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Articles by Michael Ramirez
Gonzales cleanup event serves 140 vehicle loads
The Gonzales High School cross country team provided 50 hours of community service at the Fall REuse, REcycle and Cleanup Day in Gonzales on Oct. 17. (Maury Treleven) GONZALES — Residents of Gonzales participated in the Fall REuse, REcycle and Cleanup Day event on Oct. 17 at the Fairview Middle School outdoor basketball courts, where 140 vehicle loads were served.
Soledad’s 2026 Spookfest draws Halloween crowds
Local youth show off their Halloween costumes while enjoying the activities at Soledad Spookfest on Saturday. (City of Soledad) SOLEDAD — Halloween began early in Soledad last Saturday afternoon with Spookfest taking place at Cesar Chavez Park on Front Street. Soledad Chamber of Commerce blocked off the area for its citywide event that began at 3 p.m. and featured games, pumpkin decorating and a Trunk-or-Treat.
Football | Greenfield beats Cardinals as Soledad triumphs over Breakers
SALINAS VALLEY — Greenfield and Soledad high school football teams picked up key victories last week, moving closer to Central Coast Section playoff berths. The Bruins had a good showing at home last Friday, defeating the visiting Santa Cruz Cardinals, 34-13. Bruin running back Damian Martinez had a standout performance with 202 yards on 20 carries and scored four touchdowns. “It was a big game by Damian,” said Greenfield head coach Adam Barsenas. “He has worked hard and it has paid off.
Football | King City claims Mission South title
Rocky Villanueva (#9) was the lead blocker for Carson Tidwell (#12) on this Mustang play against the NMC Condors. King City shut out the Condors, 49-0. (Michael Ramirez) KING CITY — With a 49-0 win over the visiting North Monterey County Condors, and losses by two of the teams currently in second place in the Mission South, the Mustangs are division champions by virtue of having a two-game lead, with one game to be played.
Sports Roundup | King City flag football, cross country and girls golf teams prepare for CCS
The King City flag football team celebrates on the beach after defeating Pacific Collegiate in Santa Cruz on Oct. 20. With the 33-6 win, the Mustangs earned the Mission Division Championship. (Kirsten Slama) SALINAS VALLEY — This is championship week for local cross country runners and girls golfing teams with respective Pacific Coast Athletic League (PCAL) Championships being contested this week.
Football | Soledad Aztecs down Condors, 49-22
SALINAS VALLEY — South Monterey County football teams are battling for playoff consideration as the last few weeks of the regular season approach. Critical games are coming up for all four local schools. The Soledad Aztecs are in a third-place tie in the Mission South with Robert Louis Stevenson after whipping the North Monterey Condors, 49-22, last Friday at home. Soledad scored points on the ground and in the air in the convincing win over the Condors.
Football | Greenfield leads Santa Lucia Division with 4-0 record
SALINAS VALLEY — In a Santa Lucia Division showdown, the Greenfield Bruins defeated the Seaside Spartans 14-7 on Friday night at the Bruin football stadium. Greenfield is 4-0 to and leads the Santa Lucia Division with a 4-0 record. The Bruins entered the game focusing on slowing down Seaside running back Joshiah Escort, who leads the Tri-County area with over 700 rushing yards and has scored 17 touchdowns.
Volleyball | Soledad, King City stay in Mission Division race
Soledad’s Kaylee Anderson (#7) and Ilene Cortina (#17) team up against Carmen Sanchez (#12) of Gonzales. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — Soledad and King City are working to keep pace in the Mission Division volleyball standings behind Robert Louis Stevenson and Alisal. King City is 6-2 behind the Pirates and Trojans with 3-0 wins over North County and Watsonville, and Soledad is 5-3 in the division with a loss to first-place Stevenson and a win over Gonzales.
Gonzales flu clinic vaccinates 228 residents
Jerry Cornwell of Gonzales receives his flu shot Saturday at the Salinas Valley Health free flu clinic. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — Salinas Valley Health hosted a free flu clinic Saturday at the Taylor Farms Family Health and Wellness Center in Gonzales, with a total of 228 community members receiving vaccinations. Karina Rusk, director of public relations and communications for Salinas Valley Health, was delighted with the huge turnout at the Oct. 10 event.
Flag Football | King City shuts out Soledad, Marina
SALINAS VALLEY — In a busy week, the King City High flag football team won one Mission Division game and one non-divisional game before losing two non-divisional games to Aptos and Templeton. Last Tuesday on the road against Soledad, the Mustangs handed the host Aztecs a 33-0 loss. Quarterback Katia Slama passed for 212 yards and four touchdowns, rushed for 54 yards with one touchdown and had one interception on defense.
Football | Greenfield and King City lead divisions
Carson Tidwell (#12) of the King City Mustang football team looks for an opening against the Soledad defense. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — The Greenfield Bruins are in a first-place tie with Seaside at 3-0 in the Santa Lucia Division and the King City Mustangs are 1-0 at the start of the Mission-South Division in high school football. Greenfield won on the road by a 28-21 score at Harbor last Friday, while the Mustangs opened divisional play with a 34-10 win over visiting Soledad.
Flag Football | King City duo sets school records
KING CITY — King City High School flag football duo of quarterback Katia Slama and receiver Shyrah McDonald set some school records in passing and receiving last week in divisional games. Slama exceeded 15,000 passing yards (15,165), while McDonald crossed the 4,000 mark in receiving yards (4,010) and 7,000 combined yards from scrimmage (7,083). “They are both four-year varsity players, and to say that we will miss them a lot is an understatement,” said Mustang head coach Brent Slama.
Clair enshrined in Greenfield High’s 2026 Athletics Hall of Fame
Fachon Clair is announced as a member of the Greenfield High School Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 25 at the Bruins football stadium. (Michael Ramirez) GREENFIELD — Greenfield High School 2005 graduate Fachon Clair was enshrined in the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a football player and track and field athlete. Fachon Clair earned a spot on the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Football team after he ran for 1,203 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior at Greenfield High.
Volleyball | Soledad and King City suffer losses to division leaders
SALINAS VALLEY — The Soledad and King City high school volleyball teams fell to division-leading Robert Louis Stevenson and second-place Alisal, respectively, last week on the same day to drop into a third-place tie with 4-2 records. Soledad (11-2 overall) beat Watsonville by a 3-0 score last Tuesday at home and then lost 3-0 in Salinas two days later to the host Trojans.
Football | Greenfield shuts out Gonzales as Soledad snaps losing streak
SALINAS VALLEY — The Greenfield Bruins lead the Santa Lucia Division with a 2-0 record after a 33-0 shutout win against visiting Gonzales last Friday night. Greenfield improved to 3-1 overall, and Gonzales is now 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the Santa Lucia Division. The Bruins went to the air to start the game and scored two first-quarter touchdowns with passes from the quarterback duo of Angel Gonzales and Kenny Pajas.
Volleyball | Soledad claims Spikefest title, improves to 8-0
Soledad volleyball player Sierra Botello (#8) gets a ball over two Rancho San Juan players on Sept. 19 at the Gonzales Spikefest. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — Soledad High’s volleyball team beat Mission Division foes Gonzales and Rancho San Juan and finished the week by claiming the Gold Division championship at the Gonzales Spikefest on Saturday. The Aztecs defeated Gonzales, 3-0, last Tuesday at home, and then won 3-0 on the road against the Rancho San Juan Trailblazers on Thursday.
Football | Greenfield wins divisional opener against Mariners as Gonzales, Soledad suffer losses
SALINAS VALLEY — Greenfield High began Santa Lucia Divisional play with a 22-20 win over the host Marina Mariners last Thursday night. The Bruins held a 16-0 halftime lead but the Mariners fought back to make it a two-point contest. Greenfield took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter with a five-yard touchdown run by running back Damian Martinez, followed by a missed point-after attempt. The Bruins padded the lead to 13-0 with a five-yard touchdown pass play from Daniel Nava to Anthony Perez.
McFarland cross country runner inspires Gonzales High athletes
Motivational speaker and former McFarland High School runner Thomas Valles spent last weekend inspiring local cross country runners when he visited North Monterey County High School. (Michael Ramirez) MONTEREY COUNTY — Thomas Valles, who was portrayed in the Disney movie, “McFarland, USA,” visited Monterey County last week as a guest of North Monterey County High School (NMC).
Soledad, Greenfield honor first responders on 25th anniversary of 9/11
Greenfield Police Chief Guillermo Mixer (far right) joins local firefighters at the First Responders Special Appreciation Breakfast last Friday at Greenfield Memorial Hall. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — The communities of Soledad and Greenfield hosted ceremonies last Friday to remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and honor first responders that give so much to serve others.
Volleyball | Divisional play begins for South Monterey County teams
The King City JV volleyball team won their playoff division at Saturday’s Jeff Lamb Spikefest in Milpitas and came home with a divisional plaque. (Christine Luna) SALINAS VALLEY — Gonzales and Soledad high school volleyball teams are unbeaten at the start of the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Mission Division schedule. The Spartans have a 3-0 record, and the Aztecs are 4-0.
Volleyball | King City, Soledad and Gonzales teams improve records
Avery Munoz (#2) of the King City High volleyball team rises to block the ball against the Valley Christian Lions last Thursday in the Mustang Gym. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — The King City, Soledad and Gonzales volleyball teams are still unbeaten as the non-league schedule continues.
Cross Country | High school runners compete at King City jamboree
Rosa Pacheco of King City placed first in the varsity division at last week’s South County Cross Country Jamboree at San Lorenzo Park. Pacheco is a junior on the Mustang team. (Michael Ramirez) KING CITY — The cross country season kicked off last week with the annual South County Cross Country Jamboree at San Lorenzo Park in King City. Participating this year were Avenal, Coalinga, Gonzales, Greenfield, Soledad and host King City.
Football | King City Mustangs blank Bruins as Gonzales Spartans fall to Falcons
SALINAS VALLEY — South Monterey County high school football teams began the regular season with a 1-3 record last week, with King City emerging as the only team with a victory. Last Thursday night in Greenfield, the King City Mustangs blanked the host Greenfield Bruins, 26-0, to start the regular season with a 1-0 record. Mustang star running back Carson Tidwell rushed for 150 yards on 18 carries and finished the game with three touchdowns.
Flag Football | 2026 season begins for South Monterey County teams
SALINAS VALLEY — The high school flag football season began last week with three South Monterey County schools participating in the Pacific Coast Athletic League; King City and Soledad in the Mission Division and Greenfield in the Cypress Division. The King City Mustangs began the season with a 19-17 loss at home to Palma and a 33-0 loss to San Luis Obispo on the road. In the Palma game, Katia Slama was 24 of 45 passing with one touchdown, two interceptions and 34 rushing yards.
Six athletes, soccer team enter 2026 Gonzales Athletic Hall of Fame
Gonzales Athletic Hall of Fame members gather together for a photo Aug. 15: (front row, from left) Randy Vosti (for Stan Hiserman), Javier Camacho, Rosa Ramirez, Theotis Daniels, Roman Valdez; (middle row, from left) Gerardo Gonzales, Arturo Manzo, Mark Ironside, Jesus Santos, Miguel Viduari; (back row, from left) Juan Guzman, Ignacio Guzman, Jacob Duarte, Michael Flores, Alejandro Carranza and Eduardo Verduzco.
King City kicks off South County rally for cancer awareness
Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez (right) walks alongside local cancer survivor Susan King as she carries the relay torch, leading a procession of community members during the Paint the Valley Purple kickoff in King City on Aug. 8. (Courtesy of Chris Lopez) KING CITY — The South Monterey County cities of King City, Greenfield, Soledad and Gonzales hosted a joint celebration on Aug. 8 for the inaugural Paint the Valley Purple campaign.
Football | South Monterey County teams play jamborees, scrimmage this week
Ryan Tidwell of King City High is one of the top running backs in the Pacific Coast Athletic League. (Lala Andrada) SALINAS VALLEY — Local high school football teams take the field this Friday at three different sites to kick off the 2026 season. Soledad travels to Greenfield for the South County Jamboree at Greenfield High; King City will participate in a jamboree with Monte Vista Christian, Pajaro Valley and host Rancho San Juan at Alisal High, and Gonzales will host Alisal in a scrimmage.
Gonzales Knights seek players to keep youth football program alive
The Gonzales Knights youth football program is taking signups for the upcoming season. Representing the Knights at National Night Out in Gonzales last Tuesday are (from left) Sheila Campos, Becky Avila and Jessica Camargo. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — The Gonzales Knights youth football program is searching for players for all the divisions to be able to have a season this year. As of last week, the Knights have until Aug.
Salinas Valley cities celebrate National Night Out 2026
Gonzales Police Officer Miguel Perez pulls out a winning raffle ticket with assistance by Officer Jasmin Garcia during National Night Out on Aug. 4. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — National Night Out took place last Tuesday in the Salinas Valley cities of Gonzales, Soledad and Greenfield, bringing together families, first responders and local organizations for an evening of community connection hosted by each police department. On Fourth Street in Gonzales, the Aug.
Football | South Monterey County players gear up for 2026 season
King City Mustangs quarterback Rocky Vasquez hands off the football to Ryan Tidwell during a drill last Friday afternoon. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — The defending Pacific Coast Athletic League (PCAL) Mission Division football champion King City Mustangs were on the field last Friday preparing for the upcoming season. This Friday, the Mustangs will conduct the annual Blue and White scrimmage at War Memorial Stadium.
Boxing | King City, San Ardo boxers compete in Oakland
Participating in the Summer Showdown II in Oakland are (from left) Coach Rodolfo Tapia, Alex Salazar of King City and Miguel Hernandez of San Ardo. (Contributed) KING CITY — Alex Salazar of King City Boxing Club and Miguel Hernandez of San Ardo Boxing Club represented South Monterey County last Saturday at the Summer Showdown II Youth Boxing Tournament in Oakland. The event was hosted by the East Oakland Boxing Association and the competition was governed by USA Boxing and its officials.
Gonzales Athletic Hall of Fame honors Hiserman’s legacy
Stan Hiserman, a 1934 Gonzales High graduate, was the team captain for the Stanford University track and field team in his senior year at the college. Hiserman will enter the Gonzales Athletic Hall of Fame on Aug. 15. (Contributed) GONZALES — Former Gonzales High standout and University of Washington track and field head coach Stan Hiserman will be inducted posthumously into the 2026 Gonzales High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Aug. 15 at Laguna Seca.
Gonzales High boys soccer team hosts youth camp
The 5-7-year-old campers take a warm-up lap after arriving for the Gonzales High Summer Soccer Camp. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — Last Tuesday through Thursday, the Gonzales High boys soccer team hosted its second Summer Soccer Camp at Dick Force Stadium in Gonzales. The free camp provided soccer instruction and fun for youth in three divisions. Boys and girls were grouped in the following age groups: 5-7 years old; 8-10 years old; and 11-13 years old.
Anytime Fitness opens new location in Gonzales
Ryan Avila-Ramirez (middle) cuts the ribbon celebrating the opening of Anytime Fitness, the newest business in the Gonzales Shopping Center. Avila-Ramirez, a Gonzales High alum, is the general manager of the new gym. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — Anytime Fitness opened its doors in Gonzales with a ribbon-cutting celebration on July 21. The new gym is located at 851 Fifth St., the former site of the Gonzales Branch Library that is now at the Dennis and Janice Caprara Community Center Complex.
Awards banquet honors Gonzales High baseball team
Gonzales varsity baseball award winners and coaches are: (from left) Coach Isaiah Suniga, Luis Cabada, Moises Castro, Daniel Jimenez, Noah Villalobos, Gabriel Prieto and Head Coach Justin Maturino. (Maritza Villalobos) GONZALES — Gonzales High School baseball team held an awards banquet on July 23 at the Gonzales American Legion Post 81. The awards night began with the players being presented by varsity head coach Justin Maturino and the junior varsity staff.
Soledad’s Segura drafted by White Sox in 4th round
Eric Segura signed a Major League Baseball contract last week to play for the Chicago White Sox of the American League. Segura is the first Soledad High player to play professional baseball. (Contributed) SOLEDAD — Soledad baseball player Eric Segura became the first athlete from that community to be chosen in the Major League Baseball draft. Segura, a standout pitcher at Soledad High and Oregon State, was chosen in the fourth round last week by the Chicago White Sox of the American League.
Soledad’s Segura selected in Major League Baseball draft
Eric Segura, a Soledad High School alum, signed a Major League Baseball contract last week to play for the Chicago White Sox of the American League. (Contributed) SOLEDAD — Oregon State pitcher Eric Segura from Soledad took the next step in his baseball career last week when he was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball draft.
Gonzales Car Show draws more than 100 vehicles downtown
Joanna and Bobby Barba displayed this restored 1959 GMC truck on Saturday at the Gonzales Car Show. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — The fourth annual Gonzales Car Show was held downtown last Saturday on Fourth Street with more than 100 cars and other vehicles participating, many of which arrived early to park at the choice viewing spots. Raul Hernandez, a former Gonzales resident, enjoys coming to the car show at Gonzales to meet up with friends and to enter his car.
Gonzales postal carrier honored for 1M safe driving miles
Rural mail carrier Hope Phillips holds up her U.S. Postal Service Million Mile Club plaque during a surprise party at the Gonzales Post Office. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — Rural mail carrier Hope Phillips was recognized last week for driving over a million miles without a preventive incident by the U.S. Postal Service and National Safety Council. Because of her achievement, Phillips received a surprise party hosted by the post office staff in Gonzales.
Soledad, Greenfield win Little League youth baseball titles
Soledad Little League Major All-Stars won the District 9 Little League Championship with a solid run through the playoffs. (Contributed) SALINAS VALLEY — Two South Monterey County Little League baseball teams were recently crowned District 9 champions, with Soledad Major All-Stars capturing the All-Star Championship and Greenfield Juniors winning the Tournament of Champions. The Soledad Little League Major All-Stars had a 5-1 record to win the District 9 baseball championship.
Community turns out for cleanup event in Gonzales
Members of the Gonzales High track and field team gather with CSUMB volunteers from Save the Whales on June 27 at the Cleanup Day event in Gonzales. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — A total of 166 vehicles drove to the Gonzales Reuse, Recycle and Cleanup Day event June 27 at Fairview Middle School. Gonzales High School track and field athletes and California State University Monterey Bay service learning volunteers from Save the Whales earned 80 hours of community service.
South County Titans travel baseball team places 3rd at Cooperstown
Players and coaches for the South County Titans under 12 team that traveled to Cooperstown are: (back row, from left) Coach Andrew Lujan, Manager Anthony Mena, Coach Jerry Zavala; (middle row, from left) Andrew Lujan Jr., Mario Perez, Danny Zavala, Salomon Zuniga, Charlie Ballesta, Zander Sparks; (front row, from left) Hank Wilkinson, Charlie Gilbride, Mason Mena, Zach Carrillo, Beau Amaral and Jaxon Youngbar.
South Monterey County Little League teams play in All-Star tournaments
Players and coaches for the King City Little League 9 and under All-Star team are: (front row, from left) Valerie Cortes, Emiliano Santoyo, Joan Gaytan, Mathew Gurley, Ace Lopez, Isaac Carrasco; (middle row, from left) Liam Garcia, Nathan Silva, JR Mares, Maddow Soto, Easton Willoughby, Case McCollough; (back row, from left) Coach Christina Pina, Manager Chito Soto and Coach Daniel Beltran.
Track and Field | Gonzales High celebrates historic track season
Earning special team awards for the Gonzales track and field boys team are: (front row, from left) Brandy Ochoa, Junior Ruiz, Alejandro Rodriguiz, Aaron Hernandez, JohnCarlo Magana, Victor Fierros; (back row, from left) Hugo Izacc Soto, Lawrence Bettencourt, Nicolas Reyes, Jordan Askew, Jonathan Chavez and Santiago Cuevas. (Michael Ramirez) GONZALES — Gonzales High School track and field team completed the season with an awards night and banquet on June 15.
Salinas Valley cities prepare for 4th of July celebrations
SALINAS VALLEY — The communities of Gonzales, Soledad and Greenfield will be ready to celebrate the Fourth of July next weekend with multiple events planned in each city. At Central Park in Gonzales, Independence Day will kick off with the Gonzales Rotary Fun Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 4. Interested runners or walkers can pick up registration forms at Gonzales City Hall, Mechanics Bank and the RX Pharmacy in Gonzales.
Deadline nears for Gonzales High Athletic Hall of Fame
GONZALES — The deadline for the Gonzales High School Athletic Hall of Fame is next Friday, June 26, and interested parties must email nominations before the deadline. The Hall of Fame will take place on Aug. 15 at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, 10520 York Road in Monterey. For applications or more information, visit sites.google.com/gonzales.k12.ca.us/athletic-hall-of-fame. Click “Nominating” to view and download or print the nomination form.
Soledad High celebrates 340 graduates at 2026 commencement
Soledad High School senior Karina Ballesa claps alongside her fellow classmates during their graduation ceremony Saturday morning at Gene Martin Stadium. (Michael Ramirez) SOLEDAD — Graduation day at Soledad High School brought thousands of people to Gene Martin Stadium bright and early Saturday morning for the 26th Annual Commencement. Seating and parking filled up fast with parents, extended families and friends attending to celebrate this year’s 340 graduates.
Gonzales High sophomore wins state speech and debate tourney
Italia Hernandez was recognized at the recent Gonzales Unified School District board meeting after placing first at the Migrant Education Program State Speech and Debate Tournament in May. Standing from left are: Raul Hernandez (father), Lucila Perez (migrant resource teacher), Italia Hernandez, Guadalupe Rodriguez (migrant coordinator), Manuela Hernandez Valdez (mother) and Jose Manuel Hernandez (brother).
Wrestling | Gonzales grappler wins state title
Izzie Pacheco of Gonzales recently won the 140-pound weight class at the Freestyle State Championship. (Contributed) GONZALES — Fairview Middle School student Izzie Pacheco of Gonzales won the Freestyle State Championship on May 30 at the Selland Arena at Fresno. Pacheco also won the Folkstyle State Championship in March in the 12-and-under division. Wrestling for the Salinas Valley Wrestling Club, Pacheco just turned 12 years old and will be a seventh-grade student in the fall.
Class of 2026 crosses the stage in Gonzales, Greenfield
Areli Mancera-Calderon recognized her parents, grandparents and good friends as the valedictorian at the 114th Annual Commencement at Gonzales High School. Mancera-Calderon will attend Williams College in the fall. (Michael Ramirez) SALINAS VALLEY — Gonzales and Greenfield high schools hosted their graduations Saturday at their respective stadiums, which were packed with loved ones celebrating the Spartan and Bruin members of the Class of 2026.
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