Disaster assistance available for small businesses

Small, non-farm businesses in San Joaquin County and the neighboring counties of Alameda, Amador, Calaveras, Contra Costa, Sacramento and Stanislaus are now eligible to apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U. S. Small Business Administration. "These loans offset economic losses because of reduced revenues caused by freezing temperatures that occurred in San Joaquin <span ...

County bus agency to hold public meeting about fare increases

The Stanislaus County Public Works Transit Division, administrators for the county's intercity bus system, Stanislaus Regional Transit or StaRT, will be holding a series of public information meetings to discuss a proposed fare increase to be effective Aug. 1.

Water group looks to build synergy

Local agencies are banding together to form a regional water management group in Stanislaus County &ndash; one of California's only populated areas not to have such a group &ndash; in hopes of obtaining millions in state water funds for local projects.

Egg farmers ask to join JS West in lawsuit

The Association of California Egg Farmers (ACEF), an industry association that represents 70 percent of California's egg farmers, filed an application to join JS West, a Modesto-based egg farming company, in a lawsuit against the State of California and the Humane Society of the United States.

Local business makes community service a priority

Every year Lancaster Painting donates labor and supplies to a family or nonprofit organization in need. They have done multiple projects for both the Stanislaus County Society for Handicapped Children and Adults and Westside Ministries.

Hashimoto takes helm at TID

After a six-month, international search for a new Turlock Irrigation District general manager, the Board of Directors decided the best candidate already had the job.

HEALTH: CPR SATURDAY

The American Red Cross held their 28th annual CPR Saturday this weekend, and the Stanislaus County office offered two-year certification classes for only $10. One certification location was California State University, Stanislaus, where Red Cross volunteers, including Turlock City Council member Amy Bublak, taught three-hour classes on CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED.) More than 150 people attended the Turlock classes, where they received two-year certifications in CPR ...

Local juniors win scholarships

The Distinguished Young Women of Turlock competition was held Saturday at the Turlock Community Auditorium and two local teens won top honors. Ashley Gomez was named North Turlock's Distinguished Young Woman of 2011 and Madison Patino won South Turlock's Distinguished Young Woman title.

Pedretti Field draws tourism dollars

Turlock will host a major softball tournament in August 2012, and the economic benefits for the town could be significant.

Japan quake shakes local man

A Central Valley man feels "good to be alive" today after witnessing firsthand the 8.9 magnitude earthquake that rocked Japan at 9:46 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Thursday.

Gas prices on the rise

California gasoline prices have risen by 32 cents per gallon in the last 14 days and 15.5 cents per gallon in the past week alone, averaging $3.87 per gallon &ndash; 82.8 cents higher than a year ago &ndash; according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Turlockers campaign for cancer screenings

Three Turlock community leaders have partnered with Emanuel Medical Center to encourage people to get colorectal screenings.

New fire chief sworn in

Tim Lohman officially became Turlock's newest fire chief during a ceremony at the City Council meeting Tuesday night.

Turlock Fire Department Fire Call Summary

Turlock Fire Department Fire Call Summary

County fair announces changes to livestock rules

The Stanislaus County Fair announced changes to livestock rules for the 2011 fair.

Fraternity helps prepare Thanksgiving meals

While most people are lounging around the house enjoying football and appetizers this Thanksgiving, the men of Eta Tau Chapter of Theta Chi fraternity will be hard at work. A group of Theta Chi members and their friends volunteer to prepare meals for the less fortunate every Thanksgiving. This year they will be working at the United Samaritans Foundation preparing the meals that will be served later that day on the lunch trucks. ...

Long road to economic recovery, states report

The Central Valley's progress out of the Great Recession is going to be a sluggish process that will take a few years, according to a recently released economic forecast from the University of the Pacific. The quarterly regional economic forecast from UOP's Business Forecasting Center is predicting a long haul toward recovery for the Central Valley - one that likely won't be reached until 2015. The Business Forecasting Center is predicting personal ...

Toy drive looks to double efforts

Bradley Pacheco developed meningococcal (spinal) meningitis when he was just five months old and he spent much of the rest of his life in and out of hospitals before passing away on Thanksgiving Day 2007 at eight years old. He developed severe complications from the meningitis and although he never learned to speak, doctors say his life was an incredible teaching experience for them. "Very few people survive meningococcal meningitis at such ...

Search for lost hikers called off

The search for two hikers swept over a Yosemite National Park waterfall in July has officially ended for the time being, park officials announced last week. Park officials said the conditions are becoming too dangerous to continue the search efforts for Ramina Badal, 21, of Manteca and Ninos Yacoub, 27, of Turlock, as rain and snow is starting to swell the Merced River. Search teams have been scouring the area of Vernal ...

Law enforcement urges safety when shopping

As hearty shoppers prepare for the craziness that is Black Friday, law enforcement agencies are hoping those preparations include a few steps that will make for a safe shopping experience.

Local businesses expect big holiday spending season

Small business owners in downtown Turlock admit they can't beat big box and chain stores when it comes to Black Friday super sales - but they can compete over the course of the holiday shopping season. The exploding niche markets of unique, hand-crafted and second-hand goods are helping small businesses in Turlock not only survive but thrive over the busiest shopping month of the year; which begins this Friday. Kim Jonson, ...

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 &ndash; 4 percent per year for the next three years &ndash; 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 ...