Kyarra Harris
Journalist | Blogger | Photographer

Accomplished writer, with over eight years of print reporting, broadcast writing and photography experience. Experienced in local, political and featured news, in addition to pop culture and technology stories.

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Monterey Herald, Staff Reporter - Monterey, California

Middlebury Institute hosts celebration for new mural unveiling

Mural in downtown Monterey

A new mural is unveiled at Monterey's Middlebury Institute of International Studies titled “Advancing Peace Together” by Guillermo Aranda. The mural was finished in November 2023 with the help of more than 60 volunteers, including students. The mural represents Monterey's history and culture while highlighting the city's "Language Capital of the World" title with the word peace written in more than a dozen language around the border.

Read the full story at the The Monterey Herald: Posted November, 7, 2023.

Hundreds attend Western Flyer homecoming ceremony

The Western Flyer fishing boat

The historic Western Flyer fishing boat returns to Monterey Bay after more than 70 years. Made famous by author John Steinbeck and scientist Ed Ricketts', the fishing boat once took the two on a journey to the Gulf of Mexico and back to Monterey. Hundreds showed up to witness the boat firsthand and celebrate its history.

Read the full story at the The Monterey Herald: Posted November, 7, 2023.

Monterey County Weekly, Digital Content Manager - Seaside, California

The Salinas Valley shows its support for native son Robert Rivas—now speaker of the California State Assembly.

California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas

With a true humble beginnings story, Robert Rivas moved his way up in the California legislature and was voted as the Speaker of the Assembly. He had an official ceremony adorned with music and decorations but this was a celebration in his hometown area. More than 200 people poured into a community center to get a first-hand look at Rivas. (Opinion Article)

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted July 27, 2023.

Monterey County’s inaugural Race Relations Summit was a success.

Project 1 Image

Monterey County city leaders, community leaders and law enforcement came together, hosting a Race and Relations Summit. The topics ranged from Monterey County's history to what everyone can do today to ensure more equality and diversity in the workplace and community. (Opinion Article)

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted July 17, 2023

Civil rights activist and Seaside community leader Mel Mason retires from The Village Project.

Project 1 Image

Mel Mason has been a civil rights activist for over 40 years, dedicating his life to equality. Born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula, Mason used his experience and passion to change the mental health landscape for people of color in his hometown through the Village Project. Over ten years later he’s ready to retire and enjoy his home life.

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted July 27, 2023

Seaside police hope to quell illegal fireworks boom with more enforcement this July Fourth.

fireworks in the night sky

Fireworks are illegal in the state of California, but during the Fourth of July season, several counties allow “safe and sane” fireworks to be sold. Seaside is one of these cities that allows the sale of these safer fireworks, but over the years a culture of setting off illegal fireworks has taken over. For weeks police are left chasing fireworks blasting in the sky — but this year many departments in the area including Seaside will up administrative and criminal citations in hopes of quelling the noise.

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted June 29, 2023

Seaside’s veterans organizations are hoping to expand membership with those who served in recent years.

Seaside VFW

A big reason for many of the services and benefits U.S. veterans have today is due to the efforts of WWII and Korean War veterans who took to Capitol Hill to voice concerns. A part of those efforts was the creation of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, community organizations for veterans. However, many of these organizations have lost their numbers over the years and Monterey County is no exception. A leader of both organizations speaks to what happened.

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted June 29, 2023.

A peek into the future? Joby Aviation unveiled its first flying taxi-like aircraft today at the Marina Airport.

Joby Aviation flight testing

Joby Aviation kicked off the first flight test of the company's taxi-like aircraft in Marina, California. The crowd was a mixture of media and employees of Joby who helped contribute to the aircraft's development. (Opinion Article)

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted June 28, 2023.

Seaside police launch Lights On! program to cut back on non-public safety tickets.

Seaside Lights ON

Seaside leaders alongside guest speaker Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, formally launch the Lights On! Program, with the hopes of cutting down on non-public safety tickets.

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted May 19, 2023

The annual wildflower show in Carmel is a labor of love, and knowledge.

Wildflower show in Carmel

Monterey Bay's California Native Plant Society hosts its 62nd annual Wildflower Show. The event involves a lot of volunteer hours, with members of the CNPS putting in 12-15 hours a day for a week, picking wildflowers around Monterey County. The result is thousands of native species plants shown off to the public.

Read the full story at the Monterey County Weekly: Posted April 21, 2023.

Mojave Desert News, Editor - California City, California