Category: kion-local-news

Sergio Berrueta

(CNN/KION-TV) — The Tsunami Advisory in place across a large portion of California, including the Central Coast, has been extended.

The advisory is now scheduled to end at 1:30 pm, however has been extended multiple times since it was initially put in place on Tuesday night.

The National Weather Service reports wave heights of 1.5 feet at 4:24 a.m. in Monterey and 1.2 feet at around 2:24 a.m. in San Francisco.

Point Reyes saw 2.6 feet waves at around 4:23 a.m. according to the NWS.

The National Weather Service says the dangers at the moment are for anyone at local beaches, harbors or marinas.

People are advised not to go to the coast to watch the tsunami and listen to instructions from emergency officials.

The Tsunami Advisory comes after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck near eastern Russia on Tuesday.

Tsunami warning in effect for northern edge of California

The National Tsunami Warning Center has upgraded a tsunami advisory to a tsunami warning for the Northern California coast from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon/California border, including Crescent City.

Waves of 2 to 5 feet are possible in the warning area, with the first waves expected to arrive around 11:50 p.m. PT Tuesday.

The rest of the California coast remains under a tsunami advisory with lower wave heights expected, generally under 1 foot, but strong currents and dangerous coastal conditions are still likely.

Crescent City is particularly vulnerable – it was devastated in 1964 when a tsunami generated by a 9.2-magnitude Alaska earthquake killed at least 10 people and caused millions in damage.

The California Office of Emergency Services said it is working closely with the National Tsunami Warning Center, the National Weather Service, and local emergency managers to assess the impacts.”

“Residents in coastal areas are urged to stay alert, follow instructions from local officials, and monitor trusted sources for the latest information,” the office said in a statement.

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Katie Nicora

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — In response to limited options for formal child care, Santa Cruz County is offering a loan program for providers to expand or make improvements to their business.

The county says the Child Care Developer Fee Loan Program was developed in 1991 to mitigate the cost of increased child care needs. 

A total of $380,000 in funding is available and funds cannot be used for operating expenses, administrative costs, professional development or nonessential items.

Applications are available through the human services department‘s website and are due by 5 p.m. on August 6.

The county says the last program cycle distributed over $150,000 from 2020 to 2021.

Recipients included 15 approved child care centers and family home day cares.

The county adding that altogether, projects funded by the program added 220 licensed child care slots county-wide.

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Dania Romero

GILROY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The smell of garlic once again filled the air in Gilroy this past weekend as the city’s beloved Garlic Festival made its long-awaited return, bringing big crowds, booming local business, and a renewed sense of community.

For many residents and visitors, the return of the festival wasn’t just about food; it was about healing and celebration.

“The whole energy was amazing,” said Gilroy resident Lori Hawk. “Coming out of a tragedy that happened six years ago and then a global pandemic right after that, I think that having the festival back just means so much to our community.”

Although only 9,000 tickets were available for the main event, downtown Gilroy stayed lively as local businesses welcomed a wave of foot traffic. Pour Me Taproom saw triple the usual sales volume over the weekend.

“The turnout was phenomenal,” said owner Matthew Gallion. “We actually had a lot of increased foot traffic down here, something I don’t think a lot of us were expecting. So much so, in fact, Gallion admitted, “We actually ran out of beer.”

While the festival’s return was widely celebrated, organizers and volunteers noted there were some hiccups.

“It was a bit chaotic,” said Andrea Altamirano, a festival volunteer. “There wasn’t much of a system in place, so we were figuring it out as we went. The wait time for food and beverages was definitely long.”

Others echoed similar concerns about food lines, especially on opening day.

Despite these growing pains, the event was deemed a success in terms of safety. Gilroy police reported a peaceful weekend.

“The presence of police and sheriffs was strong,” said Hawk. “They were even patrolling by air.”

Beyond the festivities, the Garlic Festival Association has long served a charitable purpose, raising over $12 million for local causes and schools throughout its history.

“A lot of us are just very heavily invested — not only in what it means to go there and just be together, but also in what it means for our community at large,” Hawk added.

Looking ahead, many in the community are hopeful the festival will expand back to its former scale next year, honoring both the traditions of the past and the resilience of a community that continues to move forward.

The Gilroy Chamber of Commerce and the Garlic Festival Association have not yet confirmed plans for 2026.

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Sergio Berrueta

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office says Donel Geisen did not enter a plea in court Tuesday.

They say that he is expected to appear August 13 for a competency hearing.

Geisen is accused of stabbing his wife — Barbara Lynn Geisen — to death at their home on Raymond Way on July 24.

Deputies say that Geisen was not formally charged until after he was treated for his self-inflicted stab wounds.

They also say the suspect was the one who called the stabbing in to dispatchers, confessing what he had done.

The investigation is ongoing and no motive has been released yet.

Man arrested in wife’s murder in Carmel murder/attempted suicide investigation

CARMEL, Calif. (KION-TV) — The husband in a murder investigation in Carmel for the death of his wife has been arrested.

According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department, 79-year-old Donel Mark Geisen has been arrested for the murder of his wife, Barbara Lyyn Geisen.

Donel Mark had reportedly called 911, stating that he had murdered his wife, Barbara. When MCSO deputies arrived at the home at the 3700 block of Raymond Way, they found Barbara Lynn dead with multiple stab wounds.

Donel Mark also had self-inflicted stab wounds and was transported to a nearby hospital. They were treated for their injuries before being arrested and charged with murder.

Donel Mark’s bail is set at $1 million.

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Victor Guzman

CAPITOLA, Calif. (KION-TV) — Two businesses, including a popular local sushi restaurant, were deemed total losses in an early morning fire in Capitola.

Central Fire Protection District of Santa Cruz County firefighters’ crews were at the scene of a second alarm fire that broke out around 3 a.m. at 820 Bay Avenue at the location of the Sushi Garden restaurant.

According to Central Fire, the structure was fully engulfed from the interior and exterior, covering two floors.

After searching the location, no one was inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.

KION’s photographer at the scene reported that people who work at the Capitola Family Dental Office say the Sushi Garden below their offices was damaged. They also tell KION the dental office suffered some damage.

Both businesses were later rendered a total loss.

Crews are still on the scene, but Capitola Police dispatch confirms that Bay Avenue is open in both directions at this time.

Crime scene tape could be seen blocking off access to the Sushi Garden.

This is a developing story

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Victor Guzman

CHAULAR, Calif. (KION-TV) – The victim in a deadly River Road crash in Chualar has been identified.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the victim was identified as 63-year-old Kevin Columb Lynch of Oxnard.

CHP responded to a call of a crash around 1:41 a.m. of a Tesla that had crashed and immediately caught fire.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

CHP: One person killed in fiery solo-vehicle crash along River Road

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) — The CHP says one person is dead after a fiery crash along River Road south of Parker Road early Monday morning.

The CHP says they first got the call around 1:41 a.m. of a vehicle that crashed and immediately caught fire.

Officers say when they arrived they saw someone was still inside the car as it burned.

Two hours later, the CHP tells KION firefighters were unable to put out the flames, citing difficulties in putting out fires involving electric vehicles. The CHP indicated the vehicle involved was a Tesla.

One-way traffic control is in place at this time while crews were to clear the scene.

This is a developing story

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Scott Rates

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. (KION-TV) – The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office released the identities of three people killed in a plane crash Saturday night.

The victims have been identified as 60-year old Steve Eugene Clatterbuck of Salinas, 36-year old James Vincent of Monterey and 44-year old Jamie Lee Tabscott of Monterey.

The sheriff’s office said the victims’ family and friends wish to extend their gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. They also ask for privacy during this difficult time.

The US Coast Guard said the FAA and NTSB will conduct their investigation to determine what caused the plane crash.

Multiple agencies were on scene Saturday night into Sunday morning. Pacific Grove Police, Monterey Fire, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office all were dispatched to help. Even San Mateo County Sheriff’s along witth one CAL Fire boat and two of their drones.

The Coast Guard says it’s Monterey Station launched a 29-foot response boat-small crew and arrived within 15 minutes of the crash being reported. Air support from their San Francisco office was also dispatched for the initial search.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A small aircraft has crashed just offshore of Asilomar State beach. The Monterey County Sheriffs office confirms that three people aboard have died from the crash. Their bodies have been recovered.

According to officials on scene, three people were onboard the Beech 95-B55 Baron aircraft when it went down into the water.

A screenshot from Flightradar 24 shows the area where the plane crashed into the water.

The plane departed from San Carlos at 10:11 p.m. Saturday night and was scheduled to land at the Monterey Regional Airport at 12:12 a.m., according to Flightradar 24.

Flightradar 24

Officials on scene tell KION that one of the three people onboard was found dead, there is still an active search and recovery mission for the other two.

Divers could be seen in the water just of shore of Asilomar State beach searching. Parts of the plane have also washed ashore.

A Coast Guard helicopter is also being used in the recovery mission.

Neighbors in the area say they heard the plane sputtering just before hitting the water.

The weather ceiling in the area at the time of the crash was 800 to 900 feet.

We have reporters on scene and will continue to update you on this breaking news.

LIVE REPORT: https://fb.watch/B60HbBtGKY

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Mickey Adams

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — Forty kids with asthma were given the opportunity to learn about their disease by getting more active at the 39th annual Mark Velcoff M.D. Asthma Camp.

They chanted, “I’ll not let my asthma stop me,” ahead of enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, soccer and more.

In addition to this, the camp offers kids with mild to severe asthma a chance to learn about the medication they take, what triggers their asthma, and how the disease affects their bodies.

Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue visited the graduation Friday, saying that he relates to the kids.

“When I was your age, I had asthma and I didn’t have any of this,” he said to the kids. “The fact that your families have made this commitment and that you’re here, is really a neat thing. I’m guessing you’re appreciative of it.”

The camp was organized by Salinas Valley Health and is fully funded through donations to the local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital Program.

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Mickey Adams

CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION-TV) — Some states will soon get billions of dollars in public school funding that was previously withheld by the Trump Administration.

The Department of Education saying that the funding will start being distributed the week of July 28.

Monterey County is set to get back nearly $25 million, while Santa Cruz County is expecting more than $10 million.

The superintendent of the Alisal Union School District has responded, saying, “This is great news not just for our district — which depends on this critical funding to provide professional development and services for migrant students — but for children across Monterey County and California.”

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Briana Mathaw

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV) -A landmark in downtown Santa Cruz, the iconic Catalyst, is now on the market for $4.55 million.

For many longtime locals and artists, this news comes with a sense of unease, as the venue has played a crucial role in the city’s music scene for decades.

“Hearing that the Catalyst is on the market is kind of scary,” Marcus Moore said.

The Catalyst, a world renowned live music venue, was originally built in 1939. It was transformed into its current form by local legend Randall Kane, who shaped it into one of the most iconic music venues on the West Coast.

Over the years, the venue has hosted countless major acts and become a cultural staple.

“A lot of really good acts here. Professional acts, it was crowded. The Catalyst at Friday night happy hour was an icon. It was a part of Santa Cruz law,” a longtime local said.

The venue holds many memories for those who have visited over the years.

“I just remember coming here, hearing some good music, and then walking down to get pizza after. Just good times. Lots of laughs,” another person said.

The Catalyst has also been a hub for artists, teens, and tourists alike, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds under one roof.

“They have a lot of variety, a lot of artists. And it’s also an 18-plus venue for some shows. I know a lot of people who aren’t old enough for bars who go there and enjoy it. That would definitely be a big loss if that didn’t remain here,” one local said.

Now, with the building officially on the market, the future of the Catalyst is uncertain. The current tenant has a lease through mid-2028, but after that, what will happen to this legendary space? Will the new owner continue to operate it as a club, or will it be repurposed into something else?

“If this Catalyst changes, it’s going to change Santa Cruz. I don’t know, it’s sad. I want to see it stay,” one local said. “I just hope that whoever purchases it in the future continues to bring good music to Santa Cruz.”

Marcus Moore, a DJ who has played at the venue, recalls the energy the Catalyst brings.

“We opened up for Pierre Bourne. It was sold out. It was like a line all the way down the street. I’m coming out here from San Jose just to do a little DJ gig, and I didn’t realize how much impact the artists had because it was just nothing but people all the way down the street,” Moore said.

He also emphasized the importance of the venue in the local music scene. “If you come down to the Catalyst, you’re going to be with the real fans, the real ones who know all the music from the beginning for most of the artists.”

Moore sees the Catalyst as an important stepping stone for artists, particularly those who are still on their way up.

“The Catalyst is a big spot for a lot of underground artists, artists who haven’t quite made it to the major label. A lot of times, they’ll be doing shows right here, and then you’ll see them get signed by a big label,” Moore said.

For many, performing at the Catalyst is a sign of success. “The Catalyst is like the hometown spot. If you can sell out the Catalyst, that means you’ve got a real strong fan base,” Moore said.

In response to the news of the venue’s potential change, the Downtown Association of Santa Cruz expressed their support for the continued success of the Catalyst.

“The Catalyst has been bringing music to Santa Cruz for years,” a spokesperson said. “We hope any new property owners coming into the district are supportive of iconic, destination attractions like the Catalyst in downtown Santa Cruz.”

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