Today's Headlines

Iconic eats found in Modesto

Modesto Bee. What are Modesto’s most iconic restaurant dishes?
Synopsis: Reporter Maria Figueroa looks at the classics. 1) The Knockout Burger (with jalapenos). 2) Neil’s Toss at Harvest Moon, the best salad around. 3) La Palooza Sundae. OK, this one is new to me. Appears that it could induce sugar comas for an entire football team. 4) Chocolate panini bites at Camp 4. 5) Chili Verde at the Old Mill Café. But what about the gravy & biscuits? 6) Barbecued pork at Noah’s Hof Brau. Good food served fast.
MAD Take: Fun read but be prepared for a growling stomach after reading.

Water users: X2 flows wasted

Valley Sun. Westlands, Friant push for change in water management.
Synopsis: Westlands, San Luis & Delta Mendota, Friant and the State Water Contractors all signed a letter to the Bureau of Reclamation asking that it reconsider the controversial Fall X2 provision that would require up to 400,000-acre feet of water be sent down California’s rivers and into the ocean later this year. The groups insist the science underlying X2 releases is outdated and that previous releases have proved ineffective. The letter noted that high temperatures (77 degrees) in Delta water will have made the Delta unviable for smelt long before the releases for X2 take place. The letter points out that X2 releases resulted in 730,000-acre feet being flushed to the ocean last year and that resulted in a delay in releases for farmers. Those delays made much of the water released useless for the growing season and did nothing for the fish they were supposed to help.

‘Carmageddon’ on its way

Merced Sun Star / Fresno Bee. Caltrans, Valley must prepare for ‘carmageddon’ on road to coast.
Synopsis: New editorial page editor Juan Esparza debuts with an editorial reaction to the plan to reduce 10 miles of Hwy 152 to a single lane in each direction starting next year as work begins on the elevation of Sisk Dam at San Luis Reservoir. The reduction will be entirely in Merced County, from the forebay to Dinosaur Point. Most estimates say that around 40,000 vehicles travel that stretch each weekday. “Take away half of the road’s capacity and it does not take a rocket scientist to see that a gigantic traffic mess will result,” says the editorial. Then there’s this, “There is no notice about the planned road work on the city of Los Banos website. Nor is there any mention on the website of the Merced County Association of Governments.” The only elected official making any noise about this is councilwoman Deborah Lewis.

Flag football gaining parity

Merced Sun Star. High school girls flag football’s popularity continues to surge in second year.
Synopsis: There were 20 teams in the Merced High School 2024 Kickoff Classic last Saturday, and 5 more teams had to be turned away. Across the Sac-Joaquin Section, there are 130 high school teams competing, compared to 69 last year. “That’s pretty close to the number of our tackle football teams,” said Section official Will DeBoard. The Section will double the playoffs, from 32 to 64 team, this year. Hilmar, Gustine and Dos Palos added teams. Girls will wear only 2 flags (not 3) to increase offense.

Beef: It’s a good business

Ag Net West. A good year for CA beef industry, but challenges remain.
Synopsis: Steve Arnold, president of the CA Cattlemen’s Association, talked about better genetics, lots of grazing after two wet winters and better tech facilitating sales at stockyards. On the flip side, he’s worried about the loss of stockyards, noting that he has to drive 150 minutes to sell his beef. Other worries: moving away from gas-powered vehicles, introduction of elk onto grazing lands, increased depredation from wolves and pumping restrictions.
MAD Note: He didn’t’ mention it, but the price of beef has been in record territory for over two years.

Going nuts over ‘Prime’

Ag Net West. Another opportunity to ‘Own Your Prime’ with CA almonds.
Synopsis: The Almond Board has continued its affiliation with Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders, who was the toast of the coaching community for about a month last season. Then his Colorado Buffalos fell apart, finishing 12^th in the Pac-12. Despite the meltdown his team suffered on the gridiron, Sanders helped sell almonds. Last year, almonds “over delivered” by 43%, which was 5x higher than during previous ad campaigns.

Hospital adding stores, motel

Valley Sun. Valley Children’s eyes new venture: A sprawling 445-acre retail, residential complex.
Synopsis: Reporter Daniel Gligich writes about “The Hill,” which would provide lodging, shopping, homes and more on the Madera side of the river. The project will surround the current hospital, along Hwy 41. It calls for 50 retail outlets, including a grocery store. The motel will have 173 rooms, a pool and spa, while “The Yard” will provide recreational opportunities. This story provides details on a project that was reported on several months ago.

Beware of ‘Trips Ahoy’

Merced GV Wire / Merced SO. Large illegal manufacturing business shut down.
Synopsis: Deputies working with the Merced PD raided a home on Dunn Road and confiscated 20 pounds of shrooms, 200 pounds of weed, a “large amount of cash” and lots of edibles, oils, waxes and THC concentrates. Two adults were booked. Deputies also found packages being prepped for sale that look almost identical to packaging for common snacks and candies. “The last thing we want is for kids to get hold of these products,” the SO said on its website.

Recognizing value of farm labor

Modesto Bee. Stanislaus reports $3.37 billion in ag income; do farm workers get enough credit?
Synopsis: The Bee follows the Turlock Journal in reporting on the county ag commissioner’s annual report, which the Board of Supervisors saw Tuesday. Before writing about a 10% decrease in farm revenues, reporter John Holland noted a presentation from the Latino Community Roundtable that demanded greater recognition for farmworkers. All that overshadowed a presentation of the Farmworker of the Year award to Stewart & Jasper employee Salvador Anaya, who has been with the company for over 50 years.

CA’s official slug

Fox40. CA lawmakers consider adding banana slug, Dungeness crab to official symbol list.
Synopsis: An assemblywoman representing Santa Cruz wants official status for the state’s most wonderful mollusk: The Banana Slug. Meanwhile, a Healdsburg legislator is pushing for an official state crustacean -- the Dungeness crab. The tasty crabs generate from $35 million to $80 million a year in economic benefits, depending on the season. BTW, Ch. 40 rated this its “Top Story.” Slow news day?