Merced County Times

A taste of Vietnam continues at old Rice Bowl

mvp_admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:11:34 -0800

Merced still has a place for authentic pho noodle soup and the like.

Castle Air Museum invites community to share holiday cheer at Christmas Plane Lane

mvp_admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:08:27 -0800

On the evenings of Dec. 18 through Dec. 22, from 6 to 9 p.m., colorful Christmas lights will surround many of the aircraft at Castle Air Museum, located at 5050 Santa Fe Drive in Atwater.

County Chambers demand greater role in business development

mvp_admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:59:34 -0800

Recently a letter, signed by six different Merced County chamber of commerces was presented to the Merced County Board of Supervisors which demanded a more aggressive approach to business development in the county and stated that there was a “lack of confidence” in the county’s efforts to bring in new business.

City Council creates citizens’ committee to advise if homeless campground is warranted

mvp_admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:43:58 -0800

“I’ll pay for them!” exclaimed Renee Davenport, as she advocated for the homeless on the coldest night of the year during Monday night’s Merced City Council meeting.

She was addressing Councilman Joshua Pedrozo at his first meeting as a Council member since being installed on November 30^th.

Pedrozo, during the debate over whether two portable toilets for the homeless should be provided at their present campsite on Black Rascal Creek near Santa Fe in Merced, had asked, pointedly, “Where is the money going to come from?”

Davenport, who had initiated the request for the two toilets and hand washing facilities and had submitted a cost estimate of $270 per month per toilet, stepped up to the podium indignantly.

After her offer to pay, a 4 to 3 vote in favor of allowing the porta-potties as long as the faith-based community would pay ended the lengthy discussion in which some Council members acknowledged that homeless people at the campsite are using Black Rascal Creek as a bathroom but expressed opposing viewpoints about providing toilets.

Running until almost midnight, Monday night’s Merced City Council meeting also decided several other issues involving the city’s homeless: (1) A citizens advisory committee will discuss homeless issues brought up in the staff report and make recommendations to Council within 120 days on these issues and whether the creation of a homeless campground in Merced is warranted; (2) a previously-proposed site for a homeless campground at Mission Avenue and Tyler Road will no longer be considered by the Council; and (3) $25,000 in CDBG funds will be used for professional services to prepare the 2009 Continuum of Care Plan which will request a $579,947 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for homeless programs. The HUD offers funds to help the homeless transition to permanency, and the city has contributed $25,000 in the past for a homeless tracking system currently in place. There are two new projects being requested: A permanent supportive housing project for six chronically homeless adults with supportive services by Turning Point, and supportive services for a transitional housing project for homeless women and children to be operated by Community Social Model Advocates.

AUTISTIC MOMENTS: Sierra loses her first tooth

John_Whitaker — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:23:34 -0700

Sierra's world turned upside down on Friday as she entered a new, scary phase of uncertainty.

Exact times are really superficial for her, but it was after the sun came up, and she was well into her daily waking-up ritual when she felt something strange happening in her mouth.

Something wasnt' right ... and then ... something wasn't there. Something she had always felt ... something she had always depended on ... well ... it just wasn't there.

Half Mexican, Half Californian

mvp_admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:46:24 -0700

Our plan for retirement was to spend half our time in Mexico and half our time here in the San Joaquin Valley. That was ten years ago when we sailed south out of San Francisco Bay on our Day Dreamer, the 32 foot sailing sloop.

This year we left California the first week in November and returned the first week in April.

We left 90 degree weather and by the time we reached Mojave, the temperature was below 50 with a wind chill factor that brought it down to 40. We were freezing.

Franklin-Beachwood Town Hall Meeting part of series responding to citizens’ concerns

mvp_admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 08:05:19 -0700

How can the community’s children get access to the school grounds on the weekends so they can have a place to play?

What can be to done to install sidewalks in the neighborhood around Stefani Elementary School? What can citizens do to get broken street lights replaced?

These were some of the citizens’ questions addressed at the April 9^th Franklin-Beachwood Town Hall Meeting at Joe Stefani Elementary School located at 2768 Ranchero Lane in Merced.

Mike Nelson, Merc

After housing boom, Hughson keeps its small town appeal

mvp_admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:48:37 -0700

This is the third of a six-part series focusing on the communities served by Mid Valley Publications — the company that owns the Merced County Times.

Meet Frank.

The editor of the Hughson Chronicle likes to go by his first name because using his last name, George, often causes confusion.

He became editor in February, 2006. His wife Lilybeth helps out as pro bono photographer.

Budget talks have board looking at the reserves

mvp_admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:43:29 -0700

Well, at least we have some reserves.

That seemed to be the message from the Merced County supervisors as they started off their regular meeting Tuesday with a look ahead at some tough budget planning.

The preliminary estimates from the Executive Office and County Assessor's Office were not encouraging: a reduction of $16.7 million dollars in total county resources for 2009-10 and a need for $5.2 million in public service revenue.

Mexican priest guides the Spanish-speaking masses at Sacred Heart

mvp_admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:29:47 -0700

There will be crowds of Spanish-speaking residents pouring out of Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Sunday around noon.
Hundreds will surround the church and fill its sidewalks.

There will be an ice cream man pushing his cart. Another vendor will be selling balloons, or maybe churros and chocolate.
Sometimes a person will pass by and ask what's going on.

A parishioner will probably smile and tell the passerby that it's just a regular 'Misa.'
Mass crowds, you see, are a given at Sacred Heart.

A big cross to bear

mvp_admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 07:00:12 -0700

Andreas Montiel, 18, knew he wanted the part of Jesus when planning began for Sacred Heart Church’s annual re-enactment of the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday.

“Ever since I was a child I had a dream that I would someday play the part of Jesus Christ,” said Montiel, a Golden Valley student and member of Corazones Juveniles — the youth group that performs the Passion play.

The procession began at 12th and Canal, slowly winding its way through the neighborhood followed by a crowd of more than 600.

Easter excitement

John_Whitaker — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:21:21 -0700

Neveah, 18 months, gets a lift from sister Olivia, 7, as Destiny, 6, watches on. The City of Merced hosted a Dime Carnival and Spring Egg Hunt Saturday, April 11, at Stephen Leonard Park. There was bounce houses, carnival games, snacks and a lot more fun.

The Wright family

John_Whitaker — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:19:31 -0700

Roxine Wright and her grandchildren

Easter Egg Hunt

John_Whitaker — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:13:56 -0700

Neveah, 18 months, goes for an egg with sisters Destiny, 6, adn Olivia, 7, nearby. The City of Merced hosted a Dime Carnival and Spring Egg Hunt Saturday, April 11, at Stephen Leonard Park.

Silent Procession

John_Whitaker — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:39:54 -0700

Silent Procession

John_Whitaker — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:38:11 -0700

Silent Procession

John_Whitaker — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:36:49 -0700

Passion of Christ

John_Whitaker — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:35:39 -0700

Passion of Christ

John_Whitaker — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:34:15 -0700

Passion of Christ

John_Whitaker — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:33:11 -0700