Valley Headlines

Salmon or bass, can’t have both

Maven’s Notebook. Impacts of non-native fish on salmon populations in the San Joaquin River.
Synopsis: FishBio scientist Dana Lee presented his latest study at the Association of CA Water Agencies Fall Conference. His data confirmed that relying on increased river flows to save salmon is futile. Over the past 30 years of relying on ever-increasing flows, “this approach hasn’t resulted in much success,” said Lee. “In fact, most of the salmon species are in decline.” Even closing the commercial salmon season two years doesn’t appear to be providing much relief. That’s because even enormous spawning years are gobbled up by non-native bass. FishBio found that salmon often survive in their natal rivers, but often 95% to 97% are consumed in the San Joaquin River and Delta by waiting bass. The “entirely of that loss could be explained by non-native predators and predation.” Similar results have been documented on the Mokelumne and the Stanislaus rivers. Lee pointed out that state agencies – invested in protecting bass populations for sport fishers – have refused to accept the results or even denied permits to better study the situation for fear of angering anglers. Worse, now we’re finding bass moving into new areas of rivers. Data shows that this predation “will probably preclude any recovery of salmonids no matter what other management actions we take within this region.”
MAD Take: As one of the preeminent organizations studying both the Delta and its tributaries, FishBio is uniquely positioned to credibly confirm the reasons behind salmon decline. This is a hugely important study, but only if the state pays attention. Unfortunately, a bureaucracy inhabited by former water board zealots like Max Gomberg – who undermined the co-workers with whom he disagreed – makes it nearly impossible to continue this work. But it’s abundantly clear: Flow is a contributing factor to salmon declines but can never provide an actual solution.

Flu is here, and deadly

Turlock Journal. County records first flu death of season.
Synopsis: Stanislaus County Public Health reported a woman under age 65 has died but refused (as usual) to provide any details. Without knowing this person’s ZIP code, we cannot determine how much of a threat this is to the general population or where to take additional precautions.

KCRA. Why doctors believe flu vaccines rates are low this year.
Synopsis: It’s time to get the annual needle. Forgo this momentary pain and you’ll be in danger of nausea, respiratory difficulties, fever and worse. The CDC expects 41 million flu cases this year, and 490,000 will require hospitalization; at least 25,000 are expected to die.

The next big flu fight

SF Chronicle. Bird flu is here: We need health officials pushing vaccines, not raw milk.
Synopsis: Jennifer Molidor, of the Center for Biological Diversity, writes “As we teeter on the edge of a bird flu pandemic,” confirming Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to oversee the Dept of Health & Human Services “would be a disaster.” Kennedy could block vaccine development. He could even hasten the spread of the virus by lowering barriers to transporting raw milk, where the virus thrives. There is a previously healthy teen in Canada who can no longer breathe on his own; that should scare everyone into action.

Merced Sun Star. Avian influenza detected in migratory birds as feds step up virus detection in CA.
Synopsis: The CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife reported finding H5N1 in migratory birds in several counties, from San Diego to San Benito. It’s the same strain found in wild birds in July, which shouldn’t be surprising considering CA is on the Pacific Flyway.

Adam Gray featured on Fox26

Fox26. Sunday Morning Matters: Gray wins, Costa on committee, Trump-proofing California.
Synopsis: Eric Rucker’s local politics show featured Adam Gray speaking briefly on public safety, water, healthcare and finding ways to improve the Valley. Also interviewed was Fresno State poli-sci professor, Thomas Holyoke, who says a closely divided House will have a hard time passing anything. In other words, Adam has his work cut out for him.

MSNBC. Weekends with Jonathan Capehart
Synopsis: Representative-elect Adam Gray appeared on the weekend talk show with the Washington Post columnist and MSNBC host Jonathan Capehart. Gray explained that he is going to Congress to work, not fight.

Valley voters split ballots

Merced Focus. Merced among 10 CA counties Trump flipped.
Synopsis: While Kamala Harris crushed Donald Trump statewide, Merced County shifted red by 6.3% giving Trump the win. That was the second-largest shift in the state, behind only Imperial County (11.5%), but ahead of San Joaquin (5.9%), San Bernardino (5.1%), Fresno (4.9%) and Stanislaus (4.6%).  Election data expert Rob Pyers analyzes the data for the Journalism Collaborative.
MAD Take: This blue-to-red shift had profound impacts throughout the region, including Congressional District 13, the closest House race in America. The fact that Adam Gray prevailed over John Duarte signals that a lot of Valley voters are willing to split their votes between Democrats and Republicans. In other words, they’re voting for the candidate – not the party. That should do two things: 1) Provide a signal for every person who wants to represent this Valley. 2) Give UC Merced Prof. Nate Monroe a lot to talk about in his political science classes.  

Notus. Rep. John Duarte eyeing Trump administration job after narrowly losing his seat.
Synopsis: After losing his election, while holding Donald Trump at arm’s length, the former nursery owner is strongly hinting that wants to run the Bureau of Reclamation. That would have him in charge of water projects like the expansion of Sisk Dam at San Luis Reservoir and the Colorado River negotiations.

Valley theft ring uncovered

Turlock Journal. Law enforcement puts major crimp in catalytic converter theft ring.
Synopsis: A “major ring” operating a chop shop in Turlock and stealing converters in Stanislaus and Merced counties was shut down by the Merced SO, Stanislaus SO and Turlock PD. Investigators found a lot of copper wire, a wire-stripping machine and 60 catalytic converters. While the shop’s owner was arrested, charged and jailed, he was not identified.

First woman joins TID board

Turlock Journal. Two sworn in to TID board of directors.
Synopsis: Becky Hackler Arellano became the first woman elected to the TID board in its 135-year history, taking the oath last week. She joined Michael Frantz, who was elected to a fifth term, and Ron Macedo, David Yonan and Joe Alamo on the board. Arellano was unopposed in replacing Rob Santos.

Of 950 nativities, one is edible

Modesto Bee. Modesto woman displays 950 nativity sets, including gingerbread Jesus.
Synopsis: Reporter Maria Figueroa writes about Toni Conway, 81, and her fixation on collecting creches. Toni runs Valley Harvest Nut Co. with her husband. Her first was ordered from Woolworth’s in 1961, but didn’t really get going until 1986. Now she has 950, including everything from stainless steel cowboy magi to a walrus-bone Mary to a beaded Jesus made in India. A gingerbread manger is 3 feet tall and made by her granddaughter, a baker in Arizona. Conway’s sister is Pennie Rorex – who handles the publicity.

Los Banos subject of podcast

Merced Focus / KVPR. Podcast: What does future hold for Los Banos following leadership change?
Synopsis: Reporter Elizabeth Arakelian and producer Jonathen Linden interviewed reporter Mike Dunbar about what has been happening in Los Banos for the past 20 months and the impact of the election in the West Side’s largest city. Three of the four councilmembers who voted to rehire city manager Josh Pinheiro then gave him $1.8 million have been removed from office – all by more than 75% of the vote. Former 6-time Mayor Mike Amabile is back on the dais with Deborah Lewis; their first order of business will be to fill two vacant council seats following the recall of councilmembers Brett Jones and Doug Begonia Jr.

World’s top working dogs?

Successful Farming. Best farm dogs for herding, guarding livestock, more.
Synopsis: Reporter Karen Weir-Jimerson talks to working-dog trainers to come up with rankings of the world’s top working dogs. For driving cows, sheep and even ducks, the best dogs are Australian Cattle Dogs, Corgis and McNabs. For fetching, it’s border collies, Kelpies and Australian Shepherds. For killing rats, Jack Russells. For guarding livestock, go with Great Pyrenees, Maremma sheepdogs, Komondors and Anatolian Shepherds. What to look for: Trainability, loving the work, staying home and smarts.