All articles tagged with #monterey county
A 14-year-old girl from California was rescued in Mexico, and her father, Sergio Galvez Perez, was arrested by Mexican authorities. The case began in August when a newborn was found dead near a Moss Landing road. Perez faces felony charges for incest and child abuse, while the teen is identified as a victim of his abuse.
A 14-year-old girl from Monterey County, California, was safely recovered in Mexico on October 5, 2026, ending a search that began after her newborn was found dead in August. Her father, Sergio Galvez Perez, was arrested during the same operation by Mexican authorities. The girl is identified as a victim of incest and abuse, while her father faces multiple felony charges including child abuse and incest. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the rescue involved coordination with the FBI and Mexican officials, and the Amber Alert has been canceled.
Authorities issued an Amber Alert for a 14-year-old girl and her 38-year-old father after a newborn was found dead along a Monterey County road; prosecutors plan to charge Sergio Galvez Perez with multiple felonies including incest and child endangerment, while the teen is described as a victim; the pair fled in a white Nissan Altima with no license plates and were last seen in the Salinas area; anyone with information should contact the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Smoke from the Plaskett and Timber wildfires in Monterey County is drifting inland, potentially degrading air quality across Northern California. Evacuations are in place for affected areas as winds push smoke to higher elevations and east of Highway 49, where residents are advised to keep windows closed while air-quality conditions are monitored.
The Plaskett Fire near Big Sur expanded to over 8,200 acres and remained 0% contained, forcing evacuations, Highway 1 closures, and aggressive fire suppression as crews defend homes along Plaskett Ridge and nearby roads; at least one outbuilding was destroyed, and air tankers and helicopters were dropping water when conditions allowed amid hot, dry weather and shifting winds.
The Timber Fire near Big Sur has grown to about 800 acres and remains only 5% contained as of Monday morning, prompting immediate evacuation orders for zones MRY-F026 and MRY-F027 (including the Ventana Inn) and evacuation warnings for adjacent zones. Residents in orders should evacuate with belongings and pets, while those in warnings should prepare to leave if required. CAL FIRE notes rapid growth due to steep, rugged terrain and heavy fuels, with significant aerial and ground resources deployed; the fire is southeast of Loma Vista in Los Padres National Forest, and the cause is under investigation. No structures or injuries have been reported, and officials continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
A small aircraft crashed offshore of Asilomar State Beach near Pacific Grove, California, resulting in three fatalities. The plane, which departed from San Carlos and was en route to Monterey Regional Airport, went down into the water, prompting a rescue and recovery operation involving divers and a Coast Guard helicopter. One victim has been confirmed dead, with searches ongoing for the other two victims.
A bat found in the Toro Park area of Salinas, Monterey County, tested positive for rabies, prompting Hitchcock Road Animal Services to remind pet owners to keep up with rabies shots and take precautions such as avoiding leaving pets outside unattended, discussing rabies vaccinations for domestic livestock with a veterinarian, and avoiding contact with wildlife, particularly skunks and bats. Owners are advised to contact animal control if they suspect exposure to rabies, and a pet that was exposed to the rabid bat has been placed under quarantine.
A slip-out underneath Highway 1 in Big Sur has led to an evacuation warning for areas south of the Rocky Creek slip-out, with convoys allowing residents to escape. The closure, caused by saturated ground from recent rain, has prompted efforts to secure funding for repairs. The slip-out has also led to the closure of state parks and school closures in the area. Political figures, including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Congressman Jimmy Panetta, have expressed support for repair efforts, while Assemblymember Dawn Addis highlighted the vulnerability of coastal communities and advocated for funding for coastal resiliency.
The California Highway Patrol has closed a section of Highway 1 about two miles north of the Bixby Creek Bridge due to a slip-out near Rocky Creek, leading to the loss of southbound lanes and potential impact to northbound lanes. The closure now extends south to Limekiln State Park in Big Sur, and crews are en route to assess the conditions with updates to follow.
Two woodland creatures, a skunk and a fox, have tested positive for rabies in Salinas, according to the Monterey County Health Department. Pet owners are advised to take precautions, such as avoiding leaving pets outside unattended, discussing rabies vaccinations for domestic livestock with their veterinarian, and avoiding contact with wildlife, particularly skunks and bats. If any wild animals are found dead, acting abnormally, or if exposure to rabies is suspected, residents are urged to contact Monterey County Animal Services or their local animal control agency for assistance.
A rare tornado warning was issued for parts of the Central Coast, including areas of Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. The warning has since expired as the storm weakened below severe limits, but a severe weather statement has been issued for areas stretching from Carmel to Tres Pinos. The National Weather Service had also cancelled the tornado warning for southern Santa Cruz County and northern Monterey County, but it remains in place for northern San Benito County. Residents in the affected areas were urged to stay updated on the latest developments.
Evacuation warnings have been issued in Monterey County, California, ahead of another batch of storms expected Sunday evening, just two weeks after previous storms caused power outages for hundreds of thousands of PG&E customers. The area is bracing for heavy rain, strong winds, high surf, thunderstorms, and potential flooding, with evacuation warnings in low-lying areas and a flash flood watch for the River Fire burn scar area. Severe weather shelters have been set up in Santa Cruz County, and residents are advised to prepare for the upcoming weather event.
Tens of thousands of PG&E customers in Santa Cruz and Monterey counties are still without power following the bomb cyclone, with some experiencing more than 48 hours of outages. Recovery centers have been opened in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties to provide assistance, while boil water notices have been issued for certain areas due to storm-related damages. PG&E is working to restore power, but some customers may remain without power for days.
The County of Monterey has issued evacuation warnings for the Carmel River and Bolsa Knolls areas due to expected impact weather over the next two days, advising residents to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen. The warnings are precautionary, but residents should have a plan in place, and can stay updated on evacuation warnings through the County's website.