u/chriscerney

Cali Roots is back at the Monterey County Fairgrounds this weekend, running Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24.

According to the official festival info, gates open at 11 AM, music starts around noon, and the festival runs into the night each day.

Some of the major names on this year’s lineup include Ice Cube, Rebelution, Common Kings, The Elovaters, Tash Sultana, J Boog, Pepper, SOJA, Skip Marley, Collie Buddz, The Green, and more.

I put together a quick local preview with some of the main details for anyone heading to the festival or trying to keep track of what’s happening around the Fairgrounds this weekend.

Media materials courtesy of California Roots / Good Vibez Presents. Coverage is independent and not paid promotional content.

A chaotic scene unfolded last night, May 15, inside the Golden State Theatre in Monterey during the René Vaca show.

I was at the theater speaking with witnesses and staff after the incident. Video from inside the theater shows a fight breaking out, with several people yelling as others appear to move in and try to separate those involved.

An attendee said people started yelling near the back/right side of the theater before the brawl broke out. A staff member said several people had been asked to leave after allegedly disrupting the show, and that the situation later escalated near the second-floor area before spilling outside onto Alvarado Street.

The staff member also said police later arrived, and that some of the people involved were located near the alleyway behind Turn 12.

At this time, it’s unclear whether anyone was seriously injured or if any arrests were made.

The Seaside Police Department says 21-year-old Zai Soto has been arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a one-year-old child.

According to police, the case came out of a joint investigation by Monterey Police and Seaside Police. Authorities say Soto is accused of sexually assaulting a child who had been entrusted to his care.

Police also say investigators uncovered evidence suggesting a pet cat may have been subjected to inappropriate sexual contact.

Soto was booked into the Monterey County Jail, with bail set at $2,750,000.

Seaside Police are asking anyone with information related to the case, or anyone who believes there may be additional potential victims, to contact the department at 831-899-6748.

Soto has not been convicted of these charges and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

I spoke with Scarlett Wennerholm, Director of Public Relations for ASMPC, about reported delays in processing official transcripts at Monterey Peninsula College.

She says some students, faculty, and staff are concerned about a possible transcript backlog affecting current students, former students, transfer students, and people applying for jobs.

Wennerholm says the reported backlog was discussed during a student council meeting, and that transcripts are critical for students trying to transfer, continue their education, or accept employment opportunities.

MPC has been contacted for comment.