Disaster assistance available for small businesses

Small, non-farm businesses in San Joaquin County and the neighboring counties of Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Sacramento and Stanislaus are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration. "These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by freezing temperatures that occurred in San Joaquin <span ...

County bus agency to hold public meeting about fare increases

The Stanislaus County Public Works Transit Division, administrators for the county's intercity bus system, Stanislaus Regional Transit or StaRT, will be holding a series of public information meetings to discuss a proposed fare increase to be effective Aug. 1.

Water group looks to build synergy

Local agencies are banding together to form a regional water management group in Stanislaus County &ndash; one of California's only populated areas not to have such a group &ndash; in hopes of obtaining millions in state water funds for local projects.

Egg farmers ask to join JS West in lawsuit

The Association of California Egg Farmers (ACEF), an industry association that represents 70 percent of California's egg farmers, filed an application to join JS West, a Modesto-based egg farming company, in a lawsuit against the State of California and the Humane Society of the United States.

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.

Hashimoto takes helm at TID

After a six-month, international search for a new Turlock Irrigation District general manager, the Board of Directors decided the best candidate already had the job.

HEALTH: CPR SATURDAY

The American Red Cross held their 28th annual CPR Saturday this weekend, and the Stanislaus County office offered two-year certification classes for only $10. One certification location was California State University, Stanislaus, where Red Cross volunteers, including Turlock City Council member Amy Bublak, taught three-hour classes on CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED.) More than 150 people attended the Turlock classes, where they received two-year certifications in CPR ...

Local juniors win scholarships

The Distinguished Young Women of Turlock competition was held Saturday at the Turlock Community Auditorium and two local teens won top honors. Ashley Gomez was named North Turlock's Distinguished Young Woman of 2011 and Madison Patino won South Turlock's Distinguished Young Woman title.

Pedretti Field draws tourism dollars

Turlock will host a major softball tournament in August 2012, and the economic benefits for the town could be significant.

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.

Gas prices on the rise

California gasoline prices have risen by 32 cents per gallon in the last 14 days and 15.5 cents per gallon in the past week alone, averaging $3.87 per gallon &ndash; 82.8 cents higher than a year ago &ndash; according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Turlockers campaign for cancer screenings

Three Turlock community leaders have partnered with Emanuel Medical Center to encourage people to get colorectal screenings.

New fire chief sworn in

Tim Lohman officially became Turlock's newest fire chief during a ceremony at the City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Turlock Fire Department Fire Call Summary

Turlock Fire Department Fire Call Summary

County fair announces changes to livestock rules

The Stanislaus County Fair announced changes to livestock rules for the 2011 fair.

Turlock teen earns highest rank in Boy Scouts

Only 4 percent of all Boy Scouts attain the Eagle rank, and Turlock teen Ryan Burns can proudly count himself among those elite. A member of Turlock Troop #451, Burns earned Eagle Scout status after obtaining 27 merit badges and successfully completing a community service project. "It's a great feeling to be recognized for all of my hard work and efforts over the years," said Burns. The Distinguished Eagle Scout Award ...

IN SERVICE

Air Force Airman Jose I. Medina graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Medina is the son of ...

COMMUNITY: PORTUGUESE CULTURE

The Portuguese culture was alive on Monday night as 100 students from the Jorge de Sena School performed traditional Portuguese songs for their end of the year presentation at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church. Jorge de Sena is an after school program language class that originated in 1985 by a group of parents who wanted their kids to learn the language and culture of Portugal. Today, Jorge de Sena School houses over ...

Emanuel honors standout nurses

Customers can donate to Oklahoma disaster relief at Raley’s

Raley's customers can now support disaster relief efforts in the tornado-struck town of Moore during their stop at the local grocery store. Raley's announced that it is designating all donations to Food for Families collection boxes at its checkstands in its 128 Raley's, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source stores to Moore, Okla. tornado disaster relief, now through June 24. Raley's will absorb all administrative costs to ensure that all ...

Dry farming possible solution to irrigation woes

Although the technique of dry farming is centuries old, area farmers are reviving the seldom used practice in preparation for irrigation shortfalls. The idea of dry farming is simple. Farmers rely on rainwater instead of irrigation to water the crops. The pros? Not having to pump out groundwater and yielding better tasting fruits. The cons? A possible risk of no rain, which can prove to be a financial disaster. The technique, which ...

Memorial Day travel expected to dip slightly

Despite signs of a gradual economic recovery, uncertainty still lingers for Californians who are expected to be cautious in their travel spending this upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend. AAA's travel survey projects that just over 4.0 million Californians plan on traveling 50 miles or more this Memorial Day holiday weekend. This represents a slight decrease of -2.1 percent from last year. "Despite the diminished tailwind for travel plans among Californians this Memorial ...

No beaches? No problem

As California's number one export, tourism generated over $102.3 billion in direct spending in 2011 alone. Out of that sum, only $2.9 billion was spent in the Central Valley. Fortunately, there are a group of people right here in the Valley who would like to change that number. Farmers, agritourism professionals, and marketing experts all came together Wednesday at the San Joaquin River Valley Travel and Tourism Summit ...

Lemonade Day sweet success

The weather was perfect for selling lemonade on Saturday, and helping local youth understand the importance of giving back while learning business principles. Among the dozens of young entrepreneurs who set up shop at locations around Turlock and the county for National Lemonade Day on Saturday, were Samantha Robison and Norah Frank. Frank and Robison, both first graders at Medeiros Elementary School, offered traditional lemonade and berry-flavored at their booth at Paramount ...

West Nile season around the corner

With the peak of summer just around the corner, the threat of West Nile virus in Turlock could become a serious reality, experts say. Although there hasn't been a reported case this year, there is a "definite chance" of possible incidents this summer, said Monica Patterson, vector biologist at the Turlock Mosquito Abatement District. WNV is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses, many types of ...

Road Work Report

Caltrans has construction and closures planned for the following areas this week:

Insurance agency turns 100, continues to give back to community

Name of business: Winton-Ireland Strom & Green

Cancer center serves up sundaes for National Survivors Day Celebration

Emanuel Cancer Center will be celebrating National Cancer Survivors Day on May 30 with a day-long ice cream social for cancer survivors. "More people than ever before are surviving the disease as a result of advances in prevention, early detection, treatment and follow-up care," said Michael Iltis, executive director of Emanuel Cancer Center. "In America alone, there are nearly 14 million people living with a history of cancer, and we want to celebrate that." ...

COMMUNITY: SYTTENDE MAI

The Garborg and Solheim lodges of the Sons of Norway held their annual Syttende Mai (May 17) celebration on Saturday at Donnelly Park in honor of the Norwegian Constitution Day. The two Central Valley lodges marked the National Day by flying the Norwegian flag, eating traditional dishes like lefse (a flatbread made of potato, cream and flour) and playing kubb. "Kubb is an old viking game that goes back 1,000 years. It's ...

Hundreds attend Safety Saturday event

Hilmar resident Jamie Carmona was one of the hundreds of parents who left the 3rd annual Safety Saturday event feeling a little more secure about the safety of her children. "This event is very important because it gives parents the essential tools in safety and child protection," said Carmona. "I learned how to properly install seat belts for my two younger children. I definitely plan on attending next year." Over 800 people ...