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Salinas man celebrates their 105th birthday

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) -- A local Salinas resident had more reason to celebrate their birthday Thursday by turning 105.

March 6 marks a special day for resident Eugene Schmit at Madonna Gardens, who was born in 1920 and says he is healthier than ever.

Schmit celebrated with housemates as they sang, ate cake, and told stories of their day-to-day with Schmit.

Known to his housemates as Gene, Schmit looks forward to seeing his family this weekend when they visit.

"My family is not here yet today they are coming this weekend from Northern California to San Diego," Schmit said.

One housemate, Julie Han, spoke about Schmit's past before living at the Madonna Garden.

"He and I had a great conversation told me he was married 62 years, had a home nearby and is from Minnesota," Han said.

Schmit expects over 40 relatives to visit him, from his children to grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Seniors at Madonna Garden shared that more residents are surpassing their 100th birthday.

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Sandra Iveth Santos

Reportera / Presentadora
Periodista Multimèdia Bilingüe en Telemundo 23 Costa Central

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Sergio Berrueta

Sergio Berrueta has been in the news for quite awhile going from studying print media to entering the realm of broadcast.

Originally from Bell Gardens, California, in Southeast Los Angeles. Berrueta started his professional news career in Eureka as a newscast producer for North Coast News (now The Northstate’s News) at KAEF ABC 23 in 2022. He pivoted a year later in 2022 going from behind-the-scenes to in front of the camera as a multimedia journalist for Redwood News Channel 3 (KIEM/KVIQ) also in Eureka.

Berrueta studied journalism at Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) earning his Bachelor’s Degree. Berrueta was a staff writer, page editor, social media manager and editor-in-chief of the university’s El Lenador, the only bilingual publication in all of Humboldt County.

Before moving to the North Coast, Berrueta had earned his Associate’s Degree at East Los Angeles College in 2019 after beginning his educational journey in 2012. He also was on staff for the ELAC’s publication, ELAC Campus News, having been a staff writer, page editor, and online editor.

Outside of news experience, Berrueta has also been in education as an AmeriCorps tutor in East Hollywood from 2017 to 2019 and served in a government role as a National Hometown Fellow for Lead for America with the City of Arcata in 2021.

When not focusing on news, Berrueta is an avid amateur cinephile having written about films in free time. He also writes poetry, attempting to get through a backlog of video games, enjoys visiting new places along the California Coast, and trying to keep up with the latest music and podcasts.

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