Valley Solutions

Valley Solutions offers a daily look at the top headlines appearing on media websites affecting the San Joaquin Valley. It is compiled by Mike Dunbar, who worked in Stockton, Modesto, Merced and Los Banos media for 40 years and later served as Adam Gray’s press secretary when he was in the Assembly. Valley Solutions is brought to readers by Rep. Adam Gray.

Gray: Enough political nonsense

Merced Sun Star. Rep. Adam Gray talks immigration, socialism and Trump: ‘Not symbolic nonsense.’ 
Synopsis: Adam Gray sat for Q&A with the Sacramento Bee, starting off by describing a highly partisan, deeply divided body. Since winning CA-13 by 187 votes, Gray has tried to reach across the aisle on various issues but found few hands reaching back. The Congress adjourned rather than address difficult issues. “What frustrates me, and what I think frustrates a lot of people, is that politics has become just a game of blaming the other party for everything. … My advice to Democrats is, if we want people to vote for us, if we want people to support our efforts, we ought to make people’s lives better.” Gray said he’s not interested in “symbolic votes” against Trump or other forms of virtue signaling. Asked if he supports Trump approach to sweeping up law-abiding immigrants, Gray was unequivocal: “It’s an easy, one-word answer: No.” He called Trump’s policies “irresponsible, reckless and dangerous.” Gray is also frustrated with what he called “political nonsense.” He is downright angry that so many of his constituents are being denied affordable healthcare. Finally, Gray wondered why his opponent was so proud of his Trump endorsement just two months ago but never mentions it now. Gray’s bottom line: “I have a lot of respect for elections. I’m gonna work my tail off. … I still have got to earn every vote.” 

40 Days before Election

Merced Focus. As midterm nears, election officials place emphasis on ballot drop boxes. 
Synopsis: Ballots begin arriving in mailboxes Oct. 5, and Merced elections officials are urging voters to return them at official drop boxes – not through the U.S. mail. Registrar of Voters Melvin Levey said he is doubling the number of drop boxes, from 10 to 21, from two years ago. He ordered more drop boxes after the US Postal Service delayed mail delivery last year, meaning nearly 3% of returned mail-in ballots arrived too late to be counted. All drop boxes will be equipped with cameras and trackers and will be checked at least once each day. “Voters should feel really confident that they if they’re using the drop boxes, not only are the ballots safe while they’re in there, but my team is the only team that is visiting those boxes and removing ballots.”

Merced Sun Star. Merced voters to decide on sales tax increase; what supporters, detractors say.
Synopsis: Merced County voters are being asked if enhanced public safety and better roads are worth raising the sales tax. The one-cent bump would put the sales at 9.25% in most Merced communities. Detractors say a 1% increase is unfair to poor residents who are already struggling.

LA Times. High cost of living tops voter concerns; Becerra remains front-runner, new poll shows. 
Synopsis: Despite promising lower gas prices, a tax cut and to punish public utilities, Steve Hilton is slipping further behind in polling. UC Berkeley’s latest poll shows him falling to 33% from 34% of likely voters. Xavier Becerra is at 58%. While voters are most concerned over the high cost of living, fighting Trump’s policies are a close second. Interestingly, the biggest shift in polling came in the San Joaquin Valley, where Becerra gained 7% and Hilton lost 8%. Voters’ top three priorities: 1) Reduced cost of living; 2) Fighting Trump; 3) Giving my party control of Congress.

Train plan going off the rails

GV Wire. High-speed rail cannot uplift Merced by draining it. 
Synopsis: Merced developer Robert Dylina writes about the broken promises made by high-speed rail. He has supported the concept because of its enormous economic potential for the Valley. But the Rail Authority’s 2026 business plan, adopted in June, is a betrayal. Putting a station beyond the reach of the city’s sewer, water, emergency services, street lighting and a host of other services doesn’t make sense – even if the rail authority believes it will somehow save money on construction costs. Worse, increased sales taxes from any growth around the station would go to the rail authority – not the city or county. “Before any station agreement is signed, residents deserve a written funding commitment from the state covering construction and continuing services.”
MAD Take: Amen.

Trump’s beef plan has failed

Farm Bureau Intel. Increased beef imports have not lowered prices for consumers. 
Synopsis: By getting rid of tariffs on Brazilian and Argentine beef imports, Trump was trying to lower the price of beef for US consumers. That hasn’t happened. The market fundamentals that made beef prices soar in the first place are still in place – the smallest aggregate herd in 60 years. Trump promised a 25% price reduction when he lowered tariffs and allowed imports mostly from processing plants owned by JBS Foods, but that hasn’t happened. As 661 million pounds of imported beef began arriving, prices are down only about 16 cents a pound, from $7.29 to $7.13. That’s 2%, not 25%. Of 30 of 41 stores surveyed, the price has not changed. Prices are up in four stores and down by the promised 25% in only three. Meanwhile, ranchers reported losses of $309 per head. “The evidence is clear; the proclamation should be rolled back,” said the Farm Bureau.

Enough nuts for everybody

KCRA. Walnut harvest season begins early in Stanislaus County. 
Synopsis: Story focuses on the Heinrich family, who say they normally harvest in early October. Gordon Heinrich and his sons are already sweeping nuts. “We’re running about 10 days ahead of normal harvest,” said Heinrich. “If we can get all our walnuts in before we get any significant rain, that’ll make us real happy.” Christine Lott of the CA Walnut Board said this year’s harvest should be bountiful with “plenty of walnuts for everyone to meet their needs throughout the U.S. and around the world.”

Roads closed in Yosemite

Fresno Bee. Major Yosemite road closes due to wildfire smoke.
Synopsis: Glacier Point Road has closed to all traffic due to smoke from the Dome Fire. The 16-mile roadway connects Wawona Road to Hwy 41. Park officials said air quality in the immediate area is unhealthy. The fire has burned 4,030 acres and is only 15% contained. The Panorama Trail and Four Mile Trail are both closed to hikers.

West Nile, Valley Fever strike

LA Times. This deadly fungus isn’t just a rural threat anymore; new studies point to cities, oil wells. 
Synopsis: Valley Fever has moved into California’s cities. The fungus that can produce symptoms ranging from a mild flu to death has been found “thriving” in rodent burrows in urban areas. Meanwhile, more cases are being found in the Valley as soil is disturbed to create solar farms and oil wells. How do you protect yourself? Wear an N95 mask, stay out of the dirt and get rid of rodents.
MAD Take: It’s interesting that the two universities most involved in this research are in the Valley -- UC Merced and Bakersfield State. Also interesting, Dr. Lisa Couper said we should ban oil-well and panel-farm construction within a mile of schools – something Gov. Newsom vetoed this week. 

KCRA. Stanislaus County reports first West Nile virus death of the year amid growing cases.
Synopsis: Stanislaus County health authorities confirmed Thursday that West Nile virus has killed a person. The identity and location of the victim were not released. The department said 11 cases have been reported this season. Across the state, there have been 147 cases compared to 34 at this point in 2025. West Nile has been reported in every Valley county, from Kings to San Joaquin.

Police, courts are busy

ABC30. Father, son arrested in connection with Madera County crash that killed four.
Synopsis: Thomas Wood Sr., 43, and his 21-year-old son Thomas Jr. have been arrested in the deaths of four people. “This is just one piece of what’s to come for justice to be served,” said Aylin Cisneros, whose uncle and cousin were among the victims of an August traffic accident. Wood Sr. is being held on four counts of murder and several firearms charges in lieu of $4 million bail. He is accused of blowing through a stop sign in his GMC Sierra pickup and striking a Honda CRV at Road 9 and Avenue 21. Wood was previously arrested on domestic violence and felony kidnapping charges.

Merced Sun Star. Los Banos shop recovering after break-in, vandalism destroys its inventory.
Synopsis: My Hippie Soul, a small downtown boutique belonging to Mariana Nieves, was left without any inventory after thieves broke in over the weekend and literally cleared out the store. What they didn’t steal, they destroyed.

Fresno Bee. Fresno church volunteer arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting three minors.
Synopsis: Police arrested Benjamin Mora, 57, on charges that he sexually assaulted three children at a local church. The church was not identified, but church leaders called authorities to make the arrest. Mora was booked on $385,000 bail and is still in custody.

Cleaning up Bay Area pollution

Stanford University. Coordination among wastewater treatment plans could save ratepayers money. 
Synopsis: The Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment looked at the often-overlooked issue of polluted wastewater being dumped into San Francisco Bay by its surrounding cities. Published in the journal Nature Water, the paper calculates the most cost-effective way for agencies to build and operate a regional treatment facility. The study noted that three treatment facilities are located within three miles of each other and operated by three different agencies; all are failing to adequately treat wastewater. A single facility would save roughly $268 million over 30 years.
MAD Take: Two years ago, the SFPUC and affiliated agencies sued in federal court to allow their 43 facilities to continue polluting the Bay. Instead of cleaning up their own filth, these cities demand more water from inland rivers to flush out the sewage. The city estimated that the cost of compliance would $10 billion, which would force up rates in the Bay Area. The cost to Valley economies, just in the value of lost water, has never been calculated.

Stormwater Solutions. EPA awards $82 million for SF Bay water quality and stormwater projects.
Synopsis: The EPA provided $82 million for 20 projects focused on water quality, habitat and pollution reduction. Much of it is based on capturing and treating stormwater runoff.

Mercy expands care for moms

Merced County Times. New era of care for expectant mothers in Merced County region. 
Synopsis: Mercy Medical Center hosted a celebration Sept. 16 to mark the certification of its Family Birth Center. The unit was accredited by the CA Dept of Public Health as an Obstetrical Emergency facility. What does that mean? “That from 20 weeks of pregnancy through six weeks of postpartum, mothers will receive a prompt evaluation by our care team when urgent concerns arise,” said nursing director Lindsey O’Banion. “They no longer need to wait in the emergency department.” Dr. Pierre Scales said the designation is proof of the center’s “unwavering commitment to providing high-quality family-centered care.”
MAD Take: Upgrading obstetrics and maternity care is a major step for the community at a time when hospitals throughout the state are going the opposite direction, shuttering maternity wards and directing patients to regional centers.

Celebrating the ‘Nightcrawler’

Fresno Bee. Is Fresno Nightcrawler ‘cute’ or creepy? Festival celebrates local cryptid.
Synopsis: The first Fresno Nightcrawler Fest isn’t set up to celebrate worms. It is a celebration of a pale, ghostly pair of pants that some say has been haunting various Fresno locations for 20 years. Expect food, costumes, music and fun, said organizer Shirley Jackson. The Nightcrawler surfaced in a blurry video in 2007 and was featured in Weird Fresno. It got 1.9 million views on YouTube. Now there are T-shirts, hats, tote bags and even a stuffy featuring a friendly likeness. The Fest will be at Sour Milk on North Van Ness on Oct. 1.