Community Corner
🌱 What led to a deputy opening fire on McCoy Road?
You won't want to miss Soledad - Student Support Center on the Soledad Patch calendar
What's up Soledad! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What led to a deputy opening fire on McCoy Road?
- How are Soledad’s soccer teams stacking up before league play?
- Why a high-profile inmate’s parole date changed in Soledad prison
Also on today's calendar: Soledad - Storytime and Craft and 2 more events.
Find out what's happening in Soledadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Soledadfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 68 and low of 43 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 66, low: 51.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 70 and low of 55 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Officer Involved Shooting Under Review in Soledad (crimevoice.com) — An early-morning encounter on December 16 in Soledad ended with a Monterey County Sheriff’s deputy shooting and injuring a suspect reportedly armed with a rifle on McCoy Road. The suspect received on-scene aid and hospital care, and the District Attorney’s Office is now independently reviewing the use of force with secured video evidence. 
• South Monterey County teams playing final 2025 games (kingcityrustler.com) — Soledad’s girls’ and boys’ soccer teams are wrapping up strong pre-season runs, with the Lady Aztecs edging rival Gonzales 2-1 and the boys winning two of three matches. The article also tracks upcoming Soledad matchups against King City, Greenfield and other Salinas Valley schools, giving local fans a clear picture of how their teams are shaping up before league play.
• Cain Velasquez receives new prison parole eligibility date (mymmanews.com) — Residents should know that former UFC champion Cain Velasquez is currently serving his sentence at the state prison in Soledad and has had his parole eligibility moved up to February 2026. The change comes from credit earned through rehabilitative programs, following his 2024 conviction related to a 2022 shooting incident.
📸 Around Soledad
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Soledad
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★ Featured events ★
- Soledad - Student Support Center
Soledad Branch - Monterey County Free Libraries, 401 Gabilan Dr, Soledad
12:00 pm
Friday December 19
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- đ PJ Day đ§¸
Soledad Unified Soledad, CA 93960 - Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) grant
Soledad Unified Soledad, CA 93960 - đ Girls Basketball vs NMCH- Cooper
Soledad Unified Soledad, CA 93960
5:30 pm - Soledad - Storytime and Craft
Soledad Branch - Monterey County Free Libraries , 401 Gabilan Dr , Soledad
1:00 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
📣 Soledad Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Gonzales-Tech Help Fridays
Gonzales Branch - Monterey County Free Libraries , 630 5th St , Gonzales
12:00 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Fox Theater , 241 Main St , Salinas
6:15 pm - Demon Hunters Fan Central!
Northridge Mall , 796 Northridge Dr , Salinas
10:00 am - Natividad creek park garden workday
Natividad Creek Park , 1395 Nogal Dr , Salinas
10:00 am - Harajuku Holiday Fest!
Northridge Mall , 796 Northridge Dr , Salinas
10:00 am - Paint Day at Fourth St Tap House
Fourth Street Tap House , 25 4th St , Gonzales
11:00 am - A Magical Motown Christmas
Fox Theater , 241 Main St , Salinas
7:30 pm
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member in Soledad. Apply here.
- McDonald's posted a job opening for Crew Team Member in Soledad. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Soledad here.
🗞 Nearby News
King City
- Dispatchers praised for guiding lost hikers to safety in King City, Carmel fall rescues (kingcityrustler.com)
- Dec. 17, 2025 (salinasvalleytribune.com)
- ‘It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas …' (kingcityrustler.com)
Carmel Valley
- Menorah lighting moves forward in Carmel Valley, emphasizing unity after deadly attack overseas (cbs8.com)
- Victim says 3 sought medical attention after Carmel Valley dog bites (ksbw.com)
Salinas
Ok Soledad! 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.
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