Gas prices on the rise

As temperatures dropped, gas prices rose in California, per AAA Northern California's monthly gas price report. Statewide, Californians can expect to pay an average of $3.84 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, up three cents per gallon from October. That's 70 cents per gallon higher per gallon than a year ago. In Northern California, gasoline now averages $3.82 per gallon, just slightly below the statewide average. Nationally, drivers can expect to pay ...

Give smartly this holiday season

If the red and green decorated retail stores, the Christmas-themed movie marathons and the ever-present holiday music piped in at every store in town hasn't cued you in yet, then let me say it straight out - the holiday season is upon us.

Paint It Forward accepting nominations

The final days to nominate a worthy individual or organization for a free paint job are approaching. Lancaster Painting is accepting applications for their annual Paint It Forward event. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1, said sales assistant Leisa Williams. The company will choose a worthy winner and will provide all the paint and workers for an interior or exterior paint job. "It's amazing how a coat of paint can ...

A long ride

Luke Nowlin and his horse "Geno" have traveled a long way to get to the Central Valley. The pair started out in Emerald Isle, N.C. around 150 days ago. Nowlin has traveled across the country on horseback, and is nearing his end destination of Eureka. "I want to encounter American people where they are in their lives," Nowlin said. Geno and Nowlin stopped in Denair on Tuesday, where they stayed with Tim ...

Doing the most good

The Salvation Army lived up to its motto of "doing the most good" during the nonprofit's annual Kettle Kick-Off fundraising luncheon on Tuesday. The main highlight of the annual event is the Kettle Klash, a race to raise the most cash in a set time limit. Teams run around the room with Salvation Army kettles and collect donations from luncheon attendees. Donators ring small bells to alert the kettle teams that they have cash ...

Fresno County raw dairy products recalled due to suspected E. coli bacterial contamination

Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County are the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford.

Turlock High prepares special needs students for careers

In today's economy it can be tough for a young high school graduate to find work - especially if they are saddled with a learning disability or have special needs. In many cases these students will simply turn 18 and begin collecting Supplemental Security Income, also known as SSI. But a 15-year-old program at Turlock High School is breaking the cycle of relying on the government - and giving them the skills to ...

Jury finds nut schemer guilty of fraud, money laundering

A former almond buyer at a Turlock nut processing plant was convicted on multiple charges tied to a long-term scheme to defraud local processors. After a two week trial a federal grand jury convicted Ronal John Salado, 59, of Modesto for conspiring to commit mail fraud and bank fraud, two counts of mail fraud, nine counts of bank fraud, and two counts of money laundering. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, which ...

Boxing program looks to give Delhi, Livingston students alternative to gangs

The Merced County Sheriff's Activities League and the Carlos Vieira Foundation are teaming up to deliver a powerful right hook to teen drug use in Northern Merced County. Vieira, owner and president of Carlos Vieira Racing and 51 FIFTY Enterprises, has pledged a monetary and fundraising effort, known as "Race 2B Drug Free," for the formation of a boxing program in Livingston. The program's goal is aimed at keeping high school and junior ...

Denair fire could lose big in Turlock’s General Plan

For nearly 70 years, the Denair Fire Department has protected the swath of rural, agricultural land which lies between Turlock and Denair. But, as the years have gone by, Turlock has grown eastward toward its nearest neighbor, steadily shrinking the department's turf – and its tax base, said Denair Fire Department Chief Glen Doerksen. "They've slowly just kept encroaching closer, going east to Denair, taking our land," Doerksen said. At one ...

Olsen to run for new Assembly District 12

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) will campaign to represent an Assembly district which includes Turlock in 2012, she announced Tuesday. A former Modesto City Council member and past vice president of communications for California State University, Stanislaus, Olsen has served as an assemblywoman since 2010. She currently acts as Assembly Minority Whip. Olsen characterizes herself as a reformer who looks to bring more power to local, rural governments. "It has been an ...

Pit bull mauls Delhi boy

A 6-year-old Delhi boy is recovering from wounds he suffered during a pit bull attack. The child sustained bites to his head, neck and arm, said Merced County Sheriff's Department spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie. The attack was reported around 4 p.m. Nov. 10. The caller told the sheriff's department a pit bull had turned on a young child and caused serious injuries at a home in the 16000 block of Corner Street ...

Turlock’s Lethal Lewis Gonzalez still undefeated

Keyes Union School District names new superintendent

Keyes Union School District superintendent Karen Poppen will retire on June 30, 2012, and current principal of Keyes Elementary, Cynthia Schaefer, will take her place.

Brown Elementary students have respect

Monica and Brenda Reyes are 11-year-old twins at Brown Elementary in Turlock. Like many twins they share common interests and they both enjoy each other's company (most of the time). Both girls also share one very important character trait: Respect. In fact their level of respect for others extends even into their own relationship. When it came time to decide if they should run against each other for student body president Monica bowed ...

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.