McDonald’s to hire 50,000 in single day

Now all those people who say "I'll flip burgers if it comes down to it," can put their money where their mouth is. McDonald's is hiring 50,000 new full and part-time people during a national hiring event on April 19.

Swarm surprises downtown workers

Rosemary Hughes is used to dealing with bees. A large jasmine bush located just outside of her downtown office building is a popular place for bees to congregate come warm weather. On Tuesday, however, the flying visitors were more than just a temporary nuisance.

Turlock girl tests her memory as ‘Brainsurge’ contestant

Denair Middle School student Lauryn Johnson was thrilled to slide down a slime-filled tunnel and land in a pit of foam. While the Turlock teen isn't particularly a fan of getting dirty, she is a fan of the Nickelodeon television show "Brainsurge."

More dogs, cats left at shelter due to foreclosures

All members of a family are impacted by the loss or foreclosure of a home, and that includes pets. The City of Turlock Police Department released its 2010 annual report, and Animal Services has seen an increase in dog euthanasia, likely related to the increase of foreclosed homes in the area.

Winter showers bring hungry mosquitoes

A mild, wet winter could translate into a buzzy, bitey, mosquito-filled summer.

TID looks at rate increases for 2012

The Turlock Irrigation District may need to raise rates an effective 9 percent for 2012 primarily to meet debt obligations associated with the Tuolumne Wind Project, district Trustees learned in a financial forecasting workshop on Tuesday.

Extremely rainy March sees end of drought

Turlockers are welcoming the warm and sunny spring weather after more than a week of rainy days in the Valley. Spring got off to a rainy start, but sunshine is in the forecast for the upcoming week.

Beekeepers could get stung by proposed fee

A proposed assessment fee on beekeepers that do business in California is causing a storm of controversy amongst the industry.

BBQ FOR LIFE

Some tasty barbecue ribs were cooked up over open flames during the 4th Annual Century 21 M&M and Associates Rib Cook-Off benefiting the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on Friday. Over 400 people attended the event, which featured 17 barbecue teams, raffles and even cupcakes. The team with the best barbecue wins bragging rights and a traveling trophy. M&M hopes to raise $6,000 this year.

Turlock Christian junior earns Eagle Scout

Benjamin Steven Paris of Troop 451, Turlock recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Boy Scouts of America. Ben began his Scouting experience with Cub Scout Pack 451 in Turlock where he earned his Arrow of Light, the highest rank in Cub Scouts. He continued on to Boy Scouts earning 28 merit badges, camping 76 nights, hiking and backpacking over 134 miles and held various leadership positions. <p ...

Evacuation notice given for western Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County Officials and the Sheriff's Department are issuing a recommended evacuation notice for specific areas along the San Joaquin River in the Newman area in response to the rising river levels.

Turlocker earns accolades for community service

When a crisis occurs and community members and law enforcement personnel are involved in traumatic situations they often need the emotional support of someone trained in mental health first aid and stress management. That is where Al Opdyke comes in.

University hosts César Chávez Day celebration

Cries of "Si, se puede" rang across California State University, Stanislaus Wednesday night as the college hosted its 16th annual C&eacute;sar E. Ch&aacute;vez Memorial Celebration.

Hundreds turn out for job fair

With unemployment rates hovering around 18 percent in Stanislaus County, many residents are looking for any type of job they can find. Hundreds of those would-be workers lined up outside Modesto's HIREvent and waited up to an hour for the opportunity to hand their resumes over to companies looking to hire.

Local businesses take top awards in Entrepreneur Challenge

When the dust settled on the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge, two groups of Denair-based entrepreneurs stood atop the field of 65 entrants from across the Valley.

Chickens focus of fair classroom project

The Stanislaus County Fair is partnering with local classrooms to further agriculture education.

Local man receives top honors in sales and customer service

Carlos Gonzales' embodiment of hard work and dedication were acknowledged recently when he was awarded the highest honor possible for a Verizon Wireless sales representative. Though employees are aware of the President's Cabinet Award, Gonzales never imagined that he would be the one to receive such an honor. "There are some employees with their eyes on the prize," said Public Relations and Employee Communications representative Heidi Flato. "When we were talking earlier, ...

Biggest Loser program offers cash incentive for weight loss

Lala Vasquez has made great strides in trying to keep her weight in check, but feels there is certainly room for improvement. The active grandmother and cosmetic sales representative is a returning contestant for Biggest Loser Turlock's "Get in Shape for Summer Challenge," a program designed for weight loss and cash prize incentives. Though Vasquez is a strong individual, her prior weight loss efforts were defeated when she had to deal with a ...

Eastern Star returns to Turlock

One of Turlock's original clubs will make a triumphant return to the community after a 20 year absence. The Order of the Eastern Star Club, the largest fraternal organization in the world for both men and women, will be officially institutionalized in a private ceremony on Sunday at the Turlock Masonic Lodge. OES will be welcoming 13 new members to the chapter, affiliate current members and install the core of officers which will ...

MedicAlert remains at forefront of health information

Turlock teen Linda Collins' near fatal allergic reaction to a doctor-administered tetanus antitoxin in 1953 - and her family's desire to prevent a similar medical emergency in the future - revolutionized the health information field. The story of how Turlock physician Marion Collins and his wife, Chrissie Collins, designed the first Medic Alert emblem and bracelet for their daughter, and then created an international foundation to provide emergency medical information services for all ...

Almond industry readies for Food Safety Act changes

One of Turlock's top commodities is facing new regulations in its manufacturing, pasteurization, and processing to ensure safety for global consumers.

High winds down trees, cut power to local homes

Out of all the known elements, wind may not be the most noticeable; but it is a force to be reckoned with. The City of Turlock found this out after wind gusts reached 35 to 45 miles per hour Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The Central Valley was hit directly with the wind storm, which blew dust, toppled trees, and slammed cars hard enough to scoot them in another lane ...

Gusty winds prompt health caution

A very strong, dry, cold front moved through the Air Basin earlier today, bringing strong to gusty northwesterly winds across the entire San Joaquin Valley prompting local air-pollution officials to issue a healthy cautionary statement through this evening. Winds will be especially gusty and strong over the western and northern parts of the District. Winds may produce areas of localized blowing dust, which can result in unhealthy concentrations of particulate matter 10 microns ...

Dairyman balks at county plan to take his land for road realignment

Stanislaus County officials want about two acres of Andy Germann's 40-acre dairy property to realign a curve in Central Avenue at Taylor Road to correct what they say is one of the most dangerous intersections in their jurisdiction. Germann isn't buying their claim, saying that county officials are itching to spend federal grant dollars for a project that will only promote faster driving on the rural stretch of road southwest of Keyes. <p ...

Local cheese takes top honors at competition

Grateful patient delivers nurse's childhood memento

The saying 'it's a small world' has new meaning for Turlock resident Michele James. From the moment James saw Gene Owens on the Memorial Medical Center cardiac care unit, where she works as a nurse, there was a connection. The Ceres resident bears a startling resemblance to James' father, who died when she was 18. "I pulled up a picture of my dad on my phone and we started a discussion of ...

SA group offers help for hoarders

When Alice Labatte enters her house she encounters a narrow hallway. The hallway was built by normal standards, but has since become one of the places in her house overcome by stuff. Heaps of clothes, piles of shoes and knick-knacks of all kinds can be found in Labatte's hallway - and throughout her house. Labatte is a self-proclaimed hoarder. "It's a comfort for me," she said. "By holding onto these items it reminds ...

County one of worst in state for heart disease, flu

A recently released health report of California's 58 counties has shown Stanislaus County with several poor rankings among the most prevalent chronic diseases, including the worst death rate in the state for coronary heart disease. The "County Health Status Profiles 2013" was researched and released by the California Department of Public Health, along with the California Conference of Local Health Officers, in coordination with National Public Health Week, which ends on Sunday. <p ...

Rape defense classes offered

The Turlock Police Department and Stanislaus State University Police are working together to provide Rape Aggression Defense training to women in the Turlock community. The training is offered at no cost to women interested in participating. The twelve hour course is broken up into two sessions over a period of two weeks. The R.A.D. Systems Basic Physical Defense is a program designed to help women overcome the effects of sexual harassment and ...

100-year-old poker player refuses to fold

As with life, the game of poker incorporates skill, luck, and manipulating the cards you are dealt. No one understands this more than Henry Wadelski, who celebrated his 100th birthday amongst friends, family, and poker chips at the Turlock Poker Room on Monday. Every April 1 for the last three years, Henry's children - Marianne, Louise, Diana and Henry Jr. - have a tradition of visiting their father at the Turlock Poker Room ...