University drama production chosen for national festival

The California State University, Stanislaus staging of "Debris," an unflinching drama dealing with the consequences of lifelong abuse, has been selected for a performance in the national spotlight.

New CEO for Merced court

The new Chief Executive Officer of Merced County Superior Court is Linda Romero Soles, a former Turlock resident.

Suspect flees, copper recovered

The Merced County Sheriff's Department is searching for the man who tried to steal copper wiring from a Ballico farm.

Rape Aggression defense class

The Turlock Police Department and Stanislaus State University Police are providing Rape Aggression Defense training to women in Turlock. The training is offered at no cost to the public. The 12-hour course is broken up into two sessions over a period of two weeks.

Pipe band takes first

The Turlock Police and Fire Pipe Band won first place at the recently held Bakersfield Highland Games Band competition.

Collisions injure one on highway

A chain-reaction of crashes on Highway 99 in Turlock injured one and slowed traffic down for a short time Tuesday afternoon.

Jury convicts Turlock brothers of killing rapper

Two mothers sat on opposite sides of a courtroom. One was waiting for justice for her slain son and the other was waiting to hear if her two sons would ever know freedom again.

Murder suspect testifies gun went off on accident

After five weeks of testimony and a day of listening to closing arguments, the fate of two Turlock men accused of gunning down a 26-year-old man with aspirations of rap stardom, is inching closer to being in the hands of 12 jurors.

Bank robber makes bomb threat before fleeing

The Turlock Police Department is seeking the man responsible for a bank robbery and launching a bomb scare.

Fatal hit and run suspect racks up another traffic citation

The Patterson woman who is standing accused of hitting a bicyclist while driving on a Turlock road and leaving him mortally wounded, was issued another traffic citation March 25, just five days before her last court appearance.

Former postal worker charged with fraud

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against a Turlock woman suspected of committing multiple acts of mail and workers' compensation fraud while employed as a postal worker, according to the Department of Justice.

Gangsters crash soldier’s party

A going away party in Hilmar for a man joining the military was crashed by suspected gang members and escalated into a large brawl that injured several and resulted in four arrests.

Swiss Echoes perform traditional folk music

The songs and sounds of the Alps will be ringing out loud and clear when the San Joaquin Valley Swiss Club stages their annual spring concert Saturday.

Guilty verdict for double homicide

A Merced County jury has returned a guilty verdict for a man who authorities say stabbed to death a married couple after living with them for three years.

Police officer arrested on drug, embezzlement charges

The Modesto Police Department has arrested one of their own police officers on several felony charges following an internal investigation.

Drug deal gone bad results in shooting, arrests

Junior high student struck by car in critical condition

A 12-year-old girl remains hospitalized in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while darting across traffic in front of Turlock Junior High School Wednesday afternoon. The TJHS student sustained head trauma and injuries to her lower extremities, said Turlock Police spokesman Lt. Nino Amirfar. She has regained consciousness and is critical but in stable condition, Amirfar said. The girl was struck while trying to cross N. Walnut Road between Christoffersen ...

Inmate attacks Merced Jail guard

A correctional officer at the Merced County Jail was injured by an inmate headed to court on a misdemeanor charge. The female deputy sustained injuries to her wrist, shoulder and face, said Merced County Sheriff spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie. The deputy was in the process of handcuffing 35-year-old inmate, Abel Ambrocio of Palo Alto, for court when he punched her in the face. MacKenzie said the attack was "without provocation or ...

Pit bull mauls toddler

A 3-year-old Winton boy sustained severe injuries when the family dog suddenly and viciously attacked him, the Merced County Sheriff's Department reported. The little boy was savagely bitten on his head and face, said sheriff spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie. The boy was flown to a hospital in Fresno and is expected to recover from his injuries, Mackenzie said. The attack was reported around 5 p.m. Monday in the 7000 block of ...

Father gets 15 to life for child’s death

A Dos Palos man was sentenced Monday in Merced County Superior Court to 15 years to life for the death of his 3-year-old daughter. Jericho Wright, 30, pled no contest to the charge of second degree murder in the death of Liadan Wright on Feb. 25, 2008. The Merced County Coroner's Office said Liadan died from multiple blunt force traumas to the head. She also had bruises to her shoulder and torso. ...

Father leaves son at restaurant, hits the bar

A Turlock man is unlikely to get a father of the year award after he left his son at a fast food restaurant so he could go drink at a bar. The incident began sometime around 8 p.m. Thursday when Montgomery Borba, 30, left his 9-year-old son unattended at the Jack in the Box at 100 N. Golden State Boulevard, while Borba went for drinks at Wellington's Station at 10 E. Main St. ...

Suspected shooter caught in S.W.A.T. standoff

The suspected gunman who wounded two people outside a Turlock home was apprehended early Monday morning after the Turlock Police Department Special Weapons and Tactics team used tear gas to flush him from his hideout. Manuel Maldonado, 19, of Turlock was taken into custody around 5:30 a.m. after a standoff with S.W.A.T. that lasted almost six hours. Maldonado was previously identified as the prime suspect in a shooting that occurred Oct. 22 ...

Plea deal possible for hit and run

The case against a Patterson woman accused of hitting a cyclist and leaving him to die on a Turlock road, will likely be settled with a plea deal. The victim's father, Jim O'Connor, said the family has been told a plea bargain is in the works for 22-year-old Vanessa Carrillo that will likely include a jail sentence of one year. "I fear that she will spend a lot less time in jail, ...

Theft conviction for former insurance agent

A former Hughson insurance agent, who was accused of bilking her clients, has been convicted of theft of fiduciary funds. Martha Jane Terry, 63, was convicted of one felony count of fiduciary theft by an insurance agent or broker. Terry was originally facing 33 felony counts of grand theft, embezzlement and theft of fiduciary funds. A Stanislaus County Superior Court judge sentenced Terry last week to serve 120 days in jail and ...

Fire chars room

A fire from an undetermined cause destroyed a garage that had been converted into a bedroom. The fire was reported at 7:11 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of Hedstrom Road. All occupants of the home made it out safely, the Turlock Fire Department reported. Fire fighters found heavy smoke pouring from the bedroom when they arrived. Crews were able to keep the flames from spreading and had the fire under ...

Fire damages quilt store

A fire in two trash cans ignited a blaze in a Turlock quilting store that destroyed approximately $175,000 in property and contents, according to the Turlock Fire Department. The fire was initially reported around 10 a.m. Saturday in an alley way behind Cloth and Quilts at 627 E. Main St. When fire fighters arrived, they found two plastic trash cans fully ablaze. The cans were up against a metal roll up door ...

Winds prompt air quality warning

The current deteriorating state of the Central Valley's air basin has prompted air officials to issue a health warning and the first burning prohibition of the season in several counties. Because of gusty winds kicking up large amounts of dust and particles, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issued a health warning to residents, especially those with respiratory problems. The warning was for Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Madera, western Fresno ...

Search for shooting suspect continues

The teenager identified as the prime suspect responsible for shooting two people remains on the loose. The Turlock Police Department continues to search for Manuel Maldonado Jr., 19, of Turlock. Maldonado is wanted for the attempted murder of a 26-year-old man and a male teenager. He is considered armed and dangerous. Both victims were shot outside a home in the 600 block of Chestnut Street on the morning of Oct. 22. <p ...

Hit and run collision critically injures one

Sheriff SWAT wins award

Members of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics Team recently participated in a multi-agency training exercise designed to challenge the skills, knowledge and abilities of tactical teams. Hosted by Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern and organized with the assistance of federal, state and local public safety partnerships, Urban Shield brought together 31 teams from all over California, the United States, Israel and the Kingdom of Jordan. Urban Shield is a one-of-a-kind ...