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.

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 ...

Need for food, housing rises as local nonprofits’ funding disappears

As temperatures drop and rain starts to pour, Turlock is home to more homeless than perhaps ever before. "I think it's a function of the economy," said Turlock Gospel Mission board member Chris Kiriakou. "It's not improving at the rate people thought it would. People on the edge can hang on so long, but what's happened is that they're end of the rope, basically." Between January and July, United Samaritans Foundation served ...

Turlock veteran earns honorary high school diploma

Turlock veteran Willis "Jack" Bright never graduated high school. Instead, he joined hundreds of thousands of other young boys and men who enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II. In 1945, at just 17 years old, Jack was becoming a man. He tried to join when he was 15 in 1943, but just before he was to ship out his age was discovered and he had to go back home. Bright ...

Sacrifices of one local military family

Junior high student struck by car in critical condition

A 12-year-old girl remains hospitalized in critical condition after being struck by a vehicle while darting across traffic in front of Turlock Junior High School Wednesday afternoon. The TJHS student sustained head trauma and injuries to her lower extremities, said Turlock Police spokesman Lt. Nino Amirfar. She has regained consciousness and is critical but in stable condition, Amirfar said. The girl was struck while trying to cross N. Walnut Road between Christoffersen ...

Local vets receive highest civilian honor

Several local veterans were presented the highest civilian honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, for their outstanding efforts in World War II. Why honor war veterans with a civilian medal? These men faced discrimination at home and in the military because of their ethnicity. These soldiers are members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and 100th Infantry Battalion, World War II veterans, and Japanese Americans. Hiro Asai was born and raised in Turlock. His ...

Keyes to Learning moves to Turlock

The Keyes to Learning Charter School's junior high and high school students and faculty moved from its former location in Keyes to the Turlock Covenant Church in Turlock. Principal Lee Ann Stangl said the new official name of the school will be "The Key Academy." Kindergarten through sixth grades will remain at the Keyes location and the name will remain "Keyes to Learning." "We really just had to move because our student enrollment ...

Emanuel Cancer Center offers quit smoking kit

In support of November's lung cancer awareness month, Emanuel Cancer Center is offering smokers a free "Quit Kit" to help them kick the habit. Complimentary Quit Kits can be reserved online at emanuelmedicalcenter.org/quitter or by phone at 664-2434. Once reserved, Quit Kits can be picked up at Emanuel Cancer Center, 880 E. Tuolumne Rd. in Turlock, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding Thanksgiving and the day after).

The great debate: Turlocker or Turlockian?

Newspapers, just like any other industry, has its own way of doing things. Many of the "rules" we at the Journal follow in our reporting and writing are the standards laid out by the Associated Press in its "Stylebook," which is the yardstick that most newspapers follow in the industry - with a few notable exceptions, like the New York Times. But, as the Associated Press "Stylebook" is a general guideline, there are ...

Local businessman finds funding for homeless shelter

Turlock insurance salesman Grant Davis has a dream and what he calls "a vision from God." The dream is to build a campus-style shelter in Turlock to house the homeless and serve those afflicted with addiction to drugs or alcohol. In the last few days his dream took a huge jump toward reality. Davis has secured a letter of intent to provide $1 million from LandPro Development, based in Minneapolis, to form a ...