Valley Solutions

Gray pushes hard to expand storage

Office of Adam Gray. Rep. Gray introduces legislation to expand CA water infrastructure. 
Synopsis: Rep. Adam Gray introduced a suite of three bills to authorize and fast-track critically needed California water storage projects. It would expedite permitting, create enforceable timelines for environmental review and designate funding. “My End California Water Crisis package aims to strengthen and grow CA’s water infrastructure so we can maintain dependable water supplies, reduce flood risks and responsibly manage water flow to preserve our environment while unleashing agricultural production,” said Gray. Rep. Jim Costa, who represents an adjoining district and joined Gray in introducing the bills, said the goal is to cut through red tape and create “practical solutions that will make a difference.” Two projects in particular hold promise – expansion of reservoirs at Pine Flat and San Luis. Westlands GM Allison Febbo applauded the bills, saying we “support Congressman Gray’s End the California Water Crisis package because it moves us toward real solutions at a pivotal time,” adding it could cut through years of red tape and accelerate projects that can make a real difference. Federico Barajas of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority said Gray’s three bills, if passed, will “improve water supply reliability for one of the most important food-producing regions in the world. … We applaud Congressman Gray for his leadership.”

Fed move will help … a little

KSEE. ‘We depend on water’: Valley ag reacts to new federal plan providing water from Delta. 
Synopsis: A Fresno reporter went to Firebaugh to talk to Joe Del Bosque about the Bureau of Reclamation’s “Action 5” plan to provide more water for farmers. Westlands Water District estimates the plan will mean about 85,000-acre feet for its growers. Another 300,000-acre feet would go to other districts. “It’s basically like one heavy rain and that’s it,” said Del Bosque. “So, it isn’t a whole lot, but it helps. Anything will help us, you know, in the summertime when it’s hot and the crops need water.” He added, “We hope the state will get on board with this and try to make this work for all of us.” That appears unlikely. The state has already condemned the Bureau of Reclamation for breaking its long-standing partnership with the CA Dept of Water Resources in planning water releases.

Trying to figure out tariffs

Farmdoc. $12 billion farm aid package not enough, farm leaders say. 
Synopsis: Farmdoc looked at multiple stories about the $12 billion farm bailout package announced Monday and finds some points of consensus. First, farmers are glad to get something. Second, farmers across targeted sectors like soybeans, wheat and corn say this will cover only a fraction of the losses they suffered from tariff-destroyed markets. “This support will serve as a lifeline for those simply trying to make it to next year. But it is just a lifeline, not a long-term solution,” said the head of the National Farmers Union. Said North Dakota State analyst Shawn Arita, “Farm losses this year range from $35 billion to $44 billion for the nine major commodity crops. … the federal aid will address only about one-quarter of soybean losses alone.” The money, said the Soybean Assn president “is just slowing the bleeding.” Elected leaders from farm states say they want to appropriate even more money.

SF Chronicle. Will ailing CA winegrowers get a government bailout?
Synopsis: Wine writer Esther Mobley reports on the efforts of Mike Thompson, Doug LaMalfa and Jimmy Panetta to provide tariff relief for growers of grapes and other specialty crops through a separate tariff-relief program. Their bill would provide funding on top of the $1 billion already earmarked for specialty crops. Thompson pointed out that the Trump program gave all the money to row crops grown mostly in the Midwest. The CA Assn of Winegrape Growers says all 5,900 growers are in “dire need” of relief after foreign sales plummeted. The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance was one of the few groups to admit they were “disappointed” by the president’s efforts, saying $1 billion would provide no meaningful relief for most CA growers. Writes Mobley, “Trump’s payments may still leave farmers, including row-crop farmers, worse off than if he were to simply cancel his tariffs.” 
MAD Note: In the $12 billion bailout, $1 billion has been earmarked for specialty crops such as winegrapes, fruit and nuts. It’s a drop in the bucket. But Canada alone imported $567 million in wine in 2023, mostly from California. Pistachio, almond and walnut exports to just India totaled $280 million. Overall, CA farmers exported $22.4 billion in products in 2023.

Successful Farming. US to phase in new tariffs on Nicaragua. 
Synopsis: While Trump is making exceptions for many food products in an effort to lower prices, his administration will increase tariffs on Nicaragua from 15% to 33% over the next two years. Nicaragua exports coffee, tobacco and beef to the US with a value of roughly of $820 million. Last year, US farmers sent $522 million worth of ag products to Nicaragua, including $100 million in soybeans. 

Beer, beef jobs being cut

Sacramento Bee. Fairfield to lose more than jobs in Budweiser plant closure.
Synopsis: Fairfield Mayor Catherine Moy was shocked by the announcement that Anheuser-Busch would close its brewery on the edge of Fairfield. The 60-year-old brewery employs 250 people and is the city’s sixth-largest employer. The beer industry is shrinking with nationwide consumption down 5%. A-B is also selling a massive brewery in New Jersey and shuttering a smaller one in New Hampshire.

GV Wire. JBS to close CA beef plant over low US cattle supply.
Synopsis: The Swift Beef Co. in Riverside will close Feb. 2, eliminating 374 jobs. A halt on importing Mexican cattle over fears of New World Screwworm combined with a record-low number of cattle in the US has reduced the need. Rival packer Tyson Foods is also shuttering one of its largest facilities, the slaughterhouse in Lexington, Neb., idling 3,200. Donald Trump has accused beef packers of driving up prices through market manipulation.

St. Agnes given $13.6 million

Fresno Bee. Fresno hospital’s ‘historic’ $13.6 million donation will pay for major renovation.
Synopsis: Saint Agnes Medical Center received an “historic” donation from the estate of King J. Richter, the largest donation in the hospital’s 96-year history. It will be used to create a new emergency room for the 436-bed hospital. The Richter family has a long history of philanthropy. Earlier this year, the estate announced a $21.9 million contribution to Fresno Pacific University.

Los Banos opts for ‘tiny shelter’

Westside Express. Los Banos to pursue tiny shelter village.
Synopsis: Housing program manager Christy McCammond described the city’s shortage of shelter capacity, saying there are 114 unhoused people in the city and more calling every week. Of three options presented, the council chose to fund the $2.4 million “Tiny Shelter Village.” An expected, 30 to 40 tiny units will have heating and air conditioning and can accommodate two people. She recommended a location near the existing One-Tree Village.

News from the grid iron

Modesto Bee. Hilmar names football coach to replace legendary Frank Marques.
Synopsis: Having spent the last 20 years coaching at various levels in Hilmar, Mark Santos was named the high school’s new coach on Wednesday. He replaces Frank Marques, who won 199 games in a 23-year career. Santos was born and raised in Hilmar and was coached by Marques.

ABC30. Buhach Colony celebrating new football stadium. 
Synopsis: Completion of the North Valley Football Stadium means every school in the Merced Union High School District now has a field of its own. The stadium can seat 3,000 and features a state-of-the-art scoreboard, ticket booth and home-side concession stand. The first game played at the new stadium was a soccer match this week. The field is surrounded by a new track with 8 rubberized lanes. It was paid for through Measure M.

Dryden clubhouse unveiled

KCRA. Modesto approves funding for new Dryden Golf Course clubhouse.
Synopsis: The old trailer that has served as Dryden’s clubhouse since a 2020 fire will be replaced this summer. The new clubhouse will include locker rooms, a restaurant and pro shop. At 7,000 square feet, it will be twice the size of the old clubhouse. The city will spend $2.8 million with much of that coming from golfers as greens fees go up $5.

Solutions to gun violence

Stocktonia. Former mayor, nonprofits create fund for ‘grieving families of mass shooting.
Synopsis: Former Mayor Michael Tubbs came back to Stockton from LA to help create a $100,000 Heal Stockton Fund. Its goal is to provide “urgent support” for the 17 victims of the Nov. 29 shooting. Among those donating are the Black Freedom Fund, Sierra Health Foundation and James B. McClatchy Foundation.

Sacramento Bee. Group behind Stockton gang talks aims for ‘permanent cease fire’
Synopsis: Street gangs from across Stockton will step out of the shadows Friday to engage in “truce talks” orchestrated by the Texas-based group Youth Peace & Justice Foundation. The talks come in the wake of a Nov. 29 shooting that left three children and an adult dead and 13 injured. The group’s founder says he believes he can broker a “permanent cease fire.”

If you want to save salmon …

Mendocino Voice. Juvenile coho salmon found in Mendocino County after 30-years.
Synopsis: Juvenile coho salmon have been found in Ackerman Creek north of Ukiah in the Pinoleville Pomo Nation for the first time since 1991. Having reached an isolated pool, they were rescued by the tribe and CDF&W.

South Yuba Rier Citizens League. Yuba River salmon return numbers.
Synopsis: The South Yuba River management team has counted 6,198 adult salmon at the Daguerre Point Dam, a “key indicator of a thriving river ecosystem.” The numbers were the most seen in over a decade.
MAD Note: Yet more stories about the return of salmon on rivers where they haven’t been seen in years. These salmon were spawned two years after a ban on commercial salmon fishing was put in place; they returned during a relatively dry (so far) fall and represent back-to-back years of improving returns. Their presence confirms a basic truth: If you want to save salmon, stop killing them.

Where insurance costs are soaring

SF Chronicle. Home insurance costs are up 150% in one part of CA. 
Synopsis: Climate change is driving the cost of insuring homes higher as more neighborhoods become classified as “at-risk” for wildfire and flood. Last year, the average cost of home insurance was $1,700, or about 28% higher than in 2014. But in Mariposa County, the median policy was $3,700, or double the 2014 cost. That was the seventh-fastest increase in the nation and third-highest overall price. The highest prices were found in Colorado and Wyoming, where prices are up 188%. The fastest-rising insurance costs, however, are in Florida and Louisiana where the statewide median-priced policies are $3,600. The most expensive insurance in CA is in Yuba County at $3,898. By comparison, the median Stanislaus policy is $1,350 and $1,308 in Merced. CA’s least expensive county is Kings at $1,189.

She can spell paduasoy …

Merced Sun Star. Can you spell the words that two Merced students won spelling bee on?
Synopsis: Sixth-grader Akshara Thummala won the Merced County spelling bee earlier this week. She spelled both “surreptitious” and “paduasoy” correctly. Thummala attends Merced Scholars Charter and completed the bee with a perfect record. She called herself a “bibliophile,” whose favorite books feature Percy Jackson & the Olympians. In the junior high division, Anashra Afrooz won. Both advance to the State Spelling Bee at Great Wolf Lodge in Manteca on April 25. BTW, paduasoy is a type of colorful embroidered fabric.