Olsen bill seeks free access to State Parks for veterans

After passing the Assembly floor early last week, a bill created by Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) is currently awaiting the Governor's signature. The bill would see veterans and active-duty military members receive free admission to state parks on both Memorial and Veteran's Day. "I am hopeful that Governor Brown will sign this bill into law as a way of honoring our veterans and soldiers to commemorate and thank them for their selfless service ...

Council to consider using gas tax revenue to offset cost of fixing sidewalks

Although sidewalks are considered public domain, Turlock property owners are held financially responsible for maintaining and repairing the sidewalk adjacent to their property.

Intersection to be improved at Del’s Lane and Golden State

Construction can soon be expected near Del's Lane and Golden State Boulevard within the coming months, as the City Council approved an agreement on Tuesday evening to move forward with intersection improvements in the area. According to the City of Turlock, the improvement project was selected as a recipient of federal funds under the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program. The area is known to experience high levels of traffic congestion as ...

Denham to host job fair

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) wants to see more jobs in his hometown. Last week, Denham announced his 2013 Central Valley Job Fair in his efforts to spur employment in Stanislaus County. The job fair, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 25 at the Modesto Centre Plaza, will help connect employers with job seekers and provide an opportunity for face-to-face meetings. "The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County ...

Council considers project to decrease groundwater contamination

Groundwater in downtown Turlock is contaminated, and the city is working to clean it up. On Tuesday, the Turlock City Council will vote an agreement between the city and a groundwater monitoring agency in a continued attempt to treat tetrachloroethylene, a volatile organic compound, that is present in the city's groundwater near the downtown area. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, people who drink water containing ...

Zoning ordinance set to receive total makeover

Turlock residents can expect some serious changes in the zoning ordinance in the near future. On Thursday night, the Turlock Planning Commission held a public workshop to discuss the possible changes to the numerous zoning requirements that are expected to be implemented early next year. Although no action was taken by the commission, it was presented with changes that are associated with the overhaul of the former zoning ordinance. The two hour ...

Council renews lease for homeless day center

Every day 20 to 30 individuals find temporary respite from the streets at the Turlock Gospel Mission Homeless Assistance Ministry. Turlock's first homeless day center opened in February 2012 in the city's former youth center on East Avenue. Last week, the Turlock City Council voted to extend the lease of the Homeless Assistance Ministry Center, however, for a shorter time than what was originally requested. According to board ...

Mayor shines light on Denair Park

At Tuesday night's City Council meeting, Turlock Mayor John Lazar made one thing very clear. He wants to bring attention to Denair Park. In recent years, Denair Park, along with other downtown parks like Crane and Central Park, has reportedly become a hotspot for the city's rising homeless populations, which is now estimated at around 400-500 members. "It's unsightly, and brings down the ...

Jail release, healthcare law funding boost county budget

Stanislaus County officials released an updated budget for 2013-2014 on Friday, which includes a 3.2 percent increase from the budget adopted in June. The new recommended budget for 2013-2014 totals $1,042,987,731, a 3.2 percent increase over the previously adopted budget and a 6 percent increase in comparison to last year's budget. The increase in spending is credited to the additional federal revenue for social services programs and revenue associated ...

Water rates could rise nearly 300 percent in 10 years

Residents of Turlock may be paying more for their water. A lot more. The City of Turlock has lost around $900,000 in revenue based on the current water rate structure, according to the results of a 100 page water study performed by Nevada-based company Municipal Financial Services. In light of these losses, and in an attempt to make the city's water situation more ...

Rural business seeks clean water from City of Turlock

Every day, 87 employees and 15 to 20 visitors at Associated Feed and Supply, a feed producer located on West Main in rural Turlock, have to resort to drinking bottled water instead of accessing their own wells for tap water. Why? High levels of arsenic. In an attempt to obtain clean water, Associated Feed has requested a direct connection to the City of Turlock water system. ...

Turlock resident named to Air Board

State Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) officially swore in Turlock Resident John Eisenhut on Friday as the newest appointee to the California Air Resources Board. Eisenhut, who was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday, will be replacing Dorene "DeeDee" D'Adamo, as she is set to move on the State Water Resources Board later this month. Canella stated that the appointment of Eisenhut is something that will bring a stronger voice of ...

Turlock bids for Amgen Tour

Imagine thousands of screaming fans, jam packed streets and world class athletes cycling down the streets at unimaginable speeds. Now imagine all this, happening right here in Turlock. Last Tuesday, the Turlock City Council provided letters to the Turlock Convention Visitors Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce in support of the application to host a stage event for the 2014 Amgen Tour of California. <p class="MsoNormal" ...

Turlock officials presented with 'Valley Vision'

In an attempt to make the roads less congested, jobs more available and air in the Valley much cleaner, the Stanislaus Council of Governments has created a plan of action. On Thursday night, members of the Turlock Planning Commission were presented with the "Valley Vision Plan" as a possible alternative to the city's general plan that was implemented last year. The plan itself is a long-range ...

Parks Commission shoots down dog park rename, halt on Crane Park additions

The word "aye" seemed to be missing at Wednesday's Parks, Recreation and Community Programs Commission meeting, as members of the commission failed to pass both items on the agenda. The first item to be struck down was the possible name change of Turlock's Centennial Park, located on Countryside Drive, to Swanson Park. The Swanson family, who owns the local Pet Extreme, offered to donate $35,000 for the building of a dog park on the ...

Retiring city employees honored by Council

During Tuesday evening's City Council meeting, a handful of city employees were honored for their years of service and dedication as they prepare for retirement. Fire Captain Larry Chalupnik served the Turlock Fire Department for nearly 28 years, having started working toward a career in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter with TFD in December 1983. In 1985, Chalupnik started as a full-time firefighter with the City of Turlock, being active in ...

Centennial Park to get new name, dog park

After several months of discussion, the Turlock City Council voted to approve the construction of a new dog park at Turlock's Centennial Park, following a generous donation of $35,000 by the Swanson Family and Pet Extreme. The dog park won't be the only change to the park, however. As per the family's request, the City-owned facility will be renamed to the "Swanson-Centennial Park," a decision that not all city officials supported. In ...

Council votes to extend freeze on food truck permits

New food truck vendors will not be welcomed to Turlock any time soon, following the City Council's decision on Tuesday to extend a temporary freeze on issuing new mobile food facility permits. At their last meeting of the year, the City Council voted unanimously to extend the halt on the issuance of mobile food facility permits for a period of 10 months and 15 days. In November, the City issued a 45-day moratorium ...

Council to tackle food vendor zoning

Tuesday evening marks the last City Council meeting for 2013, with the council taking on a full agenda.

Keyes biorefinery plant against Olsen ethanol bill

Food truck future in downtown looks dismal

Food trucks may not be included in the future of Turlock's downtown, following Thursday's Planning Commission meeting where the general consensus was not in favor of the mobile facilities. During Thursday's meeting, the Planning Commission and City staff held a public workshop on whether or not food trucks should be allowed in the downtown core district, running primarily along Main Street from Palm to Lander. The purpose of the meeting, said planning ...

High Speed Rail faces more setbacks

TID makes progress with Don Pedro Project

The Turlock Irrigation District continues to make significant progress with the Don Pedro Project - a relicensing process that has been moving forward since 2011. Last Tuesday, TID and the Modesto Irrigation District worked together to file their Draft License Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. According to TID, the DLA provides an opportunity for public review and comment on the application before the two districts file the Final License Application in ...

Economic development task force reviews City’s accomplishments

Sometimes you cannot know where you are going until you know where you have been. This was the mantra of the Mayor's Economic Development Task Force on Tuesday, as the group reviewed the City's accomplishments over the past 10 years to discuss how Turlock might continue moving forward. Noting the economic development plan of 2003, members of the task force highlighted some significant changes that have occurred in Turlock in the span ...

City seeks community input on food trucks