Archive By Author - Kristina Hacker
Swarm surprises downtown workers
Rosemary Hughes is used to dealing with bees. A large jasmine bush located just outside of her downtown office building is a popular place for bees to congregate come warm weather. On Tuesday, however, the flying visitors were more than just a temporary nuisance.
Turlock girl tests her memory as ‘Brainsurge’ contestant
Denair Middle School student Lauryn Johnson was thrilled to slide down a slime-filled tunnel and land in a pit of foam. While the Turlock teen isn't particularly a fan of getting dirty, she is a fan of the Nickelodeon television show "Brainsurge."
Poisson d’avril
Hopefully, everyone reading this column successfully made it through another April Fool's Day. It is difficult for me to have any serious conversation on the first day of April because I'm always worried that I will be made a fool in the end.
Turlocker earns accolades for community service
When a crisis occurs and community members and law enforcement personnel are involved in traumatic situations they often need the emotional support of someone trained in mental health first aid and stress management. That is where Al Opdyke comes in.
Road angels
Every week Turlockers Beverly Whitort and Wil Marshall pick up cancer patients around the county and drive them to their treatment appointments. They not only offer a ride, but also a friendly ear to people who are going through extremely tough times. For four to five hours a week, Whitort and Marshall put aside their own worries and become traveling angels spending their time and gas money to help ...
Spring storms cause tree damage; sunny skies on their way
A spring storm ripped through the Central Valley this week, downing trees and causing temporary flooding in city streets.
Putting work in perspective
The tragic death of Costa Mesa city worker Huy Pham after jumping from atop the City Hall building last week - hours after receiving a layoff notice - should serve as a wakeup call. In these depressing economic times, everyone needs to remember that our jobs are not who we are. That might seem like a simple concept, but it isn't. Our culture is centered on ambition and "The ...
Small business owners reporting brighter 2011 than expected
In an economy where double-digit unemployment rates have become the norm and there are widespread housing foreclosures, many California businesses have had to shutter their doors until the climate improves. There are, however, those businesses that are not only weathering the storm but also seeing a brighter year ahead.
Local business makes community service a priority
Every year Lancaster Painting donates labor and supplies to a family or nonprofit organization in need. They have done multiple projects for both the Stanislaus County Society for Handicapped Children and Adults and Westside Ministries.
Japan quake shakes local man
A Central Valley man feels "good to be alive" today after witnessing firsthand the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan at 9:46 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Thursday.
It’s not my fault
The hearings that will determine whether eight current and former Bell city leaders will stand trial for misappropriating more than $5 million is a prime example of the "not my fault" mentality that has become commonplace in America today.
Let the market dictate smoking policy
I have a confession to make: I used to be a smoker.
AG asks federal court to restore same-sex marriage now
On Tuesday, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris asked the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to dismiss its order prohibiting same-sex marriages in California until an appeal of Proposition 8 is resolved.
Turlock Chamber CEO named 26th Assembly District Woman of the Year
Many in Turlock have benefitted from the work Sharon Silva has done promoting the businesses and organizations that help Turlock prosper. As the chief executive officer of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, Silva has long been a proponent of everything Turlock.
Temporarily homeless: Nu Alpha Kappa raises awareness, collects donations
Many college students find it difficult to wake up and get to class in the morning, but for the past week members of California State University, Stanislaus' fraternity Nu Alpha Kappa have welcomed the opportunity to get out of the cold.
Articles By Author - Kristina Hacker
Waiting for the heroes
Have you ever watched a horror movie and wondered why the townspeople never decide to just get out of dodge before the monsters arrive at their doorsteps? I have.
Friendly Visitor program connects lonely seniors with community volunteers
Chuck Hodges has lived a full life. He is a two-time Army veteran -Korea and Vietnam. He has held down numerous jobs in his life from dish washer, to garbage collector and truck driver. Now, at the age of 81, he no longer works, but enjoys fishing, bowling and dancing.
Zoning makes permanent shelter possible, but not this winter
After years of meetings, negotiations and public workshops, the Turlock City Council at their July 26 meeting approved a zoning area where homeless shelters are allowed.
Fitness club looks to grant a child’s ‘wish’
Brenda Athletic Clubs is hoping to make the life of at least one very sick child in Stanislaus County a little bit better by helping to grant a wish.
Local students see another year of progress in state testing
For the second year in a row, students in the Turlock Unified School District have made strides in core academics, according to state test results released Monday.
The few, the proud, the teachers
Can you hear it? The sounds of brand new pencils being sharpened mean that school is about to be back in session.
Charter school expands into Turlock church
"Growth." That was the one-word answer Keyes to Learning Charter School principal Lee Ann Stangl gave for why the school was seeking to move its seventh through 12th grade students to a different location.
Heating up the night
A group of people gathered at the Red Brick Café Thursday night to celebrate a victory. Their favorite downtown Turlock night spot had just received approval from the Planning Commission to extend their hours of business from a closing time of 12 midnight, to 1:30 a.m.
Words have power
It's a different world than when I was a teenager. I've known this for awhile now, but a recent article in the Ceres Courier made me realize just how different.
Turlock plays host to music video film crews
For a few hours on Monday afternoon Turlock's Crane Park was transformed into an on-location shoot, complete with professional sound, lighting and film crews. Just as suddenly as the Hollywood-style hoopla appeared, the day's filming was finished and every last piece of equipment was packed away and Crane Park was once again a place for local residents to walk the dog and play a game of tennis.
Hughson launches business incubator, brings back festival
The City of Hughson has taken a few hard hits in the past two years, but the Valley town is not down for the count. In fact, over the past six months the city has set the stage for a comeback.
For our children’s future
Whenever a school board election comes around I can't help but think of the pioneering days when all the parents in a community would get together to build a school, purchase the books and hire a teacher. It really was a community-wide project.
Friends remember local man with Giants trip
Fifty-four of the 42,262 San Francisco Giants fans that packed AT&T Park's stands on Sunday had more to celebrate than just their team's fourth straight series victory. For this special group of fans, the game was a way to remember their friend and loved one, Michael Wigt, who passed away on June 14.
Local organizations collect school supplies, backpacks for students in need
While summer is still in full swing, the new school year is just three weeks away and that means back to school shopping. For many families, however, the cost of backpacks and school supplies is overwhelming.
Fair attendance exceeds expectations
The next 100 years of the Stanislaus County Fair are off to a good start. Over 245,000 people visited the fair during its 10-day run, which ended on Sunday, an increase of nearly 20 percent over last year.
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