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Take a sneak peak: Expanded Turlock Library set to open with these new features

in Local Roundup

The public can check out the expanded Turlock Library, including a new community room and enclosed courtyards, when it opens Tuesday.

With 60% more space after about a year of construction, the library on 550 Minaret Ave. features larger children and teen areas, a quiet reading room and a maker space equipped with a 3D-printer and sewing machines.

The renovation reconfigured the layout but kept the building’s cross-shaped structure and added about 6,000 square feet, said Bryan Sontag, operations manager for Stanislaus County libraries. The first difference visitors may notice is the removal of the second entrance on Minaret Avenue, Sontag said. New areas include the community room, two courtyards and the children’s library, the last of which used to be where a reading room is now.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

Blaze ignited along San Joaquin River

in Local Roundup

A vegetation fire raged along the San Joaquin River outside Newman on Wednesday, charring an estimated 10 acres and bringing in agencies from Stanislaus and Merced counties.

There were no injuries reported from the fire. One out building was destroyed, according to the Newman Fire Department.

The fire was first reported at 1:44 p.m. July 29 in the area of Hills Ferry and River roads. The Newman Fire Department fire officer was the first at the scene and found a vegetation fire along the river bottom which had already jumped to the Merced County side, igniting both sides of the riverbank.

Continue Reading on Westside Connect

Farm country gears up for tourism return

in Local Roundup

Pandemic cabin fever continues to drive people out to the country, and farmers who welcome agritourism activities say they expect the trend will hold, with farms becoming a go-to destination.

Last year saw the cancellation of many farm festivals, tours and workshops, some of which went virtual or were greatly scaled back. More of these events have returned this year with some modifications. Wineries, which shuttered tasting rooms last year, have reopened. U-pick farms and farm stands have become “very popular,” even in pandemic months of 2020, said Rachael Callahan, agritourism coordinator at the University of California, Davis.

“This year, with the return of larger on-farm gatherings and other agritourism, people are eager to get outside, engage with their community and connect with their local farmers and ranchers,” she said.

Continue Reading on Daily Democrat

Like Modesto, Turlock school district pursues local control over mask requirements

in Local Roundup

The Turlock Unified School District is following in the footsteps of Modesto City Schools, which last week sent a letter to the California Department of Public Health seeking local decision-making power on COVID-19 protocols including masks.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the TUSD board voted to work with legal counsel to create a letter asking the state to give county public health officials control of mandates and guidance for K-12 masking “based on our county’s data and not the state’s,” district spokeswoman Marie Russell said in an email.

The board received a presentation from attorney Sloan Simmons from the law firm Lozano Smith on face covering requirements. He reminded trustees, district officials and parents who packed the meeting room that per state public health guidance for the upcoming school year, students must wear face coverings when indoors, and adults must wear them when sharing indoor space with students.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

First Human West Nile Virus Infection Confirmed In County

in Local Roundup

Stanislaus County Public Health has confirmed the first human West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the county. An adult female was diagnosed with West Nile fever (non-neuroinvasive disease). The first pools of mosquitoes in the county tested positive for West Nile virus on June 11, 2021.

West Nile virus spreads to people and animals through the bite of a mosquito infected with the virus. Hot weather, abandoned swimming pools, and standing water create ideal conditions for the development of mosquitoes and the subsequent spread of the virus. About one in five people will develop West Nile fever with symptoms of headache, fever, and fatigue. However, some people (less than one percent) will develop serious neurologic illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis.

Continue Reading on Escalon Times

How the state’s new drought regulation will impact Stanislaus County waterways

in Local Roundup

A state board approved a drought regulation Tuesday that puts irrigation districts in Stanislaus County in a precarious position of trusting a state agency they have battled with in the recent past.

Faced with a worsening drought emergency, the State Water Resources Control Board will move ahead with curtailment orders to stop some diversions from rivers and deal with severe water shortages.

“It takes over local management of our (water storage) systems and asks local managers to trust the state water board to run their systems,” said Attorney Valerie Kincaid, representing the San Joaquin Tributaries Authority, which includes the Modesto, Turlock and Oakdale irrigation districts.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

Mask guidance questioned as parents pressure Turlock Unified Board

in Local Roundup

Emotions ran high on Tuesday night as Turlock Unified School District parents filled the seats at the Board of Trustees meeting, calling for its members to seek alternatives to the masking requirements for students — and it worked.

Following nearly an hour of public comment and even more time spent discussing the legality of the issue, trustees decided to follow nearby Modesto City Schools’ lead and directed staff to draft a letter to the California Department of Public Health asking for local control when it comes to mask mandates. The Modesto Board approved and sent a similar letter last week and the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors also voted to support it, which led Turlock parents to ask the same of the TUSD trustees during Tuesday’s meeting. 

The letter will not ask for permission to dictate local control of masks, Superintendent Dana Sales-Trevethan pointed out to parents, but rather the ability to follow guidance from Stanislaus County public health officials based on local COVID data instead of the statewide, one-size-fits-all approach currently in place. 

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Kaiser makes COVID vaccine mandatory for staff. What about other Stanislaus hospitals?

in Health

Kaiser Permanente said Monday it is making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory for its employees and physicians who are not yet vaccinated against the virus, which is causing new outbreaks in California.

The nation’s largest nonprofit health organization said the vaccines are a step in protecting the health care workforce, Kaiser patients and members of the community.

The announcement was made as workers at medical facilities in California are expected to start complying this month with a recent state order to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or be tested regularly.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee.

Turlock American 12s return to field with standout season ending at State

in Sports

The Turlock American Little League 12-year-old All Stars had an inspiring run this season, which culminated in the team finishing with a 4th place ranking in all of Northern California.

“There was a strong desire after the year everyone had with COVID,” said Coach Courtney Keyler.

“The kids practiced with a good mindset that showed on the field all the way through State,” said Coach John Arellano.

The TALL 12s started their 2021 run by sweeping through District competition at Soderquist Field in Turlock. They started with a 9-3 victory over Mariposa on July 6. Braydon Keyler had a standout performance with four hits, including a homerun. Keyler also pitched three innings with no hits and had eight strikeouts. Mason Hackler had three hits against Mariposa and Tanner Linhares had two.

Continue Reading on TurlockJournal.

LPGA great Annika Sorenstam co-leads U.S. Senior Women’s Open with a California teaching pro who can’t stop smiling

in Around California/Sports

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Dana Ebster wasn’t sure what to make of the interview area on the porch at Brooklawn Country Club.

“Can we practice first?” she asked as she gingerly stepped up toward the mic. Ebster, by the way, rocked the interview.

Just before Ebster flew across the country to Connecticut, she was up at 6 a.m. pulling carts out at Turlock Golf and Country Club in central California where she runs a junior clinic and works in the pro shop.

Continue Reading on Golfweek.

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