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Stanislaus County health officer on COVID-19: ‘It seems to be everywhere’

in Health

Stanislaus County leaders were still unclear Tuesday about what assistance the state will provide for bringing a coronavirus surge under control.

But they hope to use the state’s influence to do more testing and get test results faster.

“Any resources that show up locally we will put to use very quickly,” Chief Executive Officer Jody Hayes said. “We need ample testing and a quick turnaround time.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $52 million in support for counties in the Central Valley that are inundated by COVID-19 cases. The surge began about six weeks ago after sectors of the economy were reopened in most areas of California.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

Bill would help out county fairs

in Fun

Following the cancellation of fairs throughout the state this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rep. Josh Harder is hoping a new bill he introduced this week will help alleviate some of their economic strain and keep them afloat until next year.

During a virtual round table discussion held via Zoom on Thursday, Harder announced the Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act — a legislative effort that would create an emergency grant program to help offset the massive revenue losses experienced by fairs this year. Californians throughout the state generate approximately $3.5 billion in economic impact each year by attending the fair.

Locally, the Stanislaus County Fair boasted an attendance of over 260,000 in 2019. After announcing in April that the annual event in Turlock would be canceled, however, the fair has issued layoff notices to most of its employees and is in danger of operating at a deficit by October if no action is taken.

Continue Reading on Ceres Courier

Turlock Police supporters, calling for more funding, dominate city council meeting

in People

Turlock residents debated police funding for more than two hours during Tuesday’s city council meeting, dominating the public participation session.

The majority of the roughly 60 callers opposed defunding the Turlock Police Department, with many urging the council to increase its resources and services.

While the council on Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement on school resource officers for Turlock and Pitman high schools, City Manager Toby Wells said discussion on budget priorities should take place around the end of October. Staff are scheduled to provide an update on the first fiscal quarter of the financial year then, he said, which would provide an opportunity to revise the budget.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

Grant program to provide relief for local businesses

in business

After distributing over $3 million in federal aid and community contributions to nearly 350 businesses in the spring, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors recently approved another opportunity for business owners to receive financial help as the coronavirus pandemic wears on.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the establishment of a Business Grant Program during their July 14 meeting, which will utilize a total of $10 million in business revitalization and economic support funding thanks to CARES Act Coronavirus Relief Funds.

Stanislaus County received $96.1 million of the $150 billion in relief funding included in the CARES Act. In June the Board voted to allocate $15 million of that funding for business revitalization and economic support — $10 million of which has been set aside for the new grant program, $4 million that will be directed to nonprofit organizations in the community and another $1 million which is being considered for a touchless gift card program.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Turlock’s fourth dispensary eyes restaurant location

in Health

Turlock’s fourth and final cannabis dispensary has selected a location, which is set to go before the Planning Commission next week for approval.

Natural Healing Center, a Grover Beach-based dispensary brand, was originally ranked No. 5 on the City of Turlock’s list of top 10 candidates for retail cannabis operators — a selection compiled one year ago for the pilot cannabis program. The dispensaries ranked in the top four were selected to operate in Turlock and originally included Firehouse (1601 W. Main St.), Perfect Union (2500 N. Golden State Blvd.), Evergreen Market (1206 N. Golden State Blvd.) and MedMen.

When MedMen dropped out of the pilot cannabis program toward the end of last year, NHC was bumped up into the top four and is now hoping to open a dispensary at 3401 W. Monte Vista Ave.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

House passes bill on fixing Friant-Kern Canal

in People

The Democrat-controlled House approved a package of fiscal 2021 spending bills Friday. One of those bills included more than $200 million for repairing the Friant-Kern Canal, the Delta-Mendota Canal and other key conveyance infrastructure in the San Joaquin Valley.

Fresno Democrat TJ Cox was excited to share that another measure of his, to fund safe drinking water projects in the valley, passed as well. Cox was also pushing for $1 million in funding for USDA research stations, including the Parlier station, which focuses on pests and diseases in specialty crops.

The package also included a measure to make California eligible for federal aid for combating nutria infestations, an effort championed by Democratic Rep. Josh Harder of Turlock.

Continue Reading on AGRI-PULSE

Tosh uses big final round to win bass tourney

in People

LAKEPORT — Entering the third and final round of the Won Bass California Open at Clear Lake with less than a pound lead over rival Wayne Breazeale of Kelseyville, a two-time winner of the event, Bub Tosh of Turlock left absolutely no doubt how this year’s tournament would finish Friday afternoon.

Bringing a tournament-best bag of five fish weighing 32.72 pounds to the weigh scales at the Konocti Vista Casino, Resort and Marina, Tosh finished with a three-day total of 79.34 pounds to easily win the pro division. His amateur partner on Friday, David Kiesgen of Peoria, Arizona, ended up winning a hotly contested amateur division with 64.79 pounds.

Tosh, the 2018 U.S. Open winner, collected the first-place pro prize of a Bass Cat Sabre boat, Mercury engine and a cash payout valued at $67,500. Kiesgan won $6,000.

Continue Reading on Lake County Record Bee

Coin shortage solution? Newman Taco Bell offering a free taco to customers who pay with coin rolls

in business

NEWMAN, Calif. — The Taco Bell in Newman, a small town in the southwestern part of Stanislaus County, has been a long time coming, but their big debut is leaving them a little short on change amid a national coin shortage.

The national coin shortage is pushing the new Taco Bell to find some creative solutions.  The restaurant, which opened earlier this month, is temporarily offering a free taco to anyone who pays for their meal in coin rolls.

“It’s definitely surreal to me," said General Manager Christopher Beason, referring to the coin shortage. "I was definitely blindsided when I was told by my bank, ‘Sorry, we’re limiting the amount of coin that you’re able to get."
Continue Reading on ABC 10

Downtown Turlock street closes for outdoor dining, shopping weekend events

in People

Families dined in the middle of a downtown Turlock street Thursday evening as crews set up canopies for an outdoor business event scheduled to continue over the next three weeks.

With a block of West Main Street closed, organizers said restaurants are expanding their outdoor seating areas and providing a safe atmosphere to support local vendors, too.

Running Thursdays at 4 p.m. to Sundays at 11 p.m. through Aug. 9, the Downtown Turlock Street Vibe event also will include a comedy show, DJ background music and acoustic performances, said Devin Hill, general manager of The Udder Place, The Grand Cru and Sushi Garden. Businesses are not throwing a party, Hill said, but came up with the idea to try to stay afloat financially amid restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

These parts of Stanislaus County have the most coronavirus cases

in Health

Stanislaus County remains on the state's coronavirus watchlist as cases surge and intensive care unit capacity dwindles.

According to the latest data, the 95351 ZIP code in the Modesto area and the 95307 ZIP code in the Ceres area account for nearly 30% of the county's total cases. The 95351 ZIP code has more than 1,000 confirmed cases while the 95307 ZIP code has nearly 900.

"Many of those ZIP codes reflect higher populations of the Latino community," said Kristin Olsen, Stanislaus County board of supervisors chair. "Our population of Latinos is around, I think, 45%, but our positive cases are more about 70% for our Hispanic community."

Continue Reading on KCRA

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