Valley Solutions

County Fair: A mega-party

Modesto Bee. Mega-celebration set for Modesto region features big-name artists, much more. 
Synopsis: Get ready for the region’s next big party, the Stanislaus County Fair. Over 10 days, the Fair will bring more than 200,000 to Turlock, July 10-19. For some, it’s the livestock judging and auction; for others, the carnival rides or the food you don’t eat any other time of year. Diamond Rio, Clint Black, Ashanti, the Ying Yang Twins and others are coming to the free stage. There will be demolition derbies, bullfights and a rodeo in the arena. Check out Gooder Burger or Sweet Crunch Tanghulu, Boscos Coffee or Cinnamon Roll Shop. Art Day is July 11, the tractor pull is July 10-12, Humpz ‘N Hornz rodeo is July 19. General admission is $15 with additional charges from $11.30 to $56.50 for arena shows.
MAD Quiz: What was the original name of the Stanislaus County Fair, when it started in 1911?

‘Please sell our wine!’

Sacramento Bee. CA asks Quebec to return US wine to shelves amid wine industry struggles. 
Synopsis: Several members of Congress have written open letters to Quebec Premier Christine Frechette asking that California wines be returned to store shelves in her province. The first letter was sent by Sen. Adam Schiff, followed by a letter from Nancy Pelosi, Mike Thompson and David Valadao. Canada was the top destination for CA wines until the Trump tariff war began. Following Trump’s tariffs on lumber and dairy products, sales of CA wine fell dramatically as most provinces pulled the products off their shelves. Only two Canadian provinces continue to sell US wines, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Among those quoted was Dirk Heuvel of McManis Family Vineyards in Ripon, who said his family sold 75,000 cases of wine in Canada prior to the tariffs but now sells only 1,000. He called the letters “overdue.”
MAD Take: What’s “overdue” is an end to the Trump tariffs imposed outside his constitutional authority.

A heritage worth remembering

Turlock Journal. Our heritage should never be forgotten. 
Synopsis: Columnist Mike Lynch writes about the American story, emphasizing our many partners and allies who have helped make America possible and keep it free. We needed the English to beat the French in the 1760s and the French to beat the English in the 1770s. And that was just the start of many alliances that have worked in our favor. We should resolve, as our nation celebrates 250 years of independence, to never let the sacrifices of those who won our freedom be in vain.

LA Times. The Founding Father pledged their fortunes to the cause of liberty; Trump enriches himself. 
Synopsis: Venerable columnist George Skelton asks: “Could the Declaration of Independence be signed today by this crop of political leaders, particularly the one who occupies and defaces the White House?” Nine signers of the declaration paid the ultimate price for their act of revolution, dying during the Revolutionary War. When they signed the document, they pledged their “lives, fortunes and sacred honor” to each other; it was a pledge written in blood. The man who faked bone spurs to avoid military service and called those who gave their lives in combat “suckers” would never sign such a document. But what about the rest, asks George? “Yes, I suspect there’d be a signing. Independence is a dominant gene in America’s DNA.”

Staying upbeat in Stanislaus

Turlock Journal. A conversation with Stanislaus County supervisor Vito Chiesa, part 1.
Synopsis: Reporters Kristina Hacker and Joe Cortez sit down with longtime supervisor Vito Chiesa who goes over a host of topics important to the county. Chiesa talks about the 40 “legacy islands” that are governed by the county but surrounded by cities. Chiesa, upbeat by nature, spoke of county investments in the business incubator BEAM Circular, improved childcare as economic development, and much more. Yes, he’s disappointed the ACE train will be delayed, but disappointment is not part of the Chiesa brand. He focused more on solutions.

Modesto Bee. Stanislaus County opts for unusual budget option; ‘state of the county’ speech set. 
Synopsis: County leaders have approved a “rollover” budget as a placeholder for September’s final budget. It passed 4-1 with Channce Condit voting no, saying it favors management over front-line employees. Without such a budget, the county would lack authority to spend. With it, the county can proceed with the purchase of new vehicles for the Sheriff’s Office, $32.9 million in capital projects and paychecks for 4,771 employees. Board Chair Vito Chiesa will deliver the State of the County Address on July 14 at 9 a.m.

Deadly weekend in Stockton

Stocktonia. 2 killed in separate shootings in Stockton following Fourth of July.
Synopsis: Two people were shot to death in Stockton in separate incidents over the weekend. The first shooting was in the Lakeview District just before midnight Saturday. The second was in the Bear Creek area two hours later. Both victims were men, ages 42 and 36. No arrests have been made.
MAD Note: That’s nine homicides in six weeks in Stockton. Sadly, that’s not a record for this city.

Taking time to endorse

North Valley Review (Facebook). Did the sheriff ever arrest anyone for the birthday massacre?
Synopsis: The North Valley Review reacted angrily to a Facebook post showing San Joaquin Sheriff Pat Withrow and his brother, Stanislaus Supervisor Terry, standing on either side of Congressional candidate Kevin Lincoln and promising a safer community. The Review asked this question: “Did the Sheriff ever arrest anyone for the birthday massacre? Just know that’s it. That’s the endorsement.” The reference is to the mass shooting that occurred north of the city of Stockton – not far from Lincoln’s home – on Nov. 29. No arrests have been made though four people – including three children – were murdered and 13 were wounded. In accepting the Withrow endorsements, Lincoln promised to make the district safe.

West Nile found in Planada

Fox26. West Nile virus detected in Merced County mosquito sample. 
Synopsis: West Nile has been found in Merced County for the first time this year, prompting local mosquito control officials to repeat calls for emptying every container that can hold water – from a teacup to a stagnant pool. The sample was collected in the city of Planada. As of Monday, the virus has been found in 24 CA counties, though only one human case has been reported so far. Among the counties where West Nile has been found are Stanislaus and San Joaquin.

Reservations about Yosemite

SLO Tribune. Disneyland requires reservations; Yosemite should, too. 
Synopsis: This editorial from the San Luis Obispo Tribune recounts the pleas from Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff to resume the reservation system for Yosemite. But “don’t hold your breath.” The current so-called leadership at the US National Parks Service has been ignoring voluminous reports of chaos in the nation’s most spectacular park for months. In fact, the interim assistant secretary for parks said getting rid of reservations has “been an enormous success.” He claimed wait times at park gates were only 12 minutes in June. Padilla basically called that absurd, noting that there have been hundreds of reports and photos of bumper-to-bumper traffic, over-filled parking lots, injured wildlife, crowded hiking trails and overflowing restrooms. Online, visitors say the lines are longer than at Disneyland, which has a reservation system. Workers describe it as “pure chaos.” Reservations: Good enough for Disneyland, then good enough for Yosemite.

It’s all about the water

Politico. Is it time to talk about water yet?
Synopsis: Camille Von Kaenel talks to Chelsea Haines, the new regulatory director for ACWA, who says water is darned complicated. She doesn’t blame either Steve Hilton or Xavier Becerra for not wanting to talk about it sooner.  But both teams have promised to work with ACWA, and that means “getting serious about permitting reform. We’re seeing lessening reliability with federal funding, and we need meaningful, dedicated, predictable sustainable state funding” for infrastructure projects. She notes that Gavin Newsom “was a good partner.” But “we have even bigger expectations heading into the next administration.” That’s because the problems are going to become bigger and more urgent due to climate change, drought, failing levees, outdated dams.

Maven / DWR. State Water Project shifts to summer operations to support water supply, environment.
Officials have shifted to summer operations of the State Water Project, moving more water from the Delta south. By July 1 most years, threatened and endangered species have generally moved beyond the channels used to move water out of the Delta. Also starting July 1, DWR begins operating the gates on Montezuma Slough in the Western Delta to allow more water to reach Suisun Marsh. To counteract rising salinity levels, the state releases more water from Lake Oroville. 

Firefighters stayed busy

Fresno Bee. Dog’s barking alerts Fresno homeowner to fire likely sparked by fireworks.
Synopsis: A Fresno homeowner was awakened by his dog’s persistent barking Saturday night and escaped the fire that severely damaged his home and destroyed two vehicles. “He got out of bed to check on the dog, and he found fire on the back side of his house,” said a battalion chief. He added fireworks were the likely cause. Fresno Fire responded to 14 fires caused by fireworks in a two-hour period on Saturday. “We were all over the place.”

Fox40. Arson suspected in Paterson fire fatality.
Synopsis: Arson is suspected in a deadly fire that consumed a Patterson home on the 1100 block of Shearwater Drive. Cal Fire was dispatched to the scene Sunday night because the Patterson firefighters were busy with another fire. Learning a person was inside the structure, firefighters mounted an aggressive attack on the fire, but the resident was not found. Later, after the fire was brought under control, the victim was found.

A fireworks tragedy

Fresno Bee. Fresno County Sheriff’s K-9 killed in hit-and-run after fireworks scare. 
Synopsis: A Fresno Sheriff’s Office K-9 died Saturday night after being struck by a vehicle in an apparent hit-and-run accident. K-9 Santi was off duty at home with his partner, who was keeping the Belgian Malinois indoors during fireworks detonations. But Santi needed to go outside to urinate. The officer stayed by the door but a blast startled Santi, who jumped the fence and started running. Continued explosions further spooked Santi, who ran into the path of a vehicle. The driver fled. The 5-year-old Belgian Malinois had been with the department 4 years.

Two 2 men rescued …

Modesto Bee. Man pulled unconscious from river in Knights Ferry.
Synopsis: On July 4, a man was hurt in a fall into the Stanislaus River. He had floated down the river unconscious and was seen by bystanders, who called rescuers. Modesto Fire’s rescue unit responded, and he was pulled from the river. The victim was breathing when airlifted to Modesto.

Fresno Bee. Man pulled from canal after drifting half-mile in Fresno.
Synopsis: A man was pulled from a canal on Friday night after drifting a half-mile downstream. He was spotted by a helicopter patrolling the area, who called in rescuers. Emergency staff performed life-saving measures, and he was taken to the hospital. He is in critical condition.

And one fawn

GV Wire. Fresno firefighters rescue fawn during Island Grass fire along SJ River. 
Synopsis: Firefighters were rushing to an island in the San Joaquin River near Millburn Avenue on Sunday morning to extinguish a fire when they spotted a doe and her fawn trying to swim away from the island. The doe reached the shore safely, but the fawn began struggling and was going under when crews reached the young deer. They pulled the deer from the river, then carried it to be reunited with its mother. They continued back to the fire, which they put out fairly quickly.

Quiz Answer:

Valley Solutions: The Stanislaus County Fair history.
The original Stanislaus County Fair was known as the Turlock Melon Carnival, promoted by the Turlock Chamber of Commerce. Music was provided by the Melon City Band; this year we have the Ying Yang Twins.