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People - page 27

How the city of Turlock got its name in California

in Local Roundup/People

TURLOCK, Calif. — Turlock's name is probably the only thing the city doesn't owe to agriculture for its history.

The city, 20 minutes south of Modesto, owes its name to "Bred in the Bone," a serial novel from Harper's Weekly Magazine and two brothers struggling to name the town, according to Scott Atherton, historian for the Turlock Historical Society.

Atherton said the name's origin boils down to Henry Lander reading a book in a magazine, seeing the name "Turlock," and pitching it to his brother as their third naming effort.

Contrary to the story, some might have heard growing up, the town's name doesn't come from a translation of "Turlough," or "Dry Lake."

Continue Reading on ABC 10

Meet Dr. Kwane Stewart, ‘The Street Vet’ who treats homeless people’s pets across CA for free

in Animals/Around California/People

CALIFORNIA (KABC) -- For the last nine years, Dr. Kwane Stewart has spent his free time as a veterinarian treating pets on California's streets for free.

The 49-year-old drives around the state helping the animals of people experiencing homelessness, providing everything from flea treatments to vaccinations and more.

Before he eventually became known as "The Street Vet," Stewart ran an animal hospital and went on to be the county veterinarian for Stanislaus in Modesto, California, according to CCN. But when the financial crisis hit the U.S. in 2008, he was inspired to do more.

Continue Reading on ABC 7

‘They have no place to go’: Ventura County sees number of homeless students double

in Education/People

Maria Medina never thought she'd become homeless. When she lost her leg due to diabetes last summer, her husband, a farmworker, missed work to take care of her. Then he lost his job, leaving the family unable to pay their $1,300 monthly rent. The family of five, with one daughter in high school and two daughters under age 4, was homeless.

“I always thought about homelessness as something that wouldn’t happen to me. But you don’t know until it happens to you, and you can’t easily explain to the kids,” said Maria Medina, who has lived in Oxnard her entire life.

Continue Reading on VC Star

Bullied teen shows up to Turlock school in style

in People

Dozens of motorcycles escorted a bullied, special needs teenager riding inside an eye-catching car as it rolled up to school drop-off in Turlock on Tuesday morning.

"Seeing his face when he saw all his classmates watching, that was all worth it," said Larry Nydahl, a motorcycle rider with the American Legion Riders of Turlock.

Earlier this month, cellphone video captured Michael Valdez, 14, being beaten and bullied at a park near Turlock Junior High School. The video went viral on social media and led to hundreds of calls to police. The school district is investigating.

Continue Reading on KCRA

Nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions in Los Angeles County will be dismissed, district attorney says

in Around California/People

Nearly 66,000 marijuana convictions in Los Angeles County will be dismissed thanks in part to state laws that paved the way for the action, the county district attorney said Thursday.

The cases include 62,000 felony convictions for cases -- including those for marijuana sales and cultivation -- dating back to 1961, and about 4,000 misdemeanor possession cases, District Attorney Jackie Lacey's office said.

"The dismissal of tens of thousands of old cannabis-related convictions in Los Angeles County will bring much-needed relief to communities of color that disproportionately suffered the unjust consequences of our nation's drug laws," Lacey said in a news release.
Continue Reading on CNN

Grant funding to financially support undergrad volunteers

in Education/People

Students attending the Valley’s two public universities will now be able to earn money for college by giving back to their communities through a new pilot initiative.

Stanislaus State and University of California, Merced, are two of eight colleges to take part in the Civic Action Fellowship — grant funding unveiled by California Volunteers on Monday that allows students to sign up as Americorps Fellows and commit to community service tailored toward their curriculum. The first-in-the-nation program utilizes a combination of federal and state funding and will award students up to $10,000 to put toward their education in exchange for one semester working with a local nonprofit or government office.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Turlock native realizes artistic dreams

in Local Roundup/People

Morgan Andre has always had a knack for art, but she never dreamed it would blossom into the career she’s built for herself today. The Turlock native has turned her artistic ability into a successful business with a substantial following, and she shares her talent with the community through not only her artwork, but as an educator as well.

“I love that I get to express myself. It’s so fun that a passion of mine has become something I get to make into a career,” Andre said. “I never really thought that could be a possibility and it’s been fantastic to have support from people in the community and from my family and friends.”

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

California stopped charging parents for kids’ incarceration. So why are some still stuck owing thousands of dollars?

in Around California/People
Foster parent Andrew Simmons, of Ramona, CA, has the initials of all six of his adopted children on his arm. January 30, 2020. Photos by Lisa Hornak for CalMatters.

When Andrew Simmons first started getting billed for his son’s stints in juvenile hall, he was shocked.

“I just thought that was crazy. I mean you’re going to arrest my kid and then you’re going to charge me for it?” Simmons said.

Simmons ended up owing nearly $14,000 to San Diego County, including $20 per day for his son’s 53 days in home supervision and $31 per day for his more than 400 days in juvenile detention, according to a county audit of his account.

Continue Reading on Mercury News

Just Released: Parent’s Guide to Social Media and Mental Health

in Health/People

TURLOCK, Calif.Feb. 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Legacy Health Endowment (LHE) has released a parent's guide to social media called PARENTS – What You Wish You Knew: A Quick Guide to the Basics of Social Media (and the Potential Risks for Children and Teens). The guide aims to help parents and guardians truly understand their children's social media usage, as well as its potential impact on their children's mental health.

The entire guide can be viewed and downloaded at legacyhealthendowment.org at no cost.

Continue Reading on PR Newswire

Kindergartner tries to spread positivity through ‘joy box’ in his front yard

in Fun/People

TURLOCK, Calif. (KTXL) - A California kindergartner aims to spread happiness - and plans to start in his family’s front yard.

“Get to write a note and then you get to put it in here. And we get the key, put it in, unlock it and take it out then the wish comes true,” said Levi Navarra. “It’s called the Joy Box.”

Six-year-old Levi said he believes that finding happiness is as easy as visiting the Joy Box, according to KTXL.

Continue Reading on Oklahoma News 4

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