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.

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 ...