Valley Headlines

Valley Solutions in DC …

Valley Solutions. Adam Gray to be sworn in this week.
Synopsis: Adam Gray will be sworn as a Representative of the 13^th Congressional District of California later this week, and Valley Solutions will be covering. We hope to bring you a few photos and a conversation with Adam about his goals, priorities and focus over the coming two years. But it will likely mean that we’ll miss a couple of days of sending out our daily newsletter. We apologize for the inconvenience.

 Monkey in a onesie in a Rolls

LA Times. A Rolls Royce Ghost, a spider monkey in a onesie and weed: CHP makes unusual stop.
Synopsis: The passenger in a Rolls Royce Ghost stopped on Hwy 99 near Avenue 17 in Madera on Monday night seemed a little suspicious. It was about 9 inches tall and wearing just a pink onesie. Ali Mused Adel Mohammad, the driver of the Rolls, was arrested on charges ranging from speeding to being drunk to having an endangered animal – in this case, a baby spider monkey. Mohammad was booked into the county jail. Nicknamed Marcel after a Friends character, the baby monkey was confiscated then taken to the Oakland Zoo. But not before being kept warm by those wanting to cuddle the baby, who enjoyed the mashed bananas.

Illegally killed salmon seized

SF Chronicle. More than 2,000 pounds of illegally caught fish seized from boat at SF pier.
Synopsis: A commercial fisherman was trying to sell 2,365 pounds of salmon, halibut, sole and sanddabs to restaurants near the pier in San Francisco. The fish were found behind a false wall built into his boat.
MAD Take: Researchers have always known that commercial fishers overfish salmon off the coast of California, often taking 2x as many fish as allowed – meaning millions of pounds are caught and sold illegally. It just seldom makes the news. Some organizations say 20% of the nation’s total commercial seafood catch is poached. Salmon limits allow commercial fishers to take half the population in normal years. So do the math. If they’re taking 20% more than allowed, the numbers left for spawning are decimated. The Golden State Salmon (Killers) Association insists that it’s lack of fresh water from our rivers that are reducing salmon numbers; but it’s people in their profession who are literally killing the salmon – rules be damned.

‘Beautiful Game’ gets ugly

Modesto Bee. Modesto soccer board director fired for mismanaging funds; accusations fly.
Synopsis: Over 100 people rallied to support Mitch Watson after he was fired as Modesto Youth Soccer Association director. Those attending are planning to vote out the 5 board members who fired Watson and replace them with people who will rehire him. The board says he illegally forgave $35,000 in dues owed to the organization; he insists he broke no laws and points out the MYSA has money in the bank.
MAD Take: If you thought politics is ugly, you haven’t been involved in youth sports.

What’s in the box? Nothing

KCRA. ‘All clear’ given after suspicious box left by suspect in Turlock bank robbery.
Synopsis: After a robber left behind a box at the teller’s window at the US Bank branch on East Olive, it took several hours before business could resume. He claimed to have a bomb, but the Sheriff’s Office bomb squad was able to debunk that claim. The robber got away.

Learning more about Turlock

Turlock Journal. Journal launches ‘About Town’ column.
Synopsis: Joe Cortez and Kristina Hacker are ringing in the new year with a new twice-monthly column that will include hard news, updates, trivia and “quick hitters.” In the first edition they note that flags are flying at half-staff for Jimmy Carter, which is appropriate. … They ask about the $9 million restoration of Columbia Park swimming pool. … Finally, they offer an early happy birthday to Amy Bublak, who gains another year on Jan. 15. She won’t say just how many that makes.
MAD Take: Instead of cutting back local coverage, the Journal is increasing it.

Suspected killer caught in Yuma

Merced Golden Wire (Facebook). APD makes arrest.
Synopsis: Danny Garibay, who was wanted for the killing of Evangelina Ybarra and Ramon Lopez in 2023, has been arrested in Yuma, Az. Atwater chief Richard McEachin says Yuma police officer C. Belizaire was essential in making the connection. He also thanked the Merced SO.

Courthouse remake begins

Merced County Times. Leaders commence $3.5 million restoration of historic courthouse.
Synopsis: Jon Whitaker points out that 2025 is the 150^th birthday of the old courthouse, so the $3.5 million is fitting. It will pay for cleaning, restoration, a new cupola and paint. Among those out front are Josh Pedrozo, Chris Tomford of the Historical Society and Sarah Lim.

PG&E vows rate ‘stability’

Merced Sun Star / Sacramento Bee. PG&E says rates will stabilize after record rate increases.
Synopsis: After three record rate hikes resulting in an “average” increase of $400 annually, PG&E says it won’t be asking for more increases right away. “We’ve heard from our customers that this is a major concern for them,” said spokesperson Lynsey Paulo. Meanwhile, as of today PG&E customers are paying 1% more for both gas and electricity. Oh, and there’s another $18 per year charge landing on bills. The CPUC insists that PG&E’s rates will start falling soon. But TURN calls that a joke, pointing out that PG&E is already asking for approval of several huge projects that will inevitably increase costs and, thus, fees.
MAD Take: It would be at least a tiny bit easier to believe PG&E if not for the rate-increase request already sitting in the CPUC’s in-box. Why is it that Turlock Irrigation District requires only 1 rate increase in a decade to provide power and improve its facilities, but PG&E needs an increase every year, or even every quarter to do the same?

African author honored at UC

Central Valley Voice. Spendlove Prize winner brings spirit of Ubuntu to UC Merced.
Synopsis: UC Merced’s Jody Murray writes about Tsitsi Dangarembga’s visit to UC Merced last Wednesday to receive the region’s most prestigious recognition – the Alice & Clifford Spendlove Prize in Social Justice. About 150 people attended to hear remarks from the Zimbabwean novelist and filmmaker. She spoke of “Ubuntu,” a word that encapsulates the belief that our well-being is intertwined with the well-being of others. Dangarembga has been courageous in efforts to empower and amplify the voices of African women.

Bee’s top players of ’24

Modesto Bee. Hughson’s champion and UCLA-bound quarterback is Bee’s football player of year.
Synopsis: Robert McDaniel led the Heart-Attack Huskies to a 13-0 record and TVL title. It was a season of close games, as Hughson beat Escalon by 3, Sonora and Sutter by 1 and Ripon Christian by 7.  McDaniel passed for 2,889 yards, completing 61.4% of his passes and 34 TDs. The team’s leading receiver was little brother Bryce.

Modesto Bee. Ripon’s versatile outside hitter is The Bee’s volleyball player of the year.
Synopsis: Adriana Dorn, a Ripon High junior, is the region’s top player this year. She accumulated 456 kills and served 105 aces last year with a 0.385 hitting percentage in 96 sets as her team went 30-3 overall, 12-0 in the TVL.

Kendrick, Simone and voting

Fresno Bee. What did Fresno residents Google in 2024? See top searches for music, sports, etc.
Synopsis: The Year in Search results are in. The top search in Music: “Not Like Us,” by Kendrick Lamar. Olympic Athletes? Simone Biles, Anthony Edwards and Scottie Scheffler. Top Movie? “Inside Out 2.” Top search for items “Near Me”? Where to vote.