SALIANS, Calif. (KION-TV) – The family of a woman who was murdered over 20 years ago, is finally getting some closure. Loretta Paluszynski was found stabbed to death in her Salinas home in 2002. On April 11, 2024 the suspect in her death, Juan Gabriel Nunez, pled guilty to second degree murder, first degree burglary and felony child abuse, according to the Monterey County District Attorney. Police tell KION that Paluszynski was a beloved waitress in the community. In 2002, her death came as a shock to many. Loretta Paluszynski Police say Nunez is the ex-boyfriend of Paluszynski, and is ..read more

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION-TV)- The City of Soledad is one step closer to moving towards district-based elections. On Wednesday night, city council presented a new ordinance with a new district map. With this transition, voters in Soledad will still maintain the ability to vote for mayor directly in addition to their district’s council member. Wednesday night's meeting brought forward a first reading of that ordinance, with it scheduled to be brought up again at their next meeting on May 15. Soledad City Manager Megan Hunter says they would need to adopt it by late May in order for it to take effe ..read more

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- On Thursday morning, Salinas Police and the U.S. Department of Justice announced that 11 Bay Area men are being charged with multiple homicides and robberies over the past decade. The U.S. Department of Justice said that the 11 men were allegedly a part of a racketeering conspiracy to "promote the aims of a local Salinas street gang." The indictment, which was unsealed on Thursday said that the 11 suspects took part in a list of crimes including eight murders during the last five years, plus additional shootings. Salinas Police said they made nine arrests on Thursda ..read more

CARMEL VALLEY, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON MAY 1, 2024 AT 1:27 PM- Seaside Police confirmed they have arrested a kidnapping suspect in the Carmel Valley area. Investigators said the suspect identified as Anthony Mauro went to an man's home and demanded the man give him his vehicle in Seaside. Seaside Police said Mauro displayed a hammer and forced the male into a vehicle and drove him to a second location in Seaside where Mauro stole a second vehicle. Investigators said Mauro stole his keys and forced the man to drive the car before he got kicked out by Mauro. Officers said the victim was rel ..read more

BIG SUR, Calif. (KION-TV)- CAL FIRE BEU said they are battling a vegetation fire in the Big Sur on Wednesday afternoon. A spokesperson with CAL FIRE BEU told KION that the fire is at the Botchers Gap Campground on the 41300 block of Palo Colorado Road. Currently, the fire is burning at two to three acres however CAL FIRE BEU Capt. Curtis Rhodes told KION the fire has the potential to burn between five to 10 acres. Rhodes also said that wind is a bit of a concern so fire crews are monitoring from the air to make sure it doesn't spread further. There is no word if any structures are threatened ..read more

PAJARO, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON APRIL 30, 2024 AT 1:24 PM- The County of Monterey said that crews have reopened Salinas Road after crews were able to fix a sinkhole in the roadway. The closure was originally located on Salinas Road between Porter Drive and San Juan Road. Original Story The County of Monterey announced on Tuesday that a sinkhole has forced an emergency road closure due to a sink hole in Pajaro. The closure is located on Salinas Road between Porter Drive and San Juan Road. Crews are working on an emergency repair and determining the cause. Crews said that people who live in ..read more

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV)- Local agencies met with community members in Chualar this week to discuss plans to prevent crashes in the area along the 101. Driving to Salinas on Highway 101 from South Monterey County has cost many lives. Residents in Chualar say they're tired of seeing accidents on the notorious stretch of road. "In the 16 years that I've been living here there have been a lot of accidents, there are crosses on the roads meaning there have been deaths," said Maria Rodriguez. According to the Transportation Agency of Monterey County, there are 13 injuries and one death a ..read more

MONTEREY, Calif. (KION-TV)- It's no secret that Monterey Bay is a worldwide travel destination, but did you know that sailing on the open seas here is popular for folks near and far ..and for many reasons? In this week's Living in the 831-Lisa Montgomery talks with one local sailor and finds out why the bay is so special. The post Sailing in Monterey Like Nowhere Else appeared first on KION546 ..read more

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON MAY 2, 2024 AT 3:15 PM- On Thursday night, Seaside City Council will be discussing new rules surrounding Zoom participation during city council meetings. In Oct. 2023, anonymous people spouted anti-Semitic and other hateful comments. Some of the proposed changes include the ability of the city to mute or remove anyone who disrupts the meeting online. Online participants who wish to talk will have to provide a name or user-name when they speak online. The meeting starts at 5 p.m. and will be available on Zoom. Seaside City Council to discuss new rules for p ..read more

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- On Monday- Monterey County behavioral health and social workers rallied and unveiled a vacancy report outlining the staffing crisis impacting the County of Monterey. SEIU-521 which represents county social and behavioral health workers said about 700 vacancies exist at this time. "Since 2022, I personally have been seeing such an increase in need for our community to receive these services and it's filling like a bit of a crisis." said Coral Ovalle, a social worker for the County of Monterey. Ovalle is a social worker who said the "crisis" is getting worse. SEIU-521 ..read more