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.

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 &ndash; 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 &ndash; and those famous never-ending breadsticks, soups, salads, and pastas &ndash; 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.