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.

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

Electric rates set to increase