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Operation Blue Santa gets the green light in Turlock

in Holidays

Between budget constraints, staff shortages and the coronavirus pandemic it seemed all but certain that Blue Santa would have to be shelved for the holiday season, but instead a can-do attitude among the Turlock Police Department is bringing the jolly ol' elf back to the community.

"It's been a lot of work and re-thinking how we could do this in a safe way, while also being fiscally responsible," said Erika Grace, a crime prevention specialist with the police department, who is helping shepherd the operation. "We think we have come up with a way to make it happen."

Operation Blue Santa started in 2012 with the mission of providing toys and donated items to children and families in need. Key components of the operation were school and home visits by Blue Santa and presentations on crime prevention and safety. It also relied heavily on volunteers to go out on shopping blitzs and gather for gift wrapping sessions. But this year, COVID-19 safety protocols made all of that impossible.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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California Counties Enact Tighter COVID-19 Restrictions

in Around California

As coronavirus cases surge in California, county officials enacted stricter COVID-19 restrictions on Monday, a day after the state broke a record with more than 7,400 coronavirus hospitalizations.

Health officials are preparing for a wave of virus cases over the next two or three weeks that could be linked to Thanksgiving gatherings. Authorities had urged residents to stay home and limit their interactions with others, but millions nationwide defied the advice.

California has had nearly 1.2 million confirmed cases since the pandemic began, with 19,121 virus-related deaths.

The state reported 7,415 coronavirus hospitalizations on Sunday, citing the most recently available data from the previous day. More than 1,700 of those patients are in intensive care units. The number of hospitalizations broke the state’s previous record of 7,170 in July.

Continue Reading on KPBS

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Counties across Sacramento region see surge in COVID-19 cases

in Health

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —With coronavirus on the rise in California, counties are becoming increasingly concerned about the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Here's a look at some of the counties in our region:

STANISLAUS COUNTY:

COVID is also surging in Stanislaus County, according to public health information officer Kamlesh Kaur.

"Our case rate as of this morning actually is 24.4 per 100,000 residents and that is the adjusted case rate," Kaur told KCRA 3. "And our positivity rate is 10.7%."

The key factor in the growing number of cases according to Kaur, is small and large family gatherings. "Family parties," Kaur said. "There has been household spread so at this time we ask our community members to avoid gatherings of any size."

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HIV is Turning Gray

in Health

TURLOCK, CA, UNITED STATES, November 30, 2020 /EINPresswire.com/ -- HIV is turning gray: Will the Biden White House Accept the Challenge?
By: Jeffrey R. Lewis

Since 1982, more than 690,000 Americans have died of HIV-related illnesses. That's more Americans than were lost in any armed conflict in this century or last – combined.

It has been nearly 40 years since a new public health threat reared its ugly head in the United States on June 5, 1981, when the Centers reported five cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia for Disease Control & Prevention. Identified as a gay-related disease would later be labeled by scientists as the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Some years later, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) caused AIDS, and it started the dark legacy that lives on today.

Continue Reading on Eins News

Where to cut your own Christmas tree or buy one in Northern California

in business

So you’ve had your fill of Thanksgiving leftovers and are ready to venture out to cut your own Christmas tree this year or pick one up from a local farm? Below is a guide for where to go in Northern California, if you're looking for a fresh-cut tree.

Up to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold across the country each year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. The association maintains this Google map of how to find a real tree near you.

For those hoping to score a permit to chop down a tree within designated areas of the Eldorado National Forest or Tahoe Basin, you’re out of luck. Permits for the 2020 season are already sold out.

Continue Reading on KCRA

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November 27, 2020: Pandemic Black Friday, Holiday Parades, Carinvore’s BBQ and Quickly Turlock

in Podcast

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Hey everyone! You are listening to the Local Turlock Podcast for the week of November 27th. Giving you some of latest scoops, news, stories, and business spotlight for the week. Let’s start with our first story, Hickory Farms, famous for its handcrafted cheese and summer sausage, now pops up in Turlock. Next on our list, Covenant Care Home and Hospice partnered to pilot a Meals on Wheels and Well Check Calls program open to needy seniors in Stanislaus County. Moving on, what will pandemic Black Friday look like? Take a look at when the major retailers will open on Black Friday, Nov. 27! Next, what are your holiday plans this pandemic? Let’s discover some of the events planned for the holiday season. Following the app roadmap titled “PARENTS – What You Wish You Knew: A Quick Guide to the Basics of Social Media (and the Potential Risks for Children and Teens)”, an updated version of the guide was released to provide new information to help parents oversee social media screen time during pandemic. . It’s time to show our support to our local businesses especially during this pandemic as I give you 2 business spotlights this week. Also sharing the latest updates about COVID 19 in Stanislaus County. All that and more today in this week's Local Turlock podcast.

Hickory Farms pops up in Turlock

Turlockers are in for a savory treat this holiday season as Hickory Farms has forgone its annual Modesto mall location for a seasonal storefront in Monte Vista Crossings.  Hickory Farms, famous for its handcrafted cheese and summer sausage, is a longtime gift choice for many food lovers and will operate its seasonal location in Turlock until the end of December. The shop offers customers a taste of nostalgia and their products bring people the love and comfort from when they were a child. It brings back memories of sitting around with our families on Christmas and eating the traditional items that we’re all used to. From gift boxes and platters to cheese balls and spreads, Hickory Farms has a variety of products synonymous with Christmas celebration. Hickory Farms also has other treats to choose from aside from meats and cheeses, like wine gifts, chocolates, appetizers and more. Local Christmas shoppers are used to finding Hickory Farms gifts inside of Vintage Faire Mall, but with COVID risks, the business wanted to open their seasonal shops in storefronts which would allow for easy online or call-in ordering and curbside pickup to keep customers safe.  They are located at 2727 Countryside Dr., Turlock with Operational Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Black Friday. You may also contact them at 209-279-5643.

New program to provide meals, check-ins for area seniors

A program providing free meals and daily check-in calls to some of the most at-risk and isolated residents of Stanislaus County and northern Merced County is now open to the public. Seniors are facing the most severe risks and complications from the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of stay-at-home recommendations, many have limited interaction with their neighbors and families and often can’t get groceries on their own. In response, Legacy Health Endowment and Covenant Care Home and Hospice partnered to pilot a Meals on Wheels and Well Check Calls program. The program is now open to other needy seniors in the area. This program provides free meals Monday through Friday and a daily wellness phone call. If a senior cannot be reached, or is having an emergency, Covenant Care staff is prepared to step in to get them the help they need. Meals are prepared by the United Samaritan’s Foundation, which has a long history of providing fresh and balanced meals for hundreds of seniors each week through their existing senior feeding programs. Access to the program will not require a prior hospital stay, but slots are limited. To see if you or a loved one is eligible to apply by calling (209) 250-5200 and choosing option 5, “Wellness Check.” The program is only open to the following zip codes: 95301, 95303, 95307, 95313, 95315, 95316, 95322, 95324, 95326, 95328, 95334, 95358, 95360, 95363, 95374, 95380, 95381, 95382, and 95388.

What will a pandemic Black Friday look like? And when will stores open in Modesto?

The traditional start of the holiday shopping season, and a boatload of bargains, will look a lot different in 2020 because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Most major retailers will stay closed on Thanksgiving Day, bucking years of trends that saw scores of people rush to finish or delay their family dinners in order to shop sales on the holiday day itself. This year most big box retailers will reopen the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday because as consumer legend tells it that was when stores finally turned a profit on sales for the year. In the valley, that means shoppers might tuck in to bed a little sooner — no doubt also due in part to a hefty and delicious dose of Tryptophan — to find the best deals as stores open early Friday morning. Online Black Friday sales have already begun in earnest, and are also being offered as a safer alternative. Curbside pickup, which many retailers are offering, is another option. Online shopping, in addition to being contact-free, does not require a mask or social distancing. Though still wash your hands because that’s just good hygiene.  Here’s a look at when the major retailers will open on Black Friday, Nov. 27.

  • Bass Pro Shop: Open 8 a.m.-6. p.m. Thanksgiving, 5 a.m. Friday
  • Big Lots: Open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Thanksgiving, 6 a.m. Friday
  • Best Buy: Open at 5 a.m. Friday
  • Burlington: Opens 7 a.m. Friday
  • Costco: Open 9 a.m. Friday
  • GameStop: Open 7 a.m. Friday
  • Harbor Freight Tools: Open 7 a.m. Friday
  • Home Depot: Open 6 a.m. Friday
  • Kohl’s: Open at 5 a.m. Friday
  • Lowe’s: Open 6 a.m. Friday
  • Michael’s: Open 7 a.m. Friday
  • Office Depot/OfficeMax: Open 9 a.m. Friday
  • Old Navy: Open midnight Thanksgiving through Friday
  • Staples: Open 9 a.m. Friday
  • Target: Open at 7 a.m. Friday
  • Vintage Fair Mall: Open 6 a.m. Friday
  • Walmart: Open 5 a.m. Friday

And remember, wherever you go out to shop this holiday season, wear a mask. They protect you (they really do), they protect others, and they’re a way to show the no-doubt exhausted store staff that you care about their safety as well.

Here’s your planner for Modesto-area holiday parades, events, and how to enjoy them

Several communities and groups still plan to bring some holiday spirit to the region at the end of what’s been a festive-challenged year. Many of the traditional Christmas events in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions have been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. But others will go on with modifications, downsizing and virtual options. Among the larger events canceled in Modesto are the Dickens Faire and Mod Shop Indie Crafters Market. But the city will hold a Christmas parade, with a twist: Onlookers will drive past stationary yuletide displays. The following is a look at some of the events planned for the holidays season. Note that they could be canceled or adjusted depending on county and state pandemic guidelines.

COWBOY CHRISTMAS – Nov. 28: Oakdale Cowboy Museum outdoor holiday market. COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Cowboy Museum, 355 E. F St., Oakdale. www.thecowboymuseum.org/santa-.

GUSTINE’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS – Nov. 28: There will be a drive-through breakfast with Santa at GPS Hall from 8 to 11 a.m. A Christmas market will be held downtown, with social distancing in place, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children can see Santa and take home craft bags, also from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Cornerstone Dance on Fifth Street. There will be a live virtual tree lighting on the city’s Facebook page at 6 p.m. 209-587-0810.

ANGELS CAMP HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE – Nov. 28: Merchants will participate in a community open house with raffles, shopping and dining. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Citywide in Angels Camp. www.angelscampbusiness.com/event/small-business-saturday.

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS LIGHT EXPERIENCE – Dec. 1-24: Shelter Cove Community Church offers a drive-through Santa’s village, Christmas tree lane and white Christmas, as well as a live-action nativity scene. There will be a drive-through, 150,000-light show with Christmas music. The event runs 6 to 9 p.m. nightly at Shelter Cove, 4242 Coffee Road, Modesto. The event is free, but it’s recommended to RSVP for Fridays and Saturdays. 209-567-3200. sheltercovelive.com/christmas.

LATHROP VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING AND SHOEBOX PARADE – Dec. 1 and Dec. 12: A virtual tree lighting will be shown on the city’s website and Facebook page Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. A parade Dec. 12 will feature small floats videotaped and shown on the city’s website and Facebook page beginning at 10 a.m. It will remain up through Christmas. www.ci.lathrop.ca.us/parksrec/page/christmas-shoebox-parade.

TURLOCK CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 4: A Christmas Cruise will be held at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. People will stay in their cars and drive past the decorated lights and displays. 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway.

MODESTO CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS – Dec. 5: A Downtown Drive-Through Holiday Cruise will feature displays of lights and decorations on stationary floats, as well as storefront decorations and Rockin’ Holidays displays and tree lighting on Tenth Street Plaza. The parade begins at 17th and I streets, turns on 10th Street and ends along Tenth Street Plaza. 5:30-8:30 p.m. www.modestogov.com/553/Holiday-Parade

CHRISTMAS TREE LANE – Dec. 5 through Christmas: Neighbors off Moffett Road across from Smyrna Park will put up their annual lavish holiday lights display for people to drive through. The city stresses social distancing for those who choose to walk. 209-538-5628.

OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS FAIRE – Dec. 5: Modesto Free Methodist Church will have vendors selling crafts and homemade items. They will sell tri-tip, $25, and half chickens, $6. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Modesto Free Methodist Church, 1520 Rose Ave. www.modestofm.org.

ESCALON CHRISTMAS ON MAIN PARADE OF LIGHTS – Dec. 12: A drive-through parade of lights will feature stationary floats along Main Street as well as decorated storefronts and sidewalks. There will be a one-way flow of traffic for onlookers to follow. 5:30 p.m. 209-838-2793.

Guide aims to help parents oversee social screen time during pandemic

Although Legacy Health Endowment first released its social media guide for parents over a year ago, the need for families to understand technology continues as the pandemic wears on. LHE, a nonprofit healthcare grantmaking foundation, originally produced and promoted the app roadmap titled “PARENTS – What You Wish You Knew: A Quick Guide to the Basics of Social Media (and the Potential Risks for Children and Teens)” in October 2019. The guide was well-received and provided families with statistics, instructions and solutions which ensured their Internet-savvy kids are safe while using popular cell phone apps like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. An updated version of the guide was released by LHE this month, providing new information for these fast-changing times. As the pandemic keeps children and teens from socializing in person, Lewis believes the guide can be even more helpful now as kids seem to be glued to devices day in and day out. The pandemic is challenging for families in so many ways, but LHE President and CEO, Jeffrey Lewis hopes the social media guide can help parents navigate at least one facet of everyday life which has been changed by COVID. The guide is available for download and viewing at www.legacy health endowment.org.

Business Spotlight:

Carnivore's BBQ Sandwich Shop
Carnivore's BBQ Sandwich Shop serves up an affordable alternative to fast food with locally sourced meats and produce.  It is a California based style of BBQ that originated in Santa Maria, just south of San Luis Obispo. It's based on using the freshest locally sourced Tri-Tip cuts of beef, good ole- California Red Oak with the bark, and a technique of smoking that combines direct and indirect heat. 

Location: University Plaza 2685 Geer Rd Turlock, CA 95382

Phone Number: (209) 250-1175

Operational Hours: Monday-Friday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sat 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Sun 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Quickly Turlock

If you are looking for the best boba place of all time, Quickly Turlock is the place to be. Their add ons and milk tea flavors are always amazing. And the pearls are always cooked perfectly. Quality hasn't gone down at all even with the troubles of pandemic and offers curb side delivery with fast service. If you’re looking for a flavorful tea or smoothie visit Quickly Turlock.

Location: 2014 W Monte Vista Ave Turlock, CA 95382

Telephone Number: (209) 250-2026

Operational Hours: Monday to Saturday 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Sunday 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Coronavirus update, Nov. 26: Stanislaus has 343 new cases, 167 patients in hospitals

New cases of the virus hit another three-month high in Stanislaus County, as hospital counts continue to rise, too. The state reported 343 positive tests in the county Tuesday, the most since the 365 on Aug. 26. The number needs to average 40 or fewer to start reversing the limits on gatherings that tightened earlier this month. The county’s positivity shot up to 23.65% on Tuesday, based on 1,450 tests. The rolling seven-day average was 12.62%. The 14-day average was 11.96%. The state requires a positivity rate of under 8 percent to advance to the next less restrictive tier in its system. Two more residents have died of COVID-19, for a total of 422 as of Wednesday. The county has 21,145 people who have tested positive, 215,999 who tested negative and 19,023 who are presumed recovered. Geographically: Modesto has 7,481 positive cases, Turlock has 2,862 and Ceres has 2,332

Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode. Don’t forget to visit our website, localturlock.com, to stay up-to-date on our local news. You can always email me at turlock@localturlock.com and visit our Facebook at Facebook.com/localturlock and leave us some comments! Stay tuned for next week’s exciting episode! Have a great weekend and always stay safe!

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California Faces Worrying Thanksgiving as Coronavirus Surges

in People

Firefighters in Silicon Valley were sent out to enforce statewide business restrictions as the state faced a Thanksgiving shadowed by an out-of-control coronavirus surge and health officials begged people to avoid large family gatherings that could become “superspreader” events.

“You have a 15-person gathering at a dinner table, then 1 in 10 of those tables could have ... a person that is unknowingly infecting others,” said Dr. Christina Ghaly, health services director in Los Angeles County, which has seen about a third of all COVID-19 cases in California and 40% of the deaths.

Ghaly said 1 in 145 people in the county is now infectious to others and the rate of spread could double every two weeks.

Continue Reading on NBC Bay Area

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Stanislaus has 343 new cases, 167 patients in hospitals

in Health

New cases of the virus hit another three-month high in Stanislaus County, as hospital counts continue to rise, too.

The state reported 343 positive tests in the county Tuesday, the most since the 365 on Aug. 26. The number needs to average 40 or fewer to start reversing the limits on gatherings that tightened earlier this month.

The county’s positivity shot up to 23.65% on Tuesday, based on 1,450 tests. The rolling seven-day average was 12.62%. The 14-day average was 11.96%.

The state requires a positivity rate of under 8 percent to advance to the next less restrictive tier in its system.

Two more residents have died of COVID-19, for a total of 422 as of Wednesday, the county Health Services Agency announced.

Continue Reading on MSN

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Unemployment rate in Stanislaus County sees improvements

in Job

The unemployment rate in Stanislaus County recorded a modest decline in October, however, all but two sectors remain far below the employment levels from last year, according to the latest numbers from the Employment Development Department.

Stanislaus County had an October unemployment rate of 9.1 percent, down from a revised rate of 10.1 percent  percent in September. The rate is above the year-ago estimate of 5.1 percent.

Most sectors in Stanislaus County were able to add jobs in October, except for a few. Manufacturing recorded the largest loss for the month, with an estimated decline of 1,300 jobs, according to the EDD. The losses were largely from food manufacturing positions, which typically decline as the year comes to a close and harvesting ends.

Continue Reading on The Ceres Courier

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Annual Christmas events in Merced County adapting to COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s the list

in Holidays

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, several holiday parades in Merced County are still moving forward with modifications.

At the top of the list, Merced’s annual Christmas parade will be a “reverse parade” this year, according Merced Recreation Supervisor Michelle Reid.

In past years, people typically lined Main Street to watch floats and performances make their way through downtown.

With the reverse parade, participants and their floats will be stationed along Main Street. Those in the parade will be wearing masks and socially distancing as members of the public drive past.

Continue Reading on Merced Sunstar

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