Media

SANTA CRUZ — Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D- Carmel Valley) is urging members of the community to participate in the public comment period on a proposal that will change Social Security benefits for people with disabilities.

The proposed rule, titled "Rules Regarding the Frequency and Notice of Continuing Disability Reviews," will change regulations on when and how often the administration conducts continuing disability reviews.

For nearly a year now, mysterious projectiles have been hitting cars passing through the Prunedale area in Monterey County. The California Highway Patrol has made an arrest.

The CHP arrested Charles Kenneth Lafferty, 52, Wednesday. He's accused of using a slingshot with glass marbles to strike moving vehicles. Lafferty is now in custody at the Monterey County Jail.

Investigators held a press conference to announce the arrest on Thursday. The CHP led the investigation and established a task force that included the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

WASHINGTON, DC – On Thursday, January 16, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) and Congressman Doug LaMalfa (CA-01) introduced a bipartisan resolution to recognize the over 200 American firefighters who have provided their services to combat the bushfires currently ravaging the Australian continent. The resolution also honors the longstanding partnership between the United States and Australia to share critical firefighting resources during times of crisis.

MONTEREY — The Congressional Hispanic Caucus will lead a delegation to the United States-Mexico border Friday to look into the impacts of the almost year-old "Remain in Mexico" policy under President Donald Trump.

Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, is part of the delegation to Brownsville, Texas, and Matamoros, Mexico, going to investigate the administration's "Migrant Protection Protocols" (Remain in Mexico) policy's impacts and the use of tent court facilities to adjudicate Remain in Mexico asylum cases.

SALINAS — Praising progress on a long-awaited Pajaro River flood prevention project, the Monterey County Board of Supervisors reviewed a proposed regional flood prevention agency that would oversee construction and operation of the $393.7 million initiative.

By a unanimous vote, the county board directed staff to finalize a joint powers agreement at the center of the proposed Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency. It would include a five-member board with representatives from both Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. It would return for adoption when the agreement is finalized.