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.

Training mission long time coming for local man

Food assistance program for seniors

TID offers new efficient window program

As winter sets in, drafty windows don't just keep houses cold – they also waste energy used to heat homes. The Turlock Irrigation District and Habitat for Humanity Stanislaus County have partnered to address this problem with the Windows of Hope program, offering affordable energy efficient windows to low-income families. The program offers energy efficient windows for $25 each, regardless of size. Customers are asked to install the windows on their own, ...

Fire chars room

A fire from an undetermined cause destroyed a garage that had been converted into a bedroom. The fire was reported at 7:11 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of Hedstrom Road. All occupants of the home made it out safely, the Turlock Fire Department reported. Fire fighters found heavy smoke pouring from the bedroom when they arrived. Crews were able to keep the flames from spreading and had the fire under ...

Don't panic: It's just a test

Next Wednesday every television and radio station will broadcast the familiar squawks and beeps of an emergency test, but this time the test will be broadcast out across the country. The first-ever nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System will occur at 11 a.m. Wednesday. The test will last approximately three minutes and is being conducted jointly by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, ...

THE FIRE LANE

The Turlock Fire Department responded to a total of 442 incidents during the month of October. These incidents included a total of 268 emergency medical service calls. Turlock Fire responded to 17 motor vehicle accidents, and 33 commercial/ residential fire alarms. There were a total of 26 fire type calls: Seven building fires, one vehicle fire, two unauthorized burnings, five cooking fires, nine vegetation and/or rubbish fires, one Dumpster fire, and one additional fire classified ...

After-school, meal programs set to close

A much-needed meal program serving families on the Westside of Turlock will soon come to an end due to lack of funding. For years Westside Ministries -an organization that provides social, educational and spiritual services to children and families on the Westside of Turlock - served a free meal on Wednesday and Sunday nights and lunches for those kids who were out of school when there was year-round tracks . Two years ...

Thorsen’s celebrates 100 years in business

Thorsen's Inc. is celebrating 100 years of history this month. Thorsen's Plumbing received a business license from the City of Turlock in 1911, and it has been owned by the Thorsen family since that time. Thorsen's is the oldest family owned business in Turlock, and the business grew with the town. Anders "Andy" Thorsen was born in Norway but immigrated to the United States as a child. He walked from Stockton to Turlock ...

Olive Garden to launch Monte Vista Crossings expansion

Turlock could soon be home to a little Hospitaliano – and those famous never-ending breadsticks, soups, salads, and pastas – as the Olive Garden Italian restaurant considers expanding to the city's Monte Vista Crossings shopping center. "The Olive Garden is moving forward," said Steve Hale, a permit expeditor with the project. The new restaurant is planned for 2701 Countryside Dr., a currently vacant site just south of the existing Kohl's. Planning documents ...

2011 marks latest close of irrigation season in TID history

After a workable solution was found for farmers in need of water, the Turlock Irrigation District announced the 2011 irrigation season will be extended no further: tonight marks the official close of the season. The move comes despite calls made by farmers a week ago to extend the season, due to a growing season delayed by a late start to summer and cold spells in September. At that time, the district said it ...

Fire damages quilt store

A fire in two trash cans ignited a blaze in a Turlock quilting store that destroyed approximately $175,000 in property and contents, according to the Turlock Fire Department. The fire was initially reported around 10 a.m. Saturday in an alley way behind Cloth and Quilts at 627 E. Main St. When fire fighters arrived, they found two plastic trash cans fully ablaze. The cans were up against a metal roll up door ...

Winds prompt air quality warning

The current deteriorating state of the Central Valley's air basin has prompted air officials to issue a health warning and the first burning prohibition of the season in several counties. Because of gusty winds kicking up large amounts of dust and particles, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District issued a health warning to residents, especially those with respiratory problems. The warning was for Stanislaus, Merced, San Joaquin, Madera, western Fresno ...

Local gymnasts shine at competition

The Gymnastics Unlimited level 4 competitive team (ages 6 to 11) recently won three out of four competitions, something Unlimited owner Paul Mayer says is a big time accomplishment. At a competition in Oroville, the team took the all-around award in nearly every age group. Of the 19 girls on the team, 15 have already qualified for the state championship.

Halloween fun

Turlock's annual Halloween event brought goblins, ninjas and princesses downtown for trick-or-treating and festive fun. The 12:10 Lions Club of Turlock and the Kiwanis Club of Turlock teamed up for their annual haunted maze. Alpha Xi Delta sorority of California State University, Stanislaus provided pumpkins for the maze and held a Halloween Carnival on Broadway.

Tricks and treats at the library

Normally the Turlock branch of the Stanislaus County Library system is a quiet place but on Thursday morning it was full of screams, howls and cries of madness when dozens of trick-or-treaters invaded for a Halloween story time.