Valley Solutions

Acting fast to save dogs

Merced Sun Star. Merced DA’s office waits on full report before deciding on animal cruelty charges.
Synopsis: The Merced district attorney’s office said it will wait to hear from Merced police before deciding if charges should be brought against the homeless man who owns “Sweetie.” The plight of the husky, who appears emaciated and forlorn, has become a cause célèbre on social media. The police asked a veterinarian to examine the dog, who said Sweetie was being cared for and had access to food and water. But witnesses say there has been mistreatment, and police recently took the dog into protective custody. There will be a “Justice For Sweetie” rally Friday at 3 p.m. in front of the DA’s office. “We understand the strong feelings this situation has generated,” said the DA’s office in a statement.

Merced Golden Wire (Facebook). Madera deputies save puppy trapped in canal standpipe.
Synopsis: After someone reported hearing whimpers coming up from a canal standpipe, Madera deputies went into action. The dive team was called, and a duty sergeant went into the pipe to rescue a frightened puppy. “The Sheriff’s Office thanked the Good Samaritan whose quick call made the rescue possible.” The puppy is awaiting adoption at the Madera County Animal Services building.

Ignoring Trump’s medical advice

KSEE / CBS47. ‘Not based on speculation’: Valley Children’s responds to Trump executive order. 
Synopsis: Valley Children’s Hospital is sticking to the established childhood vaccination schedule it has followed for years, choosing to ignore Donald Trump’s executive order calling for significant changes. Trump’s order, under the influence of anti-vaxxer Robert Kennedy Jr., demands that doctors abandon the longstanding single immunization for measles, mumps and rubella, and give three separate shots. Dr. Hailey Nelson says the timing and order of vaccines are clinical, not political. She said the hospital will not base vaccination timing on “speculation or vibes. As pediatricians, we follow the evidence, we trust science and we make sure that the schedule is safe and effective.” Under Kennedy, there have been outbreaks of measles and other once-obscure diseases.

Building up Valley colleges

Fresno Bee. Fresno State opens first new student housing in 50 years.
Synopsis: The waitlist for student housing at Fresno State has vanished for the first time in years. That’s because a four-story, 228-bed student housing center opened this week. It has dorm style rooms and apartments for students with children. “Students cannot focus on earning a degree if they are worried about where they’re going to be sleeping,” said Phong Yang, VP of student affairs. The building includes common areas, a gym, study rooms and laundry facilities. Rent will be $1,000 a month and includes Wi-Fi, cable and utilities. The university conducted tours this week.

Westside Express. College moving forward with Measure P plans for LB campus.
Synopsis: Jon Spevak reports that Merced College is proceeding with Measure P improvements for the Los Banos campus of Merced College. Passed with a 74% majority in 2024, a new career-tech building and other improvements are under way. The $46 million project will offer certifications for “skilled technicians” and “hands-on training” in several fields.

School’s back in session!

Modesto Bee. Modesto schools welcome students back with cheerleaders, inflatable mascot tunnels.
Synopsis: Tuesday was opening day for students attending Modesto City Schools. Teachers, administrators and student leaders came out to welcome new and returning students to campuses across the city. At Davis High, 50 cheerleaders flanked the entrance as students arrived. “I was kind of scared to come, but now I’m here, like, it’s exciting,” said freshman Faith Regon. “Having the students greeted by our student leadership and our cheerleaders just kind of helps set the tone,” said principal Michael Shroyer. He pointed out that Davis had a 98% graduation rate last year and 47% of students completed their UC- and CSU-required A-through-G requirements.

Ceres Courier. Back-to-School Bash draws hundreds as school year begins.
Synopsis: Families lined up early late last week for free backpacks, shoes, socks and school supplies at the Ceres Unified Back-to-School Bash. “We’re glad to see the numbers grow every year,” said Maria Cortes Lopez during the Bash. Lillian Loera noted the enthusiasm, calling it “genuinely beautiful.”  Those supplies were put into use Wednesday, as schools opened for roughly 14,000 students.

Sue ’em all, let judge sort it out

Fresnoland. Fresno County will sue elections clerk, state, Mayor Dyer and others over transportation tax. 
Synopsis: The Fresno board of supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday to sue just about everyone involved with reviving the “Better Roads, Safe Streets” transportation sales tax initiative that the supervisors thought they had killed. Two weeks ago, supervisors voted 3-2 against putting the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot insisting more study was needed. But two state legislators rushed through a state law, bypassing the supervisors’ split vote and giving voters a chance to extend the 40-year sales tax dedicated to transportation priorities. “It’s not clear what the precedent is for a local government to sue their own local elections official,” notes the story. Normally, the county would defend its top elections official, but it can’t if the county is suing him. “This was never about an economic study,” said Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria. Among those trying to derail the tax was Supervisor Nathan Magsig, who is running for the legislature. Luis Chavez and Brian Pacheco voted against bringing the lawsuits.

A little more water for growers

Bureau of Reclamation. Reclamation nudges CVP allocations up for south-of-delta contractors. 
Synopsis: The Central Valley Project water allocation has been bumped to 28%. The order will align CVP releases with “upstream reservoir operations and associated water-temperature operations at those facilities.”  Municipal and industrial water users will receive 78% of their historic allocations. Westlands Water District responded with praise: “Balancing competing demands across a complex, aging system is not easy, and we appreciate that Reclamation is committed to finding ways to improve water availability for Central Valley growers,” said Allison Febbo. “This additional allocation will directly help avoid pumping critical groundwater reserves.”

Connecting river to floodplain

American Rivers. A river finds its way home: Celebrating 15 years of work at Great Valley Grasslands.
Synopsis: Dozens of people gathered at the Great Valley Grasslands State Park on the San Joaquin River to celebrate the connection of 220 acres of floodplain habitat to the river. The project was completed in February, providing habitat for salmon, brush rabbit, kit fox and other threatened species. It will also reduce the possibility of flooding. Joining the celebration were Julie Rentner of River Partners, Natural Resources Sec. Wade Crowfoot, Armando Quintero of state parks and Kathy Perez of the Ohlone Tribe.

A salmon comeback story

Active NorCal. The small NorCal creek that pulled off one of CA’s greatest salmon comebacks.
Synopsis: Putah Creek saw a record 2,150 king salmon spawn in 2025, the largest run through Yolo and Solano counties on record. In 2012 there had been zero chinook in the creek. In 2013, as flows on the creek increased under a court order, there were 8, then 1,500 by 2016.
MAD Note: Having 2,150 salmon on this Sacramento River tributary is a glorious success story. But it begs a question: Since flows have not increased since 2015, when there were 1,500 salmon on the creek, what caused the 43% increase in salmon? Could it be that commercial fishing was banned starting in 2022, allowing more fish to complete their three-year life cycle and return to the creek to spawn? If you want more salmon in our rivers, stop killing them in the ocean.

Sacramento Bee. Tribes, fishermen clash over idea for 2 new marine protected areas off Central Coast.
Synopsis: Two tribal organizations have asked the state to prohibit commercial fishing off the coast of Morro Bay and off Point Sal near Guadalupe. The CA Fish & Game Commission is considering the request, but commercial fishers are decrying the proposal and asking the state to deny the petition.

Data centers: Stay out!

Modesto Focus. Modesto residents opposed to potential data center organize protest, petition.
Synopsis: Story focuses on Elizabeth Morales, a 34-year-old mother of two who is organizing the change.org petition to stop development of data centers in Stanislaus County. It’s been up a week and already has 1,700 signatures. Hannah Methvin, the founder of MJC Pirates for Peace, is circulating information on the potential disruption caused by data centers. Their website has 11,500 likes. “We need to put humanity first,” she said, noting that AI appetites drive up energy costs without creating jobs.

Emanuel expands cancer care

Turlock Journal. Emanuel Cancer Center expands infusion services, unveils new healing garden. 
Synopsis: Leaders and dignitaries gathered at Emanuel Medical Center on Tuesday to celebrate the expansion of cancer-treatment services. “Today’s more than a ribbon cutting; it’s a celebration of hope, healing and our commitment to this community,” said CEO Michael Klepin. Two new doctors have joined the staff – Mohamed Eldaly and Jincy Clement. It adds 20 chairs to the infusion unit, creating a total of 33. Among those celebrating were Mayor Amy Bublak and representatives of Rep. Adam Gray, Assemblymember Juan Alanis and state Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil. Jim Ahlem was also on hand to talk about the Bill & Elsie Ahlem Cancer Foundation. “My mom loved Emmanuel Hospital,” he said. “She spent a lot of time there volunteering. And she loved her rose garden.”

Bandits on Fruityard stage

Modesto Bee. Hitmaker adds locally bred duo to concert at Modesto’s Fruit Yard Amphitheater.
Synopsis: Country rapper Brantley Gilbert will be joined by Brodie Stewart and the Moonshine Bandits of Los Banos at the Fruityard on Thursday night. With temps expected to be in the high-80s rather than low 100s, promoters are hoping for a big turnout. Tickets are from $67 to $244.

Stadium is the pride of Ceres

Ceres Courier. New stadium is something Ceres can take great pride in. 
Synopsis: Columnist Jeff Benziger departs from his usual political commentary to applaud the completion of a “dazzling” new stadium and track facility at Central Valley High School. “It is pretty special to see it finally become a reality and it’s worth celebrating.” Then he returns to form, chiding the community for its failure to keep up appearances. He cited Lawrence and Fifth, where a lot is “full of dead weeds and dog crap.” He objects to the “pungent odor of cannabis” near the dispensary at Michell and Hatch. Finally, he decries Modesto’s treatment of “the beautiful Tuolumne River,” which is bordered by trailer parks and auto-wrecking yards. He says Sacramento knows how to “treat their river with dignity and respect.”

Ceres Courier. Host of new businesses filling abandoned buildings.
Synopsis: At least three new businesses are opening in Ceres. Chase Bank is moving into the former Carl’s Jr. fast-food restaurant on Hatch. The old KFC restaurant at Hatch and Mitchell will still sell chicken, aka, pollo as a new El Pollo Loco outlet -- the first in Ceres and third in the county. Burlington is moving into the old 99 Cents Only store after the planning commission approved a variance for oversized signage.

Make your own ‘Chaka Tri-Tip’

Modesto Bee. Going to miss O’Brien’s Chaka sandwich? Copycat is less than half the price.
Synopsis: The $12.99 Chaka Tri-Tip sandwich on Dutch crunch roll is a true favorite at O’Brien’s, which are closing in September.  Reporter Dominique Williams makes her own version, breaking down the cost and ingredients. The key is Chaka’s Sauce, which sells for $4.49 a jar. She got the tri-tip at Cost Less and the Gorgonzola cheese at Costco with Save Mart peppers adding the right touch. To make six sandwiches she spent $41, not counting the effort to smoke the tri-tip, caramelize the onions, skin the peppers and put it all together.