Grape crop grows in 2010

The California Table Grape Commission reported Thursday that in 2010 the industry shipped 98.3 million boxes (about 20-pound boxes) of fresh grapes from California.

Proposed rule to improve railroad safety

The Federal Railroad Administration proposed a rule Thursday that would make it easier for the public to report unsafe conditions at highway-rail grade crossings.

Foster Farms seeks perfect chicken recipe

Foster Farms seeks perfect chicken recipe

EAGLE COURT OF HONOR

An Eagle Court of Honor was held for Patrick Thomas O'Connor, son of Tom and Agnes O'Connor of Turlock, on Nov. 29, 2010. Patrick is a 16-year-old junior at Turlock High School. He joined the Cub Scouts in 2000 and received the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouts, in 2005. In 2007, he was chosen by the troop to become eligible for membership in the Order of the Arrow.

Irrigation season pushed back due to rain

Due to changing weather conditions the start of irrigation season for Turlock Irrigation District customers has been pushed back seven days, from Thursday to March 17, the district announced at its annual pre-season growers meeting Wednesday night.

More county residents out of work

The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County continued its steady climb upward as the latest figures from the Economic Development Department indicate nearly 1 in 5 people in the county is among the ranks of the unemployed.

Flu cases on the rise

With the death of two women in Stanislaus County attributed to influenza and the ranks of the sickened increasing, the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency is actively encouraging people to get vaccinated.

Turlock Chamber CEO named 26th Assembly District Woman of the Year

Many in Turlock have benefitted from the work Sharon Silva has done promoting the businesses and organizations that help Turlock prosper. As the chief executive officer of the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, Silva has long been a proponent of everything Turlock.

Rabbits and cavies take over fairgrounds at annual show

More than 1,200 rabbits and several hundred cavies were on display at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds last weekend during the California State Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Association Show.

48-inch allotment, no cap for 2011 irrigation season

A wet winter will mean a wet summer for local farmers.

Group raises concerns over Central Valley ground water contamination

Food and Water Watch, a non-profit safe water and food advocacy group with offices in San Francisco, issued a 25-page report last week that raised safety concerns about the Central Valley's ground water supply and a possible lack of oversight from the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (CVRWQCB).

Teen birth rates down statewide, up in Valley

A new report from the California Department of Public Health shows teen birth rates have reached a record low for the state, while remaining higher than average in the San Joaquin Valley.

Water Board to fund ag quality improvement projects

Valley farmers will soon have access to more than $8 million in grant money for agricultural water quality improvement projects. The grant funding comes from the State Water Resources Control Board through Proposition 84, a bond approved by voters in 2006.

COMMUNITY: DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

First Step Dental held their 12th Annual Field Trip Day on Friday. The Turlock dental office hosted the field trip as part of Children Dental Health Month. First Step hosted six local elementary schools and taught the importance of brushing and flossing, nutrition and a fun introduction of the dentist chair.

Hutton House: Providing a safe haven for runaway teens

Hutton House has been a safe haven for runaway and homeless teens in Stanislaus County since 1976. Youth ages 13 to 17 who need a temporary place to stay during a crisis situation can live at the Modesto shelter for up to two weeks. Hutton House also offers day and drop-in services, and between the residential and non-residential programs they serve around 800 clients per year.

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 ...

AAA hosts mobile blood drive

Monetary donations are not always what's needed for saving the world. Sometimes, the answers lies skin deep. Tuesday morning, the Turlock branch of AAA partnered with the Delta Blood Bank to hold a blood drive for community members and AAA employees off Hotel Drive in Turlock. The AAA Turlock Blood Drive hoped to garner attention for the cause, and relay more customers for the Delta Blood Center. A mobile truck was parked just ...

Family's passion for quilting is shared through downtown store

Name of business: Cloth and Quilts Type of business: Fabric and quilt store Location: 625 East Main St., Turlock Contact info: 632-3225 Hours of operation: Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. History of business: At Cloth and Quilts, customers shop for more than just fabric, patterns and supplies. They come for inspiration. The store, with walls adorned with sewn quilts, serves as a springboard for ...

Road Work Report

Southbound Golden State Boulevard between Monte Vista Avenue and Tuolumne Road is temporarily down to one lane as work continues on the beautification project. Caltrans has construction and closures planned for the following areas this week: &bull; The northbound and southbound on and off-ramps on Highway 99 from the Turlock Rest Area to Hammett Road will alternately close from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m. Saturday. &bull; The center and right lanes, ...

Sorority shines a blue light on autism

More than 7,000 landmarks and buildings around the globe were bathed last night in blue in honor of World Autism Awareness Day. For six years, autism organizations around the world have marked the day with fundraising and informational events to raise awareness of the development disorder and the need for research. Hard at work in raising awareness, are the women of Alpha Xi Delta sorority from California State University, Stanislaus. For the past ...

Former Turlock residence of Hedy Lamarr on the market

Drive around Hollywood and you'll find plenty of homes with claims that some starlet or leading man graced the doorstep and laid their head down on a pillow for a night. But in Turlock the pickings for such claim to fames are pretty slim, unless it happens to be on Sierra Street. There at the corner of Sierra and Shasta streets nestled in among the lofty Sycamores and the sweet smelling camellias, sits ...

Canine companion comes to aid of local woman