Local pet store accused of animal cruelty

A long-time pet store in Turlock is being investigated on allegations of animal cruelty. "There is an open investigation on an animal complaint at The Pet Shop," said Turlock Police spokesperson Sgt. Nino Amirfar. "There have been allegations of animal cruelty." Brian Trask, a local dog owner, said he gave a statement to a Turlock Animal Control officer about his experiences with The Pet Shop in May. Trask said he was called by a groomer ...

Six days to digital TV

Turlockers who make use of analog broadcast television were granted a four-month reprieve when the transition to digital TV was postponed from Feb. 17 to June 12, but the new cutoff date for analog broadcast television is now just six days away.

School’s out for summer but kids can find activities at camp

School is out for many elementary school students around Turlock, and parents are looking for something fun and safe for their children to do for the summer. The City of Turlock Recreation Division is offering summer camps for kids in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Passports now needed to return from Mexico, Canada

Americans planning a summer vacation to the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, Canada, or Mexico now might need to make a stop at their local passport office before hitting the road.

Program brings fresh food to seniors

Low-income senior citizens in Stanislaus county can get free produce from local farmers' markets through a program sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Chamber a champ at political advocacy

The Turlock Chamber of Commerce garnered statewide recognition earlier this month, as the California Chamber of Commerce bestowed the President's Circle award on the local chamber.

Canal Drive roadwork kicks off

Canal Drive, long known as Turlock's bumpiest road, is getting a much-needed makeover this year, which should result in a newly paved, easy to drive, east-west thoroughfare.

Lawsuit filed against city, ex-cop for half million

The Turlock teenager who claimed she was sexually assaulted by former Turlock police officer Jorge Cruz has filed a lawsuit against the city and is seeking $500,000 for pain and suffering.

Mosquito districts bitten by court decision, reduced tax dollars

Just as California enters the most dangerous time of the year for mosquito and West Nile virus outbreaks, mosquito abatement districts around the state are finding their ability to fight the pests hampered by new restrictions on mosquito sprays and reduced funding from the state.

Turlock company wins small business award

Jack Wilkey doesn't like to talk about his own achievements. When asked about his community involvement he can rattle off an impressive list - with a little help from the memory of his wife, Pat - of organizations that he has contributed to or been involved in over the years. But when he describes those organizations he talks about the good that they do, and not the good that he has done for them.

Country blaze burns hay, vehicles

A fire sparked by a welding torch burned through several junk cars and hay bales before firefighters were able to contain it.

Local autistic children try their hands at ranching

"Look mom, I'm really holding him!" said Connor Smith as he snuggled a rabbit. The 12-year-old Ceres boy was one of 22 area children with Autism that took part in A Day on the Farm, a one-day camp sponsored by the Society for Handicapped Children and Adults to introduce young people to activities typically seen on a horse ranch.

New beginnings for Turlock Poker Room

An era will come to an end at 7 a.m. Monday when the Turlock Poker Room will forever shutter the doors of its West Main and Locust streets card house, where it has continuously operated since opening on June 1, 2004.

Local poker players ante up with the big gals

As 1,060 of the best female poker players in the world gathered at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday to kick off the Ladies World Championship - event 17 of the World Series of Poker - six patrons of the Turlock Poker Room were counted among their ranks.

Public transportation hub rolls forward

The Turlock Planning Commission kept plans moving to construct a new public transportation hub during their Thursday night meeting, voting 6-1 in favor of the $1.75 million development.

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