Valley Solutions

AI holding cities ‘captive’

Fresnoland. Is Fresno being held ‘captive’ by AI and software from tech companies? City leader thinks so. 
Synopsis: Fresno city manager Georgeanne White told the council that the city is being held “absolutely captive” by companies who demand ever-elevating fees to use their proprietary software. “I suspect AI is going to be like meth,” said councilmember Miguel Arias. “They give it to you at a really cheap price on day one, and then they’re going to rob you and rape you on year two because now we’re on the hook.” The city is using at least two dozen AI products from Claude AI to Adobe Creative Cloud to AutoCAD. The city pointed to its contract with Axon, which costs $1.2 million in the third year but will rise to $5.8 million in year five. Worse, the city can’t really say how much the computer power is costing. Some companies disguise fees through the use of “tokens” that vary in cost depending on timing and how they’re used.

Keeping Honor Flights aloft

Fresno Bee. Honor Flight beats deadline, keeps Fresno vets traveling.
Synopsis: The rising cost of chartered flights, hotels and meals put the Central Valley Honor Flight in jeopardy. The volunteer group put out the word that its program to honor veterans was in jeopardy and the community responded. In a matter of weeks, Honor Flight raised the $150,000 needed for their next trip to Washington in October. “It’s what community does,” said founder Paul Loeffler. The program started in 2013 and has hosted dozens of flights filled with WWII, Korean and Vietnam veterans. They visit the Navy, Marine, Air Force and Army museums in Washington along with Arlington and the Tomb of the Unknowns. In that time some 2,285 veterans have taken part in the program.  The program is entirely administered by unpaid volunteers.

Merced chief now an FBI grad

Merced County Times. Police chief returns with insight from FBI training.
Synopsis: Merced police chief Steve Stanfield has completed a 10-week certification course at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va., returning on June 20. He thanked the city and his department for making the “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity possible. He was one of 250 students from across the world. Being exposed to officers and procedures from across the nation and world, Stanfield learned “Merced and California are far more advanced and our training level here is so much more than smaller agencies in the Midwest.” Fitness was part of the program, culminating with a six-mile obstacle course during the final week.

Golden mayor headed to Oz

City of Turlock (Facebook). Congratulations to Mayor Amy Bublak.
Synopsis: Last weekend, Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak won gold medals in both shot put and javelin throw in the 2026 U.S. Police & Fire Championships in San Diego. It was the second year in a row she has won the championships. The mayor said her victory requires a team, and hers includes ABC Fitness, Jennifer Neal, throwing coach Channing Wilson, Molly’s Therapeutic Bodyworks and Mas Vida Chiropractic. Fellow councilmember Erika Phillips, a professional bodybuilder, provides nutrition through FitKitchen. The victories qualified Bublak to compete in the World Championships in Perth, Australia.

He was back for more money

Modesto Bee. House Speaker Mike Johnson visits Modesto area to stump for Kevin Lincoln. 
Synopsis: House Speaker Mike Johnson was in town this week but didn’t really make that news public until after he left. Johnson is trying to raise money for former Stockton mayor Kevin Lincoln, who lives outside the district but is running against Rep. Adam Gray in CA-13. Among those who accompanied Johnson was Livermore police chief and former Hughson mayor Jeramy Young. He’s trying to defeat Heath Flora for an Assembly seat. Johnson has come to the Modesto area several times to ask for money but seldom makes public appearances.

Party at the historical village

North Valley Review (Facebook). San Joaquin Historical Museum to open Pioneer Village.
Synopsis: The SJ County Historical Museum at Micke Grove Park is opening its Pioneer Village on July 25, a permanent exhibit that tells how the city of Stockton was settled. It includes replica buildings such as Charles Weber’s cottage, a blacksmith shop, cookshack, print shop and farmhouse. The celebration includes music, food and even swag for the first 500 visitors. Admission to the historical park is free, but there is a $6 fee to enter the park.

Three years later, charges filed

Turlock Journal. Suspect identified, charges filed in 3-year-old homicide case of Dylan Dooling.
Synopsis: An unidentified suspect has been arrested in the 2023 killing of Dylan Dooling, who was stabbed while leaving a house party in Turlock the day after he graduated from Pitman High. The person in custody was a minor at the time of the crime and thus can’t be identified though he is an adult now. The suspected killer was in custody in a different county at the time of his arrest.

Fourth boss in five months

Stockton Record. San Joaquin RTD taps fourth person to lead agency in five months.
Synopsis: Eric Williams has been hired to take over the San Joaquin Regional Transit District, becoming the fourth CEO of the agency this year. He was hired in May to be the chief operating officer. Williams replaces Bearnard O. Veasley, who resigned after just three months. The hiring comes two days after Vice Mayor Jason Lee asked the state controller’s office to audit the transit agency and learn why some of its riders, employees and former drivers signed a “Vote of No Confidence” petition. The petition says the agency’s reserves have fallen from $62 million to $26 million in just three months. That claim has not been verified.

‘I declare myself mayor’

KSEE / CBS47. Avenal city council member elects himself mayor in solo vote. 
Synopsis: Ricardo Verdugo, the only member of the Avenal city council not recalled by voters, made a motion, seconded it and approved it naming him mayor of the city. City manager Antony Lopez is challenging the vote’s legality, but he is the same staffer who told the other council members to ignore the overwhelming results of the recall election in April. The meeting was conducted at Avenal Elementary School since the city manager contested the use of city hall. The Kings County Board of Supervisors scheduled a special meeting Friday to discuss the city’s turmoil.

Interesting places to eat

Modesto Bee. Well-liked Modesto Caribbean restaurant at risk of closing; owner asks for help.
Synopsis: Cariblue Restaurant was voted the Best New Restaurant of 2024, and it remains one of the favorites of Bee reporters. But now the 2-year-old eatery is struggling, says owner Abel Cano. “I don’t know what to do anymore,” he said. Facing closure, Cano has created a fundraiser to help cover his debts and keep the lights on.

Modesto Bee. Modesto grain silos-turned-restaurant will open soon.
Synopsis: Aaron Valencia, who created the real estate firm Royal Equity Fund, is investing “a lot of millions of dollars” into converting 87-year-old grain silos into a coffee shop, bar, restaurant and event space. He envisions car shows, wine festivals, live music and more. The five silos built in 1939 rise an estimated 400 feet in downtown Modesto.

Gray delivers medal to hero

Westside Connect. Gray presents Purple Heart medal to Vietnam veteran and Patterson native. 
Synopsis: Rep. Adam Gray personally presented a medal recognizing the sacrifices and wounds of Sgt (ret) Alan J. Frunz during the Tet Offensive in Vietnam in 1968. While the paperwork was completed and his wounds verified, Frunz never received the medal he was due during an attack near the Perfume River. He mentioned the slight to a member of Gray’s team at Patterson’s Memorial Day celebration. A few weeks later, Gray’s staff had reached out to the Army, which verified the account and promptly delivered the medals. Gray made the presentation in Frunz’s dining room. On hand was his wife, son, grandchildren and brother along with roughly 20 family members and friends.

CSU union: We’re ready to strike

Modesto Bee. Stanislaus State employees union member are strike-ready, cite ‘blatant disrespect.’ 
Synopsis: CSU Employees Union Local 308 and two other unions have been working without a contract since July 1. Now, their union says members are ready to strike. “They don’t think that we’re serious,” said Nic Webber of the bargaining team. CSUEU is the largest union in the CSU system, representing healthcare workers, janitorial, clerical and technical staff, student assistants and a few other job classifications. “It’s hot as hell outside and staffing a strike line is no one’s idea of a good time,” said member Ian Hippensteele. “But it’s something that we see as a necessary step.”

Dos Palos celebrates cool cars

Westside Express. Cool day for hot cars. 
Synopsis: Dave Borba writes about the Dos Palos Lions Hot Summer Nights car show. “We had 105 cars and trucks as well as 14 motorcycles,” said organizer Peggy Jelen. Julio Cardon’s low rider was the best of show and Art Prieto won best of show in “Stock.” The Luxurious Club was voted best club, among other awards.