “A tribute to the women who sacrificed so much, working in the sun stooped over so we could stand tall, so our children could fly.”

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Victor Guzman

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The CHP confirms Highway 17 is back open after a fuel tanker overturned in the area, forcing officers to shut down the highway near Sugarloaf Road.

Crews worked well into Thursday night and into early Friday morning to make sure the road was safe for travel.

The area was closed since a fuel tanker overturned Friday morning around 6:45 a.m.

The driver of the fuel tanker suffered minor injuries but is expected to be okay.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says no waterways were impacted by the fuel leaking from the tanker after the crash.

Southbound Highway 17 closed near Sugarloaf after fuel tanker overturns

CHP Santa Cruz confirms southbound Highway 17 is shut down after a fuel tanker overturned near Sugarloaf Road.

A viewer photo shows traffic at a standstill.

Photo courtesy of CHP Santa Cruz

Photo courtesy of Robin Wojahn Brooke

Minor injuries are being reported as a result of the crash, according to the CHP.

The CHP says that while Southbound Highway 17 is closed in the area, the number 1 lane on Northbound 17 at Vine Hill will also be closed.

There’s no estimated time for reopening.

This is a developing story

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Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Last July, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) announced that wild pigs in the Monterey County area were exposed to pesticide bait containing the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone, turning the pigs blue.

They said that last March, they received multiple reports of hunters and wildlife trappers fining blue muscle or fat found in wild pigs. The CDFW’s Wildlife Health Lab (WHL) reported finding “the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone in the stomach and liver contents of one of the wild pigs that was recovered with blue tissues.”

“Hunters should be aware that the meat of game animals, such as wild pig, deer, bear and geese, might be contaminated if that game animal has been exposed to rodenticides,” said CDFW Pesticide Investigations Coordinator Dr. Ryan Bourbour. “Rodenticide exposure can be a concern for non-target wildlife in areas where applications occur in close proximity to wildlife habitat.”

The CDFW, while continuing to investigate the rodenticide in wild pigs throughout Monterey County, say that spill-over can occur in other animals as secondary poisoning. They are also saying that repeated exposure can also effect the overall food chain.

“A 2018 study(opens in new tab) of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in game animals across California found anticoagulant rodenticide residue in 10 out of 120 (8.3%) of the wild pig and 10 out of 12 (83%) of the bear tissue samples collected largely from animals that were frequenting agricultural or residential areas where rodenticides are commonly/more likely to be utilized,” according to the CDFW.

Why blue?

The CDFW says that commercial rodenticides are purposely dyed with blue or green color so that people can see which “effected tissue” should not be consumed.

The CDFW says that other species can eat said rodenticides (an example would be bear and geese, who they say, are known to consume the poison), so they’re asking for hunters and wildlife catchers to check for something “weird” with harvests and report it to a stage agency right away.

They are also urging people not only to not consume blue tissue, but also not to consume any part of an animal with blue fat or muscle or other abnormalities.

They are reminding people that although the animal may have been found at one location, the rodenticide may have been consumed at a different location, especially in the case of wild pigs who like to roam.

The Salinas River, south of Gonzales and the Gabilan Mountain Range are all locations where these blue pigs have been reported.

The CDFW also stressing the importance of responsible pesticide application for people using rodenticides.

For questions about pesticide use and regulations, or to report misuse, contact (831) 759-7325 (for Monterey County).

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Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — CAL FIRE BEU confirmed a home structure fire broke out Tuesday afternoon near Bradley in south Monterey County.

They said that the house fire happened at 73941 Indian Valley Road with one fire rig on scene.

Containment was held to the building and mitigation limited the threat to vegetation.

This is a developing story and more details will be added.

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Mickey Adams

HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Hollister City Council will be considering a potential cost recovery ordinance for DUI enforcement at their meeting on Tuesday.

This comes as the city says they are seeing more drunk driving incidents in recent years.

Hollister Police say that between January 2022 and August 26, 2025, Hollister public safety personnel responded to 77 DUI-related traffic collisions, and police say they made 525 DUI arrests in that same time period.

A sample ordinance was provided that would help police seek an estimated $1,000 from suspects responsible for an incident, or their parents if the suspect is a minor.

The council will also be hearing a presentation on the return of the Hollister Bike Rally this past Independence Day.

They’ll be looking at the attendance and financial statistics of the event.

Council could give staff direction on the next bike rally as well, once they have a better picture of its financial impact.

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Mickey Adams

APTOS, Calif. (KION-TV) — A mountain lion was spotted on a Seascape ring camera Sunday night near Sumner and Dolphin Beach (also known as Beer Can Beach).

If you live in the area, officials are reminding people to be mindful of letting pets out in the evening as well as leaving out rat poison.

Neighbors warning of the danger that poison can pose to local wildlife like this visiting mountain lion.

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Jeanette Bent

PARKFIELD, Calif. (KION-TV) — Cal Fire BEU reported being on the scene of a vegetation fire near the Parkfield community in South Monterey County Tuesday morning.

As of around 11 a.m. officials say that the fire was approximately 10 acres in grass, burning at a slow to moderate rate of spread. They also said that there is no threat to structures.

Cal Fire BEU is asking for people to please avoid the area and give responding resources room to work.

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Briana Mathaw

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) —The heat sent thousands flocking to the coast this Labor Day weekend, with beaches across Santa Cruz County packed with families and beachgoers looking for relief.

But while the coast offers a break from soaring inland temperatures, it also comes with a warning: strong rip currents are making conditions especially dangerous.

“The swell, the crowds, and the temperature are really going to increase the number of rescues that we see,” said a lifeguard.

KION’s Briana Mathaw reports from Santa Cruz, where the beach boardwalk and surrounding shores were filled with people enjoying the long weekend.

Beaches were busy Monday afternoon as people looked for a way to cool down.

“I got to get in the water. It’s way too hot not to be in the water right now,” said one beachgoer.

“Are you planning on getting into the water today?”

“Yeah, I am,” the beachgoer replied.

“It was really hot. So it was a great day for the beach, means great day to be in the water. And we have just larger crowds and larger swell,” said a lifeguard.

Lifeguards were out in full force, watching swimmers closely as rip currents continued to form.

“A really strong current that will pull you out. And then with the slope of the beach, as the water comes back down that hill, it’ll kind of pull you down so people will get knocked over. And then if you can’t find your feet, it can be really dangerous,” said a lifeguard.

Checking in with a lifeguard before heading into the water can make all the difference.

“Checking in with a lifeguard is going to be a great idea, because they’ll know the section of the beach that they’re on is going to have its own sort of hazards,” said a lifeguard.

Some beachgoers were choosing to stay safe by keeping their distance from the shoreline.

“Just keep watching the water, be safe on the shore. I won’t be too close,” said one person.

“Keep your eye on the ocean. Never turn your back on the ocean,” said another beachgoer.

Parents especially were keeping a close eye on their children.

“We’re just making sure they’re close to us and that we have an eye on them at all times. And, you know, we’re not getting too far, too far away from the shore,” said a parent.

Lifeguards say they’ve already performed dozens of rescues over the holiday weekend.

“Over the past couple days, we’ve had probably in the 30s, and those have ranged from people out in the water who got caught in a rip,” said a lifeguard.

Some experienced swimmers said they feel safe as long as they respect the water and pay attention to the conditions.

“If we commit ourselves to getting in the water for a swim, we swim through the shore break offshore. And then the only concern is when you’re coming in,” said a swimmer.

Those strong rip currents are expected to last through 11 PM Monday night. If you’re headed to the beach, officials are urging everyone to stay alert, check in with a lifeguard, and never turn your back on the ocean.

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Victor Guzman

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — New stores coming to the Northridge Mall are sparking excitement among people on the Central Coast, but some law firms are debating safety and security of the new Dave & Busters.

The Salinas Planning Commission is scheduled to hear about the new site during a meeting on September 3rd. Including an appeal filed by the law firm Cox, Castle and Nicholson.

CC&N represents a large chunk of the Northridge Mall and Steerpoint Capital, which owns a portion that includes Round One entertainment. The Sears property, however, is owned by Ethan Conrad Properties.

The firm argues bringing a Dave & Busters would increase crime around the old Sears building and in neighborhoods around that part of the mall.

In a statement to the planning commission, the firm says in part “Concern over the Project’s operation is not speculative. With its appeal, Steerpoint submitted evidence of numerous instances of violent behavior at Dave & Buster’s – murders, shootings, stabbings, assaults, robberies.”

The firm also emphasized the project is detrimental to public health, safety and welfare. Citing a number of violent incidents at Dave & Buster locations in Washington D.C and in Times Square in New York City among others.

Another law firm, however, is denying those claims and is supportive of the new Dave & Busters location.

Solomon, Saltsman & Jamieson says Salinas Police is working closely with the mall and Dave & Busters company to insure safety at the new site by providing new security measures in and around the venue.

SS&J represents the applicant, Dave & Busters.

Some of which involves new lighting outside of the old Sears building, but also includes a video surveillance system that police would have access to in case of an incident.

Armed Security would also be provided by Maddison Group, which also helps with security at other Dave & Busters locations.

The statement from SS&J also says safety and awareness trainings for staff will be conducted in conjunction with Salinas Police.

“To cast aspersions on Dave & Buster’s for these events is both unfair and misplaced. Further it is unfair to compare those incidents and locations to Salinas. Salinas does not suffer from the same general community challenges as does Times Square in New York City,” says SS&J.

SS&J also argues staff at these locations responded “swiftly.”

In a letter from Salinas Police Sgt Gerardo Magana to City Senior Planner Tom Wiles, the SPD acknowledges while there may be an increase for Police services once D&B arrives, they do not object to the business being placed there.

They ask the company to follow a number of conditions, including some of the elements referenced earlier about video surveillance and lightning, but also include posting “No Trespassing signs” and stopping the sale of alcohol by no later than 2 a.m.

The letter also states an armed security officer should be on site from 5 p.m. to closing on Fridays and Saturdays and a second officer available from midnight to closing within the same dates.

Documents related to the topic scheduled for September 3rd are available by clicking here

Leases signed for Dave & Busters, Burlington and other businesses at former Northridge Mall Sears building

Staff at Ethan Conrad Properties confirms to KION multiple new businesses are taking over the former Sears building, including a new Dave & Busters.

Floor plans on the company’s website also show plans for a Burlington, O’Reilly Auto Parts and Gohan Buffet.

Ethan Conrad Properties confirms the leases for those businesses plus the Dave & Busters have all been signed and remodeling is underway.

Plans for First Floor of former Sears building (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)

Exterior images of businesses coming to Northridge Mall (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)

Exterior image of businesses coming to Northidge Mall (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)

Plans for Second Floor of Former Sears building (Courtesy of Ethan Conrad Properties)

The company said the Dave & Busters is listed on the floor plan for the Second Floor of the former Sears building.

Floor plans for the first floor also indicate plans for a “Smash n’ Axe,” but it’s not listed as having a lease signed.

Northridge Mall said despite the opening of the Dave & Busters they still intend on keeping the Round One Entertainment and arcade area open.

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Victor Guzman

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — One person is dead and five others hurt after a suspected DUI crash along Old Stage and Natividad Road on Sunday night.

The CHP said a red Ford pick-up truck driven by 29-year-old Miguel Garcia Soto of Watsonville was traveling northbound on Old Stage Road, while a gray Nissan SUV crashed head-on just before 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The driver of the SUV, a 47-year-old man from Salinas, died as a result of their injuries while the passengers in the vehicle — all ages ranging from 12 to 42 years old from Salinas — suffered moderate to major injuries.

For reasons still under investigation, the CHP says that the pickup crossed into the southbound lane, resulting in a head-on crash with the SUV.

“The driver of the pickup sustained suspected minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital,” according to the CHP. “Four of the SUV’s five passengers sustained suspected moderate to major injuries and were transported to a local hospital. One passenger required emergency air transport.”

Soto was arrested for Felony DUI. The California Highway Patrol is working in collaboration with the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office to pursue additional charges as the investigation continues.

The identity of the SUV’s driver will be released by the Monterey County Coroner’s Office once next of kin has been notified.

Old Stage Road along Hebert and Natividad was shut down as part of the investigation.

The CHP encourages anyone with information related to this crash to contact the Monterey Area office at (831) 770-8000 or email MontereyCHPTips@chp.ca.gov.

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