Valley Headlines

Invasive species are a problem

Maven / Delta Independent Science Board. The science of non-native species in a dynamic Delta.
Synopsis: The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the most invaded estuary in the world with over 200 non-native species. This paper says pollution, climate change and habitat changes make the ecosystem even more vulnerable to invasion and infestation. The study says that some non-native species are now considered beneficial. It points out striped bass, which were introduced by sportsmen in the 1890s and now provide recreational opportunities. “However, striped bass may be preying on native fishes such as salmon.”
MAD Take: Just two years ago, state data estimated there were 60 non-native species of animals and 40 non-native plant species thriving in the Delta. Upping the number to 200 is significant. However, saying striped bass “MAY BE preying on native fishes such as salmon” is an astounding equivocation. Every study done over the past three decades has shown that striped bass have decimated the salmon and Delta smelt populations. There are multiple photos of scientists removing intact salmon smolts from the stomachs of striped bass. Studies by Fish Bio have shown that bass – striped, spotted, black, small-mouth, etc. – make up 98% of the Delta’s biome. When they can’t eat salmon and smelt, they eat each other. And they’re moving farther up our rivers. Writing bass “may be” eating salmon is a clear bend-of-the-knee to fishing and environmental groups who become furious at any suggestion that we could save more salmon if we reduced the number of bass. The study does point out that the state mandated in 2009 that the Delta should be managed for the benefit of native species. Clearly, that mandate is being ignored.

PG&E’s latest gouge

SF Chronicle. Another PG&E rate hike is in the works for Californians.
Synopsis: Reporter Julie Johnson writes that PG&E rates could rise another $6 per month (on average) before the end of the year if the CPUC rubber-stamps the latest PG&E request. Statewide, PG&E bills average $281 a month, but in the Valley -- where it’s both hotter and colder and the residents poorer -- the average is over $360 a month. In the past year alone, the average household has seen rates rise by $34 per month. The company says this increase is justified based on costs it incurred during the 15 storms that came through CA in 2022-23.
MAD Take: Huh. Sure took them long enough to make the request. In the 17 months since the last of those storms hit, PG&E has paid huge quarterly dividends and was required to rebate some excess profits to customers. It doesn’t add up. Either the request should be summarily rejected, or the CPUC summarily fired.

Boone fire keeps growing

GV Wire. Over 1,000 personnel work to corral Fresno County’s 12,000-acre Boone Fire.
Synopsis: The fire raging near where Monterey, Fresno and San Benito counties touch has consumed 12,252 acres and is only 5% contained. Some 75 structures are threatened, and evacuation orders have been issued. The fire is about 15 miles west of Coalinga.

Save Mart closing Merced center

Merced Focus. Merced Save Mart distribution center to close in November, 250 jobs impacted.
Synopsis: All those ownership changes since the death of Bob Piccinini in 2015 have finally come home to roost in Merced County. “Job separations” begin just in time for Christmas on Nov. 3. Mayor Serratto calls it a “huge blow to our community.” Save Mart is owned by Canadian-based Jim Pattison Group, which bought the 204-store chain from a hedge fund in June. The Piccinini family sold the stores – which started with a single store in Manteca then moved its HQ to Modesto – in 2022.

Weed tax raking it in

Valley Sun. CA reports cannabis tax revenue for second quarter.
Synopsis: The state pulled in $263 million, making the grand total since legalization $6.3 billion. This quarter, the state collected $108 million in sales taxes, the rest in an “excise tax” on producers – of which, 20% is “restored” to vendors. For the year, the state has collected over $525 million in taxes.
MAD Take: Despite all the wailing and complaining by vendors, the weed business is pretty good.

What’s happening in schools?

Merced Sun Star. High school principal in Merced County resigns after dance with mascot.
Synopsis: The chair dance in front of a packed pep rally at Buhach Colony High has finally cost Rob Nunes his job. He will become an associate principal in the district. It didn’t help that after the mascot squirmed on his lap, Nunes fired a confetti cannon then shouted, “What happens at Buhach, stays at Buhach.” Torrin Johnson has been the interim principal since August and will remain.  

Patterson Irrigator. Voting period open for new school name.
Synopsis: A committee narrowed a list of 70 suggestions for the school at Ward and Calvinson to five. Go online to choose from: Almond Blossom, Orchard Blossom, Ward, Canyon View or Golden Hills. If the committee doesn’t like the voters’ choice, it can recommend something else. The school opens in 2027.

Fresno Bee. Fresno Unified board conducts retreat: What did they learn from $100,000 coach?
Synopsis: The board and interim superintendent brought in AJ Crabill, a consultant from Council of Great City Schools. He urged the board to spend half its time focused on kids. The $100K included recruitment services for a new superintendent as well as the retreat.

Patterson camps cleared

Patterson Irrigator. Homeless camps cleared. Enforcement results in 18 arrests.
Synopsis: The city, working with the Sheriff’s Office, cleared out and cleaned up encampments in three areas, including North and South parks and along Ward Avenue. Police found drugs on some of those removed. Chief Josh Clayton said deputies went out last week and provided notice of the sweeps then went out again 24 hours in advance. Deacon James Ragland said such sweeps, without opportunities to help those displaced, are futile. “This is our city. These are our people. They are still part of the community and if we don’t give them hope, who will?” Clayton agreed, but it becomes an issue of public safety.

More from police blotter …

Modesto Bee. Human remains found in Tuolumne County 3 miles from truck of missing men.
Synopsis: The two Waterford men disappeared in June but were found Thursday by a dirt-biker. Bones, clothing and electronics were recovered in the Stanislaus River Canyon off Keltz Mine Road. Ronnie Dale Henley was moving to the area with help from Ronnie Lee Duncan, but they got lost.

Patterson Irrigator. Man charged with stalking mayor to be released soon.
Synopsis: Zedrick Khan was arrested in 2022 on a host of charges. He once ran against Mike Clauzel for mayor and lost.

Modesto Bee. Train hits Stanislaus Sheriff vehicle after deputy parks it on railroad tracks.
Synopsis: There wasn’t much left of the car, but no one was hurt. The unidentified deputy pulled onto the tracks while responding to reports of a woman and man screaming at each in Empire.

Valley Sun. DOJ launches civil rights investigation into Chowchilla women’s prison.
Synopsis: Daniel Gligich reports that 21 women signed the complaint involving the Chino facility over conduct first discovered in Chowchilla. US Attorney Martin Estrada says misconduct from guards “will not be tolerated in prisons.” Among the charges are groping, demanding sex for favors and outright rape. Last year, 6 former Chowchilla inmates settled a lawsuit for $3.7 million.

Farmers the solution, not the problem

Ag Daily. Viewpoint: Climate change is real … farmers are the solution.
Synopsis: Dairy farmer-turned-scientist Charles Stack writes about the “immense complexity of the climate riddle” and the role anerobic digestion plays in cleaning up the air, water and soil. He bristles both when farmers are blamed for environmental ills and when farmers scoff that “cow farts” can’t possibly be a problem. He wants policies that acknowledge the contributions farmers are making while incentivizing further investment. Regardless, “we have work to do.”
MAD Take: California dairy farmers have been at the forefront of installing digesters with the help of generous state grants. These digesters work best on large-scale dairy farms, where the sheer number of cows makes them profitable. Yet, several anti-farming groups insist that large-scale dairy farms are harmful to society, and they’re working to ban them in Sonoma County. If large farms are banned, digesters won’t make economic sense. It seems that sometimes some folks’ heads are a little too close to the methane source.