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.

2012 wasn't that bad

Every December, we at the Journal do a year in review story. Hopefully, you read the 2012 review in Saturday's paper; if not, you can find it online at www.turlockjournal.com. This is always a daunting task as it is more than just a review of the year's top stories; it is also finding the reoccurring themes during the last 12 months. This year, we made it easy to understand the themes the editorial ...

Livingston church comes together for Mochi Tsuki

Every December for the past 36 years, members of the Livingston United Methodist Church spend a day recreating a Japanese New Year's tradition - Mochi Tsuki, or rice pounding. The process begins by soaking sweet rice for two days. On Saturday, the rice will be washed and then transported to a grinder to help with the pounding process. Two people then pound the rice as one person rotates it during the process. ...

Pre-new year overhaul

Just as most folks are settling in for a long holiday break that includes spending time with family around a fireplace or a home-cooked meal, I'll be packing up my entire household. Yes, I am one of those crazy people who decided December would be the perfect time to move. When my husband and I first decided to move this month, I dreaded the work that would entail. I envisioned endless hours of ...

Locals selected for ag leadership program

Agriculture is the top industry in the Central Valley and local growers supply the world with hundreds of products every year. As with any industry, fostering future leaders is key to continued success; that's where the California Agricultural Leadership Program comes in. Twenty-four individuals - including three Turlockers - were named to Class 43 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program, an advanced leadership development program for emerging agricultural leaders. Operated by the California ...

A heart for children: Kaepernick continues support of Camp Taylor

Two local children had a special reunion with a friend from Camp Taylor on Sunday. San Francisco 49ers quarterback and native Turlocker Colin Kaepernick celebrated his team's win against the Miami Dolphins with the two campers at Candlestick Park. Morgan and Ethan first met Kaepernick at Camp Taylor, a camp for children with congenital heart defects. The rising pro football star has supported Camp Taylor for the past few years in honor of ...

From Christian rock to traditional hymns, local churches celebrate in song

For some the best part of the holidays is the music. Whether it's "Silent Night" or "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," celebrating Christmas just isn't the same without traditional hymns. At Monte Vista Chapel, however, the holidays mean rocking out to The Katinas. "It's an annual tradition for them to come play for us each Christmas," said Patti Allen, MVC communications and women's ministries coordinator. The Contemporary Christian music group The Katinas ...

Toy drive offers hope to sick children, grieving families

Three Californians chosen to serve on House Ag Committee

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) was one of three Californians chosen to serve on the House Agriculture Committee in the 113th Congress, it was announced Wednesday. The committee announced that Denham, John Garamendi (D-Fairfield), and Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) would become new members, joining Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno). Costa, a senior member of the committee, serves as the ranking member on its Rural Development, Research, Biotechnology and Foreign Agriculture Subcommittee. "As a Central ...

Health Benefit Exchange site could bring hundreds of jobs to county

Bring on the rain

The rain fell and the winds blew this past weekend - as predicted - and the City of Turlock fared pretty well in the first big storm of the winter season. In fact, some residents took advantage of the temporarily flooded streets to get in some kayaking. The rain gauge atop the Turlock Irrigation District's Canal Drive office recorded about 1.92 inches of rainfall has come down since last Tuesday. That's a good ...

Shift in power?

Some election cycles it seems that nothing changes. The incumbents are reelected, or candidates with the same ideology take their place. On Nov. 6, Turlock voters elected to replace incumbent City Council member Mary Jackson with newcomer Steven Nascimento. What, if any, change will this bring to the City Council? While Jackson has, in the past, supported more traditionally Democratic ideals and Nascimento is currently a district director for Republican State Senator ...

Farm income up in 2012, so are expenses

There's good news and bad news in the 2012 Farm Income Forecast, released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The good news: All major sources of farm income are expected to rise in 2012. The bad news: Large increases in farm expenditures, especially for feed, have more than wiped out gains to farm income. Net farm income is forecast to be $114 billion in 2012, down 3.3 percent from 2011. ...

Homeless receive gifts from Knit Wits

Members of Home Community Church's group Knit Wits put their hobby to good use on Tuesday, handing out 100 handmade scarves to the homeless at Denair Park. The church group started as a women's circle, but soon transformed into the Knit Wits. "We decided we wanted to learn how to knit; something that would bring generations together," said Knit Wit member Stacie Isley. A total of 130 scarves were collected - ...

The mid-way point

According to the U.S. Census Bureau I just reached "middle age," or the approximate mid-way point in the expected lifespan of a female living in the United States. This factoid is surprising to me because I feel like I just graduated high school a few years ago. This warp in my time perception also extends to other events in my life. I still talk about when I was a Journal sports reporter "a ...

Kettle Kickoff brings in over $89K for Salvation Army

Hundreds gathered for an early Thanksgiving dinner on Tuesday - and to show their thanks for the year's blessings by giving back to those in need through the Salvation Army. The annual Salvation Army Kettle Kickoff luncheon traditionally signals the start of the holiday bell ringing and fundraising campaign. Money collected during the campaign funds the community Christmas dinner, helps purchase toys and food for the Turlock Together program and supports the nonprofit's ...