Articles By Author - Nancy Angel

Workshop empowers young writers, mathematicians

For many young students, writing is daunting task. Putting pen to paper is a homework chore, not a leisure time activity. But for 32 fourth through eighth grade students at California State University, Stanislaus this week, writing is a passion. Students from Turlock, Hilmar, Denair, Hughson, Modesto, and as far away as Stockton journeyed to CSU Stanislaus the past two weeks for the Turlock Young Writers Workshop, a program offered by the ...

Parents, students should expect tighter security at Turlock schools come fall

Security will be much tighter at all Turlock Unified School District campuses after the Board of Trustees approved a new comprehensive school site safety plan at Tuesday's board meeting. The district's safety plan will require identification badges for students in grades 7 through 12 to be worn at all times starting next school year. Administration and staff will also be required to wear ID badges. "If we're going to talk the talk, ...

Free training helps warehouse job seekers

Hundreds mourn loss of P.E. teacher, track coach with memorial walk

Over 300 community members showed their love and support for the Howze family on Sunday with a mile and a half long candlelit memorial walk in honor of Sharon Howze. Howze, wife of former Turlock City Councilman Ted Howze, died on Saturday after she collapsed near the end of the Udder Run 5K event in Hilmar. The memorial walk began at the house of a family friend and ended at the Howze ...

Higher fencing, ID badges part of new school safety plan

After six months of extensive research and planning, the Turlock Unified School District finally released its comprehensive school site safety plan to be reviewed and voted on at Tuesday's board meeting. "We have done some extensive work with our safety since the Sandy Hook incident in December," said Superintendent Sonny DaMarto. "We have made revisions and updated based on new things we learned. For the past six months, Mike Trainer has met with ...

Local donut lovers celebrate national holiday

Whether it's glazed, jelly-filled, powdered, or frosted with sprinkles, donuts are one of the country's favorite sweet treats. On Friday, donuts lovers across America - and right here in Turlock - celebrated National Donut Day by partaking of the fried dough treats. Village Donuts owners Sien and Song Tan had their hands full on Friday as they prepared 50 dozen of the sugary treats. "We started baking our donuts since midnight. We ...

Backpack drive aims to help Valley students

Nearly 400 students from Stanislaus County will be given a jump start for next school years thanks to the Hughson Family Resource Center. The HGRC is gearing up for its annual Backpack Drive to provide school supplies to children in need. "Last year, together with our community, we helped 426 of these children by providing them with a new backpack containing the tools they need to succeed and we are anticipating an even ...

Denair school employees learn of layoffs at board meeting

Tensions ran high Wednesday night as the Denair Unified School Board of Trustees voted to lay off more support staff. The board unanimously voted to cut hours of 13 part-time employees and eliminate four full-time positions. District staff and union officials disagreed with both the layoffs and the lack of notification to affected employees. "I feel embarrassed that I work for this district," said Spanish teacher Maria Olivas. "We have paraeducators and ...

Promise Scholars helps former foster youth achieve education goals

From an early age, Long Beach native Jade Mosely faced many obstacles. She was removed from her birth parents who were battling drug addiction and raised by the foster care system. Her challenges could have easily stopped her from her pursuing her goals but last week she graduated with a bachelor's degree from California State University, Stanislaus. While attending CSU Stanislaus, Mosely became part of Promise Scholars, a program that provides foster youth ...

June marks rise in temps

Summer began with the year's first heat wave this week - and it's only going to get hotter as the month goes on.

Nancy tries...making a Kaep Dog

Sometimes people take pride in their town through statues. Sometimes they decide to build a monument or a park. And sometimes, just sometimes, they decided to put every ounce of pride into a hot dog. In the second video segment of my "Nancy Tries…" series I took a shot at making Turlock's most famous hot dog - the Kaep Dog. In December 2012, Turlock landmark hot dog restaurant, Main Street Footers, announced ...

Stanislaus graduates hit the ground running

Everyone in the 2013 graduating class from California State University, Stanislaus had a long journey before they crossed the platform to accept their diplomas on Friday.

Graduates 'optimistic' about future, finds survey

Hundreds of graduates from Turlock, Pitman, Turlock Christian and Denair high schools donned traditional cap and gowns to receive their diplomas this week, joining their classmates in commencement ceremonies that have been held throughout the week and will continue into early June. While these graduates face drastic cuts in higher education and cutthroat competition for the few jobs available, a recent survey suggests they are not worried at what lies ahead. In ...

Colin Kaepernick bids farewell to former coach at Pitman commencement

There is a special relationship that exists between a player and a coach. Just ask NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. The former Pitman High student returned to his alma mater during Thursday night's commencement ceremony in a surprise appearance to pay tribute to his longtime mentor and friend, Brandon Harris. "The main reason I'm back is because I had to say goodbye to one of my good friends, one of the best coaches I've ...

Renshaw honored for years of dedication to TUSD

In the past 25 years, Turlock resident Felica Renshaw has spent over 500,000 hours working in schools within the Turlock Unified School District. Her hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed, as she was named the district's 2013 Volunteer of the Year. For 12 years, Renshaw advocated for Turlock students as an elected member of the TUSD Board of Trustees. But she started her volunteer work in the classroom. "I initially ...