Valley Headlines (1)

How Gray saved the FFA

Merced County Times. How Gray helped save FFA and why that’s important.
Synopsis: Former Merced County Office of Education Superintendent Steve Gomes writes about the plan by Gov. Jerry Brown to slash funding for career and technical education during the 2017 budget negotiations. Adam Gray went to the mat to help save CTE programs for every high school in the state. In Merced County, that money was used to keep high school FFA programs alive. “Without that $48 million, many schools would have abandoned their FFA programs,” writes Gomes. Now, the FFA is the largest and healthiest student organization in the state with 104,000 California members.

He was dehumanizing us

Fresno Bee. Trump’s baseless description of immigrants who will eat your pets is dehumanizing.
Synopsis: Editorial page editor Juan Esparza Loera, an immigrant who arrived in the US 65 years ago, felt he was given “several slaps to the face” by DJ Trump during his debate with Kamala Harris. No fewer than 5 times did Trump insist that immigrants “bring gloom and doom to America.” Trump’s promise to deport 21 million means he considers all brown-skinned immigrants to be cat-eating Haitians. Juan notes that when 16 Venezuelan families arrived in Fresno earlier this year, the crime rate didn’t explode. After recalling several compelling stories, Juan closes with a quote from Voltaire: “Anyone who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”

Yet another PG&E hike OK’d

KCRA. Commissioners approve another PG&E rate hike, 4^th of the year.
Synopsis: By the end of the year, PG&E’s captive customers will see their rates go up another $6. The CPUC – each member appointed by the Governor – on Thursday approved the utility’s request to recoup the costs of damage done during the storms of 2022-23. The bump is expected to increase the average PG&E bill to $287 a month.
MAD Take: PG&E customers already pay the highest rates in America. But any “average” is deceptive. On the coast, costs are much lower. In the Valley, where it is 30 degrees hotter in the summer and 15 degrees colder in the winter, those average are 30% higher. Meanwhile, PG&E’s shareholders and bondholders are receiving 3.57% dividends this year. When will the lapdog CPUC finally say no to this monopoly? It’s time to either get rid of the CPUC or PG&E. Choose one, Governor.

Dealing with juvenile offenders

Modesto Bee. State gave Stanislaus responsibility for its serious juvenile offenders; what’s changed?
Synopsis: The word “juvenile” is misleading; the county must take care of offenders up to age 25. “This means we’re dealing with an older, more sophisticated population with complex needs,” said Probation chief Mark Ferriera. More of them are being placed in alternative settings, working with the Center for Human Services, the Pine Grove Fire Camp and Leaders in Community Alternatives. The good news: the average jailed juvenile population has fallen from 145 in 2007 to just 63 in 2024. Ferriera is optimistic that recidivism numbers are falling, too. Meanwhile, career training is on offer to all offenders.

More cows have bird flu

Fresno Bee. Avian flu first found in Central Valley is spreading; new CA cases confirmed.
Synopsis: Reporter Robert Rodriguez is the first to write that the USDA has identified 8 herds in the state with H5N1. That means an additional 5 herds have contracted “bird flu” since its arrival two weeks ago. The new cases are all connected to the original three dairies confirmed to have sick cows. Infected cows become lethargic, produce less milk and eat less but almost always recover. Pasteurized milk is safe to drink and the disease is not considered a significant threat to humans.

Boone Fire under control

GV Wire. All restrictions lifted as Fresno County’s Boone Fire is 83% contained.
Synopsis: Firefighters stopped the fire at 17,600 acres. Having established containment lines, the force fighting the fire was reduced from 1,650 to 870 with 54 engines, 15 tenders, 1 helicopter, 12 dozers and 17 hand crews.

132 Bypass getting longer

Modesto Bee. Hwy 132 bypass could be extended 5 miles west of Modesto.
Synopsis: Stan COG got a report on the project, sparking this story. The initial project was a two-lane expressway from Hwy 99 to Dakota Avenue, taking motorists off Maze. The extension will run another 5 miles to Gates Road. So far, the county, state and feds have put in $88 million, a deposit on the $400 million total cost. With no more debates over the best route, the next phase is supposed to advance “at light speed” compared to the initial project (which took decades).

It’s political season in Valley

Modesto Bee. David Valadao vs. Rudy Salas for Congress: What to know about this CA tossup.
Synopsis: From her office in Washington, reporter Gillian Brassil checks in on CA 22, starting with synopses from Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball and later quotes Inside Elections. Few people actually living and voting in the district are consulted. She looks at fundraising by the campaigns and provides a bit of candidate history and a one-sentence synopsis of issues “affordability, water, health care, immigration and public safety.” She finishes up with a quote from Cook Political Report’s analysis, noting that this race has been “nationalized.”

Merced County Times. Soria brings re-election bid to local voters.
Synopsis: Esmeralda officially kicked off her campaign last weekend. The Assemblywoman is focused on public safety, healthcare and infrastructure. She says she brought $300 million in state funding to the region in the past two years with projects ranging from the Los Banos Colorado Ball Park to the Madera Community Food Bank. She is being challenged by Joanna Garcia Rose.

Merced County Times. DuPont excited to advocate for Merced’s future.
Synopsis: Darin DuPont, a 28-year-old lawyer, is running for District 1 on the city council. He is facing planning commissioner and coach Walter Smith.

At 96, he’s slowing the roll

Fresno Business Journal. Newman’s Superior Truck Lines sold to new owners.
Synopsis: Frank Amaral Jr. founded the company with his wife Olivia in 1982; now they’ve sold it to California Freight, a division of Sandair Corp. Superior has been hauling milk from some of CA’s largest dairies to its largest processing plants for decades. Frank figures he needs to get out while he has time to enjoy himself; he’s 96. Jim Aartman of CA Freight calls it a “perfect fit.”

Genova Bakery’s 106^th birthday

CBS13. Stockton’s Genova Bakery celebrates 106 years of service.
Synopsis: Stockton’s most famous culinary achievement, the bread baked downtown in an oven lined with bricks has a flavor that can’t be replicated – even at the company’s off-site bakery. Tim Canevari owns the company, having taken over three decades ago. He started at Genova as a baker just out of high school. It was founded by Angelo Rolleri, who came from Genova. The old bakery a block off Airport Way was granted “historical landmark” status in 1985.

Good deeds in Merced

Merced County Times. Bill Kirby BBQ raises money for Historical Society projects.
Synopsis: The Historical Society benefited during the 33^rd annual barbecue at Lake Yosemite. Cooks included Dave McComb, John Pedrozo and Jim Cunningham, who got help serving from Golden Valley’s FFA members. Chris Tomford let everyone know that the Society has gotten a $250,000 grant from the Central Valley Opportunity Fund.

Merced County Times. Youth Leadership Institute receives grant for academy.
Synopsis: Speaking of the Central Valley Opportunity Fund, it also provided a grant to the YLI. But the story doesn’t say how much.

Merced County Times. Mercy Foundation Board receives thoughtful donation.
Synopsis: Developer Greg Hostetler donated $10,000 to the Mercy Foundation during a surprise visit. Among those applauding his generosity were Billie Razzari and Kaaren Morgner. Hostetler has twice visited the hospital as a patient, and is grateful.