Courthouse to shutter doors

Reeling from an unprecedented budget cut at the state level, the Stanislaus County Superior Court has decided to close Turlock's courthouse and furlough workers.

Governor signs disaster assistance order

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger took the next step in assisting drought decimated areas of the Central Valley by activating the California Disaster Assistance Act.

Grand Jury clears Jackson

A long-sealed Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury report, released this week, finds Turlock City Councilwoman Mary Jackson did not violate common law conflict of interest laws by failing to recuse herself from Dec. 9, 2008, and Jan. 13 appeal hearings for the Vintage Lounge piano bar conditional use permit.

Garbage fees decrease, county facility fee changes on hold

Turlockers could find themselves smiling the next time they go to take out the trash, as the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors approved revisions in the maximum allowable rates for solid waste collection services that will spell discounts for residential consumers.

Upcoming elections sooner than you think

As thousands of Turlockers amble over to their calendar this morning, flip the page to the fireworks-themed picture of a fluffy kitty, and make plans to avoid the triple digit heat, the thought that Nov. 3 elections are now just four months away may seem hard to believe.

Car seat program sees funding at other nonprofits’ expense

The Turlock City Council unanimously agreed to add the Seated For Safety Car Seat program, a Turlock Fire and Emergency Services initiative, to the roster of programs receiving Turlock Community Development Block Grant funding in the 2009-2010 fiscal year during their Tuesday meeting.

Property taxes to fall this year

While the precipitous decline in housing values certainly isn't creating too many happy homeowners in the Central Valley, there is one bright spot amid the doom and gloom - property taxes will be lower this year for almost half of Stanislaus County residents, based on the newly released 2009-2010 Regular Assessment Roll.

THS stadium, Carnegie make RDA budget

The 2009-2010 Turlock Redevelopment Agency budget adopted late Tuesday evening looks to send $27.8 million of funding around the city to projects such as the Carnegie Arts Center, a Columbia Park water feature, and a proposed overhaul of Turlock High School's Joe Debely Stadium.

New regulations could make ‘safe, monitored care less available,’ says daycare provider

Turlock large family daycare providers turned out in full force for a special Planning Commission workshop on June 18 to discuss a set of harsher rules that could be imposed on new operators in town.

Residents, experts and city discuss Turlock housing

The Housing Element Update, a plan that will prepare the City of Turlock to meet housing needs through 2014, reached the next milestone in the planning process on June 18 as local residents gathered at City Hall for a workshop to hammer out particulars how the town can meet the needs of the elderly, poor, and homeless.

City welcomes Wasden

Before Tuesday's regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, the City of Turlock took an opportunity to honor its new city manager, Roy W. Wasden. Wasden took time to talk with Turlock Unified School District Trustee Timm LaVelle and with Chairwoman of the Carnegie Arts Foundation Patty O'Donnell. Wasden was officially sworn into office at the start of Tuesday's meeting.

Jackson investigation called off

A proposed formal investigation into Councilwoman Mary Jackson's alleged leak of Roy Wasden's candidacy for city manager will not occur, following a City Council commitment late Tuesday evening to, "uphold the utmost level of confidentiality and to unanimously call for swift investigations of any future leaks, should they occur."

Proposed new regulations have daycare providers in an uproar

Turlock large family daycare providers turned out in full force for a special Planning Commission workshop on Thursday to discuss a set of harsher rules that could be imposed on new operators in town.

Wasden leak not Jackson’s fault, memo says

A confidential memo sent from Mayor John Lazar to City Attorney Phaedra Norton confirms that Councilwoman Mary Jackson has been investigated - and cleared - for alleged misconduct related to the leak of Roy Wasden's candidacy for city manager.

Closed session confidentiality questioned

As the clock struck 10:30 p.m. Tuesday evening, the Turlock City Council still had one item left on their agenda, a seemingly innocuous discussion on the confidentiality of matters discussed in closed session meetings.

County earns state honors for top performing child agency

The Stanislaus County Department of Child Support Services was among those recognized at the Statewide Directors Meeting held Jan. 16. The county agency received the Most Improved Performance Award for 2012. Stanislaus County DCSS has a caseload over 31,000 serving more than 110,000 participants in the county. Over $49 million dollars was collected by the local agency in FFY 2012 and utilized at a cost effectiveness rate accumulating approximately $3.54 for every dollar ...

High-speed rail opponent Jeff Denham to chair House railroad panel

The California high speed rail plan may see detours in the future, as Republican Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) was named chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee for the 113th Congress. Congressman Denham, a notorious critic of the high speed rail project, initiated an amendment prohibiting funds for the railway in 2012, despite protests from President Barack Obama and a majority of the Democratic Party. As a member of the Transportation ...

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 ...