Hughson residents discuss recall election possibilities

After the three Hughson City Council members have made it clear they will not resign, Hughson residents have taken the matter into their own hands.

Partnership key to county success in 2010, says Grover

Chairman of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors Jeff Grover delivered the 2010 State of the County address on Tuesday, offering a message of cautious hope for the county despite dismal economic conditions.

Hughson votes out city manager; mayor calls for resignations

Many controversial issues were tackled at Monday night's Hughson City Council meeting, that saw community and council members speaking out of turn in heated debate.

Census participation essential, says county

Tuesday marked the start of the 2010 Census campaign in Stanislaus County, as county officials and community leaders gathered in Modesto Center Plaza to convey the importance of the once-per-decade population count.

Farmers implore legislators to find water solutions now

U.S. Reps. Dennis Cardoza (D-Merced) and Jim Costa (D-Fresno) held a briefing on Thursday at the Los Banos Fairgrounds to discuss the valley water crisis, but many of the 200 plus in attendance weren't happy with the seeming lack of short-term solutions to the lowest water allocations in history.

Public calls for councilmen’s resignations

Over 100 angry residents filled the Hughson Community Senior Center on Monday demanding the three council members that the Civil Grand Jury found "promoted their own agenda against the best interests of the citizens of Hughson" resign.

Health and Human Services hardest hit by governor’s proposed budget

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed his 2010 budget proposal on Friday, calling for $8.5 billion in spending cuts and $6.9 million in federal money - but no new taxes - as part of his plan to bridge an expected $20 billion state deficit through June 30, 2011.

Piano bar given pass on midnight restriction

What was controversial in 2009 was an easy decision in 2010. On Thursday, the Turlock Planning Commission unanimously approved extending the hours of operation for the Vintage Lounge Piano Bar from 12 midnight to 1:30 a.m. daily.

Denham now seeks seat in U.S. Congress

The 2010 election landscape shifted significantly on Tuesday, and once again State Senator Jeff Denham (R-Merced) was at the center of the changes.

Bublak and Jackson look back on their first year in office

2009 may have been the last year of the decade, but it was the first year in office for new Turlock City Councilwomen Mary Jackson and Amy Bublak. Despite a number of challenges, ranging from the economy to controversial local issues, both councilwomen look back on the year as a successful one.

Civil Grand Jury finds Hughson City Council members in violation of Brown Act

Three Hughson City Council members received not so glad tidings on Tuesday when the Civil Grand Jury handed down a recommendation that they be removed from office.

Poker room to grow, city to profit

The Turlock Poker Room will grow from 10 to 14 tables, following the acceptance of a new development agreement with the city.

Commission blames Debely for loss of teen center funding

The Turlock Parks, Recreation and Community Commission went on record at their Wednesday meeting to disapprove of the Turlock City Council's decision to use Redevelopment Agency funds to renovate Joe Debely Stadium.

Council approves ‘In God We Trust’

The Turlock City Council approved plans late Tuesday evening to display the national motto "In God We Trust" and the preamble to the United States Constitution in Turlock City Hall, despite some legal concerns.

City of Hughson employees spread thin with six vacant positions

In these bad economic times, it is expected for mangers to take on more responsibility to fill vacant positions but the City of Hughson city manager is being stretched to the point of breaking.

More affordable housing needed, finds report

While housing prices have dropped, California still needs more affordable housing, according to a new state Department of Housing and Community Development report. "Prior to the foreclosure crisis and current economic downturn (also known as the Great Recession), California had experienced decades of undersupply, contributing to significant price escalation and the affordability crisis," the report reads. "... While the recession of the early 1990s was most devastating with regard to poverty and unemployment, ...

Failing water meters to get upgrade

City expects no changes for skate park when police offices move

The future of Turlock's popular skate park, located adjacent to the current Turlock Police Department, is in question given the construction of the new Public Safety Facility several blocks away. Turlock Parks, Recreation, and Community commissioners posed the question a month ago: without the close police presence, would the park – home to some acts of crime throughout the years – continue? But commissioners learned Tuesday that the skate park will remain ...

Voters to decide library tax on June ballot

A voter supported one-eighth cent sales tax has been the lifeblood of the Stanislaus County Library since its 1995 inception. But the fate of that sales tax, due to expire in 2013, will be up to voters once again in the June 5, 2012 Primary Election, following the Board of Supervisors' Tuesday action to place the issue on the ballot for renewal. The county's dedicated library sales tax was the first such ...

Council looks at replacing failing water meters

The Turlock City Council will consider a $495,225 upgrade to the city's failing automated water meter reading system at their next meeting on Tuesday.

Planning passes on regional ag map

A countywide initiative intended to preserve agricultural land, driven by local mayors, was shot down by the Turlock Planning Commission on Thursday for sidestepping existing planning efforts and failing to truly protect farmland. The initiative, known as the Agricultural Preservation Plan Map 2050, asks cities to clearly define their borders as of the year 2050. By doing so, the areas outside of the 2050 boundaries would be preserved for agriculture. The plan ...

City balks at proposed storm drain regulations

Washing your own car or having sprinklers that splash onto the sidewalk could soon be illegal, due to a proposed new state storm water permit. The new permit, drafted by the State Water Resources Control Board, is based on a concept of "only rain down the drain." Planners say they're attempting to meet federal regulations, but local officials say they've gone far beyond the realm of reason. "The requirements are so prescriptive, ...

What should come first, money or a plan?

Should Turlock be practical, given budgetary constraints, or should it aim for the stars? The question was front and center at a special meeting of the Turlock City Council on Tuesday, where council members went to work updating the city's strategic plan. The plan, a conceptual long-term planning document which will guide Turlock policy through 2013, has been in the works since March. Before that effort, the document had lain dormant since ...

Stanislaus County receives federal grant for preventative health programs

A federal grant aimed at getting to the root causes of chronic diseases was recently awarded to the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency. The Capacity Building Grant of $293,899 was awarded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of a block of Community Transformation grants. The Capacity Building Grant money is to be used for laying the foundation for sustainable community prevention programs and practices that tackle smoking, ...

Ag secretary lauds Obama’s jobs plan in California

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack visited the state this week, lauding the positive impacts President Barack Obama's proposed American Jobs Act would have on Californians. "The American Jobs Act provides common-sense steps we can take right now to put more people back to work and put more money in the pockets of working Americans, without adding a dime to the deficit," Vilsack said to attendees at a business roundtable in Sacramento. The ...

Council votes to keep RDA options open

With the fate of redevelopment agencies statewide still hazy at best, a split Turlock City Council decided to keep its options open Tuesday, approving a resolution which will allow Turlock to decide whether or not to retain its agency at a later date. The move effectively informed the state that Turlock may eventually decide to issue a large "ransom" payment to the state in exchange for the right to keep its agency active, ...

Council to plan the future of Turlock

It's time for some long term planning, says Turlock City Hall.

City reports successful summer for rec programs

Turlock Parks and Recreation wrapped up a successful year of summer programming earlier this month. They saw high participation numbers across the board, and they received grant funding to offer summer programming to ACES after school program participants. "Our numbers were high from youth to adults. Summer went very well," said Erik Schulze, recreation senior supervisor. Turlock Recreation ran a special summer clinic for students who participated in the ACES after-school program ...

Council hires firm to recruit new police chief

The search for Turlock's next full-time police chief kicked off Tuesday, when the Turlock City Council approved hiring Teri Black and Co. to conduct an executive recruitment process. The recruiter will be tasked with finding a successor to former Chief Gary Hampton, who left to head the Tracy Police Department on July 31. Since then, Dave Young has served as the Interim Chief of Police. The use of an outside recruiter drew ...

Council awaits decision on RDA take legality

The future of redevelopment remains hazy, but the City of Turlock is attempting to plan for whatever fate may befall redevelopment agencies statewide. The Turlock City Council held a special workshop Tuesday specifically to discuss the city's options following the state's action to force all redevelopment agencies to either close their doors, or pay large fees to the state. "I think it's just a wait and see for me right now," said ...