Reporter

James Herrera

James Herrera has been with The Herald for more than three decades, during which he has been an ad designer, staff artist, newsroom graphic artist, videographer and now a reporter. He covers business and the cities of Seaside, Marina, Sand City and Del Rey Oaks. Herrera can be reached via email at jherrera@montereyherald.com or by phone at 831-726-4344.

The Democratic Women of Monterey County, Democratic Women's Club of Santa Cruz County, and San Benito County Democrats will present a Gubernatorial debate next week. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald - DWMC)

Democratic Gubernatorial forum coming to Monterey next week

March 4, 2026 at 12:42 p.m.

The Gubernatorial Candidate Forum, moderated by Erica Padilla-Chavez, co-chair of Women in Leadership for Diverse Representation, will be held on March 12 at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 1000...

The Pebble Beach Company and Hanse Golf Course Design released their plans to transform The Links at Spanish Bay, one of four championship courses at Pebble Beach Resorts. (Pebble Beach Company)

Links at Spanish Bay to undergo transformation in Pebble Beach

March 2, 2026 at 2:46 p.m.

The new course is expected to open to the public April 17, 2027, just ahead of the 127th U.S. Open.

The roundabout at the intersection of Olmsted and Garden roads is part of the revised roadway circulation for the new replacement passenger terminal at the Monterey Regional Airport. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Work on roundabout at Olmstead, Garden roads to begin Monday in Monterey

February 27, 2026 at 2:25 p.m.

Construction at the Monterey Regional Airport entrance is expected to last about 18 weeks.

MRY served 659,867 departing and arriving passengers last year, a 6.3% increase over the previous year and the most travelers served annually in the airport’s history. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Monterey Regional Airport sees record 650K passengers served in 2025

February 26, 2026 at 2:43 p.m.

MONTEREY – The Monterey Regional Airport is marking its 85th year and celebrating multiple milestones, including setting another record year in 2025 by serving more than 600,000 passengers. The airport...

The Main Gate city-owned property in Seaside is under an Exclusive Negotiating Agreement between the city of Seaside and KB Bakewell Seaside Venture II, LLC for the

potential acquisition and development of the integrated mixed-use project at the property site. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Seaside, KB Bakewell enter into Exclusive Negotiating Agreement for Main Gate property

February 25, 2026 at 2:35 p.m.

The decision was buoyed by many giving public comment in support of the decision at the Seaside City Council meeting last Thursday. KB Bakewell is the current developer of the...

During his time as City Manager of the city of Marina, Long saw the development of former Fort Ord land into the Dunes On Monterey Bay community that includes the Dunes Promenade with its mixed-use and pedestrian-friendly design. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Marina City Manager Layne Long announces retirement after 13 years

February 24, 2026 at 2:40 p.m.

After 13 years of leadership implementing and overseeing policies crafted by the city council, documenting and presenting the city budget and interacting with the community to develop new programs, Layne...

Construction work on the Canyon Del Rey Segment of the FORTAG project in Del Rey Oaks recently included crews placing concrete for curb and gutter at Carlton Drive and Highway 218. (TAMC)

Focus of FORTAG project in Del Rey Oaks includes bridge work, sewer line

February 23, 2026 at 2:48 p.m.

Carlton Drive is expected to remain closed between Highway 218 and Work Avenue through March due to impacts from recent storms. Emergency vehicles and residents of the south end of...

Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, listens to a speaker at a roundtable of local business leaders he convened to discuss the potential economic impacts of the Administration’s offshore oil drilling leasing proposal, which includes two sites off the Central Coast of California. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Rep. Panetta hosts roundtable in Monterey on economic impacts of possible offshore oil drilling

February 20, 2026 at 2:50 p.m.

“We always have to be prepared to protect not just the coastline, but obviously … our coastal economy,” said Rep. Jimmy Panetta. “Hospitality, recreation, commercial fishing, even our agricultural industry,...

Goraya’s appointment to the California Forward board comes at a pivotal moment for the organization, as it rolls out draft recommendations in conjunction with the California Stewardship Network. (James Herrera/Monterey Herald)

Monterey Bay Economic Partnership CEO named to CA FWD Board

February 20, 2026 at 1:58 p.m.

California Forward describes itself as a multi-partisan, nonprofit organization building a New California Economy that is sustainable, resilient and inclusive.

Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide opened Friday once again restoring through travel between Carmel and Cambria. Crews cleared mud and debris from the roadway and made progress on clearing the catchment area behind the concrete barriers on the shoulder of the northbound lane. Travelers will encounter daytime one-way traffic control as crews continue to work from the northbound lane to clear the catchment area. Traffic control is expected to be in place through the weekend and travelers can expect delays of up to 20 minutes. (Caltrans)

Highway 1 reopened at Regents Slide near Big Sur after roadway cleared

February 20, 2026 at 4:50 p.m.

The closure of the highway, from two miles north of Lucia, to one mile south of the Esalen Institute, is due to ongoing debris cleanup as a result of continuing...

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