House Ag Committee approves farm bill, good news for California farmers

The House Agriculture Committee approved the $940 billion farm bill on Wednesday, which will bring some relief to frustrated California growers. Working late into Wednesday night, the House passed the 576 page draft, with a 36-10 vote.

Earl's Cardoso earns Teacher of the Year honors

Dennis Earl Elementary third grade teacher Michelle Cardoso strives to take her students' learning beyond the classroom and into the community. And it's her drive to go beyond the expected that earned Cardoso the title of 2013 Stanislaus County Teacher of the Year for the K-3 grade division. "I truly had no idea that I would be the one to receive the award," said Cardoso. "It definitely was the cherry on top ...

Gang sweep nets 27 arrests

A recent spike in gang violence triggered a county-wide sweep Wednesday that resulted in the arrests of 27 suspected gang members. More than 100 peace officers from local, state and federal agencies targeted 115 suspected gang members for contact on Wednesday. They conducted 89 probation and parole searches and made 27 arrests on various charges. The sweep also resulted in the seizure of nine firearms, including two assault rifles, two ounces of methamphetamine ...

Police arrest man for soliciting sex from teen

Turlock Police investigators have arrested a 48-year-old man on allegations he solicited a 15-year-old girl for sex. Jose Hinojosa has been charged with suspicion of illegal contact with a minor and arranging a meeting with a minor for purposes of engaging in sexual acts. Hinojosa allegedly met the 15-year-old at a store and was able to obtain her telephone number. According to the police department, Hinojosa's calls to the girl became sexual ...

County sees new low in unemployment

The ranks of unemployed people in Stanislaus County continue to dwindle as the area recorded a new low in the unemployment rate.

Turlock man dies in highway hit and run

A 28-year-old man walking along the shoulder of Highway 99 in Turlock was struck and killed early Wednesday by a hit and run driver. The deceased was identified by the Stanislaus county Coroner's Office as Elijah Tillman of Turlock. The fatal collision occurred around 1:17 a.m. Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol reported. Tillman was walking on the shoulder of the northbound lane of the highway, just south of the Linwood Avenue ...

Births May 9 to May 15

• Merissa and Adam Chipponeri of Hilmar are the parents of a 9-pound girl born May 9 at Emanuel Medical Center.

Crystal meth found at Turlock home

A 60-year-old Turlock man is facing multiple narcotics charges after investigators found more than 30 grams of crystal methamphetamine in his home Tuesday. Roberto Gamboa was arrested Tuesday and booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on a charge of possession of methamphetamine for sales and transportation of methamphetamine, said Turlock Police Sgt. Stephen Webb. The Turlock Narcotics Enforcement Team served a search warrant at Gamboa's residence in the 1000 block of N. ...

Nine Warriors to represent Stanislaus at Nationals

Marina Ghabbour and Aman Hundal will have a chance to become All-Americans for the second time this season. The middle distance runners will be joined by Denali Foldager and Channing Wilson when the Warriors travel to compete at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championships.

Pitman shuts out Tokay in first round of playoffs

Pitman High faced off against Tokay High in the first round of the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section Baseball playoffs at Zupo Field in Lodi on Monday. The Pride shutout the Tigers, 7-0, and will advance on to the next round for the first time since being knocked out of the tournament in the first round the last two years. "We made the playoffs three years in a row now, but this is the ...

Denair boys take SAL title, move onto Div. IV trials

Pride, Bulldogs send 36 to section track trials

Turlock and Pitman High's track and field teams continued their campaign of success this year at the Central California Conference Championship meet on Friday in Atwater. The Pride and Bulldogs have a combined 36 representatives-23 from Pitman and 13 from Turlock- competing in the Division I SJS trials today at Elk Grove High. "Track and field is one of those things that you go out and compete against yourself. It's something I tell ...

Bulldogs end golf season at Masters

Turlock High's Teo Chiesa and Hayden Sparks represented the Bulldogs in Monday's Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament at The Reserve at Spanos Park in Stockton. Chiesa finished the day with a 71 and Sparks finished with a score of 77. As the best finisher in the Turlock area, Chiesa went up against East Union High's Will Brink in two playoff holes to determine the tie for fourth place and the remaining spot for the ...

Pitman swimming standout does just that

Hailee Baldwin was the lone ranger representing Pitman High at the Division I Sac-Joaquin Section finals on Saturday. The Pitman High senior performed exceptionally well as she finished seventh in the individual medley with a personal best of 2:08.09 and finished third in the 100 breast stroke with a personal best of 1:03.68. "I am so very proud of her," Head coach Michaela Solaria said. "Hailee came to us a few years back ...

Back and Better: Chocolate Festival reaches 20 years

It's almost here – and chocolate lovers can't wait. The 20th annual Oakdale Chocolate Festival – known now as 'Cowboys and Chocolate' – will be staged in downtown Oakdale on Saturday and Sunday. This longstanding festival serves up something for everyone in the family and draws thousands of visitors annually to the Cowboy Capital of the World. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on ...

Garcia gets redemption at nationals

After his bittersweet fifth-place showing at last month's CIF State Championships, it looked like Turlock High wrestler Fabian Garcia could no longer wrestle. His voice was low, his head was down. He couldn't hide his sadness and dissatisfaction in his post-match interviews.

Saavedra survives, becomes national champ

For his trip to Ohio, Pitman High freshman Emilio Saavedra carried with him more than just his clothes and wrestling gear. Metaphorically speaking, he had a giant monkey on his back.

Clearing the air

In order for Alycia Wagner to describe the initial feeling she had during her first time pole vaulting, the Cal State Stanislaus senior traveled back to her childhood, when life seemed to be a little bit more carefree.

TC student-athlete receives scholarship award

Cheyenne Perry, a four-year volleyball and softball player at Turlock Christian High, has been awarded scholarship money as one of 49 winners of the A. Dale Lacky/CSEA Scholarships for outstanding performances in athletics, community service and academics during high school.

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.

General Electric and the death of American outrage

If there was a funeral notice, I missed it. No obituary appeared in any of my daily papers. But make no mistake about it: In the spring of 2011 in the United States of America, our collective sense of moral outrage must now be officially dead.

McDonald’s to hire 50,000 in single day

Now all those people who say "I'll flip burgers if it comes down to it," can put their money where their mouth is. McDonald's is hiring 50,000 new full and part-time people during a national hiring event on April 19.

Keep Your Home California program expanded to allow more homeowners to qualify

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) expanded eligibility criteria for several of the Keep Your Home California programs, making them available to a larger number of families at risk of losing their home.

Local business gives teachers money through grant program

Two years ago GDI president Grant Davis started the "Adopt-A-Teacher" grant program. But in two years Davis said he has only received a grand total of two requests for funds.

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.