Valley Headlines

Most of Madera hospital reopens  

Merced Focus. Madera Community Hospital is reopening Tuesday; how will it fit?
Synopsis: The ER room, and 103 beds, reopens today under the management of Modesto-based American Advanced Management Inc. Among the issues made evident by Madera’s closing in 2023 was that “we just don’t have enough beds in the Valley,” said Dan Lynch of the Central CA Emergency Medical Services Agency. The other hospitals in the region – all in Fresno – have 1,642 licensed beds, not counting the 358 at Valley Children’s. The hospital will also have much-needed psychiatric beds available. Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria says Madera’s original closing was a “glimpse” into the challenges facing medical providers across rural America – problems made worse by threats to Medicaid and Medicare. New CEO Steve Stark said Medicaid reimbursement rates don’t keep pace with expenses. Since Medi-Cal, CA’s Medicaid affiliate, covers 55% of Madera’s residents that’s a problem. The hospital’s obstetrics will remain closed due to low reimbursement rates. Madera County remains one of 8 CA counties without any maternity wards.

Café owner tells of copter crash

Modesto Bee. Pilot tells what happened in Modesto Reservoir helicopter crash: ‘Not our time to go.’
Synopsis: Redwood Café owner Bob Campana is saddened and humbled by what happened Saturday morning as his helicopter fell out of the sky and into “frigid water.” Due to a perception miscalculation, “I just screwed up and could have cost a friend and me our lives. I am grateful. It was not our time to go.” The copter went down 150 yards from Coyote Point. Salvatore Fratantonio, a visitor from Sicily, suffered a broken leg. Campana, 71, used a seat cushion as a flotation device as he swam to the shore hauling Fratantonio.

Storms did some damage

Merced Sun Star. Funnel cloud spotted in Merced County as storms move through Valley.
Synopsis: The storm that brought lightning and thunder to Modesto triggered a tornado warning in eastern Merced, Mariposa and Tuolumne counties. NWS’s Felix Castro said it is not clear that any tornado touched ground.

CBS13. 2 injured in partial roof collapse at Oakdale Cost Less Food store.
Synopsis: A 20x20 segment of roof collapsed into the building in the strip center off Hwy 120 near the Stanislaus River. The injured are expected to recover, but the store is closed. The storm that sparked tornado warnings in Merced passed through the area just minutes before the collapse.

But at least they were wet 

ABC30. Recent storms spark talk of ‘Miracle March’ in Central CA.
Synopsis: After a bone-dry January, Steve Haugen of the Kings River Water Assn. is relieved to see the big storms that have crashed through the region the past few days. The only two major reservoirs not at or above the seasonal average are Castaic in SoCal and Millerton near Fresno. And they’re close.

Chico Enterprise-Record. 20,000 cfs coming into Lake Oroville prompts DWR to release more water.
Synopsis: The storms that have flashed through the area over the past 10 days have caused the lake level to rise and with more water rushing in. So DWR officials increased outflow to 10,000 cfs and warned the city of Oroville of impending high flows.

Antivirals won’t cure bird flu

Farms.com. Current antivirals likely less effective against severe bird flu infection in cows’ milk.
Synopsis: The H5N1 strain that sickens people is driving scientists to look for potential treatments. So far they’re finding that the two most effective antivirals – Tamiflu and Xofluza -- don’t work on the bird-flu strains. That means the best ways to “treat” the flu in humans is to not drink raw milk and increase biosecurity measures on dairy farms. Researchers at St. Jude’s say that when you drink infected milk, infections spread to the brain and bloodstream and antivirals can’t stop it. Pasteurization kills the virus.

Soria will run for state senate

Politico. CA Playbook.
Synopsis: Esmeralda Soria announced she will run to replace termed-out Anna Caballero in the senate next year. That pits her against Nelson Esparza – who is backed by Jim Costa and Adam Gray. Former Merced Mayor Mike Murphy says he’ll run for Soria’s seat – one of the GOP’s top Assembly targets. … Meanwhile, the National Republican Campaign Committee named its top targets for 2026. No surprise, they include Adam Gray, Josh Harder, George Whitesides, Derek Tran and Dave Min. The NRCC called Democrats “painfully out of touch with hardworking Americans.”
MAD Note: “Hardworking Americans” like those who rely on Medicaid? Or those who don’t consider it useful to dump 7,300 acre feet of water on fallow fields? Or those unable to repay their student loans? Or those in fear of tariffs driving down the prices of almond, walnut, pistachio, wine, dairy products and everything else grown in California? Or how about people who lost 10% of the value of their 401(k)s last week? 

Who voted (or not) in 2024

PPIC. Which Californians turned out to vote in 2024?
Synopsis: The PPIC says Donald Trump was supported by a much higher percentage of Latinos, Asians and young people in 2024 than in 2016 and 2020. However, fewer members of these groups bothered to vote in 2024 – meaning they likely were turned off by both candidates. CA served as a microcosm, as voting declined across the board. Voting by Latino and Asian Americans dropped 12.6% for both groups. It also dropped for Blacks (6.8%) and Caucasians (6.2%). The worst drop was among people ages 18 to 24 – down 12.7%. The number of those under age 20 voting fell 15.8%. Turnout dropped twice as much among young women as among young men.

Flyer funder should be divulged

GV Wire. Experts say Fresno dark money group should disclose funding sources now.
Synopsis: David Taub continues looking into the flyer that disparaged Fresno city council candidate Brandon Vang and his family. Something called Fresno Future Forward had filed no paperwork when it paid to mail out the flyer accusing Vang of statutory rape. After city attorney Andew Janz investigate, the forms were filed but did not disclose the source of the money. Asked hypothetically, the FPPC and two election attorneys agreed that donors should have been disclosed – despite the contention from city attorney Janz that a $1,000 fine closes the case. Since the next filing date is July 31, it is unlikely the people behind the flyer will be known before the March 18 special election. Taub points out that other candidates appear to have their campaign finances in order, including Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas, who is running to replace her husband in the seat.

Good Samaritan had ‘big heart’

Westside Connect. Volunteer for GPD killed by drunk driver on Hwy 99.
Synopsis: Sabra Stafford writes about Abraham Guzman, who pulled over on Hwy 99 early Sunday morning to help people riding in a car whose suspected drunk driver crashed into a guardrail. As Guzman was helping people to safety, he was killed when a second drunk driver hit the disabled vehicle. The Golden Valley High grad was studying to become a police officer. Gustine chief Ruben Chavez said Guzman was “known for his unwavering commitment to serving the community and his willingness to help those in need.” Adding, “He was a solid guy with a big heart. … He would have been a great police officer.” Officers in Gustine will wear a black stripe over their badges for the next 30 days. There is also an effort to raise money for his memorial: https://gofund.me/22637602.

Hot ‘café de olla’ in Merced 

Merced Sun Star. Specialty coffee shop opens in Merced.
Synopsis: Hola Cafecito opened Thursday on West Main as Elizabeth and Oscar Moreno offered pom and avocado toast, espresso, bagels, and more to customers. The “grand opening” will be in May, until then Elizabeth hopes the Latino community feels welcome to try the Mexican café de olla made with brown sugar and orange peel syrup.