Carnegie bid $2.4 million less than expected

The proposed reconstruction of the Carnegie Arts Center now looks like it will cost less than the Turlock City Council ever imagined, as the lowest bid submitted tallied just $5.3 million, more than $2 million less than the $7.7 million in funding identified for the project in October 2007.

Youth football league investigation continues

The investigation into the embezzlement charges against two former Turlock Youth Football officials is still ongoing and police say it could be a significant time before any determination of wrongdoing, if any, is made.

TID offers cool way to save energy

Turlock Irrigation District customers with the sort of outdated heating and cooling systems that make electricity meters spin and budget-conscious homeowners cringe are now eligible for rebates that could make purchasing a new air conditioner a bit more palatable.

Former mayors get bestowed with namesake parks

Anyone who wants a park in the city of Turlock to bare their name might have to wait a while for the honor. At the Turlock Parks, Recreation and Community Commission meeting on June 10 the name "Dale Pinkney Park" was suggested for the last un-named park in Turlock.

First confirmed case of H1N1 influenza reported in Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County Public Health officials received confirmation on Friday from the state laboratory of a positive novel H1N1 case in the county. The affected county resident is a 22-year-old female who did not require hospitalization.

Hilmar Eagle Scout works on play park

Anthony Sarment, 14, recently achieved the highest rank possible in Boy Scouts of America, the rank of Eagle Scout. Sarment completed a project of re-finishing and painting the children's play park at Donnelly Park. The project took 35 people over 127 man hours to complete.

Year’s first case of West Nile virus in Stanislaus County

A dead American crow, found in Modesto, has tested positive for the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.

Tuesday flea market a bargain shopper’s paradise

Why is a flea market called a flea market? That might sound like the beginning of a bad joke, but it is a valid question. The Turlock Tuesday Flea Market features everything from live bunny rabbits to used gardening tools, but there is not a single flea for sale.

Thieves steal priceless mementos from cancer-stricken child

It's a sad fact of life that Dylan Givargiznia has come accustomed to bad news. When he was 6-years-old Dylan was hit with the life-altering news that he had a rare form of leukemia. Since then he has been on a roller coaster of remissions and reoccurrences that have taken him in and out of the hospital. Now, the 10-year-old boy is dealing with the news that his prognosis has worsened and his odds of ...

Unions call for changes in wake of prison guard’s death

As the one year anniversary of Jose Rivera's death approaches, prison guard unions are stepping up the pressure for reforms within the Bureau of Prisons and for new safety regulations.

Program helps teens realize their leadership potential

Toni Deguire has been a member of the Teen Advisory Council since fall of 2004, when she was in eighth grade. Deguire graduated from Pitman High School earlier this month and ended her five year membership with the council. She said that being a member of the Teen Advisory Council helped her to realize her leadership potential and become more involved.

H1N1 cases reported in Stanislaus and Merced counties

Stanislaus and Merced counties have reported two probable cases each of the H1N1 virus, while the global community prepares for a pandemic.

Irrigation water lessened by federal decision

California's farmers could be hard hit by a biological opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service on Thursday, which calls for pumping operations in the Central Valley Project and the California State Water Project to be changed.

Lawsuit filed over guard’s fatal stabbing

The family of Jose Rivera, the prison guard stabbed to death by two inmates, has filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons alleging poor management and unsafe working conditions contributed to his death.

Free meals available to students through summer

Low-income students in the Turlock Unified School District can continue to receive free lunch even when school is out for summer break. TUSD offers the Summer Food Service Program to any child under the age of 18 during the months of June and July at select school locations.

Road Work Report

Main Street, between Golden State Boulevard and Palm Street, will be closed for the Taste of Turlock FEASTival from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Caltrans has construction and closures planned for the following areas this week: • The center lanes on Highway 99 from the Taylor Road exit to Hatch Road will alternately close from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday. • The northbound and southbound on and off ramps ...

Backstage Dance moves to new digs

Name of business: Backstage Academy of Dance Type of business: Dance studio Location: 957 East Monte Vista Avenue, Turlock Contact info: 667-8511 Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. History of business: Turlock Resident Kristi Garcia has been dancing for decades, and her dance school, Backstage Academy ...

Girl Scouts go GREEN

An estimated 130 Girl Scouts from the Turlock area met at Donnelly Park on Sunday for the Forever Green Campaign. The girls from different troops learned about environmental conservation by rotating through five activity stations that included micro litter cleanup and the planting of rosemary. "It's exciting to have Girl Scouts doing something in the community other than selling cookies," Kelly Fox said. "It's wonderful that they got the opportunity to be leaders ...

Hilmar native and 'Glee' actress to promote anti-bullying book at safety fair

"Glee" actress Dot-Marie Jones knows what it's like to be tormented and bullied as a kid. The Hilmar native, who plays Coach Beiste on the hit musical series, will lend a helping hand to a new children's book that aims to prevent bullying at the GDI Insurance Agency's third annual Community Safety Saturday on May 18 at the Hilmar Cheese Company. "Just Like You," written by Robert Kroupa, is a book about Henry, ...

A bit of Turlock in the Capitol Dome

No one can represent patriotism quite like Turlock native and CEO of LOCK-N-STITCH, Inc. Gary Reed. Reed, born on the 4th of July, also shares an affinity for cast iron; a feature which designer Thomas Jefferson and architect Thomas U. Walter found necessary in building the U.S. Capitol's Dome. Since its final construction from 1855 to 1866, the cast iron Dome has cracked over time due to exposure to freezing temperatures, strain, and ...

Locals reach out to Boston loved ones

As explosions turned a jovial celebration at Monday's Boston Marathon into a tragedy, local residents frantically reached out to teammates and loved ones in the Boston area to inquire about their safety. The bombs - kitchen pressure cookers packed with explosives, nails and other lethal shrapnel, according to the FBI - detonated near the finish line of the marathon about two hours after the winners crossed the line on Monday. The explosions killed ...

Air district offers grants for buses

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is hoping to reduce some of the emissions that plague the Valley air basin by offering grants to retrofit school buses. The Air District is seeking applications for a new grants program that provides up to $20,000 apiece for emission-reducing retrofits on Valley school buses. Public school districts, joint powers authorities and private transportation agencies in the eight-county air basin are eligible for the ...

Explosions hit Boston Marathon finish line

Two explosions caused chaos at the finish of the Boston Marathon today. According to reports, about three hours after the winners crossed the line, there was a loud explosion on the north side of Boylston Street, just before the photo bridge that marks the finish line. Another explosion could be heard a few seconds later. For more details, visit http://www.mantecabulletin.com/section/142/article/71534/

Air district warns of blowing dust

Local air pollution officials issued a health cautionary statement effective through tonight because of gusty winds associated with a strong, dry, cold front, which is expected to move through the Air Basin. Winds may produce areas of localized blowing dust, which can result in unhealthy concentrations of particulate matter 10 microns and smaller. Exposure to particulate pollution can cause serious health problems, aggravate lung disease, trigger asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increase risk of ...

In memory of Koch

Stanislaus County Library honors its Shining Stars

The Stanislaus County Library will be celebrating National Library Week by honoring the individuals and businesses that help the 13-branch system thrive. The Stanislaus Library Foundation will be handing out its 2013 Shining Star Awards to the winners at 2 p.m. April 20 at the Nick W. Blom Salida Regional Library, 4835 Sisk Rd. The Shining Star Awards were established in 2004 to honor individuals, businesses or organizations and Friends of the ...

Fair seeks local talent

The Stanislaus County Fair is looking for local talent to fill its 2013 Community Stage line-up. Local artists are needed to perform for various days on the Health Plan of San Joaquin Community Stage for the 10-day run of the Fair. The fair is considering martial arts demonstrations, dance, and musical performances from local clubs and groups. "Showcasing the talent within our community is a privilege that we are proud to support," said ...

ONE DAY OF SERVICE

Road Work Report

W. Main Street, between Fransil Lane and Washington Road, will be closed for utility work by city crews from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. today. Detours will be provided. Local access to residents and businesses will be allowed.

Corvelos: Bringing a taste of Portugal to Turlock

Name of business: Corvelos Portuguese Bakery Type of business: Portuguese bakery Location: 1676 Countryside Drive Contact info: 669-8163 Hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. History of business: Few things encapsulate Portugal better than its bakeries, where people from all walks of life mingle over coffee and cake. Corvelos Portuguese Bakery brings all aspects of Portuguese ...