Valley Headlines

Water audit sparks action

Fox26 News. Senator Hurtado introduces bill to tackle CA’s water crisis. 
Synopsis: Melissa Hurtado introduce SB 224 to require DWR to quit relying on outdated data and forecasting methods in determining water allocations. Says the story: “The bill builds on findings from a 2023 CA State Auditor report requested by then-Assemblymember, now Congressman, Adam Gray which revealed critical failures in DWR’s reliance on outdated predictive models, inaccurate data collection and insufficient transparency, which have fueled preventable shortage and inflated costs for CA’s most vulnerable communities.” The bill will modernize data forecasting (perhaps bringing it up to standards in use at local water districts), increase transparency (ending the ability to hide mismanagement) and prevent artificial shortages that “unfairly burden farmers and families.”
MAD Take: Writing as part of Adam Gray’s team when the audit was demanded, this smart, necessary bill should be a top priority for every legislator in Sacramento.

Allocation raised: 20%

Maven / DWR. State water project allocation increased to 20%.
Synopsis: Five weeks after telling farmers they would get 15% of the “requested allocation,” the state is now saying it will grant 20%. The state notes January has been “incredibly dry across California.” But on the other hand, DWR also notes that December produced more runoff for reservoirs than expected and that mountain soils are wetter than they were last year.

Dispatch dispute goes on

Modesto Bee. Stanislaus leaders take next step to explore dispatch partnership with Ceres PD.
Synopsis: The county supervisors voted 3-2 to begin moving toward a dissolution of the 25-year-old regional partnership for dispatch. It stems from an argument over which computer system should be used in a modernization plan. Sheriff Jeff Dirkse wants Oracle, but the MPD prefers CenterSquare. The current dispatch workers have said they do not like Oracle, but the sheriff says they didn’t give it a real chance. There seems to be a wide range in how much it will cost to incorporate the SO’s operations with Ceres, either $1.3 million or $4.5 million.
MAD Note: Reporter Ken Carlson didn’t mention it, but it was just a year ago that Ceres was down to three dispatchers, two of whom were making less than they would behind a fast-food counter.

Turlock Journal. Supervisors continue talks about new emergency dispatch system.
Synopsis: Joe Cortez also writes about the future of emergency dispatch, saying it “remains uncertain.” A presentation by Sheriff Dirkse and the ensuing discussion by supervisors consumed 75 minutes of the board meeting. “Dirkse has made it known that should the board force his hand, he’d consider moving ahead with suing the county.” Mayor Amy Bublak agrees with Dirkse, but Turlock councilmember Rebecka Monez is still on the fence.

Big hope for new almonds

Ag Alert. Gene editing behind two new self-pollinating nonpareils.
Synopsis: A company called Verinomics has partnered with Burchell Nursery of Oakdale to create and test a high-yield tree that does not require pollinators. Tom Burchell says this new variety was developed with help from Yale University. Two other companies – Ohalo Genetics and Sierra Gold Nurseries in Yuba City – are testing the same sort of tree under a different name. Both say they will have limited supplies available for test plots in 2026 and delivery in 2027. Burchell has named its new variety Nonpareil+. Among those quoted is Stanislaus grower Darrell Cordova, who says this could also cut down on an orchard’s susceptibility to orangeworms. The Almond Board says the new trees will simplify life for growers. There is some caution, since other major improvements in trees have not always panned out. UC Davis says it tests new varieties for 25 years before releasing them.

A better path for victims

Modesto Bee. New program in Stanislaus County puts survivors of sex trafficking on better path.
Synopsis: Without Permission, which started a dozen years ago to help fight sex trafficking, is working with the DA’s office on a 10-week diversion program for adults. Michell Camacho is at the front of the effort. Legacy Alliance Outreach and HAVEN will be partners, providing trauma-informed therapists to survivors. Camacho says there is no doubt this will reduce recidivism.

Modesto Bee. Stanislaus deputies and victim advocates look for these signs of sex trafficking.
Synopsis: Reporter Kathleen Quinn says there is more abuse of sex workers than in any other occupation in CA. Sheriff Sgt. Craig Osmonson says it’s under-reported. Signs include using someone else’s ID, having an older boyfriend, “brands” or marking tattoos, clothing inappropriate for the season, etc.

Busing away the homeless?

GV Wire. Fresno councilmembers want to end sending homeless people to city.
Synopsis: David Taub reports that three Fresno councilmembers want to take steps to discourage other cities from sending their homeless folks to Fresno. The city would establish fines to be imposed on other cities who send homeless people to Fresno without first getting the city’s permission. Apparently, there are questions about the legality of such an ordinance, but Santa Cruz has something similar on its books.
MAD Note: Interestingly, there’s a story in the Chronicle today talking about expanded use of a San Francisco’s program that puts homeless people on a bus with $40 and sends them out of town so they can be “reunited with family.” So maybe Fresno does need a way to penalize San Francisco for this treatment. At least give them more than $40.

Sanctuary city in the Valley

Fresno Bee. Fresno County has new ‘sanctuary city’; can it protect undocumented from deportation?
Synopsis: The Huron city council declared itself a sanctuary city on Jan. 15, prohibiting the use of any city resources or staff in enforcing immigration rules except when involving a felon. Huron and Livingston (2017) are the Valley’s only sanctuary cities. Mayor Rey Leon says he wants to dispel the fear that is rising among immigrants.

Merced Sun Star. Merced County free from recent immigration enforcement operations.
Synopsis: Alma Villegas writes that county officials and a Border Patrol spokesperson insist there are no immigration operations planned for Merced. That hasn’t stopped people from being fearful of every white van they see. Activist Blanca Ojeda says folks shouldn’t be afraid to get out of the house or send the kids to school.

Fed freeze impact in Fresno

Fresno Bee. Here’s how a federal funding freeze would impact hospitals, Head Start, colleges.
Synopsis: Tim Sheehan looks at Fresno-specific programs that will be harmed if Donald Trump is allowed to suspend the federal programs he described as “Marxist equity, transgenderism and green new deal social engineering.” Not counting the $840 million that enters the county through Social Security, Fresno gets $248 million in grants to entities ranging from the Air Board to Fresno COG, the Housing Authority, Fresno State, Fresno irrigation District, the Veterans Home and Table Mountain Rancheria. The biggest recipient is the Fresno County Economic Opportunities Commission, which gets $188 million to fund Head Start and similar programs.

How a Trump fan sees it

Valley Sun. A shared lifeline: Ensuring water and food security for California.
Synopsis: Westlands Water District board member and William Bourdeau writes a glowing endorsement of what he sees as Donald Trump’s promise to secure more water for the South Valley. Ignoring the plan’s specifics, Bourdeau writes, “this policy shift signals a stark departure from previous approaches, emphasizing human and agricultural needs over more stringent environmental goals.” He believes Trump’s orders will also help with emergency response and readiness. He also sees it as turning away from efforts that have ended in failure for endangered species, farmers and cities.
MAD Take: It’s interesting how Trump’s fans look past the flawed specifics – water from Canada? -- to see both noble intent and a helping hand. It’s important for liberals to recognize that Trump’s fans aren’t dumb, blind or even entirely wrong. In the part where Bourdeau describes his goals for the environment, farms, rural drinking water and cities there is room for agreement even with those who ridicule Trump’s giant faucet.

Fresno ERs getting crowded

Fresno Bee. Quartet of viruses ‘overwhelming’ Fresno ERs; which hits locals hardest?
Synopsis: It’s flu season, and the folks at Community Regional Medical Center are feeling the pressure as roughly 400 people per day come in for help – that’s 17.5% more than normal. The “quartet” is made up of COVID-19, seasonal flu (aka, RSV), norovirus (aka, stomach flu) and syncytial virus. Doctors are calling it “the quad-demic.” Most folks are suffering from RSV or COVID. To keep from getting sick, wear a mask and stay away from people. And get vaccinated.

Chick-fil-A truck approved

KSEE / CBS47. Chick-fil-A food truck to come to Merced.
Synopsis: The Merced planning commission has given approval to the fast-food restaurant for a good truck to park in the Dignity Health parking lot on Mercy Avenue. The truck is, essentially, a mobile franchise store selling sandwiches and other “select” products. It will be the first of its kind in the Valley but the second in CA behind San Jose. No date has been set yet for opening.