Articles By Author - Brooke Borba

Almond industry readies for Food Safety Act changes

One of Turlock's top commodities is facing new regulations in its manufacturing, pasteurization, and processing to ensure safety for global consumers.

TUSD approves at-risk program

Early adolescence is no walk in the park, and for some the transition into adulthood is a rocky one. Instead of giving up on at-risk youths, the Turlock Unified School District is reaching out while significantly increasing its revenue from average daily attendance. The "Bridge" program, an effort to support former TUSD 9th and 10th grade students who have been unsuccessful in the comprehensive school setting, is now in the works to provide ...

High winds down trees, cut power to local homes

Out of all the known elements, wind may not be the most noticeable; but it is a force to be reckoned with. The City of Turlock found this out after wind gusts reached 35 to 45 miles per hour Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The Central Valley was hit directly with the wind storm, which blew dust, toppled trees, and slammed cars hard enough to scoot them in another lane ...

Planning puts new spin on sign regulations

What may be considered normal advertisement to some local business owners may actually be a city code violation. Many businesses don't realize that there are a large percentage of signs throughout the City of Turlock that are or will soon be considered illegal, including sign spinners, flags and banners.

State of California sues everyone over High-Speed Rail funding

Those wishing to pursue legal action to stop the California High-Speed Railway's progression will soon have their day in court, as the state preemptively sued everyone. The lawsuit, titled "High-Speed Rail Authority v. All Persons Interested," allows all parties who oppose the project a chance to voice their concerns in court at one time. The California Attorney General's Office will represent the rail authority in court. The lawsuit's intention is to speed up ...

100-year-old poker player refuses to fold

As with life, the game of poker incorporates skill, luck, and manipulating the cards you are dealt. No one understands this more than Henry Wadelski, who celebrated his 100th birthday amongst friends, family, and poker chips at the Turlock Poker Room on Monday. Every April 1 for the last three years, Henry's children - Marianne, Louise, Diana and Henry Jr. - have a tradition of visiting their father at the Turlock Poker Room ...

AAA hosts mobile blood drive

Monetary donations are not always what's needed for saving the world. Sometimes, the answers lies skin deep. Tuesday morning, the Turlock branch of AAA partnered with the Delta Blood Bank to hold a blood drive for community members and AAA employees off Hotel Drive in Turlock. The AAA Turlock Blood Drive hoped to garner attention for the cause, and relay more customers for the Delta Blood Center. A mobile truck was parked just ...

Bill would allow California dairies to join federal pricing

As a dairyman, Representative David Valadao (R-Hanford) knows more than his fair share about the decline of dairy industries in California. In response to the crisis, the Central Valley native's first piece of legislation would allow California to join the Federal Milk Marketing Order system while continuing its state quota system. The legislative action is co-sponsored by local Congressman Jeff Denham (R-Turlock), who wishes to focus on representing the long-term interests of California's ...

Canine companion comes to aid of local woman

Immigration debate heats up at Central Valley forum

Stories of hardship shared through tears were heard alongside shouts to enforce current immigration laws at Tuesday's listening session hosted by the Congregations Building Communities association and attended by U.S. Reps. Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) and Trey Gowdy (R-South Carolina). Over 1,500 people filled St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Modesto Tuesday evening to voice their opinions about immigration reform in the first of two Valley forums put on by the CBC in association with ...

Scholarships support future of Valley ag

Pitman High students named winners of TID’s first video contest

Dapper suits, black and white grainy film, a loving family, and…energy efficiency? This isn't your ordinary "Leave it to Beaver" rerun, or 1950s "how to" video promotion. Instead, Pitman High School students decided to revamp the classics when they created their winning submission to Turlock Irrigation District's 1st Annual 'Take Action' Energy Efficiency Video Contest. Their video, "Environmental PSA," featured how compact fluorescent lamp bulbs are more efficient than common incandescent bulbs, and ...

Turlock Purina plant under investigation

Land O'Lakes Purina Feed, LLC has initiated a voluntary recall of specific sweet feed for horses at a Turlock mill location after a banned medication, zilpaterol, was found in 48 horses earlier this year. Zilpaterol is a feed supplement given to cattle to increase their size, feed efficiency, and value. Its properties are close to those found in athletes using anabolic steroids, and is banned in thoroughbred races. Zilpaterol is listed as ...

Rita Youanis & Hanibal Taryorn

Rita Youanis and Hanibal Taryorn did not know that they were destined to be together when they first met through mutual friends at Skewers Kabob House on July 5, 2007. In fact, Rita and Hanibal had a less than successful first encounter. It was the day after the fourth of July, and the array of fireworks the evening before could not ignite a spark between the two. "He was sun burned from spending ...

Central Valley wedding trends

Last week saw the official start of spring, which means that wedding season is in full bloom. Some couples are getting ready to say their "I dos" as others are just beginning the planning stages of a 2014 wedding. For Lori Cole of Events & Lucky Penny Boutique, providing a fairytale wedding is just another day at the office. So what are the current trends in the Central Valley? Rustic ...