My very first ghost hunt

As I waited outside of Rios Furniture for a team of paranormal investigators, I went over a mental list of everything I knew about ghost hunting. Outside of books, reality television shows, and the movie "Ghost Busters," I actually didn't know much about it. That was why I was here, sitting out on Main Street at 9 p.m. on an unseasonably windy October night. I wanted to learn as much as I could about ghost hunting.

Castle Air Museum local hot spot for paranormal activity

When paranormal investigators come to the Central Valley, one of the first places that is of interest to them is the Castle Air Museum in Atwater. Employees, guests, and volunteers at the museum have reported spooky happenings ever since Raz'n Hell, Castle's B-29 Superfortress, was resurrected from the sands of the Mojave Desert 30 years ago.

Funds raised to start building BMX Bike Park

Since February's approval from the Turlock City Council members, the community has been saving money in their piggy banks to donate as much as they could for the BMX Bike Park to be built in Turlock.

High school enrollment to fall, says state

A recently released State Department of Finance report projects declining high school enrollment in Stanislaus County, but the Turlock Unified School District expects to buck the trend.

D.A. to decide if babysitter will face charges for dog attack

The Merced County Sheriff's Department has turned over the investigation into a fatal dog mauling to the Merced County District Attorney's Office, which will decide if a babysitter will face criminal charges or not.

Deputies swing support for Jackson

Stanislaus County Sheriff candidate and current Turlock Police Captain Rob Jackson has received the endorsement of the Stanislaus Sworn Deputies Association for the 2010 election.

CSU Stanislaus Winter Term canceled

California State University, Stanislaus students held a mock funeral for canceled classes just a few weeks ago. Today, students are mourning the elimination of the Winter Term beginning in 2010-2011, a new cost cutting measure announced by the university on Monday.

Pathway Project winds through university

A vision more than 30 years in the making took the first steps toward becoming a reality on Thursday. Ground was broken for a new arboretum at California State University, Stanislaus, which was dreamed up by CSU Stanislaus Botanist Wayne Pierce three decades ago.

Hit and run suspect injures teenager

A 13-year-old boy is recovering from his injuries after being hit and dragged underneath a car that fled the area, leaving him bleeding in the street.

California Redevelopment Association files $2 billion lawsuit against state

For the second year in a row, the California Redevelopment Association has filed a lawsuit against the state of California to stop them from taking the local redevelopment funds to use for state purposes.

Babysitter’s dog fatally mauls toddler

A Delhi family was mourning the loss of their young son after a babysitter's pit bull viciously attacked the child Friday morning.

Assemblyman Bill Berryhill focuses on getting out of recession, Valley water

With about 200 to 300 bills coming through their office every couple of days, most Assembly members have to come in with a focus in order to keep away from distractions with the chaos of papers that clutter their desks.

Chatom Union School District Candidate Profiles

Rob Santos I would make a good school board member because: • I have been on the Chatom School Board for 12 years. • I ask questions of and listen to parents, teachers and administrators. • I observe classes to see teacher and student needs. • I read budgets and try to understand State issues that affect our schools. For the past 12 years I have been on the Chatom Mt. View school board. ...

Denair Unified School District Candidate Profiles

Norma M. Cordova As an incumbent, I remain committed to serving the community for the best interests of our students and school district. My objective is to continue working collaboratively with staff, parents and the community for the educational benefit of all students. My qualifications include: * 13 years service on the DUSD school board. * Earned diploma from Denair High School; AA from Modesto Junior College; BS and teaching credential from Fresno State College. ...

Keyes Union School District Candidate Profiles

Jeff Reed I would make a good school board member because I have an excellent track record with consistent participation at board meetings for the past three years. I have excellent working relationships with our superintendent, board members, teachers, staff, and parents. In this economic climate, a clear understanding of the school's budget is a must. When our superintendent asked me to take part in the strategic planning committee, I was honored and brought a ...

Toy train show delivers Christmas spirit

After the tree is trimmed, the lights strewn, and the ornaments hung, a Christmas tree just isn't complete. At least, not if you ask Bill McLimands, a member of the non-profit San Joaquin Valley Toy Train Operators. "A train around a Christmas tree, that's what says Christmas," McLimands said. For many SJVTTO members, childhood Christmases were marked by ogling the intricate toy train displays at department stores. That intimate connection ...

Batten down the hatches

A strong Pacific frontal system pushed heavy rains and gusty winds into much of Northern California, prompting flood warnings and wind advisories for much of the area. A reprieve from the wind and rain isn't expected until Monday, with the third and potentially largest storm hitting tonight and continuing into Sunday. The third storm is expected to drop 10 to 14 inches of rain in the north end of the state and ...

State snubs healthcare meeting

A briefing intended to collect testimony and share information on healthcare challenges in rural California was overshadowed by the absence of state representatives. The meeting, helmed by Assemblymember Kristin Olsen (R – Modesto), who chairs the California Legislative Rural Caucus, welcomed speakers from non-profits, health clinics, and hospitals – but not the State of California. "The state decided not to show up," Olsen said. Representatives from the State Department of Health ...

Kaepernick jerseys prove to be an elusive gift

The hottest gift in Turlock this Christmas season could be a San Francisco 49ers Colin Kaepernick jersey, but finding a store that carries them could be the tricky part. Kaepernick, a Turlock native and Pitman High School graduate, has been garnering national attention for his prowess on the field and has earned his third start at quarterback for Sunday's game against the St. Louis Ram's. With the holidays approaching, merchandise with Kaepernick's ...

Woman killed on Golden State Boulevard

A female pedestrian was struck and killed early this morning on Golden State Boulevard, just south of Turlock. The woman has not been identified pending next of kin notification. The incident was reported just before 2:30 a.m. Wednesday on the southbound lanes of Golden State Boulevard, south of Griffith Avenue. The driver of the 2005 Mazda 3 that struck the woman was identified by the California Highway Patrol as Carlos Desousa, ...

Police pursuit ends with shootout

Mother charged in death of special needs child

TUSD faces grim budget decisions

The Turlock Unified School District's Budget Advisory Committee is scheduled to present a list of five budget reduction recommendations to the Board of Trustees at Tuesday's regular meeting.

Local runners find fulfillment in crossing the finish line

Shelley Francesconi has been a runner most of her adult life. The Turlock resident put on a pair of running shoes at the age of 21 as a way to tone her body and build muscle. Thirty-five years later, she's still hitting the pavement three days a week.

A father’s sacrifice

Turlock parents Les and Cindy Crutcher received some of the scariest news a parent could ever hear last May.

Youth football financial theft case continues

The embezzlement case against a former president of the Turlock Youth Football League was issued another continuance after his defense attorney said new information about the case had come to his attention.

Blue Diamond a ‘game changer,’ mayor says

Blue Diamond Growers broke ground on their massive new Turlock almond processing facility Thursday, but are remaining quiet about the development's costs or the number of laborers it will employ.

Gunman kills deputy, locksmith

A grim reminder about the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis was served to the Stanislaus County community Thursday when a sheriff's deputy and a locksmith were shot to death while serving an eviction notice in Modesto.

New city median to use artificial turf

The City of Turlock's going green - and saving green - by turning away from traditional green grass in a new city median.

Teen birth rate reaches new low in California

The efforts to reduce the teen birth rate in California continue to show success with the state recording a new low for the last year analyzed.