Valley Solutions

Saving farmers from solar

Western Farm Press. Solar farms muscle into US farmland as energy needs spike. 
Synopsis: The second in a series of eight stories describes a 20,000-acre solar farm being held up by a single Arizona farmer. His neighbors have all sold out, but he calls the thousands of panels “a cancer” that has devoured all his neighbors’ farms. “It just kept growing.” The panels create a heat island, driving up temps day and night. “If it doesn’t get down into the 70s at night, cotton doesn’t pollinate,” said one nearby grower. Across the nation, there were 3,000 “utility-scale solar projects” covering 7.25 million acres in rural areas built from 2012-2020; nearly half covered “working cropland.” Now the pace of conversion is accelerating. The American Farmland Trust says 10 million more acres will be needed by 2050. The writer says the new electron farmers aren’t villains, but too little thought is being given to impacts and possible multiple uses. As one farmer says, “I keep hearing ‘Save farmland.’ I’m interested in saving the farmers.”

Merced police chiefs speak up

Merced Focus. Merced County police chiefs share public safety goals, what’s ahead for 2026. 
Synopsis: The Merced Focus had quick conversations with the county’s six city police chiefs. Ruben Chavez in Gustine believes new vehicles, body cams and tasers will keep his 16 officers safer. Dayton Snyder of Dos Palos talked about body cams and more tech. Richard McEachin of Atwater is hopeful his new Street Teams will reduce gang violence. In Livingston, a license plate reader will help traffic enforcement. Ray Reyna is looking forward to more community outreach and a code enforcement officer in Los Banos. Merced’s Steve Stanfield is happy with park and red-light cameras but needs a better radio system.

Looking at MID’s controversy

Modesto Bee. Modesto Irrigation District: 5 takeaways from alleged water theft, misconduct. 
Synopsis: Reporter Trevor Morgan revisits the controversy that has been exposed over the past two years at Modesto Irrigation District. District director Larry Byrd apparently used district water to irrigate 96 acres of nuts he grows outside the district. In five bullet-points, here’s where the story stands: 1) Byrd “may have” broken MID policy and misused water; at worst, he stole it. If true, this has cost ratepayers significant amounts of lost revenue. 2) The investigation found Byrd’s explanation of where he got the water to be impossible. 3) The investigation is dead after the board voted 2-2 on continuing it. Byrd took part, voting on his own behalf. 4) Ethics experts say Byrd never should have voted on an issue that clearly was about him. Director John Boer, who was only tangentially involved, recused himself. If Byrd had not voted, the investigation would have continued. 5) Director Janice Keating had been censured by the board – and sued by director Bob Frobose -- a few weeks prior to the vote. Did that influence her vote?

Valley Sun. Modesto Irrigation District director faces heat over alleged misuse of water. 
Synopsis: Daniel Gligich provides a look at the issues around Larry Byrd and the 2-2 vote that resulted in the district dropping its investigation into what appears to be water misuse. It includes much of the information developed in stories by Eric Caine of Valley Citizen, Garth Stapley of Modesto Focus and Trevor Morgan of The Modesto Bee.

FSU problems ‘not surprising’

Fresno Bee. Faculty ‘not surprised’ review says Fresno State Foundation risked fraud, union says. 
Synopsis: Andrew Jones, president of the Fresno State CA Faculty Association, said professors and staff have been concerned “for years” with accountability at the Fresno State Foundation. He first heard complaints in 2007 when professors said they had to use grant money for cleanup and maintenance rather than research. “Even back then, we were asking: ‘Where’s all that money going?’” The Foundation’s executive director, Brady Crook, told The Bee that the 47-page report detailing the foundation’s shortcomings has become “a top priority” and promised complete transparency. The review of the foundation’s practices was requested by FSU President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval. The foundation’s top two administrators retired last year.

Chavez talks about payments

Fresnoland. Fresno leader breaks his silence on old city contracts. 
Synopsis: Former Fresno city councilmember Luis Chavez defended his use of city funds to pay political consultant Alex Tavlian in excess of city limits on single expenditures. Chavez, now a Fresno County supervisor, said the city allows councilmembers to pay up to $100,000 in no-bid contracts with specific vendors without public disclosure. He said he doesn’t know of any rule against having more than one such contract with the same vendor, in effect skirting the rule. He blamed the city’s legal department for having “signed off” on subsequent contracts with Tavlian. He explained that the money was spent so his constituents would know what he had accomplished on their behalf. He also signed a contract with a Tavlian-operated firm for $16,666 a month, or $200,000 a year. But Chavez declined to say what Tavlian was doing under that contract, calling it simply “community outreach.”

Vice Mayor didn’t break rules

Stocktonia. Stockton vice mayor didn’t break ethics laws for Wild ‘N Out, investigators say. 
Synopsis: Vice Mayor Jason Lee did not improperly influence a decision by the city’s economic development department to buy tickets in the Wild ‘N Out show when ticket sales lagged. Also, Lee did not have any “prohibited financial interest” in the event. Former interim city manager Steve Colangelo raised suspicions about Lee’s role in the show, sparking the investigation. Lee said the charges were politically motivated and “unsupported by evidence.” Some 7,700 attended the show in which Lee, a comic, performed. Said Lee: “Investigations should be tools of accountability, not political weapons.” The city paid $50,000 for the investigation.

MLK Day celebrations set

Modesto Bee. Modesto-area MLK events feature local justice advocates and Malcolm X’s daughter.
Synopsis: Observances of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday begins Saturday and continue for three weeks in Modesto. King was born on Jan. 15, but the federal holiday will be Jan. 19. On Jan. 17, Evan Wade will speak at the King-Kennedy Center luncheon, set for the Modesto Senior Citizens Center on Bodem. There will be a panel discussion at Sonora High on Jan. 18. On Jan. 19, there will be a ceremony at the Christian Love Baptist Church, led by Pastor Darius Crosby, followed by a presentation to honor Odessa Johnson, the first Black teacher at Modesto High and a UC regent. Ilyasah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, will close the observations with a talk at MJC on Feb. 7.

Merced Sun Star. Unity march, day of service planned in Merced to honor Martin Luther King Jr. 
Synopsis: The 29^th year of the MLK Jr. March in Merced -- this year titled “Immeasurable” in recognition of King’s impact on society – will be Jan. 19. Those taking part are asked to gather at 10 am at the Amtrak station on West 24^th then march down MLK Jr. Way to the Merced Theatre at 11 am. The march will be followed by a day of service. Among those being honored are Pastor (and coach) Allen Huddleston, NAACP vice president Lynn White and Merced PD Sgt. Nathan McKinnon. Those looking to volunteer can check with the UC Merced Community Engagement Center for opportunities from playing games with senior citizens to cleaning up a shelter space on D Street.

Hospital fined in death

Fresno Bee. Fresno-area hospital fined for ‘avoidable death’ of mom six days after childbirth.
Synopsis: Clovis Community Medical Center has been fined $100,000 for putting a patient in “immediate jeopardy.” A 26-year-old woman died six days giving birth in 2022. The hospital failed to recognize her symptoms as deep vein thrombosis and discharged her. That same year, Community Regional was fined $90,000 for putting another patient in “immediate jeopardy” when they removed a Fallopian tube after a cesarean section. At least three other Fresno area facilities have been cited for seven incidents of “immediate jeopardy” in 2025.

Tracy’s Macy’s is closing

LA Times. Macy’s to close two more locations in California.
Synopsis: The Tracy and La Mesa stores will be closed within two months as Macy’s closes 14 stores nationwide. Originally, Macy’s had planned to shutter 150 of its 424 stores over the next two years, but a strong third quarter allowed it to scale back those plans.

He killed two, gets 5 years

ABC30. Man sentenced for Atwater crash that killed couple married for 38 years. 
Synopsis: Some 54 months after he slammed into the back of Pam and Joe Juarez’s vehicle while going 130 mph, King Vanga was sentenced to prison. The couple were sitting just minutes from their home when their car was struck. Vanga said he was sorry. Apparently, he was not sorry enough to drop his lawsuits against the family for defamation of his character. Vanga will serve five years, four months in prison.
MAD Take: 5 years? He killed two people, sued their family, and gets 5 years?

Fresno’s pro soccer team

Fresno Bee. Could professional soccer be coming to Fresno? Mayor Dyer to make announcement.
Synopsis: Fresno could be getting a second shot on goal. Central Valley Fuego FC launched in 2020 when hopes were high for a downtown stadium. After the 2024 season, the team left the USL League One for a developmental league when the stadium plans evaporated. The Fresno Foxes started in 2017, but folded after two seasons, also due to lack of a stadium.  The key, it seems, is a new stadium.

Mims on water’s importance

Ag Net West. Margaret Mims on leadership, water and why she’s running for Fresno Supervisor. 
Synopsis: Former Sheriff Margaret Mims spoke with interviewer Nick Papagni about her run for county supervisor, and water was topic 1. She warned against complacency in the midst of a wet year. “We’ve learned this lesson over and over,” she said. “Rain doesn’t equal water security. Without storage, conveyance and recharge, we’re still one dry year from a crisis.”
MAD Take: The story fails to note which seat Mims is seeking. Buddy Mendes is retiring from District 4 and has endorsed Mims.

Winton man murders a dog

KSEE24 / CBS47. Winton man shoots, kills friend’s dog, forces him to bury pet at gunpoint. 
Synopsis: A Winton man has been arrested after shooting his neighbor’s dog. The Sheriff’s Office got the report of animal cruelty Monday, leading to the arrest of James Charles Morales, 57. He and his neighbor were talking convivially when Morales told him he should shoot his dog. The neighbor thought Morales was joking until he pulled a gun and shot the dog. Then he held the gun on the neighbor and forced him to bury his pet. Deputies arrived as Morales was driving away; they stopped him and confiscated a 9mm. Charges include animal cruelty, kidnapping, assault with a weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm.