POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Manteca appointing millennial committee Manteca Bulletin Manteca’s elected leaders — in a bid to build a community that’s appealing to young professionals expected to shape the bulk of economic growth in the next 20 years — are asking millennials for advice. As pandemic causes budget to crater, Modesto looks […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: As pandemic causes budget to crater, Modesto looks to cut 30 open police jobs  Modesto Bee Police chief says that could mean roughly 10 fewer cops on the street. Department’s civilians will help pick up the slack. Stanislaus County records its highest case total in a day  Modesto Bee […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: More COVID-19 patients are filling hospital beds in Stanislaus Co. Will it get worse? Modesto Bee Hospitals are holding up as the coronavirus becomes more widespread in Stanislaus Co, said representatives, who are concerned about a recent surge in COVID-19 cases. Coronavirus claims first closure at Modesto’s Vintage Faire […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Atwater passes balanced budget, no job cuts despite COVID-19’s impact to Valley economies Merced Sun-Star Congratulations all around were given at Atwater City Council this week, as the city passed a balanced budget for just the second time in a row in recent years — despite economic loss due […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Stanislaus County is now one of coronavirus ‘hot spots’ in Calif, officials say Modesto Bee Stanislaus County’s top officials have come to the conclusion the county is one of the hot spots for coronavirus infections in California. If the trend is not turned around, it could lead to closure […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: New cases, hospitalizations on rise in Stanislaus County Modesto Bee Stanislaus County deaths to the coronavirus remained at 35 on Monday morning. Positive tests are at 1599, according to the county Health Services Agency. Another 22,111 residents have tested negative. Stanislaus won’t have its own face mask rules. Will the […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: State watches rising coronavirus numbers in Stanislaus County  Modesto Bee Stanislaus County won’t have its own face-covering order to combat the local spread of coronavirus disease and a sharp rise in hospitalizations. What would defunding police in Stanislaus County do? Activists, chiefs answer  Modesto Bee “It’s not a matter […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: State makes face coverings mandatory Turlock Journal As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in the state and in the county, health officiaLA are issuing new orders that mandate wearing face coverings when out in public. See also: ●     EDITORIAL: Quit bellyaching and wear a mask. It’s mandatory, […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Merced passes $265M budget, following emotional calls to defund police, enact changes Merced Sun-Star A Monday gathering of the Merced City Council that lasted into the late evening culminated in the passage of a projected $265 million 2020-21 budget that ensures funding for needs like parks and recreation, while […]

POLICY & POLITICS North SJ Valley: Coronavirus update: Stanislaus cases spike; bowling, amusement centers back Modesto Bee Stanislaus County reported Monday that a 35th resident has died of the coronavirus. Like all the others, the person was at least 50 years old. Positive tests rose to 1,242, according to the county Health Services Agency. Another 18,725 […]