Valley Headlines

Almond growers are wary

Western Farm Press. New administration a mixed bag for almonds.
Synopsis: Tim Hearden reports from the Almond Conference where a panel that included Jon Hoff of Monte Vista Farming and Keith Schneller of the Almond Board talked about the 2 billion pounds of almonds shipped to 100 nations last year. They explained that roughly 90% of our state’s almond crop is exported. Back in 2017, a shift in trade policy drove down exports. Now, the panel is worried tariffs will do the same, especially for our top customers – Canada, China, Mexico and the EU. A trade consultant told growers to “make a list” of their priorities – with costs attached -- and share their lists with elected leaders.
MAD Take: Having gotten a late start following prolonged vote-counting, Adam Gray is still trying to establish a district office. Until he does, Gray can be reached at 202.225.1947 in Washington. Or you can get a message to him via the Valley Solutions editor: [email protected]

Los Banos councilman resigns

Westside Express. Los Banos councilmember Kenneth Lambert resigns.
Synopsis: The last remnant of the Los Banos city council that supported the two-year reign of city manager Josh Pinheiro submitted a letter of resignation just two hours before Wednesday’s council meeting. Ken Lambert delivered it to new Mayor Michael Amabile at his restaurant, citing health concerns. Later at the meeting, fire chief Paul Tualla was appointed acting city manager, because Pinheiro quit Saturday.

Google fig leaf falling?

Politico. CA left scrambling on Google journalism deal after UC Berkeley backs out.
Synopsis: Two years ago, to fight off efforts to make it pay for the content it provides through its internet search engine, Google agreed to pay $125 million into a fund to support local journalism. The fund was to be administered by UC Berkeley’s journalism program, which would use it to send young journalists to newsrooms throughout the state. Except now Berkeley wants no part of it. Meanwhile, significant layoffs have continued at the LA Times, Chronicle, Mercury News, etc. and small newspapers are barely hanging on.
MAD Take: Google’s business plan has always been, uh, suspect: Take stories someone else produces, provide them to readers for free, then take the advertisers from those who produced them in the first place. With Berkeley refusing to take part in Google’s plan, Google is losing its fig leaf. And what happens when there is no reporting being done in communities? Does anyone care about a secret city budget? About suspect purchases or diverted payments or a city manager who chases away any staffer with the guts to protest? Ask the folks of Los Banos if that’s important.

Posse on its way to parade

ABC30. Merced County Sheriff’s Office horses and riders head to inauguration parade.
Synopsis: The dozen horses who will be ridden by the Merced County Sheriff’s Posse in Donald Trump’s inauguration parade got a big sendoff from Hilmar on Wednesday. They will be driven to Washington in special trailers, housed in individual stalls. It’s the fourth appearance for the Merced Sheriff’s Posse in an inaugural parade – Nixon, HW Bush and now Trump twice. A total of 48 people will take part.

Be careful in Yosemite

Merced Sun Star. Yosemite is one of the deadliest national parks in the US – and there’s one reason.
Synopsis: The Mallow Law Offices compiled the data, finding that there were 125 fatalities in Yosemite from 2014-23. Of those, 42 came after falls. The two deadliest parks were Lake Mead (drowning) and Grand Canyon (falls). The story says too many tourists try to take selfies in front of waterfalls and slip over the edge. Far too many scramble over barriers, putting themselves in danger. BTW, of those killed in falls, only 16 were rock climbers.

Great conservation expectations

Politico. California Playbook.
Synopsis: Deep in this daily compendium of political news, we read: “Newly elected Congress members Adam Gray, Luz Rivas and Dave Min were tapped for coveted seats on the House Natural Resources Committee. This comes as fellow Californian Jared Huffman takes over as ranking member.”
MAD Note: For those who don’t live and breathe politics, a story in E&E Daily offered a bit more explanation of the significance. By appointing Blue Dogs like Gray and Jared Golden of Maine, the Democratic leadership is signaling that they expect results on behalf of conservation and the environment from the Natural Resources Committee.  

Fairs ban cows, poultry

Modesto Bee. State bans poultry, dairy at county fairs due to bird flu.
Synopsis: John Holland writes about Monday’s announcement from the state that chickens and cows won’t be allowed to attend county fairs. It means FFA and 4H students will have to make other types of presentations – just as they did when COVID-19 closed the fairs entirely – for bidders during fair auctions. A few fair officials hold out hope the ban can be lifted by July, but that’s a distinctly slim possibility. The first fair impacted is the Merced County Spring Fair in Los Banos, May 1-5. Then the San Joaquin County Fair May 30-June 1, the Merced County Fair June 4-8, the Mother Lode Fair June 27-30 and the Stanislaus Fair July 11-20. The Calaveras Fair, May 15-18, has already canceled all dairy and poultry shows.

Farms.com. Bird flu mutations found in Texas.
Synopsis: Texas Biomed has identified 9 mutations in a human strain of H5N1 found in Texas. These mutations make the strain more deadly to humans, impacting brain tissue in particular. The good news: Approved antiviral meds still work against all 9 mutations. “The clock is ticking for the virus to evolve to more easily infect and potentially transmit from human to human, which would be a concern,” said Prof. Luis Martinez-Sobrido.

Getting ready for MLK Day

Merced Sun Star. Merced residents and UC Merced students prepare to honor MLK Jr. 
Synopsis: Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is Jan. 20, but celebrations begin early and go late. The Stephen Gray Park Clean Up in Merced is Jan. 18; the Unity March is Jan. 20, followed by the MLK Celebration at Merced Theatre. UC Merced will have two Days of Service -- Jan. 20 and Jan. 21. Volunteers will serve hot meals to folks at the D Street Shelter, write letters and play board games with children.  

Fresno Bee. Fresno to honor Marin Luther King Jr. with celebrations, vigils.
Synopsis: On Jan. 17, there will be a garland ceremony on the statue at Courthouse Park, a candlelight vigil at city hall; a commemoration at Fresno State at 1 pm., and a jazz tribute over KFSR starting at 9 a.m. On Jan. 18, there will be a community breakfast at the Clovis Veterans Memorial Center. On Jan. 19, City College will have a celebration at Ratcliffe Stadium. The City of Fresno March will be Jan. 20, starting at St. John’s Cathedral.

Governor: We’re pumping more

Maven / Gov. Newsom. CA pumping more water now than under Trump administration.
Synopsis: The Governor’s PR team says the state is working with the feds at CVP to keep water flowing south from the Delta. “Despite recent misinformation, CA is delivering more water to farmers and Southern regions of the state than under the Trump Administration.” And “Under the Trump administration’s 2019 biological opinions … the state was required to hold back on pumping in even larger quantities as compared to current polices under the Biden administration. This is because the Trump administration’s biological opinions used outdated methods, blocking the transport of water.”

Money for ag tech at college

ABC30. Merced College gets funding to extend ag program.
Synopsis: The Dept of Labor has put $1.5 million into equipment for the associate science degree program, said Cody Jacobsen, director of Ag Innovation. The equipment eventually will be housed in the new Ag Innovation Center, which breaks ground in 60 days.

Some interesting eateries

Modesto Bee. Best Modesto restaurant of 2024 is top notch – and not just for its food.
Synopsis: Reporter Dominique Williams writes about Cariblue Restaurant, which got 30% of all the votes cast for the Best Restaurant title. You can find it 3801 McHenry, next to the Starbucks. Abel Cano is its “kind-hearted” owner.

Merced Golden Wire. Good news: La Finca Branding Iron to re-open.
Synopsis: The Branding Iron restaurant at 640 W. Sixteenth Street in Merced will reopen in February as La Finca Branding Iron, thanks to a remodeling by the former owner of Isabella’s Restaurant in Atwater. The new eatery will feature steaks and Mexican food.

Coffee, served with a mission

Modesto Bee. A cup of joe, a measure of hope, new program brews opportunity in Modesto.
Synopsis: Reporter Maria Figueroa writes about Jason Conway, who was homeless in his 20s when he encountered the New Life Program at the Modesto Gospel Mission. Now he is New Life’s CEO and is launching Volente Coffee Roasters -- backed by the Modesto Gospel Mission. Volente’s motto: “Coffee with a mission.” They sell bags of beans along with cups from carts. It has 4 people in the program, roasting beans and learning how to conduct business. Nox and Absum is for those who like darker blends, Magnificus and Lumen for lighter brews. Among the Volente clients is wine giant E&J Gallo and local book purveyor “Bookish.” BTW, if your Latin is rusty, “Deo Volente” means “God willing.”