Archive for December 22nd, 2009

You don't have to leave the area or break the bank to find great holiday gifts. Local shops offer a variety of ideas for less than $20. »

Guests at the Modesto Gospel Mission will be able to call home for the holidays free of charge today, courtesy of Cricket Communications. »

40 YEARS AGO: Applications were being taken for Modesto's first day care center. Under the sponsorship of Modesto City Schools, it would open Jan. 5 and cost 2 to 50 cents per hour per child, depending on the parents' income. -- Karen Aiello »

MERCED -- Tom Caval-lero, a 25-year veteran with the Merced County Sheriff's Department, was sworn in Monday as undersheriff. »

Modesto convenience stores, minimarkets and gas stations will be able to keep each other and police informed about crime trends and other concerns through e-mails under a plan outlined Tuesday. »

A pilot walked away uninjured Tuesday after making an emergency landing at the Modesto Airport because his plane's landing gear would not work, fire officials said. »

Stanislaus County will upgrade its public health lab with sophisticated equipment to test for H1N1 influenza and potential bioterrorism agents. »

FRESNO — In a passionate 30-minute speech Tuesday night, Gen. Vang Pao said that he plans to return to Laos after 35 years in virtual exile. »

An outage knocked out power to 2,600 Pacific Gas & Electric Co. customers Tuesday afternoon in Fresno. Read comments »

The founder of a Southern California grocery chain who was once convicted on racketeering and other felonies is free after pleading guilty to a lesser count. »

A Pacifica woman escaped with her life, but needs a new vehicle after her SUV became stuck on train tracks and was hit by a commuter train in San Mateo. »

In a passionate 30-minute speech Tuesday night, Gen. Vang Pao said that he plans to return to Laos after 35 years in virtual exile. Read comments »

Public meetings »

A Fresno man was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison in connection with the death of his girlfriend in May 2008. Read comments »

A federal court jury Tuesday convicted two Fresno men for their roles in a seven-month armed robbery spree that hit 30 businesses in Fresno and Madera counties in 2005 and 2006. Read comments »