Valley Headlines

‘Historic’ protest for Merced

Merced Focus. Merced and Modesto areas see massive turnout at ‘No Kings’ protests.
Synopsis: Marijke Rowland and Vivienne Aguilar write about what were possibly the “largest protests ever” in Modesto and Merced history. In Modesto, from 4,000 to 6,000 people came to Graceada Park. In Merced, former city councilmember Flip Hassett called “by the far the largest group of people representing Merced doing some type of demonstration … nothing short of historic.” One person brought a pinata shaped like Trump, but no one took a swing at it. Also in Merced, Esmeralda Soria spoke, ad did artist Ruben Sanchez and Pastor John Russell-Curry. There were some counter-protesters who shouted from their cars. In Modesto, veterans marched in uniform. Among speakers at Graceada were elected leaders Chris Ricci and Lise Talbott. In Turlock, around 260 demonstrated at Monte Vista and Countryside. 

Merced Sun Star. Anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ rally in Merced draws largest crowd in decades.
Synopsis: Shawn Jensen writes about the protest that drew some 2,500 people to the streets of Merced, stretching from 19^th Street to the County Admin building. “It’s very encouraging, democracy is not a spectator sport,” said Henry Ildefonzo.
MAD Take: Jensen provided the most salient details while providing scope and scale. He pointed out what one of the unique aspects of these these protests – the clever signs: “Orange Lies Matter” and “The Constitution is not a suggestion.”

Thousands rally in Modesto

Modesto Bee. ‘No Kings’ rally draws thousands to Modesto in protest of Donald Trump. 
Synopsis: Reporter Julietta Bisharyan writes that “thousands” gathered at Graceada Park. But she concentrated on the hundreds at an anti-ICE rally that began at Tenth Street Plaza earlier in the day. Photos from downtown show a man being detained, for “wearing a mask with an intent to commit a crime.” Police also confiscated megaphones prior to the rally, saying a permit is required to amplify voices. They would not confirm how many were arrested. While focusing on the more radical of the two protests, the reporter worked in criticism of Reps. Adam Gray and Josh Harder for being among 74 Democrats who voted for a measure condemning anti-Jewish attacks in Boulder, Colo. On the second page of that resolution was a single paragraph expressing support for law enforcement. She quoted a member of the Tohono O’odham tribe in the Sonora Desert dismissing, crudely, the entire American political system.
MAD Take: The protest at Graceada was roughly 10x larger than the more strident protest downtown organized by a splinter group. Yet, the reporter devoted most of her coverage to that segment, paying far less attention to the thousands at Graceada. By making such a choice, the reporter becomes an activist. A competent editor might have suggested that this become two stories – a main based on the much larger protest with details about the protest spreading to Five Points, a profile of participants, and that it had a vibe that was more party than protest with vendors, food and music. The second story could have addressed the more confrontational aspects, including the MPD cruiser that pulled onto the grass at Graceada then blared out a list of enforceable codes through a loudspeaker.

Valley Citizen. Modesto joins millions nationwide in No Kings protest. 
Synopsis: Before providing his opinion, columnist Eric Caine provides both scope and scale in writing about the enormous protest in downtown Modesto. “Even two hours after the start of the rally … people were still streaming onto the sidewalks along Needham,” he wrote.  
MAD Take: Eric’s concluding point: “The truth may be elusive, but it’s still the only path to freedom. Seek it out. Be brave.” Amen.

Rallies packed; other events empty

Fresnoland. ‘No Kings’ protests in Fresno draw thousands to River Park and Fashion Fair.
Synopsis: Fresno was big enough to have two protests, each drawing “thousands” to Fashion Fair Mall and on Blackstone near River Park. By noon, the River Park location had 4,000 people according to The Bee, the “biggest protest yet” against Trump. Mayor Jerry Dyer’s office put the number at 2,000 for both protests combined but thanked protesters for being peaceful.

Fresno Bee. Vendors at Fresno swap meet take heavy losses after false rumors of ICE raid.
Synopsis: Fresno city councilmember Miguel Arias had been spreading the rumor that ICE would raid the Cherry Avenue Auction. The raids never came, but neither did customers. Vendors had one of their worst days ever. One said it was the smallest crowd in 30 years, and since this is his only source of income, he is furious with Arias. “This area has nothing to do with him. I don’t think he has any business getting involved in the Fresno County area.”

Fresno Bee. Annual Oaxacan festival canceled over ICE raid concerns in Madera.
Synopsis: Increased ICE raids, and the threat of raids, led to the cancelation of the Oaxacan Guelaguetza Festival. Normally, about 1,000 people come out to see dancers, to dance themselves, eat and celebrate their ancestral home. “In the face of an increasingly hostile political climate and a rise in ICE raids affecting undocumented members of our community, we must prioritize safety and solidarity over celebration,” the group said.

Gray sets the record straight

GV Wire. Tensions boil between Arias and Dem congressmembers.
Synopsis: Columnist David Taub writes about Fresno councilmember Miguel Arias’ criticism of Adam Gray and Jim Costa, who – along with 72 other Democrats – voted for a resolution condemning the attacks on Jewish people in Boulder, Colo. Deep in that resolution was a paragraph expressing support for law enforcement, including ICE and the Border Patrol. Said Arias: “You have Rep. Gray announcing legislation to protect water instead of residents.” Gray responded: “I will not apologize for standing up the needs of our Valley community. If Councilman Arias wants to spew misinformation and blatant lies about my record of what’s going on here, maybe he should join Kristi Noem’s press team. I hear they might be looking for folks who have a flexible relationship with the truth.” Gray has supported all sorts of state and federal immigration reform, including the Dream and Promise acts. He has also fought back against the GOP’s narrative that attempts to portray most undocumented people as criminals. “Go back through my public comments and legislative record since January, and you’ll see that I’ve been working to protect and support law-abiding, hardworking immigrants – the backbone of the Valley – since Day One.” Costa joined Gray, saying “I’ll keep fighting to fix our broken immigration system and hold President Trump accountable for his abuse of power.”

Will Fresno be a ghost town?

Fresno Bee. Nearly half of Fresno residents will flee due to climate risks, report predicts. 
Synopsis: Risk-assessment firm First Street calculates that 45.8% of county residents will be gone by 2055 due to rising insurance rates and decreasing land values. As insurance rates skyrockets, home values will plumet. Among the nation’s most at-risk counties, Fresno was No. 1 due to heat, bad air and the possibility of dust storms and drought. Crystal Kolden, director of the UC Merced Fire Resilience Center, acknowledged the Valley’s problems but was skeptical of the First Street report. “In California, we just keep rebuilding, and we figure out how to engineer our way out of it.” Others noted that First Street depended on “coarse data,” which is less reliable.

‘Reading is power’

Westside Connect. Newman Library opens to eager crowd.
Synopsis: “After six long months, the Newman branch of the Stanislaus County Library held a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Saturday,” wrote the reporter. Inside the lights were brighter, the carpet fresh and there is more for kids to do. The reporter quoted Tammy Dunbar, staff assistant for Congressman Adam Gray, expressing deep support for public libraries: “Reading is knowledge, reading is power and everyone has a story to share. That is why projects like these are so important,” she said.

You think beef is high now …

Fresno Bee. Beef prices rising as cattle herds hit historic lows; red meat demand steady.
Synopsis: If you’re looking for a steak, or even hamburger, be prepared to pay more. The average price of ground beef is $6.02 per pounds, up 12.1% from last year. It’s going to get worse as beef production is expected to drop by 5% this year due to drought, higher feed costs and lower ranch capacity. Ranchers can’t add more cows because there isn’t enough hay to feed them. Over the past few years, the US has imported about a million head from Mexico to make up for smaller herds here. But the New World screwworm has suspended all shipments north. The pest was eradicated in the US “decades ago,” and no one wants it back. Impacts are also hitting the dairy industry, where the average cost of a cow is $4,400 -- double what it was 10 years ago.

Nuts keep us healthy

Western Farm Press. Daily almond snack helps people with metabolic syndrome.
Synopsis: A daily dose of almonds improved key health markers for those suffering from metabolic syndrome. Eating about 45 almonds a day improves cardio and gut health. Story says 40% of all Americans have the syndrome, which is preliminary to developing type 2 diabetes. Eating almonds also lowers cholesterol.

CA Ag Net. Almond Board announces 2025 election results. 
Synopsis: The 10-member CA Almond Board makes decisions about the direction of studies, marketing and more. Elected to that board was Paul Ewing (Grower 1; Atwater), Brandon Rebiero (Grower 2; Modesto), Chad DeRose (Handler 1; McFarland), Darren Rigg (Handler 3; Le Grand) and Modesto’s Mel Machado, the alternate Co-Op Handler 1.

A $20K coffeemaker?

Stocktonia. A $19,700 espresso maker? What’s in San Joaquin County’s proposed budget.
Synopsis: San Joaquin County will spend $3 billion this year, with most earmarked for medical care and law enforcement. The budget is 7% higher than a year ago but the county won’t have to dip into reserves, at least for now. Healthcare services take up $1.2 billion, or 39.8% of the budget; the sheriff, probation and DA offices will cost $644 million. The county will also build a $3 million, 70-tent safe-camping site at the old Oakmoore Golf Course in east Stockton. Oh, that espresso maker is on the wish list for San Joaquin General’s cafeteria. Revenues would offset the cost, says a spokesperson.

Merced Sun Star. Merced may reduce reserve fund requirement to avoid $430K budget deficit.
Synopsis: The Merced City Council passed a budget of $438.5 million, but to avoid freezing public-safety positions, the council voted to use Measure C money to cover the shortfall. Even so, the city will freeze a dispatcher, firefighter and four police officer positions. Normally, Measure C is spent on one-time purchases, not pay.

That’s a great encore!

Merced County Times. Fair CEO Teresa Burrola bids farewell with another five days of good times.
Synopsis: The Merced County Fair, Teresa Burrola’s last, had good weather, great turnout and excellent participation by vendors, kids raising livestock and volunteers. While she was “extremely grateful” to Joseph Farms for the help it provided, the fair board was grateful to her. “Theresa, your legacy is one of strength, community and vision,” said Mark Errecca.

Another slap at ‘We Care’

Turlock Journal. Council, once again, votes not to support We Care shelter. 
Synopsis: Joe Cortez writes that a “routine disbursement of grant funds turned into yet another discussion about the future of a homeless shelter” during last Tuesday’s Turlock council meeting. The shelter was one of seven groups set to get a $10,000 Community Development Block Grant. Instead, Mayor Amy Bublak insisted the shelter appears to be on the verge of closing and thus doesn’t need the money. Councilmember Rebecka Monez agreed. Councilmember Cassandra Abram fought back, saying the shelter needs to the money. This has been a fight since April, when the council majority refused to make even a token donation to the shelter, costing it $267,000 in state grants and jeopardizing its future. Since then, the Stanislaus Community Foundation, United Way and Kaiser Foundation have contributed to keep the shelter open.
MAD Take: Today’s vocabulary builder: Petty, it’s not pretty.

Finding homes and purpose

Modesto Bee. Modesto man finding homes for 29 dogs after his neighbors die in crash. 
Synopsis: Sue Crawford and her partner, Junior Coleman died in a car crash on May 29, leaving behind 29 dogs on their property. Also living on the property was Alex Appleby, and he’s been taking care of the animals ever since. Crawford had invited Appleby to park his camper there 10 months ago until he could find a permanent home. “They gave me a place to go when I didn’t really have anywhere.” Now he’s working with Oakdale Rescue to get the dogs rehomed. Unfortunately, Stanislaus Animal Services says he must find homes by Monday, or they will be required to step in. As for Appleby, caring for the animals has “given me a little bit of purpose. Looking after something other than myself has felt good.”