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 · 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.
