Category: kion-local-news

jose.romo

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Restaurants in Monterey are seeing a sales boost with tourists visiting for Car Week. Many workers in the restaurant industry see this as an opportunity, but have to work more hours to welcome the thousands of tourists that flow into the peninsula.

“Visitors that are here, you know they are visiting the 35-plus Car Week events, but they’re also discovering new places in the peninsula, in the county,” says Sandy Hurta with See Monterey. “It’s a great time for local businesses.” 

Wednesday morning, restaurant workers at Monterey’s El Torito worked hard to prep ahead of welcoming tourists and car enthusiasts during their busy times.

“We’re starting off the week with a 3% to 5% in sales. And that’s just because we are just starting the week, so we can only imagine how much it is going to increase for the weekend.  

Leslie Gallegos, Assistant Manager at El Torito, adds that their location has seen an increase in people calling in for reservations. She says usual wait times increase to roughly 30 to 45 minutes around 8:30 pm when car meets come to an end. 

“Es es más trabajo, incluso es más presión, más, más estrés,” Sous Chef Andres Perez says that with more clients, more preparation hours are needed. He says that stress builds up among kitchen staff, and he puts it upon himself to ensure the kitchen is a controlled chaos.

“We usually start hiring way before to get ready for this time, so when it comes to this time, we’re already ready,” adds Gallegos. “The preparation starts early in the week to get ready throughout the weekend. Since we make everything fresh, it’s a lot of work. But we are staffed up.” 

Car week is a highly anticipated event for the restaurant industry, and staff at this location share that they proactively hire between 15 to 20 people to assist with their increased sales. They say their biggest challenge, “we don’t have enough seating to take care of everyone, but it would be that our obstacles I wish we had more seating, even outdoor seating, and then our wait times, of course, when it gets busy.” 

Sandy with See Monterey adds that this week serves as a great padding for local businesses. 

“We see a lot of our hotels generating a lot of their income for the rest of the year during this time, and the same thing for the workers and local hospitality businesses. Sometimes, car week is that little push for the rest of the year,” Huerta adds. 

See Monterey adds that car week is of great help to the overall local economy. Since 1950, they say that the Concours d’elegance has generated $43 million for local non-profits and hospitals in the area.

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Jeanette Bent

SAN BENITO COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital out of San Benito County announcing further challenges Wednesday afternoon.

They said that the former interested buyer, Insight Health, is stepping away from lease-to-purchase negotiations because of the shifting, federal financial landscape.

Insight saying that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) recently signed by President Trump has created unprecedented uncertainty for rural healthcare.

“OBBBA has created a level of uncertainty for us here in San Benito County that we have never seen before,” said Mary Casillas, HHMH CEO. “While we have yet to fully understand OBBBA’s impact, we know it has affected the potential transaction with Insight and is having similar consequences for rural hospitals across California and the nation.”

The Center for Healthcare Quality and Payment Reform saying that nationwide, nearly one-third of rural hospitals are in danger of closing. To break it down, that’s 700 at-risk with an additional 300 considered at immediate risk.

This comes after much turbulence by San Benito County voters to approve the hospital’s sale to Insight in the last election. 

“I’m disappointed, of course.”

Mary Casillas is the CEO of Hazel Hawkins.When she took over in 2022, the hospital was in dire financial straits, with only a days worth of cash on hand.

“We were able to do some financial restructuring and really take a look at our revenue and our expenses and make some alterations to put us in a better place. So we are in a slightly better place at this point.”

She said things were looking further up with Insight Health poised to come on as a partner.

“They were very excited to grow services in san benito county, which we need desperately. They had plans in place to look at recruiting physicians to bring in to do that growth of services.”

But that would cost money, and now $137 billion in cuts are expected to hit rural health providers like Hazel Hawkins.

A Hollister mother said there’s already a lot to be desired at her only regional hospital.

“They’re definitely mismanaged and not trained. Definitely. And they’re not a clean hospital,” said Brittany Marie.

Lots of folks said they regularly drive to either Gilroy or Salinas just to avoid Hazel Hawkins.

“I took my boyfriend at the time all the way to Gilroy at 1:00 in the morning, just because I knew instead of going there and sitting seven hours in the ER, we got seated immediately, put in a room, immediately got the x-rays that were done an hour and a half,” said Marie.

Casillas said her hospital had already cut some services in the past couple years, and now the future is more uncertain even as they continue to look for a new partner to replace Insight.

“We’ll just have to do a reassessment and see what the best thing is for the district and rural health care. It’s very early in the projections of what? These cuts. We know they’re starting in October. But it’s projected in about two years to really see the cuts start to come,” said Casillas

Medi-Cal coverage is among the most impacted by the federal cuts, which means the hospital could find itself in a financial hole when they treat people who can’t pay.

Casillas said she’s got meetings lined up with several other rural hospitals in the next couple of days, to share stories and talk about best practices to survive the cuts.

She emphasized that there’s no chance Hazel Hawkins will close.

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Jeanette Bent

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — Seeing goats in Aptos and Capitola? Don’t worry, you’re not going crazy.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) announced this week that they will be utilizing goats to control vegetation overgrowth along the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line (SCBRL) starting Monday.

The RTC is expecting the goats to be out there “working” for another four to six weeks, trimming down approximately two miles of the corridor.

According to the RTC, the goats will be used in four locations (State Park Drive and Sumner Avenue in Aptos, as well as Park and 41st avenues in Capitola) to “control weeds and potential fire hazards, clear certain drainage ditches to prevent clogging which may damage infrastructure or neighboring properties, reduce the debris degrading the railroad ties, and to clear certain invasive growth areas which impede visibility for safe travel and for police to patrol for illegal activities.”

They say their choice to use goats stems from a variety of reasons. Goats are quieter than other trimming methods, more energy efficient, requires less person-power, and could reduce the need for and/or enhance the effectiveness of herbicides.

They are hoping that the goats may also reduce the overall maintenance cost of the corridor.

The RTC says that this work will require using electric fencing, goat herders, and herding dogs, all of which will also be contained within the SCBRL right-of-way.

The public is asked not to disturb the electric fencing, enter the fenced area, or pet/feed the goats or dogs. 

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Jeanette Bent

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm opened the press conference Tuesday announcing the new Town Center with a story about a well-known four-star general asking where the city’s downtown location is.

“I went out driving today and I went looking for Scotts Valley,” he said the general told him. “Where is your city? I can’t find it.”

The general was referencing an issue that the City of Scotts Valley has been battling for close to 30 years: the lack of a downtown or community town center.

The city celebrating its long-awaited town center reaching a significant milestone after 19th District U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta presented the council with a check for close to $1 million in federal funding.

“Obviously we’re proud that the federal government was able to play its part for such a meaningful and impactful project like a town center by providing close to a million dollars in federal investment to help this project,” said Panetta. “A project that’s really going to bring this community together.”

The location in question is the vacant lot that sits next to the city’s popular Sky Park.

It was a former airport that closed in 1983 with no real plans for development until some recent financial progress was made with the project.

“You’re going to have a great little downtown retail core plus open spaces… a splash pad… all of these fun things that the community can enjoy,” said Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm.

The city also hoping that the development will house 300 new homes, 75 of which are designated to be “affordable housing.”

“You’re going to see not only market-rate housing and affordable housing, it’s all going to be together in that downtown area,” said Timm.

The project is expected to be between 20,000 to 40,000 square feet of retail and dining space, with an additional two community plazas for gatherings and events.

The city of Scotts Valley saying that they are currently shopping for a developer, but are excited to welcome the community to a groundbreaking ceremony once one is chosen.

People interested in weighing in on the future of Scotts Valley’s Town Center are encouraged to attend public meetings scheduled for the fall, stay up-to-date with council agenda items and visit ScottsValley.gov/TownCenter for updates.

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Victor Guzman

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Erika Mahoney talks about her dad, Kevin, whenever she gets the chance to do so.

That includes answering questions her kids have about their grandfather.

She describes Kevin as a funny, sweet and caring person who wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“He was that shining light who would walk into a room and everyone starts to smile,” Erika says.

In March 2021, Kevin was out picking up groceries for his wife at the King Soopers grocery store in Boulder, Colorado.

What was supposed to be a quick stop at the store turned deadly, as a gunman opened fire on shoppers and staff.

Police swarmed the area, with news coverage beginning almost immediately.

Shortly after the shooting, Erika received a call from her mom while she was working for Monterey County’s local public radio station. After ignoring it the first time, Erika’s mom called again and again, that’s when Erika says she knew something was wrong.

Erika called back, only to hear the news that an active shooter was at the King Soopers and her father was inside when it started.

“When she said that, I wanted to fall to my knees,” says Erika. “I felt a hole blast through my heart.”

Erika says she and her family waited 12 hours for an update on Kevin’s condition. Clinging onto hope that he somehow survived, Erika created multiple scenarios in her head that played out how he could have escaped the gunfire.

She was sleepless and wandered through her home in Monterey County.

“I walked into the living room and looked outside the window which overlooks the Monterey Bay and the tall tree tops,” she explains. “I saw this flash of bright light. I really felt like that was a sign from my dad. Saying he’s on the other side now.”

About a minute later, Erika received the call. Kevin was one of the ten people killed in the shooting.

Erika says she was six months pregnant at the time. When her daughter was born she spiraled into post-partum depression.

“I remember holding this precious little newborn at CHOMP and thinking ‘how am I going to protect my daughter in a world that didn’t protect my dad?'”

The following year in May, the Uvalde mass shooting happened, causing more of an impact on Erika’s mental health.

Erika says she broke down and reached out to a grief therapist who changed her life.

It’s a type of grief the Everytown Support Fund refers to as a more extreme traumatic grief that may need professional help or support to get through.

The non-profit says this kind of grief doesn’t respond to medication or treatment in the same way as depression or anxiety.

Erika was a journalist at KION in the mid-2010’s and covered multiple deadly shootings across the Central Coast, also covering the Gilroy Garlic Festival mass shooting with the local NPR station in 2019.

She says she used her background as a way to cope by creating a podcast.

It’s called “Senseless” and is dedicated to the aftermath of mass shootings from the perspective of family members whose loved ones were killed.

“I think about when I turn my dad’s age and hopefully live longer than him and how that will be a hard moment,” Erika says. “[The Podcast] is about really diving deep at the long term impacts of these tragedies.”

She checked with family members to see if they supported this new project. The family agreed the podcast could help not just Erika, but possibly the world.

“Life is hard right now. The world is a scary chaotic place and we’re going through so much. I’ve learned through my experience that no one goes through life unscathed. Finding joy isn’t easy but just try to do it,” Erika says.

During the Podcast, Erika interviews Boulder Police officers, fellow journalists who covered the shooting and describes the emotions felt through the trial.

They’re emotions she kept in check in front of her children, who she hopes to spend her days with enjoying all the little things life has to offer.

“I took a moment to take my little baby boy to go look at the trash trucks this morning. Those little moments of joy and slowing down are so important. You have to remember to make space for them.”

To listen to the Senseless podcast click here

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Sergio Berrueta

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif. (KION-TV) – Car Week continues along the Central Coast with events for owners and fans alike.

One show today turning downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea into a vintage voyage, all to benefit local nonprofits.

Dozens of old-school beauties lined Ocean Avenue, with the event expanding this year to include Lincoln Street and some side streets.

Each area spotlights a different region of the globe.

The fan-favorite event also creates a fundraising opportunity, donating 100 percent of all entry fees to Central Coast nonprofits. 

“To have this in the middle of this iconic venue carmel by the sea with all the cars and the businesses in the background is just magical,” said Concours for a Cause COO George Anderson.

The Concours for a Cause is benefiting 12 local nonprofits.  

Organizers added new additions, including an exciting racecar showcase and a vibrant Japanese section.

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jose.romo

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) — Car enthusiasts are heading to the Peninsula for Car Week. Tourists traveling to the regional airport, as well as many others, are facing changes due to event-related road closures. 

Engines are revving and car week is in full effect, yet traffic safety should remain at the forefront of people’s minds. 

“Remember the number one reason for crashes that occur in California is speed, so the main thing that we want to really push for everyone is to be aware when you’re driving.”

With Car Week kicking off, CHP Officer Saul Perez says they are taking proactive measures to ensure the safety of drivers along the Peninsula. 

“Our main thing that we’re really pushing forward to is patience, patience, and just making sure that you get to your destination safely,” he adds.

Officer Perez added that some new officers are making their first ride-alongs during this week, taking Car Week as an opportunity to learn from higher-ranked training officers. 

“It’s a lot of pride serving my community,” says Saul Gomez, recent CHP academy graduate. “I know my dad works down the street; he’s worked there for 20, 30 years in agriculture. So I know the community, and it’s a good thing to be back.”

People in Seaside are seeing an increase in traffic with the numerous events drawing in more than 100 thousand tourists. Many of them prepare with alternative routes. 

“It’s always congested this time of year with the big event in town, and I think the key for me is just kind of schedule your day or your event or your routes kind of around the heavily congested traffic time,” says Curtis Price from Seaside.  

“Typically, we see about 160 aircraft parked here at the airport during that week, which is primarily a lot more than we normally will see, and we will often run out of space to park aircraft,” says Chris Morello, Interim Executive Director at the Monterey Regional  Airport.  

With traffic rolling along Highway 68, Monterey Regional Airport staff share that people should allow for ample time for arrival at the Monterey terminal.

“Not that it’ll be longer wait lines here once you get into the terminal, but definitely getting to the terminal could be a little bit more problematic because of the traffic, and we’re off of 68, off of Garden Road, there’ll be a lot of events going on in this area.”

Chris Morello with the Monterey Regional Airport adds that Sunday and Monday are usually the busiest days for air travel. She says, however, that’s not the case for commercial aircraft, as the majority of travel comes from general private aircraft aviation.

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Sergio Berrueta

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) – The city of Salinas is considering a new pilot program that could bring new life to vacant storefronts and support local entrepreneurship in the downtown area. 

The initiative is called “From StreetFront to StoreFront,” and if approved, the city would enter into a master lease with property owners at a below-market rate for rent in a ready-to-move-in space.

The space must be permitted for retail use and require no extra renovations or modifications.

The city will then sublease the space to a new business that must meet certain criteria to be selected.

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KTVU FOX 2

By Zack Sos

BURLINGAME, Calif. (KTVU) – Family and friends are mourning a four-year-old boy who was killed by a 19-year-old driver in Burlingame, creating a large memorial of flowers and pictures on the sidewalk in front of a restaurant where he died.

The accident occurred Friday night on Donnelly Avenue near Burlingame Avenue outside Truffle Poke Bar. 

Police said a 19-year-old woman from San Mateo was pulling out of a parking lot across the street and was hit by someone on an e-bike.

She accelerated onto the sidewalk and hit the 4-year-old and his 6-year-old sister, police said. Her white SUV also careened into the poke bar and caused some damage to the restaurant. 

A memorial is created for a 4-year-old boy killed by a 19-year-old driver in Burlingame. Aug. 8, 2025 

The driver remained at the scene and cooperated with officers, police said, and investigators do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors in the crash.

“Not in many years has something this tragic happened in our downtown area,” said Lt. David Perna. 

Neither the driver nor the boy have been identified. 

Burlingame residents were out Sunday paying respects at the makeshift memorial. They left flowers, handwritten notes, smiling pictures of the boy and stuffed animals, like Cookie Monster, in front of the scene. 

“It breaks our hearts,” said a woman named Joan. “We can all identify. “We’re all just one passing car away from it happening to us.”

She said her heart also breaks for the boy’s family who were out, likely enjoying a weekend night, and now “they have to go home to an empty room.”

The girl is still in the hospital recovering from her injuries.

A 19-year-old driver was hit by an e-bike, causing her to drive up on the sidewalk in Burlingame. Aug. 8, 2025

A memorial is created for a 4-year-old boy killed by a 19-year-old driver in Burlingame. Aug. 8, 2025 

A memorial is created for a 4-year-old boy killed by a 19-year-old driver in Burlingame. Aug. 8, 2025 

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jose.romo

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Salinas Soccer Complex is attracting a national tournament for the first time. The venue is welcoming the Alianza tournament this weekend.

Soccer is taking the lead in Salinas. The Alianza de Futbol tournament is calling this place home for the first time after years of establishing a network with local soccer complex leadership.

“This is a great opportunity for our local talent who often haven’t had the opportunity to showcase. They would have to travel outside their hometown to now be able to perform in front of their own families,” says Jonathan De Anda, general manager of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. 

“We’re putting Salinas on the map,” he adds.  

Salinas is one of eight locations selected this year — alongside major cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago.

De Anda, general manager for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, says playing host to such a well-known tournament is a great honor, as he grew up playing in what was Constitution Park. Now he feels proud to provide the youth with this opportunity. 

The Alianza tournament was previously held in Morgan Hill, meaning local teams had to make the trip. Now they have it in their backyard. 

“Now we’re moving to Salinas because it made sense. Their investment they’re having in this complex is going to be amazing, and it’s very, very significant,” says Omar Luis Velasco, executive director of Alianza de Fútbol. “As part of the change and as part of the growth that Alianza is trying to accomplish, partnering with Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is just the perfect fit for both.” 

More than 120 teams are participating in 4 tournaments over 2 days, from 9-year 9-year-olds to adults.

Some teams making the trip down from Reno, Nevada, to compete at the Allianza tournament. However, in the home field advantage, a local Salinas team was able to take a youth title.  

“We never played on a five vs five. It’s the first time playing, and the age category was 2016, and I see most of them were 2015,” says coach Raul Vargas for Atletico de Salinas. “For me, it’s a big, big satisfaction that I get from the kids because they try really hard. Getting the victory means a lot to me.”

Raul trains his youth team at the soccer complex, so being able to participate against other great talent was the necessary exposure for his team. 

“Everyone has an opportunity to come here to the highest level and just fight for the honor of being called a champion,” adds Omar Luis Velasco. “So kids from seven-year-olds, nine, eight-year-olds, nine-year-olds, all the way to U-19 and adults as well, and men and women, those are all open categories are here as well.” 

Gilroy’s Oiaxiro Morelia adult team took home the $10 thousand check for winning the adult alianza cup category. In the U-23 category, Sunnyvale’s Madrid took home the $5,000. For youth here today, many pro-level scouts are checking out potential talent. Both Alianza and Salinas Regional Soccer Complex staff are sharing their hopes for this to be the first of many tournaments here in Salinas. Next, the Alianza team will head to El Paso, Texas

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