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🌱 What led to nine arrests at a Salinas cannabis greenhouse?

And on the Salinas Patch calendar - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings

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Morning Salinas! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What led to nine arrests at a Salinas cannabis greenhouse?
  • How a Salinas high school is running its own student restaurant
  • Will your Salinas paycheck rise with California’s 2026 minimum wage hike?

Also on today's calendar: Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous - FA.

Find out what's happening in Salinasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Salinasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 65 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: Clouds breaking for some sun, temps: high: 66, low: 55.
  • Saturday: Cloudy, with a high of 69 and low of 54 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Nine Arrested Following In-Progress Burglary at Salinas Cannabis Facility (crimevoice.com) — Nine people were arrested after deputies and Salinas police responded to an early-morning burglary at a commercial cannabis greenhouse on Encinal Road in Salinas. Multiple vehicles fled, several crashed or got stuck, and firearms and marijuana were recovered. The adults now face burglary, conspiracy, stolen property, and firearm-related charges in Monterey County.
   

2. North Salinas High students gain culinary skills through hands-on program (ksbw.com) — Students at North Salinas High School are running their own Maple and Morning Cafe restaurant as the capstone to a yearlong culinary job-training course in Salinas. The Kitchen Careers program teaches baking, cooking, and hospitality skills, plus food and workplace safety certifications, helping teens step directly into Monterey County’s hospitality industry while supporting school and community events.
   

3. California minimum wage goes to $16.90 at start of 2026 (ksbw.com) — Starting January 1, 2026, workers in Salinas and across California must be paid at least $16.90 an hour, and exempt salaried employees must earn at least $70,304 a year. The state labor commissioner is urging underpaid workers to file wage claims and reminding employers to update posted notices, pay stubs, and pay practices to avoid penalties.
   

4. Covered California warns premium hikes as ACA subsidies near expiration (ksbw.com) — Salinas-area residents on Covered California could see major premium hikes if federal ACA subsidies expire, and local Congressman Jimmy Panetta is pushing for a vote to extend them. About 24,000 subsidized enrollees across Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties would be hit hardest. Open enrollment runs through Jan. 31, with Dec. 31 the deadline for Jan. 1 coverage.
   

5. Job-based health care costs are growing—and workers are paying the price (berkeley.edu) — If you get job-based health coverage in the Salinas–Monterey area, you’re likely paying some of the highest hospital prices in California, which helps drive up premiums and deductibles. A new analysis explains how rising costs squeeze wages statewide and how the state’s Office of Health Care Affordability hopes to slow spending growth and ease pressure on working families.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Help Poppy Find Her Forever Home!
    Poppy is a sweet, gentle female rescue cat estimated to be around 2–3 years old. She does well with both dogs and other cats and was a wonderful mama… (Nextdoor Corral De Tierra)
  • I highly recommend that everyone go on to youtube and watch the youtube channel called Scammer Payback.
    Here are some tips to help keep you safe: •If selling something online, only accept cash and meet in a public well lit location. •if you ever get a… (Nextdoor Prunedale North)
  • The Save Mart Companies posted a job opening for Multi-Purpose Clerk - Grocery - 1150 S. Main Street, Salinas, CA 93901 in Salinas. Apply here.
  • Salinas Union High School District posted a job opening for 2025-26 Temporary Science Teacher - La Paz Middle School in Salinas. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Salinas here.

Ok Salinas! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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