Category: kion-local-news

Sergio Berrueta

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) – Salinas will hold a public hearing during this week’s council meeting on the city’s first sewer rate increases in over a decade. 

The increase was approved by council back in April, essentially tripling the residential rates from nearly $6 to over $16.

In addition to this, a 2% annual increase would also be applied until 2035.

The rate hike is meant to cover funding gaps needed for sewer system repairs, upgrades and future needs.

A study estimates it will cost nearly $115 million to make the necessary improvements over the next ten years.

A city report says more than 34,000 public hearing notices have been sent out to customers who would be impacted.

If a majority of rate payers — or close to 16,000 — provide written protests to the city clerk by the end of the public hearing, then the city cannot move forward with the rate increase.

Otherwise, the new rates will take effect October 1.

Salinas moves forward with sewer service payment assistance program

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) – The city of Salinas is moving forward with establishing a sewer service payment assistance program.

This is after the council approved tripling the rates for most residential customers this year. 

Salinas has already set aside $150,000 for the program, which now goes to council for final approval.

Qualifying applicants would be provided with a one-time, annual payment totaling 15 percent of their cumulative charges for the fiscal year.

That is, regardless of whether they own or rent.

Income eligibility will be based on enrollment in PG&E’s California Alternate Rates for Energy program.

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Katie Nicora

BIG SUR, Calif. (KION-TV) — A traffic alert tonight for anyone driving on the Big Sur coast overnight Sunday until Monday.

Cal Trans is implementing another full overnight closure of Highway 1 near the Rocky Creek Bridge.

It will last from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Monday.

Cal Trans says this is part of an ongoing emergency project aimed at reinforcing the seawall that protects the south end of the bridge and slope beneath it from further erosion.

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Victor Guzman

BERKELEY, Calif. (KION-TV) — Berkeley and parts of the Bay Area were rattled overnight by a 4.3 magnitude earthquake.

The quake was felt across the immediate area of its origin, but also as far south as Santa Cruz, Boulder Creek and Felton according to reports to the USGS.

So far there’s no reports of any damage from the earthquake.

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Victor Guzman

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Salinas Police confirm a prowling suspect is in custody after a search along a portion of Chaparral Street early Monday morning.

They said that at approximately 5:30 a.m., police received multiple calls reporting a male in the backyards of several homes, and as officers arrived in the area to investigate, they heard two gunshots coming from one of the yards.

“The resident who fired the shots told officers the rounds were discharged into the air as a warning, which caused the prowler to flee and continue jumping fences through nearby properties,” police took to Facebook Monday morning.

After an area search, officers found the suspect, 37-year-old Cesar Rios, and booked him into the Monterey County Jail on several charges.

They said the charges include prowling, vandalism, and a PRCS hold. The case will be handed over to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.

“While no one was injured in this case, SPD would like to remind the community that firing ‘warning shots’ is both dangerous and unlawful, as stray rounds can cause unintended injuries or damage,” police wrote.

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Jeanette Bent

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — A large plume of black smoke broke out on Commission Street Monday. Viewers and eye witnesses called in to KION and reported a fire off of Highway 101.

Salinas firefighters told KION that they think an encampment fire blew onto two tractor trailers nearby and caught fire.

The location of the tractor trailers were within a private lot.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters are still on scene working to make sure no other fires re-ignite in the area.

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jose.romo

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — A business in downtown Salinas was left in shock after being a victim of a break-in over the weekend. Owner of Beerded Bean, Erick Del Real, says this has been unfortunate for him and his staff, but hopes other nearby businesses can better prepare. 

The back door at the Bearded Bean remains boarded up, and despite this, staff continue welcoming customers in, hoping to move past the bitter experience. 

“Our opening staff member gave me a phone call telling me that the shop’s glass was broken and popped open. I didn’t know what exactly they meant by that. They sent me the picture, and the store here was completely, the glass was completely taken off and just put to the side.” 

Erick quickly called the police and filed a report. Soon after, he went to social media — sharing security images in hopes the community could help pinpoint the suspect. 

“You feel violated. You feel defeated. It’s really hard to earn a dollar in this world today,” he adds. “Our staff works really hard for their dollar as well, and that takes away from them their tips and their paychecks and everything else that comes with the business.” 

In the security footage, you can see how a man in a light-colored jacket and a backpack broke in, leaving with the cash register and what was inside. 

Data from the Salinas Police Department shows that in 2024, they received 240 burglary reports within the city’s jurisdiction. Business owners in the area are now saying this incident serves as a call to action. 

“It’s already hard to kind of turn a profit for, you know, small businesses,” says Ryan Valenciano, a bartender at a nearby bar. “So, just hearing that, you know, our neighborhood businesses are getting broken into, it was just kind of sad and unfortunate.”

“Luckily, we had the camera set up where we were or where they were,” Erick says. He is now looking to add more security camera angles. He is glad none of his staff was hurt because this happened after hours. And — to prevent future break-ins, he adds that lights will remain on in the business overnight.  

Del Real adds that he is working closely with the Salinas police department in filing the report, hoping to find the suspect. Other business owners in the area say they are taking precautionary measures, despite saying the downtown area has generally been safe.

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Jeanette Bent

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies say that around 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, they arrested a man for possession of three firearms, including a loaded .45 caliber pistol, an AR pistol carbine, and a Japanese Type 11 light machine gun.

A deputy was patrolling the Castroville community when they saw a vehicle wrong-way in the middle of the street.

After a traffic stop near Poole and McDougal streets — and with the assistance of another deputy and his K9 Partner “Rocket” — deputies were alerted to the presence of controlled substances.

The female driver along with a male passenger were told that deputies needed to search the vehicle.

“A search of the vehicle revealed the presence of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. “During the search, deputies discovered a loaded 1911 A-1 pistol. The pistol was found within hands reach of where the passenger was seated and inches from where deputies had been standing during the contact.”

Fortunately, no deputies were injured during the search.

A further search resulted in the discovery of a loaded AR pistol carbine and a Japanese Type 11 light machine gun, according to deputies. They also said that two of the weapons did not have serial numbers.

Deputies continued to investigate and found that 42-year-old Brian Richard Knabb is a convicted felon from Pacific Grove, and was attempting to sell the light machine gun.

“This is a WWII era type of machine gun capable of firing over 500 rounds per minute. It’s a weaponof war,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto. “It’s a weapon of mass destruction.”

Brian Richard Knabb was booked into the Monterey County Jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of an unserialized firearm and other charges, deputies say.

Deputies say that his bail was set at $50,000, and the female driver was cited and released for possession of a controlled substance.

Click here to follow the original article.

jose.romo

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — A business in downtown Salinas was left in shock after being a victim of a break-in over the weekend. Owner of Beerded Bean, Erick Del Real, says this has been unfortunate for him and his staff, but hopes other nearby businesses can better prepare. 

The back door at the Bearded Bean remains boarded up, and despite this, staff continue welcoming customers in, hoping to move past the bitter experience. 

“Our opening staff member gave me a phone call telling me that the shop’s glass was broken and popped open. I didn’t know what exactly they meant by that. They sent me the picture, and the store here was completely, the glass was completely taken off and just put to the side.” 

Erick quickly called the police and filed a report. Soon after, he went to social media — sharing security images in hopes the community could help pinpoint the suspect. 

“You feel violated. You feel defeated. It’s really hard to earn a dollar in this world today,” he adds. “Our staff works really hard for their dollar as well, and that takes away from them their tips and their paychecks and everything else that comes with the business.” 

In the security footage, you can see how a man in a light-colored jacket and a backpack broke in, leaving with the cash register and what was inside. 

Data from the Salinas Police Department shows that in 2024, they received 240 burglary reports within the city’s jurisdiction. Business owners in the area are now saying this incident serves as a call to action. 

“It’s already hard to kind of turn a profit for, you know, small businesses,” says Ryan Valenciano, a bartender at a nearby bar. “So, just hearing that, you know, our neighborhood businesses are getting broken into, it was just kind of sad and unfortunate.”

“Luckily, we had the camera set up where we were or where they were,” Erick says. He is now looking to add more security camera angles. He is glad none of his staff was hurt because this happened after hours. And — to prevent future break-ins, he adds that lights will remain on in the business overnight.  

Del Real adds that he is working closely with the Salinas police department in filing the report, hoping to find the suspect. Other business owners in the area say they are taking precautionary measures, despite saying the downtown area has generally been safe.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jeanette Bent

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies say that around 8:30 p.m. Sunday night, they arrested a man for possession of three firearms, including a loaded .45 caliber pistol, an AR pistol carbine, and a Japanese Type 11 light machine gun.

A deputy was patrolling the Castroville community when they saw a vehicle wrong-way in the middle of the street.

After a traffic stop near Poole and McDougal streets — and with the assistance of another deputy and his K9 Partner “Rocket” — deputies were alerted to the presence of controlled substances.

The female driver along with a male passenger were told that deputies needed to search the vehicle.

“A search of the vehicle revealed the presence of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia,” according to the Sheriff’s Office. “During the search, deputies discovered a loaded 1911 A-1 pistol. The pistol was found within hands reach of where the passenger was seated and inches from where deputies had been standing during the contact.”

Fortunately, no deputies were injured during the search.

A further search resulted in the discovery of a loaded AR pistol carbine and a Japanese Type 11 light machine gun, according to deputies. They also said that two of the weapons did not have serial numbers.

Deputies continued to investigate and found that 42-year-old Brian Richard Knabb is a convicted felon from Pacific Grove, and was attempting to sell the light machine gun.

“This is a WWII era type of machine gun capable of firing over 500 rounds per minute. It’s a weaponof war,” said Sheriff Tina Nieto. “It’s a weapon of mass destruction.”

Brian Richard Knabb was booked into the Monterey County Jail for being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a machine gun, possession of a controlled substance while armed, possession of an unserialized firearm and other charges, deputies say.

Deputies say that his bail was set at $50,000, and the female driver was cited and released for possession of a controlled substance.

Click here to follow the original article.

Jeanette Bent

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — A large plume of black smoke broke out on Commission Street Monday. Viewers and eye witnesses called in to KION and reported a fire off of Highway 101.

Salinas firefighters told KION that they think an encampment fire blew onto two tractor trailers nearby and caught fire.

The location of the tractor trailers were within a private lot.

No injuries were reported.

Firefighters are still on scene working to make sure no other fires re-ignite in the area.

Click here to follow the original article.