Acts of kindness restore memorial to fallen soldiers after vandalism

February is a tough month for the Gonsalves family. It was on Feb. 13, 2006, that their beloved son Chad Gonsalves, an Army Green Beret, was killed in action while fighting in Afghanistan.

Gas prices on the rise

The average price of gasoline in California surged six cents from January to February, mainly due to political concerns, according to AAA Northern California.

COMMUNITY: ART AND BAGPIPES

Downtown Turlock was serenaded by the sweet sound of bagpipers on Thursday evening. The musicians were part of the entertainment at a wine and chocolate event hosted inside of the Community Art Gallery on Center Street. The kilt-clad men and women played out on the sidewalk and confused more than a few passers-by.

Tough road ahead for local businesses in 2011

All four speakers at Wednesday's Turlock Chamber of Commerce Membership Breakfast offered a common message: 2010 was a rough year and much work remains for 2011. But all speakers also noted unexpected bright spots, which could point toward an earlier than expected recovery.

Cigarette, oxygen tank blamed for fire

Two people were injured from a fire that officials say was sparked by a person smoking while using an oxygen tank.

New programs help keep families in their homes

The California Housing Finance Agency announced on Thursday the implementation of four programs intended to fight California's foreclosure crisis, and to keep families in their homes.The federally funded programs, made possible by the U.S. Treasury Department's Hardest Hit fund, will be operated under the umbrella title of "Keep Your Home California." "Our goal is to get the very most out of these federal dollars to assist California families," said ...

Local speed dating service gives singles second chance at love

Valentine's Day is often despised by singles who have not been struck by cupid's arrow by the big day. But local singles will have a new opportunity for meeting their dream date thanks to Turlock entrepreneur Amber Scabia and her business partner Enrique Mendoza. The two used their own experiences with dating in the area as inspiration for their new speed dating business, Two Minute Match. <span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; ...

Rush of the roses: Local florists prepare for busiest day of the year

Valentine's Day is one of the busiest times of the year for florists nationwide. The same holds true for local flower shops as they gear up for the mad rush of flower deliveries and drop-in customers on Monday.

Business development remains focus of downtown in 2011

The efforts to make downtown Turlock into a booming business district once again will continue through the new year as the Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association unveils a series of programs, events, and advocacy sessions to keep the seed of revitalization growing.

COMMUNITY: EAGLE SCOUT

Skyler Sexton will become an Eagle Scout at a ceremony scheduled for Feb. 26 at the First United Methodist Church. Skyler was a Cub Scout for five years, during which time he earned the Arrow of Light, the highest honor in the Cub Scouts. He has been a Boy Scout for six years with Troop #451 and has earned 29 merit badges, attended ...

Grant allows small business development center to expand services

A new federal grant to the Small Business Administration's University of California, Merced Small Business Development Center Regional Network will provide additional resources to grow or start businesses &ndash; and create jobs in the process.

Funding to promote prevention and early intervention of mental health issues

In the past, California public mental health services were limited to treatment, usually medication, for people with serious mental illness. The California Mental Health Commission is hoping to change that by promoting "help first" rather than "fail first" mental health treatment.

Turlock manager lovin’ her job reaps rewards

When Betsy Lazar moved to Turlock from Iran in 2001 she took an hourly job at McDonald's. She had no idea that she would someday be in the top 1 percent of McDonald's management.

Llama hobo classic show brings the fuzzy to town

Llamas from all over the state &ndash; and their owners - converged on the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds this past weekend for the Llama Association of North America's (LANA) third annual hobo classic llama show. This winter event is an opportunity for owners to show their llamas as nature intended them, fuzzy, dirty and happy.

State budget cuts could deflate county fairs

Governor Jerry Brown's current budget proposal includes a 100 percent reduction in California county fair funding, slashing $32 million from fair budgets across the state. If the budget is approved, nearly 30 county fairs could permanently or temporarily close.

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 ...