Local pet store accused of animal cruelty

A long-time pet store in Turlock is being investigated on allegations of animal cruelty. "There is an open investigation on an animal complaint at The Pet Shop," said Turlock Police spokesperson Sgt. Nino Amirfar. "There have been allegations of animal cruelty." Brian Trask, a local dog owner, said he gave a statement to a Turlock Animal Control officer about his experiences with The Pet Shop in May. Trask said he was called by a groomer ...

Six days to digital TV

Turlockers who make use of analog broadcast television were granted a four-month reprieve when the transition to digital TV was postponed from Feb. 17 to June 12, but the new cutoff date for analog broadcast television is now just six days away.

School’s out for summer but kids can find activities at camp

School is out for many elementary school students around Turlock, and parents are looking for something fun and safe for their children to do for the summer. The City of Turlock Recreation Division is offering summer camps for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Passports now needed to return from Mexico, Canada

Americans planning a summer vacation to the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, Canada, or Mexico now might need to make a stop at their local passport office before hitting the road.

Program brings fresh food to seniors

Low-income senior citizens in Stanislaus county can get free produce from local farmers' markets through a program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Chamber a champ at political advocacy

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce garnered statewide recognition earlier this month, as the California Chamber of Commerce bestowed the President's Circle award on the local chamber.

Canal Drive roadwork kicks off

Canal Drive, long known as Turlock's bumpiest road, is getting a much-needed makeover this year, which should result in a newly paved, easy to drive, east-west thoroughfare.

Lawsuit filed against city, ex-cop for half million

The Turlock teenager who claimed she was sexually assaulted by former Turlock police officer Jorge Cruz has filed a lawsuit against the city and is seeking $500,000 for pain and suffering.

Mosquito districts bitten by court decision, reduced tax dollars

Just as California enters the most dangerous time of the year for mosquito and West Nile virus outbreaks, mosquito abatement districts around the state are finding their ability to fight the pests hampered by new restrictions on mosquito sprays and reduced funding from the state.

Turlock company wins small business award

Jack Wilkey doesn't like to talk about his own achievements. When asked about his community involvement he can rattle off an impressive list - with a little help from the memory of his wife, Pat - of organizations that he has contributed to or been involved in over the years. But when he describes those organizations he talks about the good that they do, and not the good that he has done for them.

Country blaze burns hay, vehicles

A fire sparked by a welding torch burned through several junk cars and hay bales before firefighters were able to contain it.

Local autistic children try their hands at ranching

"Look mom, I'm really holding him!" said Connor Smith as he snuggled a rabbit. The 12-year-old Ceres boy was one of 22 area children with Autism that took part in A Day on the Farm, a one-day camp sponsored by the Society for Handicapped Children and Adults to introduce young people to activities typically seen on a horse ranch.

New beginnings for Turlock Poker Room

An era will come to an end at 7 a.m. Monday when the Turlock Poker Room will forever shutter the doors of its West Main and Locust streets card house, where it has continuously operated since opening on June 1, 2004.

Local poker players ante up with the big gals

As 1,060 of the best female poker players in the world gathered at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday to kick off the Ladies World Championship - event 17 of the World Series of Poker - six patrons of the Turlock Poker Room were counted among their ranks.

Public transportation hub rolls forward

The Turlock Planning Commission kept plans moving to construct a new public transportation hub during their Thursday night meeting, voting 6-1 in favor of the $1.75 million development.

Road Work Report

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

Rotary tables bocce ball courts

For over a year the Turlock Noon Rotary Club has been trying to build two bocce courts in a city park, but everywhere they turned, Rotary members were met with more opposition than well wishes from Turlock citizens. The Rotary has been working closely with city officials to appease everyone's demands for the donation of the bocce ball courts, but to no avail. The proposed layout was 65 feet long and 29 ...

Joke turned fundraiser benefits kids fighting cancer

The breeze tickling the trees around Henry and Vivian Soares' home Monday afternoon carried with it the scent of a freshly picked harvest with a faint edge of newly turned soil. Wooden crates were stacked high outside their garage with strips of vibrant green fava beans peeking through the slats. Inside the garage were about 60 people busying themselves with shelling mounds of pods piled up on the tables. Moving between them ...

'Critically dry year' for irrigation

California is not technically in a drought, yet; but low snowpack and a dry spring is not looking good for local growers. The state's recent findings have the winter snowpack at 17 percent of normal, according to Chief Surveyor for the Department of Water Resources Frank Gehrke. This is a problem as the state heavily depends on melted snow to replenish reservoirs throughout the summertime. According to the state findings, 2013 has ...

Lakewood ceremony pauses to remember sacrifice of officers

Annual event calls for unity through power of prayer

Prayers are not only a symbol of hope, but an act of faith. This week marks the National Day of Pray, an annual celebration inviting all faiths to pray for the nation. On Thursday morning, the Turlock Mayor's Prayer Breakfast will bring together different organizations within the community to encourage personal repentance, righteousness, and hope for a better future. "This organization's commitment is to come together as a community to pray for ...

Farmers market opens on high note

Hundreds flocked to the Turlock Certified Farmers Market for opening day on Friday, looking for a taste of locally grown products. new location off S. Broadway between A and W. Main streets on Friday morning for to see new and old vendors offering their latest merchandise. Vendors and market attendees alike were impressed with the change in location this year, off S. Broadway between and A and W. Main streets. "We've been ...

Wildfire smoke prompts air alert

Wildfires in Tehama and Sacramento counties are sending smoke to the northern Valley counties of the Air District, especially San Joaquin and Stanislaus, prompting local air officials to issue a health cautionary statement. The health caution is in effect through Saturday although smoke impacts may remain until the fires are extinguished. Smoke from fires produces fine-particulate matter, which can cause serious health problems including lung disease, asthma attacks and increased risk of heart attacks ...

Bassitt resigns from Workforce Alliance

Bill Bassitt has tendered his resignation as president and chief executive officer of the Stanislaus Economic Development and Workforce Alliance effective Aug. 16.

Multiple factors in bee colony decline, finds report

A U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency report released Thursday states there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure.

Hilmar rallies for cancer society

The second annual Hilmar Relay for Life attracted 709 participants to McSweeney Field on Saturday and raised $158,990 for cancer research through team fundraising and the sale of raffle tickets and food items during the event. Combined with last year's efforts, Hilmar's Relay for Life events have pulled in more than $340,000 in two years. In its inaugural year, the Hilmar event won four awards and received special recognition from the American Cancer ...

Veterans focus of job fair

An upcoming job fair is hoping to put more veterans to work. Of the nearly 2 million California veterans, about 200,000 of them are unemployed, according to the California Employment Development Department. The unemployment rate among younger veterans was particularly high last year. In veterans age 20 to 24, the unemployment rate was 37.1 percent in 2011, more than double the 17.6 percent rate of comparably aged nonveterans. The EDD is hosting ...

TID stretches energy efficiency with rebate programs

Last year, the Turlock Irrigation District had little success attaining greater levels of energy efficiency through its rebate programs. The district fell short of its proposed goal - to attain 12 gigawatt hours in savings - due to a lack of customer participation. This year, TID isn't backing down, and is generating or upgrading new programs that are intended to meet the district's new energy efficiency goals of 9,285 megawatt hours. "We've ...

Frantz: Helping Valley gardens grow

Name of business: Frantz Garden Center Type of business: Nursery Location: 12879 Riverview Rd., Hickman Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. History of business: A family's love for gardening has evolved into one of the most successful nurseries in Stanislaus County. The Frantz family began their wholesale nursery in 1979 with only 1.5 acres of ...

Denham honors next generation of military leaders

As high school seniors prepare to tackle the next phase in their lives, four area students were honored for making service to their country at the highest level their next challenge. U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) held a reception for the U.S. Service Academy appointees from the 10th District on Tuesday, including Turlock High School senior Adam Groesbeck. Groesbeck will have short summer, and is expected to begin his boot camp training ...