Hilmar residents can clean-up for reduced prices

Hilmar will host a clean-up day from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, offering residents the opportunity to dispose of tires, appliances, and other residential waste at a reduced rate.

Road angels

Every week Turlockers Beverly Whitort and Wil Marshall pick up cancer patients around the county and drive them to their treatment appointments. They not only offer a ride, but also a friendly ear to people who are going through extremely tough times. For four to five hours a week, Whitort and Marshall put aside their own worries and become traveling angels spending their time and gas money to help ...

Geyser on Geer

A man driving a semi truck for Auto Zone clipped a fire hydrant while leaving the business Tuesday afternoon that created a geyser on Geer Road.

No comment from public on bus fare increases

A proposed Stanislaus Regional Transit fare increase would raise the cost of most rides by $0.25, to $1.50 for a general fare bus ride. Senior or disabled fixed route bus riders would be exempted from the increase, with a ride remaining flat at $1.

Central Valley Project farmers to receive 55 percent of water allocation

The Federal Bureau of Reclamation announced this week that Central Valley Project water users will receive 100 percent of their annual allocation – except for south of the Delta, where agricultural contractors will receive just 55 percent of their annual allocation, and municipal and industrial users will receive 80 percent of the allocation.

Local funeral directors gather supplies for Japanese colleagues

The earthquake and tsunami which ravaged Japan have now, officially, killed more than 10,000 people, according to the Japanese National Police Agency. As the search through rubble and wreckage continues, that number is likely to double or triple, as more than 17,000 remain listed as missing.

Cancer patients gear up for Relay for Life with Monkey Business

Local cancer survivors and their supporters are gearing up for Relay for Life. Emanuel Cancer Center kicked off Turlock's Relay for Life 2011 with "Take Two," a survivor reception and a special concert by their Monkey Business children's group.

Spring storms cause tree damage; sunny skies on their way

A spring storm ripped through the Central Valley this week, downing trees and causing temporary flooding in city streets.

Unemployment remains high in Valley

The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County remained unchanged for the month of February, but more employers are looking for workers according to new data from the Economic Development Department.

First grader raises money for Japan tsunami victims

Marissa Reyes, a first grader at Medeiros Elementary in Turlock, proves that you can never be too young to care about the world.

TID managers assume permanent roles

Turlock Irrigation District General Manager Casey Hashimoto on Tuesday appointed three interim assistant general managers to assume permanent posts.

College students opt for an alternative energy spring break

More than 50 college students are passing up the beach this spring break and instead helping the Merced County Fairgrounds become more energy efficient.

Air district reports improvement over winter months

The air quality over the winter season has shown a marked improvement according to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, which recently wrapped up its eighth Check Before You Burn program.

Applications for grand jury being accepted

The selection process for the FY 2011-2012 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury is starting. Anyone interested in serving on the Civil Grand Jury may contact the Grand Jury Office at 558-7766 or go on line at www.stanct.org to download an application. The deadline for applications is May 2, 2011 All ...

Grape Commission awarded grant to research invasive pests

The California Table Grape Commission has been awarded a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops grant for a 3-year project in the amount of $363,500 for research on invasive pests that pose threats to the table grape industry.

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 ...