Big box still on the table

The big box discussion isn't over in Turlock quite yet.

Tax board sitting on $15 million in undelivered refunds

Due to bad addresses, nearly 49,000 Californians didn't receive their state income tax refund last year.

Hughson finance director retires; city hires part-time replacement

The City of Hughson is starting over with a clean slate in the new year. Three new council members joined the Hughson City Council after the recall election in August, and a new city manager was hired in September. Hughson will continue to see new faces at City Hall after the City Council approved the hiring of a new finance director on Monday. "Debbie Paul ...

Public Safety Facility back on track, despite bond issues

Turlock's oft-delayed Public Safety Facility is one step closer to becoming reality. On Tuesday night, the Turlock City Council unanimously approved issuing municipal bonds through the city's Redevelopment Agency to fund the majority of the $28 million project.

Oath of Office

Nine Stanislaus County officials were sworn in on Tuesday by Superior Judge William Mayhew.

Council to consider Public Safety Facility, big box stores, downtown core on Tuesday

The on-hold Public Safety Facility is back on the Turlock City Council's agenda on Tuesday, as the council will be asked to approve a more than $15 million bond issuance needed to finance the approximately $27 million project.

Target drops plans to expand grocery sales in Turlock

Target dropped plans to expand its Turlock store's grocery business on Thursday, just hours before the Planning Commission was set to consider the issue.

Denair student accompanies Congressman Denham to D.C.

When 13-year-old Denair student Cody Alicea questioned why he was told to take down the American flag off of his bicycle at school, he was standing up for his right to express his patriotism. Cody never dreamed his patriotism would take him all the way to the heart of the country - Washington, D.C.

A new call to service

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged a nation to, "ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country."

Despite budget cuts, Turlock sees busy project year

For most jurisdictions, 2010 was a time of budget cuts and austerity. But thanks to a healthy General Fund Reserve, federal stimulus funds, and union concessions, the City of Turlock was able to avoid layoffs and start new projects.

2010 elections bring big changes to Turlock, Hughson city councils

Coming into 2010, everyone knew the fall City Council election had the potential to drastically change Turlock's leadership.

A host of new laws take effect Jan. 1 regarding truancy, marijuana and online impersonation

Three hours after that big ball drops in New York City on Saturday – weather permitting, of course – more than 700 new laws will take effect in the State of California, changing penalties for marijuana possession, extending benefits for foster children, and banning trans-fat oil from bakeries, among hundreds of other changes. For more information, read on:

County to look at regionalization of services in coming year

The Journal asked Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa to look back at 2010 and ahead for 2011. The following is his perspectives on the county's past and future.

USDA offers conservation funding to organic producers

The USDA's Organic Initiative will enter its third year of helping organic producers and those looking to transition into organic production in 2011 with up to $50 million in funding. "Increasing consumer demand for organically grown foods is providing new opportunities for small and mid-size farmers to prosper and stay competitive in today's economy," Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said. "The 2008 ...

Lazar: Council up for challenges of 2011

The Journal asked Turlock Mayor John Lazar to look back at 2010 and ahead for 2011. The following is his perspectives on the city's past and future.

Mayors say ag plan still in works

A plan to preserve agricultural land in the county, driven by the Stanislaus County Mayors' Group, isn't intended to be a unilateral matter – and isn't anywhere near finished, say the county's mayors. That comes as news to planning commissions and city councils across the county, many of which responded with shock when a map of planned city growth boundaries was released last month with the Mayors' Group asking ...

Homeless day center planned for youth center

A day-time resource and assistance center for Turlock's homeless may soon open its doors at the city-owned Turlock Youth Center, located at 1030 East Ave.

County to hire 41 workers to fill social services needs

If there's any hire Stanislaus County would rather not make, it's this one. The embattled county will hire 41 new employees in the Community Services Agency to address surging demand for social services, supervisors decided Tuesday as part of a quarterly budget review. "It is becoming a harsh reality in Stanislaus County that the day-to-day life of many citizens is becoming more and more challenged by the poor economy at this time," ...

Nino named new Stanislaus County CEO

A national search to locate Stanislaus County's new chief executive officer found the best candidate was close to home. Monica Nino, currently the county assistant executive officer, will assume the role of Stanislaus County CEO effective Jan. 1, 2012. "We are extremely pleased with the results of this process and the selection of Ms. Monica Nino," said Dick Monteith, Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors chairman. "Ms. Nino has the experience, skills and ...

City prioritizes goals in newly passed Strategic Plan

With a few final tweaks, the Turlock City Council on Tuesday accepted the 2011-2013 City of Turlock Strategic Plan - a document intended to guide all Turlock policy through 2013.

Cost of stamps set to increase

The price to send a letter will rise by one cent, effective Jan. 22, 2012. A First-Class Forever stamp will cost 45 cents. The stamps currently cost 44 cents – a price they have held since their introduction in May 2009. The United States Postal Service said the price increase is necessary to address the ongoing financial crisis. "The overall average price increase is small and is needed to help address ...

Split council agrees to pay state millions to keep RDA

A split Turlock City Council on Tuesday took the next step toward paying the State of California $2.46 million to retain the city's redevelopment agency - a payment the majority of council still hopes the city won't have to make, given ongoing legal action. The "voluntary" RDA measure, approved by the state legislature in July as part of a balanced budget package, forces cities statewide to either shut down their redevelopment agencies - ...

Turlockers question General Plan premises

Nearly three years into the planning process, some Turlockers are still questioning the premise Turlock's General Plan Update – a document which will guide the city's growth for 20 years – is based on. Their concerns were aired at a public meeting to review the draft General Plan on Thursday evening, intended as an opportunity for the public to familiarize themselves with the near-final plan. The General Plan Update envisions Turlock growing ...

Council to consider strategic plan, adopt RDA ordinance

A special meeting will be held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall to adopt Turlock's 2011-2013 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 2007 and expired in 2009. The delay and a cancelled April follow-up meeting intended to continue work on the plan ...

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 ...