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Turlock Irrigation District customers with the sort of outdated heating and cooling systems that make electricity meters spin and budget-conscious homeowners cringe are now eligible for rebates that could make purchasing a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

TID set to vote on rate increases

With a final vote on three years of Turlock Irrigation District electric rate increases looming, TID ratepayers had one final chance Tuesday to offer input on the measure in advance of a Dec. 6 vote. For a residential household using 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month, the proposed increase – 4 percent per year for the next three years – would amount to an additional $4 per month in 2012, a further $5 ...

Turkey donations needed now

Walmart looks to donate $1.5 million to nonprofits

Retail giant Walmart launched a new campaign on Facebook to nominate nonprofits for $1.5 million in grants this holiday season.

Bringing joy in the face of tragedy

Recalls out for candy, peanut butter and lettuce

The California Department of Public Health has recently issued two separate consumer warnings for several food products and another company has issued a voluntary recall.

Denair fire receives $10,000 grant

When the community of Denair decides to get behind a cause, great things happen. The most recent demonstration of this community pride was an effort to secure a nationwide fire services grant through Liberty Mutual's Be Fire Smart Safety Pledge program.

No rise — or fall — in county unemployment

Stanislaus County's unemployment rate stayed steady for a second month, though only one sector saw job growth in October, according to the Economic Development Department's latest employment statistics. The unemployment rate in October was 15.2 percent in Stanislaus County, up just slightly from September's revised rate of 15 percent and below the year-ago estimate of 16.1 percent. The county's labor force fell from 238,400 in September to 237,300 in October. Included in ...

Gas prices on the rise

As temperatures dropped, gas prices rose in California, per AAA Northern California's monthly gas price report. Statewide, Californians can expect to pay an average of $3.84 per gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, up three cents per gallon from October. That's 70 cents per gallon higher per gallon than a year ago. In Northern California, gasoline now averages $3.82 per gallon, just slightly below the statewide average. Nationally, drivers can expect to pay ...

Paint It Forward accepting nominations

The final days to nominate a worthy individual or organization for a free paint job are approaching. Lancaster Painting is accepting applications for their annual Paint It Forward event. The deadline to apply is Dec. 1, said sales assistant Leisa Williams. The company will choose a worthy winner and will provide all the paint and workers for an interior or exterior paint job. "It's amazing how a coat of paint can ...

A long ride

Luke Nowlin and his horse "Geno" have traveled a long way to get to the Central Valley. The pair started out in Emerald Isle, N.C. around 150 days ago. Nowlin has traveled across the country on horseback, and is nearing his end destination of Eureka. "I want to encounter American people where they are in their lives," Nowlin said. Geno and Nowlin stopped in Denair on Tuesday, where they stayed with Tim ...

Doing the most good

The Salvation Army lived up to its motto of "doing the most good" during the nonprofit's annual Kettle Kick-Off fundraising luncheon on Tuesday. The main highlight of the annual event is the Kettle Klash, a race to raise the most cash in a set time limit. Teams run around the room with Salvation Army kettles and collect donations from luncheon attendees. Donators ring small bells to alert the kettle teams that they have cash ...

Fresno County raw dairy products recalled due to suspected E. coli bacterial contamination

Raw milk products produced by Organic Pastures of Fresno County are the subject of a statewide recall and quarantine order announced by California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford.

Boxing program looks to give Delhi, Livingston students alternative to gangs

The Merced County Sheriff's Activities League and the Carlos Vieira Foundation are teaming up to deliver a powerful right hook to teen drug use in Northern Merced County. Vieira, owner and president of Carlos Vieira Racing and 51 FIFTY Enterprises, has pledged a monetary and fundraising effort, known as "Race 2B Drug Free," for the formation of a boxing program in Livingston. The program's goal is aimed at keeping high school and junior ...

Pit bull mauls Delhi boy

A 6-year-old Delhi boy is recovering from wounds he suffered during a pit bull attack. The child sustained bites to his head, neck and arm, said Merced County Sheriff's Department spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie. The attack was reported around 4 p.m. Nov. 10. The caller told the sheriff's department a pit bull had turned on a young child and caused serious injuries at a home in the 16000 block of Corner Street ...

Luggage sought for foster kids

Children in foster care in California often leave their families in crisis situations. They take only a few personal items with them, maybe a change of clothes or two. Most of them don't have luggage, backpacks or even a tote bag to keep their things in. "These kids literally have a garbage bag or a box," said Cheryl Gerhardt, marketing director for Paramount Court. That is why Paramount Court Senior Living is ...