Crime · Modesto, CA
A Stanislaus County jury convicted Alberto Ramos Santana, 55, of Modesto, on all 12 felony charges for sexually abusing four sisters over more than two decades, with incidents dating from 1996 to 2018 in homes in Hayward and Riverbank. The verdict was read Oct. 22 at Stanislaus County Superior Court following a trial that began Oct. 12. Four women testified that Santana, a longtime family friend, repeatedly abused them as children using his access to the family. Deputy District Attorney Vita Palazuelos said Santana faces multiple life sentences and encouraged other survivors to contact law enforcement regardless of how long ago alleged offenses occurred. Judge Carrie M. Stephens ordered Santana held without bail pending sentencing scheduled Dec. 17 at 1:30 p.m.
Education · Tuolumne County
Lena Tran, former Columbia College president and interim chancellor of Yosemite Community College District since May 2025, was promoted to permanent YCCD chancellor by the Board of Trustees at an Oct. 14 meeting, effective Nov. 1. She will lead both Modesto Junior College in Modesto and Columbia College in Tuolumne County. Tran's annual salary for the 2026-27 academic year will be $395,000. YCCD serves all of Stanislaus and Tuolumne counties and parts of Calaveras, Merced, San Joaquin, and Santa Clara counties.
Local Politics · Modesto, CA
The City of Modesto is entering a new phase of its Modesto 2050 General Plan update, which will guide city decisions on housing, jobs, transportation, parks, municipal infrastructure and open space through the year 2050. Two public meetings are scheduled: a policy review meeting Monday, Oct. 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Harvest Hall, 3800 Cornucopia Way, suite B, in south Modesto, and an environmental justice policies meeting on Oct. 29, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Maddux Youth Center, 615 Sierra Drive. The Modesto City Council selected the most ambitious growth options in April and is conducting an environmental study expected to be released for consideration in mid-2027. Draft policies aim to balance job-creating land uses, new housing and amenities while protecting the environment and preserving farmland.
Crime · Camarillo, CA
A 28-year-old Modesto man was struck by a vehicle around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the parking lot of a Costco at 437 W. Ventura Boulevard in Camarillo, near the store's gas pumps, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. The driver, identified as Abba Bryski, 35, of Agoura Hills, was detained at the scene and booked into Ventura County Jail on suspicion of murder. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead; his name has not been publicly released. Authorities have not disclosed what led up to the collision or whether the two men knew each other. The Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau is investigating, and anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Erik Hernandez at 805-384-4729 or Detective Gerardo Cruz at 805-384-4726.
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Public Safety · Ceres, CA
A well failure has left eight households on River Road without their primary water source, and they are receiving temporary water assistance. The City of Ceres is considering an emergency connection to its municipal water system to address the disruption.
Community brief · Modesto, CA
Modesto-based Central West Ballet will stage "The Time Machine: A New Science Fiction Ballet Experience," based on H.G. Wells' novel, from Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 at the Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, with live accompaniment by the Modesto Symphony Orchestra under Ryan Murray. The Oct. 31 show will be followed by a costume party and…
Community brief · Denair, CA
Valley Repertory Theater presents "Don't Dress for Dinner," a French farce by Marc Camolette, as the final production of its second season at the Denair Gaslight Theater. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m., with doors opening 45 minutes before showtime. Tickets range from $25 to $30 and are available at DenairGaslight.com/tickets. Director Casey Aviles describes the comedic romp as "part Three Stooges and part…
Community brief · Modesto, CA
Mango Crazy, a Modesto-area food business operating for 12 years, has begun selling coffee drinks at its Kansas Avenue location in Modesto to attract customers during colder months. Co-owner Larry Rivera said some locations, including the original Floyd Avenue shop opened in 2014, face lease restrictions that may force relocations because nearby tenants object to coffee sales. The business operates eight brick-and-mortar/drive-thru and food…
