Modesto
12 children put in protective custody after big pot bust in Groveland
Two men and five women were arrested and 12 children placed in protective custody after authorities found a marijuana grow of more than 2,100 mature plants in Groveland, the Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department reported. »
Grass fire burns an acre in Modesto’s Legion Park
Firefighters put out a blaze Wednesday morning in Legion Park near Modestos Airport district that burned up an acre of grass and brush. The fire began around 4:15 a.m. in an undeveloped area and was out by 6:45 a.m. »
Van strikes, injures 16-year-old girl on bike in Ripon
A cargo van struck a girl on a bicycle Wednesday afternoon, and she was taken to a hospital with what police described as "minor to moderate injuries." »
RIPON: ‘Eye in the sky’ discovers dead calves
Responding to calls from citizens, police on Tuesday located five dead calves in an area just outside the city limits. All five animals had ropes around their necks, and had been dumped in a wooded area near East Moncure Road. »
Local servicemen’s deaths detailed in leaks
Classified military documents published on the Internet this week contain new details about the deaths of two soldiers and a Marine from the Northern San Joaquin Valley and foothills who were killed in Afghanistan. »
MODESTO: Home invaders steal two vehicles
Robbers made off with two vehicles and other assorted belongings during a home invasion early this morning in west Modesto. »
County workers ’spike’ retirement pay
Nearly all of Stanislaus County's management employees and more than 75 percent of rank-and-file workers cash out unused vacation time to "spike" their retirement pay, according to a study. »
Merced County starts its own ballot measure
A Merced County initiative meant to hinder the destruction of farmland and open space by residential development could be watered down come November. The Merced County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted Tuesday to put an additional referendum on the ballot that would fundamentally weaken the "smart growth" ballot initiative by exempting 2,437 acres. »
Cardoza claims government foreclosure programs do ‘absolutely nothing’ to help Central Valley
The government programs and studies to solve the foreclosure crisis may look good on paper or from “10,000 feet above reality in Washington,” but they are doing absolutely nothing to help those in the Central Valley. That was the message Rep. Dennis Cardoza said he again delivered to top officials from the Obama Administration... »
Car crashes into home, DUI suspected
A 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence early Tuesday after allegedly crashing his car into a South Merced home. »
Modestan’s vodka catches drinkers’ spirit
Cold House Vodka is getting hot. The locally produced ultra-premium vodka by one-man-distiller Lee Palleschi will soon be available on shelves in Save Mart Supermarkets around the Central Valley. The handcrafted vodka is also being poured at more area bars. »
Turlock revisits big-box law
This city spent three years and hundreds of thousands of dollars to keep a Wal-Mart Supercenter out of town. Now that decision is up for debate. »
Former Atwater mayor, others pitch in to help property
ATWATER -- The lawn of a house on the corner of Spyglass Court and Harbor Drive was freshly cut and glistening with water Tuesday morning -- not because of a proud owner, but because of a proud former mayor and his neighbors. »
Suspected cop killer waiting on decision by appellate court
After 4½ years in his downtown Modesto lockup, Columbus Allen Jr. II has a new home in Sacramento County's main jail. There, he'll wait out a Fresno court's decision on whether the Sacramento judge assigned to preside over his murder trial will stay on the case. »
Li’l Nippers basketball camp held at CSU, Stanislaus
Big courts opened up for little players Tuesday at California State University, Stanislaus. The school hosted its Li'l Nippers basketball camp, which matches children with athletes on the university's women's basketball team. »