Valley Solutions

Tempered optimism for salmon

Sacramento Bee. What does CA salmon fishing signify? Not a return to normal. 
Synopsis: Former Dept of Fish & Wildlife director Chuck Bonham writes about this year’s salmon season, which marked the end of a three-year ban. The ban was necessary to save a salmon run “that once ranked the most abundant on the West Coast” but had “been pushed to the brink by drought, warming rivers, shifting ocean conditions and long-standing pressure on habitat and water management.” Fishing resumed after a significant turn-around in salmon populations thanks to habitat restoration, reconnecting floodplains to rivers, improving spawning beds and releasing more water during migration events. “There is a reason for cautious optimism, but optimism alone won’t sustain salmon runs,” writes Bonhan.
MAD Take: Bonham is right in applauding habitat and floodplain restoration for its essential role in saving salmon. But the most significant factor in salmon recovery was the three-year ban on killing them. Salmon have a 3- to 5-year lifecycle, spawning in fresh water, exiting for the ocean for two to four years then returning to spawn. Overfishing, including significant poaching, has led to a short-circuiting of that lifespan. Now, most salmon spawn at 2 or 3 years. Younger fish leave fewer eggs; genetics are distorted. The fishing industry, more than any other factor, is the reason for salmon’s demise. We know that because of the rebound seen after just three years of protection. If the improvement was due to restoration or flow, it would take longer for populations to rebound. It didn’t. Want more salmon? Stop killing them.

Activism is not journalism, vice versa

LA Times. Salmon are at risk with federal plans to give farmers more water from Shasta Lake, critics say.
Synopsis: Reporter Ian James takes aim at the Trump administration plan to marginally increase releases from Shasta Lake into the Central Valley Project. The agency cited “modest improvements” in reservoir levels in explaining why it would provide 25% of requested allocations instead of 20%. First to be quoted is Vance Staplin of the Golden State Salmon Assn, who called the increase “really bad.” Next up is Diane Riddle of the State Water Resources Control Board, with hand-wringing admonitions against it. The story then explains that “salmon numbers have declined due to dams, which have blocked off their spawning areas; the loss of floodplain habitat; and global warming.” After more quotes from commercial salmon fishers, and nearly at the end of the story, we hear from Westlands Water District’s Allison Febbo, whose one comment is quickly superseded by Jon Rosenfield of San Francisco Baykeeper. He calls making additional releases a “desperate situation.”
MAD Take: A reporter’s bias or sympathies are often tipped by looking at the first source quoted (in this case, fish killers) and the last quoted (environmentalists). Nowhere does this story mention that the state is providing 45% allocations to farmers from its parallel State Water Project system and that having the feds match that would not be unreasonable. Nowhere does it mention that we’ve had a spectacular salmon spawning season, due in large part to restoration and flows similar to those being proposed this year. Nowhere does it mention pressure on the CVP to replace flows from the dying Colorado River. No mention of studies showing that CA salmon flourish in higher water temps than those on the Columbia, where most temp studies were conducted. Anything that fails to confirm the writer’s point of view is left out of this story.

SF Chronicle. CA sheriff said mountain lions were an ‘imminent threat’; state says there never was one.
Synopsis: Reporter Kurtis Alexander looks at warnings issued by Lassen County Sheriff John McGarva that there has been an increase in human-lion interactions. The reporter talks to CA Dept of Fish & Wildlife’s Peter Tira, who disputes that notion: “There haven’t been any depredations, no pets taken, no livestock taken. Our folks have determined that no safety threat existed. It’s just mountain lions in mountain lion habitat.” Sheriff McGarva said lion sightings have become more frequent in populated areas but admitted the US Fish & Wildlife Service has assured him there is no immediate danger. Then the reporter provided 130 years of context. Since 1890, there have been 29 lion-on-human attacks in CA, resulting in 6 fatalities. Lassen County’s recently retired CEO sympathizes with the sheriff: “He’s got wolves. He’s got bears. He’s got lions and he’s got short funding, he’s got short-staffing. The reality is there’s a limited availability of native prey and these predators are coming (closer) to urban areas.” 

$60M to fight mussels?

SJV Water. Bills would authorize $60 million in federal funds to fight golden mussels.
Synopsis: Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla introduced the Golden Mussel Eradication and Control Act of 2026 on Wednesday, an effort to secure $60 million to combat the spread of the invasive species which is multiplying in the Delta. The bill is a companion to Josh Harder’s HR 3717 that would create a task-force approach to eradication.

Politics, politics, politics

Modesto Focus. Political Focus.
Synopsis: Garth Stapley, in a newsletter available through Modesto Focus, looks at politics in the North Valley, finding that more Republicans have voted than Democrats so far. Despite relatively even registration, Republicans have cast roughly 58% of the mail-in ballots returned. Only 6% of Stanislaus voters have voted, compared to 7% in San Joaquin and 5% in Merced. … Jim Shoemaker has been endorsed by Tom McClintock and the Republican groups in Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Amador counties. But the state GOP is still backing Assembly minority leader Heath Flora – despite an errant website post. Which the state party quickly pulled down. … Nice guys finish first? Supervisor Mani Grewal did not pounce on his opponent’s apparent lack of familiarity with a host of issues during the Modesto Focus debate. Local Republicans decided not to endorse against him. Respect.

Cal Matters. National Democrats said they’d stay out of this CA race; then they picked a side. 
Synopsis: One of the most bitter and hard-fought battles in the state this year is between Dr. Jasmeet Bains and Randy Villegas, two Democrats who both want to unseat David Valadao in House District 22. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has weighed in, after saying it wouldn’t, endorsing Bains. That has angered Villegas backers. Bains, 40, is considered a moderate who has bucked her party on occasion. Villegas, 31, is from the Bernie-AOC wing.

Merced County Times. Now is the time for local voters to send in their election ballots.
Synopsis: Merced registrar of voters Mel Levey urges folks not to wait until the last minute to send in their June 2 primary ballots. That’s because local mail is sent to Sacramento before being postmarked, and anything postmarked after June 2 won’t be counted. Levey said anyone mailing back ballots within seven days of the election should go inside the post office and request it to be postmarked by hand. Better yet, put ballots into an official drop box.

In Salida, it’s a true emergency

KCRA. Salida voters to decide on Measure J for fire and emergency services funding. 
Synopsis: Measure J, on the June 2 ballot, would increase fees on parcels to pay for emergency services in Salida. Since 1990, a parcel fee of $45 has funded ambulance and fire service. It has never been adjusted for inflation. Currently, it generates about $2 million, not nearly enough to cover the $3 million in expenses. Measure J would increase it to $168 for homes, $126 for apartments. “Without it, we will no longer be able to provide the services they get today,” said Fire District board member Mark Stone. It requires a two-thirds vote to pass.

Posse will be on parade!

Merced Sun Star. Merced County Sheriff’s Posse invited to 250^th anniversary parade in DC. 
Synopsis: The Merced County Sheriff’s Posse will take part in the nation’s 250^th birthday parade in Washington on July 4. “It’s an honor to be part of such a historic event,” said Sheriff Vern Warnke. The Posse, established in 1948, has taken part in other major parade – from three inaugurations to the Rose Bowl. Warnke said it will take five days to trailer the horses and tack to Washington. “We could use a little help,” he said. “If you can, contribute to help us get these big, beautiful animals to Washington.” Donate here.

Mapping cost of insurance

SF Chronicle. One of CA’s largest insurers will hike rates nearly 30% this fall. 
Synopsis: Many of the 663,000 households buying insurance through CA’s FAIR Plan will see rate increases of up to 30% next year. But a quarter of its customers will see rates drop by up to 80%. An interactive map shows the impacts in every ZIP code in the state. In 95361, for instance, there are 55 policies that will see a drop of 8%, meaning average premiums will be $4,150. There 43 polices in 93662 will see a drop of 20% with average premiums going from $826 to $590. But in 93604 in the mountains, rates will climb from $4,449 to $6,121.

DMC saves young mother

Modesto Bee. Modesto hospital saves young mother who suffered a stroke after giving birth. 
Synopsis: Denise Guerrero recounts giving birth then taking her baby son home in March 2025. A few days later, she passed out and had to be rushed back to Doctors Medical Center. She had suffered a pulmonary embolism, or blood clot, in her lung. ER doc Ramanjeet Singh put her on life-support so the clot could be removed. They found a hole in her heart, which was responsible for the clots moving. Her story is being told through the National Blood Clot Alliance, which is drawing attention to the condition. “She’s a miracle,” said DMC Dr. Michael Tillett. “And to be part of that miracle is an honor.”

Attorney’s family threatened

Fresno Bee. Fresno city attorney Janz, family allegedly threatened at home by parolee holding knife.  
Synopsis: David Taub makes his debut with the Bee, moving over from the GV Wire, to write about the arrest of Larry Orduna Torrez on first-degree burglary charges at city attorney Andrew Janz’s home. Torrez came to the family’s front door at 3:30 a.m. holding a knife. They didn’t answer the door, so he went to the back where he was soon arrested. Janz said he had never had contact with Torrez. But he appears to be angry that his request for restraining orders against police chief Mindy Casto and a probation officer were denied, and Janz had defended the city in both of those requests. Janz said deputies showed up “almost immediately.” Since 1988, Torrez, a registered sex offender, has been charged with 21 felonies ranging from elder abuse to DUI.

50 years on the Brighter Side

Modesto Focus. ‘There’s gotta be a Brighter Side’: Modesto’s sandwich shop celebrates 50 years.
Synopsis: It was 50 years ago that Larry Cary opened his sandwich shop at the corner of K and 12^th in Modesto. Having operated the place for five decades, he is right in believing his is the oldest restaurant in town under the same management. Cary is among friends; many on his staff have been making sandwiches there for years.

Outlaws, Badd and June Bugs

Merced County Times. Merced County Fair reveals new concert experience.
Synopsis: Editor Jonathan Whitaker writes about the County Fair’s entertainment lineup, June 10-14. On June 10, Vive Mana Tribute and Outlaw Mariachi will appear on the main stage. Outlaw Mariachi is billed as the “ultimate rock mariachi experience,” with as many Stratocasters as melon-back guitars. They cover everything from Guns N Roses to Beastie Boys, all with a distinct Mexican flavor. On June 11, Just Jayne and Colin Stough will play. June 12 has Color Me Badd and Tag Team. On June 13 the folk-rocking June Bugs and “gritty” Bayker Blankenship will play. The fair closes June 13 with Tiranos del Norte and Banda Troyana. Admission is $10 a night (advance) with kids under 12 free.