Mayor saves historic church

Turlock's earliest Assyrian church, set for demolition, was saved this week by the efforts of Turlock Mayor John Lazar.

Turlock City Fire Call Summary

The Turlock Fire Department responded to a total of 447 incidents in the month of January.

County bus system begins fare changes

Exact fare is no longer required for rides on Stanislaus Regional Transit busses, following the implementation of a new fare system on Monday.

TID prepares for Don Pedro relicensing process

The Turlock Irrigation District on Tuesday officially began the five-plus year project to relicense Don Pedro Reservoir.

Turlock native crowned Miss San Joaquin County

"Be yourself." That is the key, said newly crowned Miss San Joaquin County Joelle Aud, to succeeding in a scholarship pageant - and in life.

New Year’s fitness goals: One month later

The ball has dropped, the Champagne bottle is empty, and the novelty of the new year is starting to wear off. Resolutions that were so adamantly proclaimed at the stroke of midnight have faded to distant memories for many Turlockers. Others are still clinging to the hope that a new year can mean a clean slate for accomplishing the goals they most want to meet. We are one ...

Clampers to memorialize Irwin City

Preserving the history of the West is the mission - and only serious activity - of the fraternal club E Clampus Vitus (Clampers). The Estanislao Chapter of the Clampers' next project in the works is memorializing one of north Merced County's ghost towns - Irwin City.

Convention and Visitors Bureau looks to expand on successful sports concierge program in 2011

Sports are big business – even at the local level – according to Turlock's Convention and Visitors Bureau.

COMMUNITY: HELPING TANNER

Monica and James Woods accepted a check from American Legion Rex Ish Post 88 and the American Legion Riders on Sunday. The money will help with medical expenses for their baby boy Tanner, who was born with multiple heart defects in December. Monica Woods said that Tanner is finally home after six weeks of hospital stays and open heart surgery.

In Service

Air Force Airman Tommy L. Jones graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, 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 ...

Chamber of Commerce honors city’s top citizens, businesses

On a foggy night in one of the coldest months of the year, the Turlock Chamber of Commerce took the opportunity to recognize some bright spots in our community. The chamber held its Best of Turlock awards dinner on Friday to recognize outstanding citizens and businesses for their contributions and hard work over the past year.

Organic committee openings

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is announcing seven vacancies on the California Organic Products Advisory Committee. The committee advises the CDFA secretary on current issues related to organic food production and makes recommendations on all matters pertaining to the California Organic Program.

Serpa takes reins of backcountry horseman

Former Turlock resident Dennis M. Serpa was recently elected as president of the Backcountry Horseman of California (BCHC).

Downtown report shows increased event attendance; slight improvement in vacancy rates

While the effects of the troubled economy continue to ripple through Turlock's business communities, the Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association marked 2010 as a year of successful campaigns that brought more people to the downtown corridor, said the association's executive director Trina Walley.

County sees increase in unemployment rate; Emanuel Medical Center eliminates 22 positions

Economists may be preaching about the road to recovery, but the sluggish economy is continuing to take a toll on Stanislaus County, with the ranks of unemployment growing in the last month, according to the latest figures from the Economic Development Department.

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 ...