Valley Headlines

Bird flu killing more CA cows?

KVPR. Photos of dead cattle show bird flu is overwhelming Tulare County.
Synopsis: Kerry Klein reports that in Tulare County “cows are dying so quickly from bird flu that they are overwhelming standard protocols meant to dispose of carcasses.” This is in stark contrast to reports from other states, where officials have insisted nearly all cows recover from infection. As of Friday, bird flu has been found on 99 CA dairy farms, a far higher infection rate than in any other state. Farmers are blaming a cattle seller who drove several head to Idaho to sell them. When they were rejected, instead of finding another buyer, the cattle broker brought them back to CA – and bird flu with them. Genetic sequencing of the disease appears to bear out this conclusion; the flu killing CA cows is not spread by wild birds.
MAD Comment: A word of caution: The veterinarian who took alarming images of dead cattle piled up near the side of the road admits in the story that she “didn’t know for certain that the cattle had died of bird flu.”

Farms.com. Avian flu confirmations in CA dairy workers reach 6.
Synopsis: The Farm Bureau’s Lisa Schnirring reports on the two newest confirmed cases of bird flu in humans, both found in workers on the same farm. Like the previous four victims, the two latest infected workers experienced only mild symptoms, including conjunctivitis. All were treated under CDC guidelines, but were not hospitalized. A seventh person is awaiting test results. Meanwhile, the CDC has sequenced the virus’ genes and found no worrying changes … so far.

No tolerance for cruelty

Fresno / Modesto Bee. Secret video shows animal cruelty at Foster Farms plant in Fresno County.
Synopsis: Reporter Bob Rodriguez writes about a YouTube video posted by the group Animal Outlook, which the group says shows two workers crushing birds with a forklift or tossing them violently into cages. Apparently, Foster Farms became aware of the problem before seeing the film, and had already called authorities and recommended criminal prosecution of two of its (former) employees.

Good cause inspires rappelers

Modesto Bee. 100 people make their way down outside of 5-story Modesto glass building.
Synopsis: Daring folks were invited to rappel off the Fifteen 25 building (that big black cube on McHenry). At $1,000 per person, the LearningQuest fundraiser generated $120,000 – which was $20K more than expected. One of the first over the side was Lynn Dickerson, who said she enjoyed the adrenaline rush.
MAD Note: The Bee’s reporter forgot to mention that Lynn was once the publisher of The Modesto Bee, perhaps explaining why literacy is near and dear to her heart. She also ran the Gallo Center, so perhaps she doesn’t mind showing off a little, too.  

Bringing the ‘party’ to the Valley

Merced Focus. Power Moves: Republicans’ and Democrats’ top brass focus on key Valley races.
Synopsis: Adam Schiff came to Merced to walk precincts with Adam Gray last week. Speaker Mike Johnson met with John Duarte’s supporters in an undisclosed location (unless you donated) in Modesto. Voters get to hear the candidates in person during the Debate at The State on Oct. 25. Meanwhile, Esmeralda Soria will debate Joanna Garcia Rose on Friday night, available via computer.
MAD NOTE: The reporters at Merced Focus left out some prominent names who have been coming to the Valley to help Gray. On Monday, it was Rep. Sara Jacobs, one of the youngest Democrats in leadership. A month ago it was Pete Aguilar, the highest-ranking Latino in Congress. John Garamendi, one of California’s most prominent members, dropped in in September.

Huskies closing in a big win

Turlock Journal. Hughson among 16 schools competing in national contest for campus upgrades.
Synopsis: The Huskies are in second place in the T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest. Already, Hughson High has earned $30,000 for having made the Sweet 16. The contest started with 1,700 schools competing. Only schools in cities of 50,000 or less can compete. Paradise High – where Hughson principal Loren Lighthall worked until the school was destroyed by fire in 2018 – is in first.  “If we don’t win, I want them to win,” said Lighthall. The winner gets $100,000, a new stadium scoreboard and a 5G network upgrade for the school. Having the highest number of “likes” @hughsonhighfootball or on Instagram wins the day.

All about Madera mayor’s race

Fresno Bee. Madera mayor faces three; how the winner could shape city’s future growth.
Synopsis: Mayor Santos Garcia is seeking a second term, pointing to a strong city budget, new businesses and interest from developers. He’s being challenged by councilwoman Cece Gallegos, aspiring city manager Wayne Padilla and Madera Unified trustee Lucy Salazar. Each of the candidates submitted their answers to the Bee’s questions.

Who will pay to fix the canal?

SJV Water. Accusations of ‘extortion’ & ‘bullying’ fly in dispute over who must pay for sinking canal.
Synopsis: Sean Geivet, the GM of three water districts, has sent a letter to Friant Water Authority angrily declining to pay for repairs to the Friant-Kern Canal caused by subsidence along a 33-mile stretch in the three districts he manages. Friant says the ground sank because farmers in the Tule Groundwater Subbasin pumped too much. Geviet says Friant is upset because it doesn’t have the $340 million needed to complete repairs. Lawsuits have been filed.

350-mile journey starts with …

Sacramento Bee. CA Sikhs embark on 350-mile march to Sacramento.
Synopsis: Roughly 50 people started the 350-mile “Fearless for Justice March” on Oct. 9 in Bakersfield. It is patterned after the 1966 march led by Cesar Chavez from Delano to Sac. The marchers want to draw attention to “transnational repression.” The leading spokesperson is Dr. Jasmeet Bains, the Assemblywoman from Delano.  

Drugs and traffic, a bad mix

Merced Golden Wire. K9 Officer helps in seizure of fentanyl.
Synopsis: A CHP patrol car made a traffic stop on I-5, and, with the help of a K-9 officer, soon found 120,000 fentanyl pills. Two men, 25 and 23, were arrested. Both were armed.
FACEBOOK COMMENT: A Merced man was not impressed by the arrest. He believes the CHP caught only the “gate” – or decoy. The big shipment was likely in a semi that whizzed by, he says.

ABC10. Lathrop police department forming new traffic unit.
Synopsis: By having a dedicated traffic unit, the city will be eligible for additional state grants. Residents are happy about it, saying that speeding and red-light running are serious issues in the community. Chief Stephen Sealy says the state grant will allow him to hire 3 motorcycle officers.

Modesto test scores rising

Modesto Bee. Modesto schools superintendent sees ‘great strides’ as student scores rise.
Synopsis: Both English and math proficiency scores on state-mandated tests increased. In the Modesto elementary district, 31% of students exceeded standards for English, a 4-point bump from last year. In math, 36% met or exceeded the state standards. Superintendent Sarah Noguchi credits improvements in instructional programs.
MAD Note: Since the improvements mirror statewide numbers, most independent analysts attribute the rise in grades to students and teachers finally overcoming the pandemic hangover. But programs dedicated to making improvements never hurts.