Category: kion-local-news

Briana Mathaw

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Cut-through traffic near Toro Park Elementary has become a safety hazard, according to officials, and now there’s a new project in the works aiming to fix it.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) says that the Toro Park Cut-through Traffic Project will block drivers from using neighborhood streets to avoid congestion on Highway 68’s busy morning commute.

This, TAMC is hoping, will protect residents, especially near the elementary school, from unsafe and heavy traffic to help improve overall traffic flow.

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Dania Romero

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Following the $1 million in federal funding awarded to Scotts Valley’s new town center, Congressman Jimmy Panetta will meet with city officials to discuss how these funds will be used.

They will be going over the next steps in the project’s long-awaited development.

Scotts Valley hoping that the new city center will become a vibrant downtown where people can live, shop, grab a bite to eat, and much more.

City of Scotts Valley Awarded $1 Million in Federal Funding for Town Center Property

SCOTTS VALLEY, Calif. (KION) – A long-anticipated transformation is finally taking shape in Scotts Valley. A 58-acre gravel lot, vacant for years, is now at the center of an ambitious plan to create a vibrant downtown hub. With $1 million in federal funding secured and city leaders driving the effort, the project is generating both enthusiasm and concern within the community.

City officials envision a central district where residents can live, shop, and gather. The development is proposed just off Mount Hermon Road, one of the busiest corridors in the area. For some locals, the change is a welcome one.

“We need something new that will help encompass the community and bring revenue to the area—a nice place for everyone to hang out and shop and eat,” said Kim Owens, a Santa Cruz County resident.

However, not everyone shares the same excitement. Traffic congestion is already a major concern for those commuting in and out of the area.

“I commuted to San Jose for 30 years and had to go by here. There’s no other way, and this is the bottleneck. It has become much worse,” said William, another county resident.

The development includes around 300 new housing units. To address traffic concerns, the city is initiating traffic studies. But some residents remain skeptical about the project’s overall impact.

“It’s changing the whole purpose of me being here, which is not to be in a metropolitan area like San Jose,” said Gretchen Gudenkauf.

Proposed ideas for the space include townhomes, mixed-use retail, new streets, and apartment complexes. A significant portion of the new units will be designated for affordable housing. While the intention is clear, the definition of “affordable” remains a point of debate.

“I’m kind of surprised that it would be here in Scotts Valley. I hope that it truly is affordable, because ‘affordable’ here—I don’t even know,” said Patrick M., a resident.

Scotts Valley Mayor Derek Timm emphasized the city’s commitment to creating a mix of housing options for various income levels.

“There’s going to be a mix of affordable housing units within the development, and it’s going to help people at all different income levels,” said Timm.

The property was previously owned by the City of Santa Cruz before Scotts Valley purchased it. Mayor Timm described the transaction as a win-win.

“This actually serves a dual purpose. The City of Santa Cruz will use the funds to build affordable units downtown, and we’ll be able to build affordable units in our town,” he added.

The city plans to host a press conference on August 12 to invite public discussion on the next steps. Once the planning phase is complete, Scotts Valley will begin looking for developers to bring the vision to life.

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Briana Mathaw

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Drivers in Monterey County can expect delays due to multiple lane closures on highways 1, 101, 68 and 183 starting August 10.

Roadwork includes utility and drainage projects with some closures overnight.

Crews are asking people to plan ahead and watch for workers on the roadway.

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Jeanette Bent

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV) — A multi-agency compliance response carried out by Seaside Fire and Police detectives, parole agents as well as CAL FIRE resulted in eight probation searches over the weekend.

Officials saying that this effort uncovered five probation violations, three arrests — including a juvenile and convicted felon found with ammunition.

Police say that during the search they also found suspected cocaine, a person with multiple outstanding warrants and arrested a man for solicitation of a minor.

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Sergio Berrueta

PAICINES, Calif. (KION-TV) – A vegetation fire is burning in San Benito County off of Panoche Road, with 423 acres.

According to CAL FIRE BEU, the fire broke out around 4:10 p.m. Thursday afternoon, with CAL FIRE urging those driving near the area to stay away as they work to stop the fire from spreading any further.

Two civilians were injured and are being transported to be treated for their injuries. These civilians are not firefighters.

CAL FIRE, along with Hollister Fire and Aromas Tri-County Fire responded to the fire with about 100 personnel on the ground backed by several trucks, six fixed-wing aircrafts dropping retardant, and multiple helicopters.

It was spreading at a moderate pace on Thursday because of wind and dry conditions, but the spreading slowed dramatically Friday and Saturday.

No homes have been lost and no one has been displaced.

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Jeanette Bent

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Classic cars revving their engines and on display in Monterey as Car Week officially kicked off Friday.

Thousands of people flocking to the Central Coast to see historic race cars on Alvarado Street ahead of the Rolex Monterey Motor Sports Reunion over the weekend.

One driver telling KION that they’ve participated in Car Week for over one decade.

“This car has been at both of these events every year for the last 15 years,” said the driver.

Not just classic cars out there Friday; people also got the chance to meet with drivers ahead of the Rolex Monterey Pre-reunion.

“There is no question in my mind my most favorite Car Week event is the reunion itself,” said another driver Chip Fudge. “I make it to Pebble Beach every now and then.”

Over 200 cars will be hoping to qualify for more racing on Sunday, and some drivers actually brought more than one vehicle to register, which gives them a better chance at qualifying for Sunday action.

“The reason I’m here is to be on the racetrack with my cars,” said Fudge. “I’m running three race cars this weekend for this event and I love it. I’m just heating up with it.”

Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca is the place to be this weekend, with both the Pre-reunion and Corkscrew Hill Climb happening over the weekend.

Professional racers looking forward to hitting that track.

“Starting Wednesday through Friday or Saturday, we have the marquees,” said President of Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca Mel Harder. “Formula One cars are going to be there; 75-year celebration of Formula One.”

Harder saying that Friday an Iroc car featured an international race of champions for the first time.

“For the first time, you’ll be able to see Nascar legends such as Mark Martin, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte all competing at Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca,” he said.

With all the excitement, it can be easy to forget about the classic cars that will be on display over the coming week around the peninsula.

There is expected to be more car shows, auctions and events for thousands of visitors to enjoy.

In light of all the festivities, local public agencies are doing what they can to make sure both locals and tourists stay safe on the roads.

Officials reminding people to monitor traffic in event areas and to be patient if your drive is slow.

They are urging people to be fire-aware as fire danger is high.

And, they say, new this year are two options to stay informed on traffic trouble. People can check the traffic at online with the event’s daily tracker at MCCarWeek.com or by texting 65513 for safety alerts about Car Week.

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Mickey Adams

KING CITY, Calif. (KION-TV) — King City is inviting the community to the city council chambers next week for the official swearing in of Captain Joshue Partida.

The ceremony is happening Tuesday, August 12 at 6pm.

Partida is currently a sergeant for the King City Police Department and has been with that department for 9 years now.

He is also one of two officers that received the department’s medal of commendation for their work helping to catch the shooters involved with last year’s mass shooting in King City.

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Sergio Berrueta

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV) – Monterey Police have announced the arrest of a man for invasion of privacy and sexual battery after he was caught trying to take pictures up women’s skirts on Cannery Row.

Police say that officers were dispatched to Cannery Row on July 22 over reports of a man following a woman inside a business and pressing up against her, as well as 2 incidents of the suspect seemingly attempting to take pictures under women’s skirts.

Police identify the suspect as 35-year-old Jordan Pollacci, who has prior convictions for invasion of privacy and possession of obscene materials.

A search and arrest warrant was served at his Monterey home on Aug. 5, and he was taken into custody.

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CNN

There was a single shooter involved who is now dead, Atlanta Police Department said on X.

“There is no ongoing threat to the Emory Campus or the surrounding neighborhood. The incident involved a single shooter, who is now deceased,” the post said. “One law enforcement official was injured in the course of the response.”

Police advised to still avoid the area as the investigation continues.

Active shooter reported at Emory University, school says

ATLANTA, Calif. (KION-TV) – There is an active shooter on the Emory University campus in Atlanta, Georgia, according to the university.

“RUN, HIDE, FIGHT. Avoid the area,” the university said on its website. It described the situation as being at Emory Point CVS.

“This is still an active scene,” the Atlanta Police Department said in a post on X.

“As of right now, please avoid the area,” the post, addressed to the media, reads. “When we establish a staging area, we will update you.”

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Sergio Berrueta

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) – The Salinas Police Department is looking for an at-risk man from Salinas who has not been seen since July 28.

According to Salinas PD, Mario Lopez-Mendoza was reported missing on Aug. 6. There is no information on what Lopez-Mendoza was wearing or may have left to.

Their personal belongings were left at his home.

Anyone who may have seen him or knows of his whereabouts is being asked the call 911.

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