Crime · Salida, CA
Anthony Kulp, 37, of French Camp pleaded guilty to premeditated attempted murder causing great bodily injury with a deadly weapon for the Dec. 20, 2020 attack on his ex-girlfriend along Pirrone Road in Salida, California. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries after Kulp slashed her throat from ear to ear; she called 911 and underwent surgery. Kulp had been released on zero bail the day before the attack under Stanislaus County's emergency COVID-19 bail schedule, a decision Sheriff Jeff Dirkse publicly criticized. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 5, where Kulp faces life in prison with the possibility of parole.
Local Politics · Stanislaus County
Republican Alexandra Duarte and Democrat Jaron Brandon debated Wednesday night at The Century on 10th Street in downtown Modesto, competing for California's 4th Senate District seat that includes Stanislaus County. Duarte repeatedly raised Brandon's 2015 arrest (charges were dropped per The Modesto Focus) during policy segments, prompting moderator interventions. On local ballot measures, Duarte opposed Patterson's Measure L and Ceres' Measure P sales-tax proposals as well as Modesto City Schools' $250 million Measure K and Sylvan Union School District's $70 million Measure N school bonds; Brandon declined positions on the sales taxes but expressed general support for school bonds. The candidates also discussed data centers, AI regulation, housing policy, high-speed rail, and groundwater sustainability affecting Central Valley communities.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
A single-day traffic safety operation in Modesto resulted in 176 citations, police said, following multiple deadly crashes in October. Officers from Modesto, Newman, Patterson, and Ceres first deployed to 16 schools before expanding enforcement city-wide, targeting speeding, distracted driving, pedestrian and bicycle violations, unsafe movements, and right-of-way infractions. The operation followed the deaths of two girls struck in a crosswalk on Coffee Road and a woman killed when a vehicle crashed into her residence on Fortuna Avenue.
Public Safety · Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County Department of Environmental Resources inspectors conducted 68 inspections across 67 food service facilities between Oct. 5-11, finding violations at numerous establishments in Modesto, Turlock, Oakdale, Patterson, and Westley. Notable findings included three live cockroaches under the bar at Brave Bull in Modesto, sauce being blended on the floor at The Haveli Indian Cuisine in Westley, and multiple improper food-holding temperatures at several restaurants. Code 4 Lounge in Modesto voluntarily closed after receiving three major violations including no hot water at handwashing sinks. Hanshaw Middle School cafeteria in Modesto had one major violation involving a non-draining handwashing sink. Residents can search individual facility records on the DER website.
Local Politics · Modesto, CA
Modesto is advancing toward adopting new e-bike regulations that would establish speed limits and prohibit dangerous stunts on e-bikes within the city. Violations of the proposed rules could carry fines of up to $5,000. The article does not specify a timeline for adoption or identify which body is deliberating the measure.
Public Safety · Modesto, CA
A Modesto family is calling for changes after their father was struck and killed at a crosswalk the family describes as dangerous. The article provides only a brief quote from a grieving family member expressing that no one deserves to die in such circumstances. No specific intersection, date of the incident, victim name, or details of the family's requested changes are included in the available text.
