Valley Solutions

Trump makes his pick

Modesto Focus. Former Stockton mayor ‘honored’ by Trump endorsement in race vs. Adam Gray. 
Synopsis: Donald Trump wasted no time choosing his candidate for CA’s 13^th Congressional District. The day before candidates could file to run, Trump went to Truth Social to say one-term Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln has “my complete and total endorsement.” Busy with water infrastructure and healthcare legislation in Congress, Rep. Gray did not respond to the latest candidate to declare for the seat. But Lincoln’s arrival prompted the departure of Ceres Mayor Javier Lopez, who had declared his candidacy for CA 13 several months ago with backing from former Rep. John Duarte. That support proved fickle as Duarte switched to Lincoln. Now Lopez says he sees the writing on the wall and will “step back” from the race. Meanwhile, Gray has raised $1.73 million for his campaign followed by recent Bay Area-transplant Vin Kruttiventi’s $485,973, then Lincoln at $278,809 (raised for his anticipated re-run against Harder). Clovis substitute teacher David Giglio and Democrat Angelina Sigala are also running.
MAD Note. Lincoln told the Lodi News Sentinel last July that he would again challenge Harder. That prompted Harder to label Lincoln a “serial candidate who allowed crime and homelessness to soar in Stockton while spending millions on perks for himself.” He added, “Our Valley deserves better.” Did anyone bother asking Lincoln for his address? As mayor, he lived in North Stockton – well outside of CA-1 (just like his mentor, Duarte).

Politico. CA Playbook: Predictions we got right (or wrong).
Synopsis: In its daily roundup of political news, Politico buried Kevin Lincoln’s announcement beneath a year-end wrap, a note about a Midwest billionaire trying to force voter ID down in California and other stuff. When Politico got around to Lincoln, it noted that Democrats were happy to link Trump to Lincoln. The story also mentioned Mike Johnson’s “me too” endorsement.

Sacramento Bee. Central Valley Republican nabs endorsements from Trump, Johnson.
Synopsis: Trump’s early dive into Valley politics “underscores the 13^th District’s status as one of California’s few remaining competitive House races after the voter-approved redistricting.” That’s why Trump endorsed a GOP candidate as quickly as he could. The story also questions why the GOP paid Lincoln “more than $51,000” this year. There is no indication of the kind of work he did for the party or an explanation of why both Lincoln and state GOP officials refused to talk about it. In all, Lincoln and his wife reported more than $113,000 in salary for the first 10 months of this year through their “advisory” business.

The murdered are remembered

Modesto Bee. Modesto community gathers for memorial after deadly attack in Australia. 
Synopsis: Members of the community gathered at Congregation Beth Shalom on Wednesday night, to both pray for 15 murdered people on Bondi Beach and recognize the significance of Hanukkah – the Jewish Festival of Light. Nick Bavaro, Chris Ricci and Jeremiah Williams represented the city council and were joined by Chief Brandon Gillespie and DA Jeff Laugero among other dignitaries. Several members of Modesto’s clergy joined Rabbi Caitlin Bromberg in lifting “up their souls with our prayers and the words of our hearts.” Bavaro noted that “now, more than ever, kindness matters. Even in sorrow, we must choose unity over division.”

Gray wolf to lose protection?

Successful Farming. US House passes bill to remove gray wolf from endangered species list. 
Synopsis: The House voted 211-204 to remove the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List. The bill, which faces “an uphill road” in the Senate, would block judicial review of delisting and allow states to decide when wolves can be hunted or killed. Five Democrats voted for the bill, including Reps. Adam Gray and Jim Costa – both from the Valley and both members of the House Ag Committee. The other “yea” votes from Democrats came from representatives in Texas and Washington.
MAD Note: After having returned to California within the past decade, the adults in CA’s Beyem Seyo pack were euthanized after they killed more than 80 calves and could not be forced to stop hunting cattle through hazing or removal. In Colorado even worse depredation has occurred as ranchers report losing 5.7% of their calves this year. Delays in wolf-kill confirmations have made it “virtually impossible” to remove wolves in a timely fashion, leading to even greater depredation of livestock.

Floodplain recover at Grasslands

KVPR (Fresno). Historic Valley grasslands area aims to reconnect with the past. 
Synopsis: Floodplain restoration will help rejoin 220 acres of Great Valley Grasslands State Park in western Merced County to the San Joaquin River. The park’s 2,800 acres are cris-crossed with levees, blocking the movement of water and sediment to fish. By removing levees built in the 1950s, much of the park will be open to fish during floods helping migrating chinook salmon. The area became a state park in 1982, but the levees were not removed.

Harsh words at fundraiser

GV Wire. Dyer, Frazier trade heated words over Granite Park.
Synopsis: Mayor Jerry Dyer and Terence Frazier, husband of Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria, got into a verbal confrontation at Sequoia Brewing Co. during a fundraiser for state treasurer candidate Anna Caballero. They each admit to having told the other “to get out of my face.” Dyer told reporter David Taub that he considers Frazier a friend, but the Granite Park situation – which includes lawsuits between Frazier’s development company and the city – has “created a strain on that friendship.” It got heated after Dyer responded to a question from Soria by saying he is focused on “issues affecting the community … not personal ones.”

No fight like a water fight

SJV Water. Kings County farming giant John Vidovich shut out of groundwater board seat. 
Synopsis: John Vidovich, CEO of one of Kings County’s largest farming operations, was deprived of a seat on the Empire West Irrigation District board on a 3-2 vote. Vidovich runs Sandridge Partners, farming about 19,000 acres across several water districts. Ceil Howe Jr., who farms 150 acres, was chosen over Vidovich – which angered the Silicon Valley financier. Vidovich said having a seat on the board was about “my survival.” Last year, Vidovich tried to force a merger between South Fork and Southwest GSAs that would have given him virtual control over both areas. South Fork prohibits movement of groundwater more than a mile outside its boundaries, which Vidovich believes keeps water off his nearby trees.

No jail time in deadly crash

Fresno Bee. No jail time in reckless driving case that killed Fresno State professor on bike.
Synopsis: Johnson Chang, 50, was sentenced to 180 days in custody – none of which will be served behind bars – for his part in the crash that killed Prof. Adela Santana. Judge Jonathan Conklin passed sentence and didn’t even order that Chang’s license be revoked. Santana, a mother of five, was riding with three friends when she was hit by Chang. The DA declined to charge Chang with a felony, so the crime was prosecuted as a misdemeanor, limiting Judge Conklin’s sentencing options.
MAD Note: CalMatters recently completed a series of stories about California’s lax approach to highway safety, noting that a speeding ticket can carry more consequences than a fatal crash. A reader commented, saying, “Shameful. Simply shameful.”

Who is making money on beef?

Morning Ag Clips. Op-Ed: Where is the beef dollar going? 
Synopsis: Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, looks at the “relationship between retail beef prices and cattle prices,” saying the only ingredient in hamburger and steak is cattle. He says beef cattle spend 18 to 24 months on a ranch before being sold for slaughter. “The contribution made by the other two segments – packers and retailers – is measured only in weeks.” Before NAFTA, implemented in 1995, ranchers got around 63 cents of every beef dollar. Since then, ranchers now get from 37 to 50 cents of every beef dollar. He says that’s why the US cattle herd has shrunk so dramatically. “The marketplace, from the cattle producer all the way to the consumer, is fundamentally broken. The only time it functions properly is when it is confronted with a significant market shock.”

Taking care of 4-legged friends

Merced County Times. Paws for a Cause: K-9 Association to host benefit dinner. 
Synopsis: The Merced Police K-9 Association was formed to help care for the dogs after they have retired or have been injured. A fundraiser is scheduled for Jan. 16. UC Merced officer Angela Garcia is the association president, and still cares for Sam – her partner when she was with the Merced PD. He’s 13 now and has partial paralysis. The group also provides protective gear for dogs when on duty. Merced has 3 K9 officers – Zeke, Mako and Koa, all Belgian Malinois.

KSEE / CBS47. Deadly infection sickening dogs in Merced County.
Synopsis: Zooepidemicus, a strep bacterial subset, has forced the closure of the Merced County Animal Shelter until it can be removed. Infections can range from a slight cough to fatal pneumonia. Adoptions and rescue transfers are still available, but only for healthy dogs. The disease can be transferred to humans, so those who are immunocompromised should avoid contact with sick animals.

LDS delivers 20 tons of food

Recordnet.com. ‘Immediate and meaningful difference’: Food bank gets 40,000 pounds of food.
Synopsis: America250, a nationwide effort by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dropped off 40,000 pounds of food at Stockton’s Emergency Food Bank on W. Scotts Ave on Thursday. Leonard Hansen, the Food Bank CEO, said his was one of 250 food banks chosen for the gift – hence the name, America250. The pallets contained rice, green beans, milk, spaghetti, cheese, pancake mix, hot cocoa mix and more. One official called it “a historic day.” The food bank serves about 600 clients a day.

New casino on 99 goes bust

Valley Sun. Fresno appeals court rules CA voters blocked Madera tribal casino along Hwy 99. 
Synopsis: The North Fork Rancheria plans to build a casino along Hwy 99 in Madera took a huge hit Thursday when the Fifth District Court of Appeals ruled they could not build a casino on 305 acres north of Madera. The court said the failure of Prop 48 in 2014 meant the tribe needs both state and local permission to build. Madera County had already sided with the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, which has fought having a competing casino.

He wasn’t just playing HORSE

Fox26. Deputies take game of HORSE to a whole new level.
Synopsis: Deputy Steven Kirkpatrick was patrolling the community of San Joaquin on horseback when he strolled up to a basketball court and challenged players to a game of HORSE. It’s a game in which the first shooter makes a shot then others are required to duplicate it. But none of the other players had an actual horse, and Deputy Kirkpatrick wasn’t sharing. According to the FSO, the deputy has an unbridled love of basketball.