The SPCA for Monterey County's eleventh annual Pet Telethon airs live on KION-TV 46 on Saturday, January 28 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  The telethon will also stream live online at www.kionrightnow.com

The Pet Telethon features dozens of wonderful pets looking for new homes, heartwarming animal rescue stories, and information about your SPCA, the heart of animal rescue since 1905. 

The SPCA will be open for adoptions on Saturday evening for the duration of the telethon.

Watch for special message from your friends, neighbors, and favorite celebrities – including a phone call from Betty White!

All donations go directly to help animals in need in our community.

PEBBLE BEACH- Monterey County Board of Supervisors put their stamp of approval on an amended plan to develop a section of the Del Monte Forest.

Pebble Beach Company developers have been working for decades to build on open land.

Changes to their plan seems to please the public, including: reducing the number of rooms they will add to their hotel and preserving 460 acres of pine forest land that would have other otherwise been developed.

Pebble Beach Company executive director Mark Stillwell said they are excited to add more hotel rooms and space for homes on 17 Mile Drive.

Local Environmentalist Joyce Stevens said this is the best plan she has seen for the forest development in decades.

She told Central Coast News it's a "worthy compromise" between preservation and development. 

Free Tax Prep Means a Full Refund, Quickly

Monterey - United Way Monterey County kicks off its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at 11:00 am Friday, Jan. 27 at the Salvation Army Salinas Corps Community Center at 2460 North Main Street, Salinas. Media will see the program in action and be able to interview participants.

Part of United Way’s EarnIt!KeepIt!$aveIt! Program, VITA offers free tax prep to families and individuals who earned less than $50,000 in 2011.  In addition to helping people avoid hidden fees and get their refunds promptly, VITA also helps workers identify any additional credits for which they may qualify, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).

On Friday, volunteers will be preparing taxes from 9:00am to Noon.  Representatives from United Way, Salvation Army and local businesses will also be on hand to answer questions.