Local mayors support ‘My Vote Counts’ campaign

Mayors from Turlock, Hughson, Ceres, Modesto, Riverbank, Patterson, Newman and Waterford – and around the state – united on Tuesday to oppose Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to eliminate redevelopment agencies and enterprise zones in the coming state budget.

AG asks federal court to restore same-sex marriage now

On Tuesday, California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris asked the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to dismiss its order prohibiting same-sex marriages in California until an appeal of Proposition 8 is resolved.

Council approves revisiting big box ban in future

Want to build a big box discount superstore in the City of Turlock? Check back around 2020, a split Turlock City Council said Tuesday night.

County lays off 16 more workers

Stanislaus County's workforce will be growing smaller – again – following Board of Supervisors action on Tuesday.

2010 full of adjustments for fire department

For the first time in several years the number of calls the Turlock Fire Department responded to dropped in 2010, according to the department's annual report presented to the City Council Tuesday night.

Turlockers get face time with elected officials

The first ever Turlock Government Night drew elected officials from federal, state and local government to the same place at the same time to offer frank answers about budgets, projects and priorities.

Council increases city bus fares

Most fares on the Bus Line Service of Turlock will increase by about $.25 per ride, in an effort to meet state-mandated fare collection rates after a vote by the Turlock City Council Tuesday night.

Hughson joins county consortium for development funding

The City of Hughson will now join with a consortium of urban county cities to obtain Community Development Block Grant funds from the state rather than applying on its own, following a Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors vote on Tuesday night.

StanCOG passes on half-cent sales tax to support transportation, for now

Voters likely won't be asked to support a new, half-cent sales tax to support transportation projects until 2014, following Stanislaus County Council of Governments Policy Board action Wednesday night.

Washington haggles over high-speed rail funding

The Obama administration's six-year, $53 million plan to invest in the development of high-speed rail has earned plaudits from rail supporters, but House Republicans say the cost is too high in the down economy.

Hughson lays off five employees

Facing an unexpected General Fund deficit of $172,000 this year – expected to balloon to $514,000 next year – the Hughson City Council agreed to cut five of the city's 23 full-time staff members in an effort to balance the budget.

Council supports tax to benefit transportation

The majority of the Turlock City Council on Tuesday begrudgingly expressed support for the Stanislaus County Council of Government's plans to put a new, ½ cent sales tax to benefit transportation projects and road improvements on voters' ballots in November 2012.

Council divided on firefighter grant

After a close City Council vote the Turlock City Fire Department has been given the green light to pursue a federal grant that would pay for increased staffing.

Council reviews homeless shelter study area

Turlock's plan to comply with a state mandate to ease restrictions on constructing homeless shelters became clearer Tuesday night, as the Turlock City Council approved a study area where it will look to site 200 beds – up from the 100 bed figure suggested by city staff.

Turlock successes, struggles and plans for the future to top Mayor’s annual address

What was Turlock's biggest accomplishment in 2010? Surviving the economic downturn relatively intact, according to an advance copy of Turlock Mayor John Lazar's State of the City speech, to be delivered at 8 a.m. today at the Turlock Chamber of Commerce Membership Breakfast.

Olsen named ‘Legislator of the Year’ by Rural County Assoc.

The Rural County Representatives of California has selected Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) as one of two recipients for the annual "Patti Mattingly Award" for 2012. The Patti Mattingly Award is given to a policymaker who has demonstrated leadership on rural issues and an understanding of the unique challenges that rural communities face.

Olsen bill would offer CSU students fixed tuition fees

Tuition rates for incoming freshmen and transfer students may be more affordable, if a CSU Tuition Guarantee Bill introduced by Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen gets passed. The Modesto Republican introduced legislation known as AB 138 that would guarantee a fixed tuition rate to incoming freshman and transfer students for the next four years. "Students and parents deserve a reliable and reasonable tuition rate so they can plan for the investment," said Olsen, a ...

County loses bid for Health Exchange call center

As the state received news of a $673 million grant to help implement the new health care law, Stanislaus County was handed a bill of no sale. The county lost its bid to host a Local Health Benefit Exchange Call Center Site that was expected to bring 300 jobs to the county. "I'm saddened, yet fully supportive of the decision," said County Supervisor Vito Chiesa on Friday. "We'll be better prepared when ...

A greener vision for Stanislaus

How they voted

Motion: Request to appropriate $15,000 from the City of Turlock general fund reserve balance and transfer it to the Turlock Business Partnership Incentives Program. Councilwoman Amy Bublak: Yes Councilman Bill DeHart: Yes Councilman Steven Nascimento: Yes Councilman Forrest White: Yes Mayor John Lazar: Yes

Parks Commission takes smoke-free stand

The Turlock City Parks, Recreation and Community Programs Commission made a commitment to support a smoke-free policy at all public parks. Stanislaus Advocacy Action Team's project director Ken Fitzgerald made the case for smoke-free parks during Wednesday's Parks and Rec Commission meeting. StAAT was originally developed by the Stanislaus County Office of Education in response to an increase of tobacco use. The StAAT is anticipated to serve the general inhabitants of Stanislaus ...

Council gives boost to business incentives program

The Turlock Business Partnership Incentives Program has been so successful in aiding small businesses it now needs more money to keep it going.

City native donates statue of ancient Assyrian ruler

Queen Shamiram, the first woman to rule an empire without a man, may soon find a home in Turlock after the Turlock City Arts Commission voted to recommend the city accept a donated bronze statue of the ancient Assyrian ruler. Turlock native Narsai David presented a Model on Thursday of the proposed 9-foot bronze statue he wishes to donate to the city during one of the most well-attended Arts Commission meetings in the ...

Local legislators support Gov.'s budget proposal

The light at the end of the tunnel was seen Thursday morning as Gov. Jerry Brown outlined a 2013-14 balanced budget proposal that increases funding to all levels of education - and even includes a surplus.

Council moves forward with water study

By a 4 to 1 vote the Turlock City Council approved the commissioning of a water rate study that could clear the path for rate increases for Turlock residents in coming years. The City Council gave the go ahead for the Municipal Services Department to start accepting proposals from professional consulting services to assist in preparing the water rate study. Once the proposals have been gathered and studied, the Municipal Services Department will ...

Olsen selected as vice chair of Assembly Education and Agriculture committees

Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto) will serve as vice chair of the Assembly's Education and Agricultural committees, and will also serve on the Insurance, Higher Education, and Accountability and Administrative Review committees. "Education and agriculture are two of the three largest contributors to our state's economy and employment status," said Olsen. "As vice chair of these committees, I plan to work on policies that will boost our economy and promote job growth, encourage workforce ...

Water troubles back on City Council agenda

After a two-month delay, a study which could result in increased water rates is back before the Turlock City Council.

Amnesty for dog owners

In recognition of the second anniversary of the Thomas W. Mayfield Regional Animal Services Facility, the Stanislaus Animal Services Agency is offering a dog license amnesty program for the entire month of January. The amnesty program applies to residents in Modesto, Ceres, Patterson, Waterford, Hughson and the unincorporated areas of Stanislaus County. For the month of January there will be no late fees and no penalties for individuals purchasing dog licenses or ...

New laws for motorists

A host of new laws governing California's roadways, are set to take effect at the beginning of the new year.

Denham moves Modesto office

U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) announced a location change for his Modesto District Office, which is now open at 4701 Sisk Road, Suite 202, Modesto.