Category: kion-local-news

jose.romo

PAJARO, Calif. (KION-TV) — Local members of congress fighting back against potential significant federal budget cuts that may put the Pajaro Levee Project at risk.

Some community members coming speaking out about a lack of support after the President’s budget request for 2026 only included $1.56 billion for construction of certain projects — a 53% drop from the 2024 budget.

“It’s sad for those of us who suffered through the floods,” said Hector Llamas, owner of El Pajaro Food Center.

The levee along the Pajaro River collapsed back in March 2023, causing great destruction throughout the community.

Now, after two years, the promise of a levee that would protect the community for the next 100 years remains, although a recent announcement jeopardizes vital flood prevention projects in the state — the Pajaro Levee Project is one in four possibly effected.

Llamas says that after the flood, he was told he could begin repair, but their portion of the project was placed last on the list.

The U.S. House of Representatives say that more needs to be done to ensure that these projects can move forward without the risk of loosing more funds.

The estimated cost of the repair along the Pajaro River is nearly $600 million.

The levee is being planned for construction happening in three phases starting in Corralitos, Salsipuedes and then Pajaro.

Yet, with the final stretch of construction starting soon, funding may be scarce…

“I think it’s unfair, and I think that if we have a flood, what’s going to happen?” Said Louis Luna, who lives in Pajaro. “Who’s going come to normal workers? The better budget’s being cut in half? That’s too much money.”

Llamas adds that the community feels forgotten.

The costs to ensure the levee does not flood again, is split with 65% covered by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the remaining 35% covered by the state’s Department of Water resources.

Congress member Zoe Lofgren responded to the recent announcement. Saying:

“The Pajaro community has suffered significant damage and loss of life due to flooding for decades. The Pajaro River Project is vital to the safety and livelihood of the area, and I will continue to fight to ensure it receives funding through to completion.”

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Mickey Adams

DEL REY OAKS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Work is being done in Del Rey Oaks Tuesday; crews making progress on constructing the first segment of the Fort Ord Regional Trail and Greenway Project.

Work on the Canyon Del Rey segment is happening all week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., crews currently focusing on Carlton Drive, Work Memorial Park and Del Rey Park.

The project is a continuous paved bike and pedestrian trail stretching 28 miles, but this segment is only about 1.5 miles long.

Work is on this segment is expected to continue intermittently through August 2026.

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Mickey Adams

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — The CHP Santa Cruz said that a teenage driver was speeding Monday night, which resulted in the vehicle colliding with several objects on Soquel Avenue.

Fortunately, the teenager was not injured thanks to his seatbelt, according to the CHP, but did crash his Honda into a power box, a power pole, fence, car and a tree on near South Rodeo Gulch Road.

Santa Cruz CHP reminding drivers to slow down on the roads.

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KTVU FOX 2

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU-TV) — An officer with the San Jose Police Department was arrested and is being held without bail in the Santa Clara County Jail.

Officer Timothy Faye was taken into custody on Wednesday in a case relating to “family violence,” according to county case records.

Dig deeper:

According to the East Bay Times, Faye was arrested in a Morgan Hill home after allegedly “drunkenly firing his gun.” The newspaper also reported the officer was arrested shortly before in Monterey County on suspicion of willful cruelty to a child.

What they’re saying:

The San Jose Police Department confirmed an officer of theirs was arrested.

“We take these matters seriously and are fully cooperating with the investigating agency,” the department said.

Faye has been placed on administrative leave. Officials said they are limited in the information they can share about personnel matters and administrative investigations.

“The trust of our community is of utmost importance, and we remain dedicated to accountability, transparency, and integrity.”

Local perspective:

Faye was one of two officers behind the fatal police shooting of a man at a San Jose power plant in 2018.

A man armed with an ax at the Metcalf Energy Center was gunned down by police. In his possession, the man also had another ax, six throwing knives, and pepper spray.

The man, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, yelled “shoot me” and “kill me” to the officers and ignored orders to drop his weapon.

What’s next:

Faye has a court appearance scheduled on Wednesday. No attorney was listed for him in case records.

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Jeanette Bent

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Veterans Day Parade Committee announced Tuesday that the event will not be taking place this November.

They said that after much consideration, the committee has “regretfully” decided to pause the parade this year in order to “plan for an even stronger celebration in the future.”

The committee says that, while they appreciate the support and enthusiasm from the community, veterans and volunteers, they are hoping that the break will allow the organization to focus on enhancing the event’s impact.

“Our parade committee has put in countless [number] of dedicated hours for fourteen years to make this holiday a special day honoring our Veterans,” says Tony Virrueta (parade Chairman).

This announcement comes as many other local events have announced a break in 2025.

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Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — CAL FIRE BEU confirmed that a rescue is underway to find a 10-to-15-year-old girl who, they say, fell and hit her head and is now unconscious.

According to CAL FIRE BEU, the location is in the Fort Hunter Liggett area with the nearest town being Lockwood.

They say they are working with multiple agencies, including Fort Hunter Liggett Fire with two engines, a battalion chief and the helicopter out of Hollister currently on scene.

This is a developing story. KION will have updated information as it comes in.

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Scott Rates

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION-TV) — Monarch butterflies are quite a sight to see, arriving mid-October and staying in the area through the end of February.

But, these butterflies are starting to dwindle.

“Ever since we began monitoring monarch butterflies — since the 1990s — what we have seen is a steep decrease in their population, an over 95% drop,” said Natalie Johnson, who works at the Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History.

What’s causing the drop in these species? There are a few factors…

“One of the reasons is habitat loss,” said Johnson. “Another is pesticides, and clime change.”

Butterflies, in general in the United States, are seeing a dramatic decline. Scientists saying that there was a 22% decline from 2000 to 2020.

They say that for every five butterflies seen 20 years ago, today there are only four.

“In 2020 there were zero butterflies here in the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary,” said Johnson. “There were fewer than 2,000 all over California, and so when there was a rebound in 2021, that brought increased attention to the monarchs again.”

The community in Pacific Grove hoping that these majestic creatures can make a comeback; a comeback so the folks in the area can flutter with joy for many years.

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Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — CHP confirmed Friday that a deadly crash took place around 3:40 p.m. near Highway 101 and Cannon Road.

They said that a white car traveling westbound on Rocks Road attempted to cross the northbound lanes but was struck by a white truck traveling northbound on Highway 101.

According to CHP, the truck hit the car’s front left side, which prompted the truck to drive into a ravine.

CHP says that the driver of the white car was pronounced dead with the passenger of that car seriously injured. The passenger was taken to the hospital.

The truck driver suffered minor injuries, according to the CHP, and was also taken to the hospital.

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Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that they arrested a man who falsely reported witnessing an officer getting shot.

They said the false report caused a large law enforcement response around 1:30 p.m. at the Prunetree Shopping Center on the 17500 block of Vierra Canyon Road.

According to deputies, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and California State Parks all responded to the incident after an unidentified caller reported that he saw an officer get shot after seeing him fighting with someone.

They said that after an extensive area search, they found no victims and confirmed that all deputies and officers were safely accounted for.

Deputies say that around that same time, they received a peace disturbance call at a residence on the 1700 block of Highway 156 where they were able to confirm that a person left on foot following a family quarrel.

They said that they were also able to connect the phone number of the peace disturbance with the original false 911 call, and around 2:20 p.m. deputies detained 25-year-old Cesar Antonio Zuniga Espinoza of Prunedale at a gas station.

According to deputies, Espinoza was in possession of the phone that the false emergency had been called in from. They said that they also found Espinoza has multiple outstanding misdemeanor warrants with a total bail of $10,000.

He will be booked into the Monterey County Jail for reporting a false emergency, making a false police report and his outstanding warrants.

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Sergio Berrueta

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) — Santa Cruz Fire says that the blaze that broke out Thursday afternoon at Natural Bridges State Park was caused by an accidental unauthorized cooking fire.

Santa Cruz Fire Department Battalion Chief Josh Coleman, said that crews responded to a vegetation fire with a rapid rate of spread in the eucalyptus grove near the park’s visitor center.

Santa Cruz police, Cal Fire, Scotts Valley Fire and State Parks were all dispatched.

Crews saying that there was an additional spot fire across the road, but with the help of air tactics, both fires were contained and then extinguished.

The visitor center was saved and Santa Cruz Fire says the park was evacuated.

West Cliff Fire contained with smaller fire close to containment

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – The West Cliff Fire has been contained, with a second spot fire being worked on for containment.

Evacuations made as Santa Cruz Fire responds to West Cliff Fire, less than an acre

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) – West Cliff Fire has been contained, with a smaller spot fire being contained near Natural Bridges.

Santa Cruz Fire has evacuated the Natural Bridges State Park Visitor Center while responding to a vegetation fire.

The fire, dubbed the West Cliff Fire, stands at less than one acre in size.

According to the Santa Cruz Fire Department, the park was evacuated, as was the parking lot.

Those in Santa Cruz are being asked to avoid the area of Swaton and West Cliff near Delaware and Swaton.

This is a developing story.

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