Valley Solutions

Hey bloke, that’s our water

McClatchy. Here’s what candidate for CA governor said during Central Valley forum. 
Synopsis: Six candidates for governor were at Fresno State on Wednesday, answering questions from moderators Kristin Olsen-Cate (a former Assemblymember from Modesto) and Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes. Both Republicans (Fox commentator Steve Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco) were there, but only four of eight Democrats (Eric Swalwell, Tom Steyer and Betty Yee passed). All six laid out their Valley bona fides and devotion to farming. They talked about the price of gas, housing affordability, education, etc. Deep in the story, we learn that Hilton, who immigrated to CA from London, has a plan to siphon the Tuolumne and American rivers south through a new canal to farmers in the South Valley.
MAD Take: Hilton wants to take our water and send it south? Really? Does he believe people here will just let him drain Don Pedro? Does he think San Francisco will hesitate to act as he reroutes the river depended on by 2.6 million people? Does he think our farms are less important than those in Kern County? Politicians have to talk, bloke, but sometimes it’s best to know what you’re talking about first.

GV Wire. CA governor candidates talk water, regulations at Fresno State forum. 
Synopsis: David Taub covered the forum at Fresno State, reporting that all six candidates believe regulations are hurting farmers and promising an “all of the above” approach to solving the state’s energy, homebuilding and water-storage issues. While the debate was clearly partisan, the Republicans refrained from criticizing one another and the Democrats mostly agreed on solutions. “There is no magic wand to create more water,” said Katie Porter. Among those not in attendance were candidates Eric Swalwell and Tom Steyer. Betty Yee also declined, opting to attend Seder rituals.

Mountain lion spotted in Merced

ABC30. Mountain lion seen roaming through Merced neighborhood.
Synopsis: A Ring camera captured video of a mountain lion wandering along Pickworth Court near Andrea Drive just after 4 a.m. on Thursday. El Capitan High, about a mile north across Bellevue, sent a message telling parents and students to remain alert and to shelter in place if the lion is spotted.
MAD Note: Two mountain lions were spotted in the city of Gustine, about 35 miles west of Merced, earlier this week.

Where did the snow go?

Cal Matters. Sparse snowpack in CA fuels concern over fast-approaching fire season. 
Synopsis: In January, the entire state of California was declared drought-free for the first time in 26 years. Three months later, we’re back in a drought – a snow-drought, as measured by snow depth and water content in the Sierra. Across the state, we’re at about 30% of normal, but in the North state, where the heaviest snow usually falls, the mountains have only 6% of normal. The only worse year was 2015, the driest year on record. All that missing snow will lead to an early fire season as growth emerges sooner and dries faster. With a late-winter storm dumping rain, that ladder fuel will grow bigger so it can burn hotter. In the mountains, officials are urging homeowners to get busy creating defensible space. Others say we’re in a “haystack” fire season. Haystacks burn hotter, longer and in layers.

Fox40. ‘Hope is not a water management strategy’: CA snowpack 2^nd worst in 75 years. 
Synopsis: Another of the dozen stories concerning the season’s final snow survey. Andy Reising of DWR was unimpressed with Monday’s storm: “Mother Nature blesses us with another little joke of a storm, but here we are. At this point, we’ll take anything we can get.” Water officials are taking the lack of snow quite seriously. “Hope is not a water management strategy,” said Dept of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth, who made her usual pitch for the tunnels. “So, we really need to invest in our systems so they are ready to move more water when we have wetter conditions.”

Tunnel support disappearing

SJV Water. Support for Delta tunnel dropping in Kern County.
Synopsis: The highly controversial Delta Conveyance Project (aka, Delta tunnel) is becoming less popular with some of those being asked to pay for it. The Wheeler Ridge-Maricopa Water Storage District voted to cut its contribution by 97%, from $4.6 million to $146,000. The GM said he believes the tunnel should be built, but his farmers can’t afford it. Four other state contractors are also reconsidering cutting support for the project. DWR expects those districts to chip in $300 million.

Yosemite reservations work

SF Chronicle. Yosemite National Park has a self-inflicted gridlock problem. 
Synopsis: Former Yosemite superintendent Robert Binnewies writes about the gridlock that anyone visiting Yosemite on a weekend can expect this year. That’s because the park has discarded its vehicle reservation system. The system limited the number of vehicles allowed into the park on weekends, keeping traffic manageable. It was implemented a decade ago when it became literally impossible to find a parking place on the Valley floor. But Rep. Tom McClintock became extremely loud in opposing reservations because he feared reduced traffic (and reduced purchases) through mountain communities. “The purpose of Yosemite is not to ring up overflowing cash register sales,” writes Binnewies. “It is to preserve, enjoy, respect and cherish a priceless natural treasure.” He called out McClintock specifically for having a bad attitude.

‘Americans are fed up’

GV Wire. McEwen to Costa: Why isn’t Israel giving foreign aid to US?
Synopsis: News director Bill McEwen, as outspoken as he is fearless, sat down for an interview with Rep. Jim Costa. At one point, McEwen blurted: “American people are fed up with this!” Said Costa, “I don’t disagree with you, Bill.” But he described a Congress in which Democrats don’t yet have the power to keep Trump from operating outside Constitutional norms.

For the love of bovines

Morning Ag Clips. Outstanding Holstein Youth recognized as 2026 DJM semifinalists, YDJM finalists.
Synopsis: The National Junior Holstein Assn, which has 8,000 members, has named its Distinguished Junior Member semifinalists and finalists for Young Distinguished Junior Members. Interestingly, five DJM candidates are from Wisconsin, two from Pennsylvania and only one from the largest Holstein-producing state in the nation – California. That would be Jon Chapman of Keyes. There were no Californians among the YDJM finalists.
MAD Take: For more details about Jon Chapman, who was raised in Keyes but now attends college in Iowa, you can read a story that appeared on TheBullVine.com last December: “The quiet revolution: Two young dairy people who refused to choose between love and survival.”

Ag Daily. USDA weighs phased reopening of border as cattle supply tightens.
Synopsis: Reacting to rapidly rising beef prices, Secretary of Ag Brooke Rollins is floating a plan to reopen the southern border to cattle crossings – New World Screwworm be damned. Many ranchers throughout the west buy cattle in Mexico and bring them to the US for finishing and sale. But fears that the cattle could help the flesh-eating parasite cross the border with them led to border closures last year. But now feedlots in Texas, Arizona and California – including one of the nation’s oldest in Lubbock, Texas – are shutting down due to lack of cattle. And ribeye is selling for $12.50 a pound, $25 for prime.

How hot was it?

Modesto Bee. Modesto set ‘all-time record’ for heat; what’s in store for the rest of the spring?
Synopsis: March was the hottest on record, according to the National Weather Service. High temps on nine days – eight consecutive – set records. What does it mean for April and May? If you enjoyed those summer days, more are on the way. It’s expected to be 85 on Easter.

Patterson: Take a closer look

Patterson Irrigator. Reconsidering Patterson’s $8M energy project: Support, concerns and caution. 
Synopsis: CeeCee Howell writes about the city’s proposed project to replace old lighting, heating and cooling systems with computer-controlled equipment, LEDs and solar-panel installations. She’s concerned with new state code language that allows cities to avoid the typical bidding process for such systems. Under the normal rules, cities would be required to use the lowest bidder. Under this system, the city can sign the deal with a preferred vendor with no public disclosure. In this case, that’s Alliance Building Systems, which the city hired in 2024 to do a cost study. After examining the contract, Howell worries not enough attention is being paid to Chromium-6, upgrades for wastewater treatment, and solar panels. Her bottom line: “I don’t support the scope of this project right now, regardless of the project’s budget-neutral status.” She urges residents to attend a town hall meeting on April 6 to learn more.

Stockton orders more drones

Stocktonia. Stockton approves $3.15M police drone program despite public opposition. 
Synopsis: The city is contracting with Flock Safety to add more police drones. Several residents spoke during the meeting, worried over lost privacy and the illegal sharing of information with immigration enforcement. By agreeing to spend another $3.15 million, the Flock contract will reach $5.4 million over five years. The company will cover 75% of the city, saying it improves emergency-response times. The company is facing lawsuits in San Francisco and San Jose after having shared information with ICE. The company insists the city has complete control over who gets to see any data.

Police report: Tragedy, coke, ice cream

Modesto Bee. Uncle faces murder charge after 2-year-old found dead in burned Turlock home.
Synopsis: A 2-year-old boy was found dead after a fire in the 1200 block of Expedition Avenue on Wednesday. Witnesses reported seeing Richard Regalado, the boy’s uncle, leave the scene just before the fire broke out. He was arrested. “This is the kind of call that stays with you,” said police chief Jason Hedden. “It impacts everyone who responded. … We will do everything we can to ensure accountability.”

Merced Sun-Star. Los Banos gang unit arrests convicted felon on gun, drug charges.
Synopsis: Jose Sainz was on “active parole” from the Dept of Corrections when police found a rifle and drugs in his home on Maryland Avenue. There was also evidence of drug sales. He’s being held without bail.

Merced Sun-Star. Merced County traffic stop results in $1 million cocaine seizure.
Synopsis: CHP officers found 10 kilos of cocaine in a Honda Accord pulled over on Hwy 99 near Mission Avenue. The driver gave consent for a search after a K9 officer showed up. The drugs were hidden in a compartment under the passenger seat. Both the driver and passenger became overnight guests of the Sheriff.

Westside Connect. Stanislaus Sheriff’s Office surprises Bonita students with ice cream.
Synopsis: The Stanislaus deputies know how important it is just to show up. That’s why they celebrated the 111 students of Bonita Elementary on Wednesday, providing ice cream in recognition of their perfect attendance. Earlier in March, the deputies had a similar celebration at Apricot Valley School in Patterson.

Hang up and learn, kids

Modesto Bee. Modesto City Schools approves cellphone policy for TK-12. 
Synopsis: When AB 3216 was approved last year, districts across the state began creating policies they hope will refocus attention onto the students’ studies and away from devices held in their hands. Modesto will prohibit any phone use during the entire school day (including lunch), though phones can be brought onto campuses. Breaking the rules will result in confiscation. Students with a doctor’s note or experiencing an emergency are allowed to use the phones but otherwise must keep them out of sight. The policy was developed after the district solicited 8,000 responses from students, 3,700 from parents and 1,200 from staff. BTW, the older the student, the less enthusiasm there is for the policy. Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago said that districts with similar policies see dramatic drops in misconduct as phone use drops. She said it is “healthy for students to not have their phones.”
MAD Take: Who has a pool for how long it takes for the first lawsuit to be filed?