Carnegie bid $2.4 million less than expected

The proposed reconstruction of the Carnegie Arts Center now looks like it will cost less than the Turlock City Council ever imagined, as the lowest bid submitted tallied just $5.3 million, more than $2 million less than the $7.7 million in funding identified for the project in October 2007.

Youth football league investigation continues

The investigation into the embezzlement charges against two former Turlock Youth Football officials is still ongoing and police say it could be a significant time before any determination of wrongdoing, if any, is made.

TID offers cool way to save energy

Turlock Irrigation District customers with the sort of outdated heating and cooling systems that make electricity meters spin and budget-conscious homeowners cringe are now eligible for rebates that could make purchasing a new air conditioner a bit more palatable.

Former mayors get bestowed with namesake parks

Anyone who wants a park in the city of Turlock to bare their name might have to wait a while for the honor. At the Turlock Parks, Recreation and Community Commission meeting on June 10 the name "Dale Pinkney Park" was suggested for the last un-named park in Turlock.

First confirmed case of H1N1 influenza reported in Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County Public Health officials received confirmation on Friday from the state laboratory of a positive novel H1N1 case in the county. The affected county resident is a 22-year-old female who did not require hospitalization.

Hilmar Eagle Scout works on play park

Anthony Sarment, 14, recently achieved the highest rank possible in Boy Scouts of America, the rank of Eagle Scout. Sarment completed a project of re-finishing and painting the children's play park at Donnelly Park. The project took 35 people over 127 man hours to complete.

Year’s first case of West Nile virus in Stanislaus County

A dead American crow, found in Modesto, has tested positive for the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.

Tuesday flea market a bargain shopper’s paradise

Why is a flea market called a flea market? That might sound like the beginning of a bad joke, but it is a valid question. The Turlock Tuesday Flea Market features everything from live bunny rabbits to used gardening tools, but there is not a single flea for sale.

Thieves steal priceless mementos from cancer-stricken child

It's a sad fact of life that Dylan Givargiznia has come accustomed to bad news. When he was 6-years-old Dylan was hit with the life-altering news that he had a rare form of leukemia. Since then he has been on a roller coaster of remissions and reoccurrences that have taken him in and out of the hospital. Now, the 10-year-old boy is dealing with the news that his prognosis has worsened and his odds of ...

Unions call for changes in wake of prison guard’s death

As the one year anniversary of Jose Rivera's death approaches, prison guard unions are stepping up the pressure for reforms within the Bureau of Prisons and for new safety regulations.

Program helps teens realize their leadership potential

Toni Deguire has been a member of the Teen Advisory Council since fall of 2004, when she was in eighth grade. Deguire graduated from Pitman High School earlier this month and ended her five year membership with the council. She said that being a member of the Teen Advisory Council helped her to realize her leadership potential and become more involved.

H1N1 cases reported in Stanislaus and Merced counties

Stanislaus and Merced counties have reported two probable cases each of the H1N1 virus, while the global community prepares for a pandemic.

Irrigation water lessened by federal decision

California's farmers could be hard hit by a biological opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service on Thursday, which calls for pumping operations in the Central Valley Project and the California State Water Project to be changed.

Lawsuit filed over guard’s fatal stabbing

The family of Jose Rivera, the prison guard stabbed to death by two inmates, has filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Prisons alleging poor management and unsafe working conditions contributed to his death.

Free meals available to students through summer

Low-income students in the Turlock Unified School District can continue to receive free lunch even when school is out for summer break. TUSD offers the Summer Food Service Program to any child under the age of 18 during the months of June and July at select school locations.

Holiday happenings liven up downtown

Downtown Turlock had a few more skeletons - and ghosts, goblins and fairies - than usual on Friday as the Turlock Certified Farmers Market marked the end of its season with a Fall Festival night market and the Carnegie Arts Center held a Dia De Los Muertos celebration.

Denair’s Cody Alicea to host Veteran’s Day BBQ

One year after Denair student Cody Alicea took a stand for his right to fly the American flag at school, Cody's patriotism is still running high. The high school freshman and his family will be hosting a Veteran's Day barbecue at the American Legion Hall Post. 88 in Turlock. Cody is hoping to feed 1,000 veterans and supporters at the luncheon. In November of last year a national media and social firestorm erupted ...

Assyrian Civic Club celebrates its long history in Turlock

The Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock celebrated several milestones on last Saturday. They commemorated 100 years of Assyrian history in Turlock; they celebrated 65 years of AACCT membership; and they recognized the oldest living Assyrian in Turlock. Assyrian history in Turlock dates back to 1911 when a man named Isaac Adams arrived in town. Adams was a driving force behind the Assyrian immigration to the Central Valley of California. Many Assyrian families ...

Salas sworn in as Postmaster of Turlock, following in footsteps of family, nation’s leaders

Abraham Lincoln. Benjamin Franklin. William Faulkner. While known as presidents, inventors, and writers, all three had another profession in life: that of the postmaster. Now, Ronda Salas joins their ranks, the newest Postmaster of Turlock – and the city's first full-time postmaster in four years – having been sworn in on Thursday. "The position is so important we have the person actually take an oath," explained Tony Cordova, Riverbank Postmaster, who led ...

Local man volunteers skills for ‘Extreme Makeover’

A local man went above and beyond his normal job duties when he traveled all the way to Medford, Ore. to volunteer his time for the television program "Extreme Makeover Home Edition." The show builds brand new houses for worthy families in need. Scott Jerner spent several days in Medford in September helping to build a brand new home for the McPhail family, a family of five including two autistic children. "I got ...

Hospice event offers help to those grieving during the holidays

Losing a loved one can be very difficult, especially during the holiday season. Hospice of Emanuel is hoping to help those dealing with loss through a free workshop titled, "Coping with the Holidays." "The holidays will come whether or not we are ready for them," said Sandy Ricardo, support services coordinator at Hospice of Emanuel. "Part of our mission at Hospice of Emanuel is to help the bereaved cope ...

Local woman transforms yard into ghoulish display for kids to enjoy

Stephanie Valgos and her family and friends are hard at work building the creepiest house in the neighborhood. Valgos' haunted house is a community effort and is open to the public for free. "This is something that brings the whole neighborhood together. The kids all like to help us decorate," Valgos said. Valgos came up with her haunted house idea five years ago when she noticed that a few neighbor kids were ...

Fall Fest brings market to a close

Friday will mark the final appearance of the Turlock Certified Farmers' Market for the season and it will be ushered out with day and night markets, Halloween festivities and live music. The downtown market on Broadway will be open during the regularly scheduled hours of 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Then, starting at 4 p.m. and continuing until 8 p.m., the market will host the 2nd Annual Fall Fest. The street ...

Farmers seek longer irrigation season

The latest irrigation season in the history of the Turlock Irrigation District may be extended further, as some farmers have asked for a longer irrigation season to cope with slow-growing crops. The irrigation season, currently due to end Nov. 3, has already been extended two weeks from a planned Oct. 19 close due to a historically rainy water year. But September rains delayed some crops even further, with growing seasons already pushed back ...

Infant mortality rates reach record low

The California Department of Public health announced this week that infant mortality rates in the state have reached a record low. This decrease in infant death rates is attributed to prenatal care, genetic testing to identify health risks at birth, breastfeeding, childhood immunizations, and continuing proper nutrition.

Health department recalls spinach, salad mixes

The California Department of Public Health is once again issuing a warning to consumers regarding a salmonella contamination. This time CDPH is warning shoppers to avoid certain bagged spinach and salad mix manufactured by Taylor Farms Retail Inc., Salinas. A package of fresh spinach tested positive for Salmonella in Washington. So far no cases of illness have been reported. The salad mix and spinach are packaged under the brand names Fresh Selections, HEB, Marketside, and ...

County labor force shows gains for September

The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County continued to show some improvement in September as several industries recorded job growth, according to the latest figures from the Economic Development Department. While there was improvement for the month and year-end figures, the overall job losses show Stanislaus County still struggling with a depletion of available jobs. The unadjusted seasonal unemployment rate for Stanislaus County in September was at 15.1 percent, the lowest level recorded ...

Fighting cancer for Candy

Pink car tribute to family members

Turlock Relay for Life holds kickoff event