Keep Your Home California program expanded to allow more homeowners to qualify

The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) expanded eligibility criteria for several of the Keep Your Home California programs, making them available to a larger number of families at risk of losing their home.

Lawsuit forces changes in indigent healthcare program

A revision to the county's medically indigent adult healthcare program, forced by a lawsuit, will make free or low-cost healthcare available to more county adults, affect payment schedules for many existing participants, and raise county costs.

Task force to consider supervisor redistricting

A new citizens' advisory task force will help with a mandated redistricting of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors' districts, following board action Tuesday morning.

Local legislators lobby for Florida high-speed rail money

Local political leaders are hailing the California High-Speed Rail Authority's unanimous decision on Wednesday to pursue a further $2.43 billion in federal funding recently made available – and urging the federal government to allocate those funds to California.

Council considers return of bingo at Assyrian American club

After an eight year gap, bingo could return to Turlock – should the City of Turlock and the Assyrian American Civic Club reach common ground on rules and regulations for the game.The Turlock City Council discussed changes the current bingo ordinance on March 23, but didn't come to any solutions which would be mutually agreeable.The Assyrian American Civic Club hosted ...

Northwest growth still an option

Residential growth to the northwest of Highway 99 is still on the table for the City of Turlock, following a split Turlock City Council decision Tuesday night.

New resolution promotes eating locally grown food

Eating locally isn't just a trendy, healthy way too cook – it's also California's newest strategy to bolster the State budget.

State budget to cut funding to colleges, prisons, welfare

Facing a $26.6 billion deficit, both houses of the California Legislature approved the main budget bill last week, but will not send the legislation to Gov. Jerry Brown until a remaining $12.6 billion deficit can be broached.

Public Safety Facility funding ‘on track,’ says Wasden at groundbreaking

After years spent planning, meeting and navigating bond markets, the City of Turlock broke ground on the new, 57,570 square foot home for Turlock's police and fire departments on Tuesday.

City budget process begins

The Turlock City Council on Tuesday began the process of adopting the 2010-2011 budget &ndash; a process they hope to complete on May 10 &ndash; by accepting all preliminary non-general fund budgets. The unanimous motion adopted those budgets, which primarily deal with rate-based services such as sewer, water, and street lighting. <p style="margin: 0in ...

Council preview

On Tuesday, Turlock City Council is scheduled to:

City to be ‘lean, but effective’ in future

For the last three years, the Turlock City Council has been in a reactionary mode &ndash; by members' own admission.

City invests in Regional Recycled Water Project

The groundbreaking North Valley Regional Recycled Water Project took a step toward reality Tuesday night, when the Turlock City Council unanimously voted to apply for a grant to help fund a needed feasibility study.

County supervisors grant extension to West Park developer

By a split, 3-2 vote, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors approved continuing work on a new, smaller version of the oft-maligned West Park inland port development.

State troubles prompt city to make RDA changes

On the same day area mayors gathered in Modesto to lobby Gov. Jerry Brown to forego his planned elimination of all redevelopment agencies statewide, the City of Turlock took steps to ensure its own redevelopment money is committed before the state potentially seizes uncommitted RDA funds across the state.

Longer hours, more vendors will improve farmers market, say students

A group of California State University, Stanislaus students has big ideas on how to improve Turlock's Farmers Market.

Yamzon named StanCOG director

Carlos Yamzon has been named the new Executive Director of the Stanislaus County Council of Governments. Yamzon was appointed by vote of the StanCOG Policy Board on Tuesday evening. Yamzon spent five years as StanCOG Senior Planner, and 27 years at the California Department of Transportation. Since June, Yamzon has served as StanCOG Interim Executive Director. The position became vacant when then-director Vince Harris resigned in June to assume the post ...

Valley counties in trouble with new clean air standards

New clean air standards announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Friday could be tough for some Valley counties to meet. The new nationwide standard allows no more than 12 micrograms of harmful fine particle pollution &ndash; particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, like soot &ndash; in a cubic meter of air. That PM2.5 can lead to plaque deposits in arteries, leading to vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis, according to the American Medical ...

City seats new council members

The new Turlock City Council, entrusted with guiding the city through 2014, was seated on Tuesday. Newcomer Steven Nascimento was sworn-in Tuesday alongside returning Councilmember Amy Bublak in front of a crowd of family, friends, and notable Turlockers. Both were elected on Nov. 6. "Welcome Steven, happy to have you up here," Mayor John Lazar said as the council was seated. "And welcome Amy, happy to have you back." Just before ...

Planning revisits electrified fencing ban

Criminals could get a bit of a shock the next time they try to break into a secured area. Electrified security fences may soon be made legal in the City of Turlock, following an early endorsement from the Turlock Planning Commission on Thursday. "I think it's a legitimate request," said Planning Commission Chair Michael Brem. "&hellip; Let's just get on with this, and let's get it done as quickly as we can." ...

City to swear in new council members Tuesday

Turlock's two newest council members will be sworn in at 7 p.m. on Dec. 11. Incumbent Amy Bublak, a Modesto Police Officer, will be sworn in alongside council newcomer Steven Nascimento, a former Parks, Recreation, and Community Commissioner and District Director for State Sen. Anthony Cannella (R &ndash; Ceres). The two earned the most votes of four competitors in the Nov. 6 election. Also being sworn in will be incumbent City Treasurer ...

Health Benefit Exchange site could bring hundreds of jobs to county

Inauguration tickets available

A limited number of tickets for President Barack Obama's upcoming inauguration ceremony will be made available through the office of U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham (R &ndash; Turlock). Constituents from across the newly redrawn 10th Congressional District of California have until 5 p.m. Dec. 19 to request tickets to the 57th Presidential Inauguration Ceremony on Jan. 21, 2013, which will be held at the U.S. Capitol. Such standing-room tickets to the inauguration are ...

City development fees records first increase in three years

After three straight years of decline, the City of Turlock's Capital Facility Fees posted revenue growth last year for the first time since 2007-08. Turlock posted $1.3 million in CFF revenues in 2011-12, a 16 percent improvement from fiscal year 2010-11 and the highest such figure since 2007-08. "The trend does show that, maybe, we are finally coming out of this recession," said City Engineer Mike Pitcock. Revenues still greatly lagged ...

Council passes visitors bureau budget

The Turlock City Council unanimously approved the Turlock Convention and Visitors Bureau 2013 budget Tuesday night, which will see the CVB begin to offer services on weekend days. But approval of the CVB budget was almost postponed, as Councilwoman Amy Bublak requested the measure be delayed until after newly elected councilmember Steve Nascimento is seated in December. The council postponed approving a study of city water rates on Nov. 13 for the ...

Visitors bureau to give annual report

The Turlock Convention and Visitors Bureau will give its annual report for 2012 and announce goals for 2013 at Tuesday's Turlock City Council meeting.

Lawsuit: General Plan doesn't go far enough to protect ag land

Turlock's newly adopted General Plan looks to preserve the city's agricultural heritage, while preparing for an expected influx of new residents over the next 20 years. But the City of Turlock is now facing a lawsuit from a Davis-based non-profit, charging that the city's new General Plan does not go far enough in its quest to protect agricultural land. "Stanislaus County has a conservation easement program," said Eugene Wilson, head of the ...

City offices close for holiday weeks

The City of Turlock's offices will be closed for the week of Thanksgiving, from Nov. 19 to Nov. 23. The closures were planned to minimize interruptions in service, the city said. Public safety and other essential services will remain in operation. Turlockers were notified of the planned closure in city utility billings. Turlock offices will also close for the week of Christmas, Dec. 24 to Jan. 1, 2013.

Council postpones water study

Turlock's water rates will remain flat &ndash; at least for now. The Turlock City Council was expected to approve hiring a consultant to conduct a water rate study on Tuesday, a move which will likely lead to higher water bills. But that study was postponed at the request of Councilwoman Amy Bublak, who argued that recently-elected Steven Nascimento should have the right to weigh in. "These are going to be big decisions," ...

County moves forward with new mental health, coroner's facilities

A dearth of beds for mental health patients in Stanislaus County, coupled with surging demand, has driven Stanislaus County mental health costs millions of dollars well above projections in recent months. On Tuesday, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors took the first steps to respond to that shortage of beds, approving a recommendation to develop a county-owned Psychiatric Health Facility at the Stanislaus Recovery Center in Ceres. "We are increasing the level ...