Governor vetoes university foundation public records bill

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday vetoed a bill which would have required university foundations – nonprofit auxiliaries intertwined with public universities that oversee private gifts to colleges – to comply with the Public Records Act.

Auditors find ‘deficiencies’ at Hughson City Hall

After a long and detailed audit for the 2008/2009 fiscal year, Hughson City Council members were presented with results and suggestions from auditors on Monday, who brought some not so pleasant news.

Council thanks unions for their support

The Turlock City Council unanimously agreed to citywide union concessions on Tuesday, dropping the city's deficit by $864,319 to $2.7 million.

City Council to consider union concessions

When the City of Turlock began considering the 2010-2011 budget earlier this year, the city faced a budget deficit in excess of $5 million. Through a series of budget cuts, that deficit dropped to $3.6 million in the adopted budget.

Millions spent to help county residents

The Stanislaus County Community Development Block Grant Consortium – consisting of Stanislaus County and Cities of Ceres, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson, and Waterford – received $2.6 million in state and federal funds last year.

Hughson council balances city budget

After a second budget study workshop on Thursday, the Hughson City Council can finally rest easy knowing they have a balanced and healthy budget to work with for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Turlock City Council briefs

The Turlock City Council on Tuesday unanimously voted to:

City to take bids on Public Safety Facility construction

After a four month delay, plans for Turlock's new, $35 million Public Safety Facility are back on track, following a unanimous Turlock City Council decision Tuesday evening.

Hughson council moves forward with city business

Monday's Hughson City Council meeting was filled with positive recognitions and the approval of many actions to help the city move in the right direction, which is a big change from the time during recall efforts to remove three council members.

County to cut services, employees in coming year

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors adopted a $918.8 million final budget for 2010-2011 on Tuesday morning, containing even more cutbacks than included in the initially proposed budget and forecasting more dire cuts in the years to come.

Police department complex could be sold to finance new Public Safety Facility

Plans to build a new $35 million Public Safety Facility for Turlock's Police and Fire departments – previously stymied by the state's May take of redevelopment funding – are back on the Turlock City Council agenda Tuesday, with a new funding mechanism in place.

Hughson looks to fill $70,000 gap in city budget

Hughson city staff brought a balanced budget to the City Council budget study session on Tuesday night, and left with a $70,000 deficit after council made suggestions in an effort to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Planning questions City Council’s big box store directive

The Turlock Planning Commission, tasked with reexamining the city's anti-big box store ordinance by the Turlock City Council, decided Thursday to solicit community feedback on the measure before taking any action.

Claims of harassment surround in-home care fraud investigations

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved expanding a program intended to catch those defrauding the system that pays people who provide in-home care for the elderly or disabled, though providers say the fraud investigators have traumatized patients.

Assembly approves bill to staff high-speed rail project office

California's effort to establish a high-speed rail system received a boost Tuesday, as the state legislature approved a bill to hire additional staff and prepare a plan to spend a recent influx of stimulus funds.

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.