SOLEDAD — As the New Year approaches, the staff at South County Newspapers looked back on the past year and compiled a list of the top stories that defined the community in 2017. Here is our Year in Review for Soledad:
JANUARY
City to upgrade aging fire engine fleet
With the help of a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Association, the city will purchase a new Fire Engine to replace a 17-year-old Engine.
At this time the Soledad Fire Department has two aging Type 1 Fire Engines that belong to the city. While one is still serviceable, the 2000 e137 engine is nearing the end of its usefulness, and has been experiencing mechanical and electrical malfunctions that cause it to be pulled from service.
In the last two years, the older engine has been out of service off and on for a total of eight months.Under the terms of the FEMA grant, the city has 12 months to purchase the replacement fire engine.
Council approves bid on wastewater pipeline project
The Soledad City Council has approved a contract with Monterey Peninsula Engineering for their construction services on the pipeline project in January.
The city’s project included the design and construction of a pump station to divert reclaimed water from the city’s Water Reclamation Facility. When the project is complete they will be able to supply reclaimed water to places such as parks, roadway medians and other city landscaping.
FEBRUARY
Union Pacific moves railcars out of city
It was a surprise to many. One day some 25 rail cars stretched almost the length of the city, and the next they were gone.
After more than a year of the City of Soledad being a parking zone, Union Pacific Railroad has moved the freight cars that former City Manager Adela Gonzales described as “blight.”
It is common practice for train companies such as Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to park excess cars on what are called “sidings,” which are second sets of rails next to the main rail line.
Soledad student celebrates ‘Signing Day’
Many high schools across the country celebrated Signing Day on Feb. 3.
Soledad High School Senior Belinda Ascencio, member of the Soledad girls soccer team had her chance to celebrate the beginning of her future by signing her intentions to attend UC Santa Barbara.
“Today was a very exciting day because many good things happened,” said the 17-year-old senior. “I was able to sign my letter to attend UC Santa Barbara next year, and what made it really nice was that we beat Carmel today to take over first place.”
Ascencio will be studying Sports Medicine at Santa Barbara, and working hard to earn a spot on the UCSB Gauchos soccer team.
MARCH
Superintendent gives State of Schools update
SUSD Superintendent Jorge Z. Guzman visited the South County Women in Business and Leadership Luncheon and gave a state of our schools presentation.
In finances, the district has a positive certification and an adopted budget of approximately $57 million, Guzman said.
Guzman also talked about the changes to the school facilities. Under Proposition 39, SUSD received funds to improve the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and energy efficient lighting district wide.
Soledad PD purchases body cams and tasers to replace older equipment
The Soledad City Council on March 1 unanimously approved the purchase of body worn cameras for the city’s police officers.
The cost for the body cameras is just over $13,000, and will be paid out of asset forfeiture monies from the department. It will also not go against the city’s general fund.
Council passes ordinance regarding MBCPA
In a 5–0 vote, the Soledad City Council on March 8 voted to authorize the implementation of a Community Choice Aggregation program between the City of Soledad and the Monterey Bay Community Power Authority (MBCPA).
MBCPA was formed in 2013 to establish a community choice aggregation program through which to purchase, supply, and aggregate the electrical load of municipal, residential and commercial customer accounts using renewable and sustainable energy sources.
APRIL
Soledad debate students bring home first
Sixth through 12th-grade students from Monterey County schools gathered in March for the eighth annual Migrant Education Speech and Debate Tournament hosted by the Monterey County Office of Education’s (MCOE) Migrant Education Region 16.
To prepare for the tournament, held at Salinas’ Harden Middle School, students researched assigned topics, and practiced after school and during lunch sessions with teammates and coaches. Students and community leaders serve as judges.
City sought residents’ opinion on police services
South County police departments in the cities of Gonzales, Soledad, Greenfield and King City worked together to strengthen their regional law enforcement.
The departments have found that not everyone can make it to a council meeting or to their local station, but they are interested to know what people feel is needed for the police to help residents. Local police have come up with a survey that will help them find out what the general public’s opinion of city police services are today.
MAY
Changes coming to Gallardo Park
Plans are underway for changes to the Jesse Gallardo Park, which is home to a baseball field, tennis courts and a large span of grass.
Soledad City Council, city staff, the Parks and Recreation Department and members of the public have talked about expanding the park to have two to three Little League and softball fields for years. Those talks are close to a reality now.
According to City Manager Michael McHatten, the plan is to turn the current ballfield into three ballfields and add stadium lighting. The improvements will come in phases.
Sansone Company Inc. was the low bidder of the four that came in at $2,148,000 for Phase 1.
Soledad Unified School District names new superintendent
The Board of Education of the Soledad Unified School District has announced that it has selected Tim Vanoli, current superintendent of the Salinas Union High School District for the past five years, as its next superintendent starting July 1.
A district representative and Vanoli are working on an employment agreement, which will be brought to the Board of Education on June 14 for consideration and approval.
Junior Livestock Auction raises $2.1M
The Salinas Valley Fair Junior Livestock Auction included the sale of 950 animals and raised $2.1 million with the fair’s heritage animal selling for $371 per pound.
This year’s Salinas Valley Fair Heritage Foundation scholarship winner was Matthew Umbarger, a senior at King City High School.
The Junior Livestock Auction brings together not only auction buyers from throughout the Salinas Valley, but also FFA and 4-H members from Gonzales to King City and from Bitterwater to Templeton.
JUNE
332 graduate from Soledad High School
Soledad High School handed out diplomas to 332 students during the graduation ceremony June 10 for the Class of 2017.
The students and their families gathered at the Gene Martin Stadium early in the morning on Saturday in purple caps and gowns and dressed in their celebration gear. It was a sunny day in Soledad, marking the Class of 2017’s last day as high school students with the notorious Soledad wind.
City Council approves 2017-18 budget
City of Soledad is looking to the future with its budget forecasting, seeing bright spots with the movie theater and activity with residential building, expenditures in law enforcement and 911 dispatch.
“2017-2018 budget year is best described in two ways,” said City Manager Michael McHatten. “On one hand, the future is exciting. It holds promise due to resurgence and development activity reflected in the city’s economic recovery.”
McHatten said there is anticipated residential activity occurring and proposed commercial expansion, with the 13 acres of development for a movie theater.
JULY
17 citations for illegal fireworks in the week of July 4
The Soledad Police Department issued 17 citations for illegal fireworks in the days leading up to the Fourth of July.
Approximately eight citations were issued on July 4 and the remainder were during the week of Independence Day.
According to Police Chief Eric Sills, there was only one illegal fireworks citation issued last year.
Camp Royal campers, foreign exchange student visit Soledad Rotary
Three special visitors stopped by the Soledad Rotary Club lunch meeting July 20, including two Camp Royal students and a foreign exchange student.
Incoming Soledad High School seniors Elena Meza and Athena Lopez were selected by the Soledad Rotarians to attend a week at Camp Royal. Camp Royal brings leaders from multiple schools across California together to learn from one another and problem solve.
Thursday’s meeting also saw the return of foreign exchange student Tor-Magnus Mundal Skredegard.
Skredegard arrived back in the United States on July 15 and stayed for the next 10 days with the Larsen family, who hosted him two years ago. The trip took 11 hours from Norway.
Change of Command
Col. Kerry E. Norman has taken charge of the largest Army Reserve installation and the seventh largest post in the nation, becoming Fort Hunter Liggett’s newest garrison commander.
Norman, who hails from Kirkwood, Mo., was sworn in during a Change of Command ceremony at the Fort Hunter Liggett track and field facility. She takes over the post of outgoing commander, Col. Jan C. Norris, who had assumed the commander duties since July 2015.
AUGUST
City Council honors Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
August is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and the City Council of Soledad honored Jacob’s Heart at its Aug. 2 meeting.
According to the city proclamation, 42 children in the United States are diagnosed with cancer and more than 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer each year. It is the leading cause of death by disease among children beating out asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and AIDS combined.
Victim center for South County reopens
Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has reopened the South County Victim Services Office, located in the newly refurbished courthouse building at 250 Franciscan Way in King City.
The victim center increases accessibility for South County residents who lost services in 2008 when the Monterey County Courts King City Division closed due to financial reasons. It focuses on trauma-informed services and treatment for children and youth victims of crime.
Crash kills 2 Soledad residents
Two Soledad residents were killed in an automobile collision that occurred on Highway 101 at Spence Road on Aug. 1 at 10 a.m.
The California Highway Communications Center received the call of the two-vehicle traffic collision involving Valentin Nunez Rayo, who was driving a Nissan Altima northbound on Highway 101 approaching Spence Road. The other party, Maria Elena Valle, was driving a second vehicle southbound on the highway in the fast lane approaching Spence Road at approximately 65 mph, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
SEPTEMBER
Know Your Rights Forum
A community “Know Your Rights Forum” is set to take place in Soledad on Oct. 1 at the Soledad Community Center for residents to better understand individual rights under the constitution.
These forums are expected to empower the community through education as to what are the rights of either undocumented citizens or residents, especially the fourth and the fifth amendments. The fourth amendment speaks about the right of people to be secure in their persons, homes, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, and the fifth amendment talks about persons being held to answer for crimes unless indictment of the grand jury.
Soledad is the gateway leaders to secure cities
The City of Soledad partnered with SurveillanceGrid Integrations Inc. to install cameras and license plate recognition technology around Soledad.
According to Public Works Director Donald Wilcox, there have been four phases of the projects to help aid the Soledad Police Department in catching criminals. The 11 new cameras will be located throughout the city, and the cost for the current phase is $105,249.
County supervisors support Dreamers
Monterey County has been declared a “Dreamers County,” one of the first counties in the nation to enact a resolution supporting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which grants a temporary reprieve from deportation for so-called “Dreamers,” immigrants who were brought into the country as children by their parents.
OCTOBER
Ashley Maestri wins Grape Stomp competition at Soledad Mission Fiesta
This year’s Soledad Mission Fiesta saw the return of the annual Grape Stomp featuring eight young ladies from the Mission School District. Ashley Maestri was named the winner. Maestri was challenged by Autumn La Maacha, who stomped grapes and came close to taking the win.
The annual Soledad Mission Fiesta included a rib barbecue, wine and silent auctions that raised money to keep the everyday operations of the Mission going. The event also brought out craft booths and Flora’s Farms, which sold and decorated pumpkins for the event.
School board recognizes Berlanga for her years of service
The Soledad Unified School District Board of Trustees said farewell to Marie Berlanga, who retired from the school board Oct. 11. Berlanga was honored by Monterey County Deputy Superintendent Deneen Newman Guss, who said that Berlanga embodied several traits of a good leader, such as honesty, communication, confidence, commitment, positive attitude and selflessness.
Celebration of a century
Nearly 250 guests recently took a journey back in time to tour the properties owned by Salinas Land Co. and California Orchard Co. — located between King City and Greenfield — in celebration of the companies’ 100th anniversary and their profound impact on agriculture in the Salinas Valley.
Board members, growers, dignitaries and invited guests gathered in the Los Ositos Vineyards to commemorate the significant milestone of these two companies based outside of King City.
NOVEMBER
Main Street Middle School nears halfway mark
Main Street Middle School construction is nearing the half-way mark with the shell of the science, administration and gym buildings almost complete.
The Multipurpose Room, also known as the gym or Building D, will serve as a true multipurpose room that includes the cafeteria, two basketball courts, a drama room, music room, and girls and boys locker rooms. This coming week the roof trellises are going to be put in by a crane. Buildings A and B, the administration building and the science building are nearly completed with the brick. After the brick is complete, the project will continue with the roof of the two buildings. According to Vega, he expects to be near 50 percent on Buildings A and B sometime in November or December.
The district is also bringing back Building C, which is a classroom building that can house about 400 students. There will be 20 classrooms added.
City, school board host joint meeting
Soledad City Council and Soledad Unified School District Board met Nov. 2 to talk about communication, facilities, future development and more.
The Thursday night meeting at the Soledad High School multipurpose room was the first summit of both council and board of the 2017-18 school year. Facilitating the joint meeting was Bridget Massie. After the two groups had a couple ice-breakers it was time to get to work and discuss what the two partners — city and school board — wanted to see in four different areas.
South County resident named Veteran of the Year
King City resident Charles DeSchepper was recently named Veteran of the Year for 2017 by the Monterey County Military and Veterans Affairs Office Advisory Commission, which honored him at the annual ceremonial dinner in Monterey.
DeSchepper, 70, is a Vietnam War veteran who grew up in Iowa. He is a member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars Sgt. Frank Lillard Post 6747, American Legion and the Elks Club.
DECEMBER
Christmas Celebration
This year’s Christmas Celebration in Soledad was full of holiday cheer and royalty, as the winners of the Snow Queen and King contests — Iris Ruiz and Charlie Ruiz, respectively — were announced following the end of the 32nd annual Christmas Parade. In addition to the coronations, music, games, food and craft vendors and photos with Santa entertained all who attended the Dec. 2 festivities. Winners from the Soledad Christmas King and Queen Coronations were: Charlie Ruiz (Snow King), Iris Ruiz (Snow Queen), Caitlyn Zamora (Snow Sparkle), Benjamin Solis (Snow Duke), and Sophia Solano (Snow Angel).
Tractor trailer accident slows down 101
A tractor trailer full of broccoli took out 100 feet of guard railing and caused a single vehicle accident at about 6:30 p.m. last Friday night on the Highway 101 northbound overpass. The front half of the tractor trailer spilled over the side of the overpass with baskets of broccoli blanketing the hillside.
The driver of the tractor trailer was able to crawl out the safety from the cab. The driver of the vehicle that was following behind the tractor trailer received minor injuries, but the vehicle he was driving was totaled.
County Supervisor Salinas to retire
Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas announced that he will retire from office in early 2019 after his current term expires, ending a nearly three-decade career in public office.
Salinas, 61, is throwing his support behind his chief of staff — and South County native — Chris Lopez to succeed him for the District 3 position, the largest supervisorial district that encompasses part of Salinas and all of South County.
The open seat will be up for election next year.
