Housing & Development · Riverbank, CA
A citizens group and environmental advocates filed a lawsuit in Stanislaus Superior Court challenging the Riverbank City Council's Sept. 22 approval of the 2,400-home River Walk development on nearly 1,000 acres adjacent to the Stanislaus River. Plaintiffs allege the decision violated city planning policies and Water Code provisions, relied on a deficient environmental review, and was expedited ahead of Measure M, a Nov. 3 ballot measure that would give voters veto power over developments west of the city limit. The Riverbank Planning Commission recommended denial in a 4-1 vote before the council approved the project 3-2; the project also requires Local Agency Formation Commission approval. The city declined to comment on pending litigation.
Community News · Modesto, CA
Civil rights activist and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta died Wednesday, Oct. 28, at age 96. The Modesto Bee's photo archives document her decades of appearances in the Northern San Joaquin Valley from 1998 through 2024, including labor protests, university ceremonies, and community events in Modesto, Turlock, Merced, and Livingston. Huerta, who grew up in Stockton, made regular visits to the area for Cesar Chavez celebrations, union rallies, a Girl Scouts patch unveiling, and the April 2024 dedication of Dos Rios State Park west of Modesto.
Housing & Development · Modesto, CA
At a Monday policy workshop, city staff explained that the environmental study for Modesto's 2050 General Plan update analyzes a maximum potential growth of 104,000 residents—not projected growth. Actual projections from the state Department of Finance and Stanislaus Council of Governments estimate countywide growth of fewer than 50,000 residents, with Modesto expected to add about 14,800 between 2025 and 2050. In April, the Modesto council selected the largest of three land use options, potentially adding 12,240 acres to the city's growth area, drawing opposition from Wood Colony, Salida and farmland-advocacy residents. A follow-up meeting on environmental justice policies is set for Thursday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Maddux Youth Center, 615 Sierra Drive.
Public Safety · Ceres, CA
The Stanislaus County Coroner's Office identified a body found Saturday in a Turlock Irrigation District canal as Ajit Kaur, 72, who was reported missing from Ceres on Aug. 23. Kaur went missing from the Casa Grande Apartment complex at 3100 Whitmore Avenue, and investigators suspected she entered the canal running parallel to Moore Road. She was found near Central Avenue and Keyes Road by an irrigation district employee during a daily patrol. Prior searches involving K9s, divers, an underwater drone, and county assistance had failed to locate her.
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Housing & Development · Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County's median home price reached $491,800 in September, a 3.5% increase from August and above the year-earlier figure of $475,000, according to the California Association of Realtors' report released Oct. 19. Average mortgage rates rose to 6.86% in September, while Zillow listed California's average 30-year fixed rate at about 7.38% as of Tuesday, Oct. 27. CAAR President Tamara Suminski said easing competition may give well-prepared buyers more room to negotiate, though affordability remains a major challenge statewide. More than 1,000 properties were listed for sale in the county on Zillow as of Oct. 27, with some of the lowest-priced homes in Modesto and surrounding towns including Turlock and Waterford below the countywide average.
Crime · Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County Sheriff's deputies found Michael Dickerson, 65, dead in his home on the 3000 block of Sandling Avenue in Denair just before 8 a.m. Oct. 20. The death is being investigated as suspicious by the Major Crimes Unit, with the cause of death pending. Sgt. Clarisa Villaseñor confirmed the investigation to The Bee. Anyone with information can contact Detective Hankins at 209-525-7042 or submit anonymous tips to Stanislaus Area Crime Stoppers at 1-866-602-7463 or stancrimetips.org.
Local Business · Modesto, CA
Entrepreneur Bobby Ismail is developing four businesses at 3001 Healthcare Way along Dale Road near Kaiser Permanente's Modesto Medical Center. The suite includes Drybar, the region's first hairstyling-only salon; Zalata Café, expanding from Turlock with Mediterranean-inspired food; FS8 Pilates studio, the Central Valley's first location; and F45 Training. Ismail projects the fitness studios and Drybar to open by February, with Zalata opening in early spring. The development is part of rapid commercial growth around the Kaiser medical campus.
Community brief · Turlock, CA
Stanislaus State will host its 12th annual Día de Muertos celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at 226 N. First St. in downtown Turlock. The event includes workshops on family constellation, loss and meditation (3–5 p.m., preregistration required), arts and crafts with face painting (4–7 p.m.), and a main program featuring an Aztec Blessing, performances by Los Luceros and student groups, an art exhibit by Victor Escoto, community…
Community brief · Modesto, CA
The State Theatre in Modesto will host an adults-only pre-Halloween event called "Bites, Booze & Bloodsuckers" on Friday, Oct. 30. The evening begins with a party at the theater's Intermission featuring music, food, drinks and 1980s retro vibes, followed by a screening of the 1987 vampire film "The Lost Boys." The party starts at 6 p.m. and the film at 7:30 p.m. at 1307 J St., Modesto. Tickets are $50 for attendees age 21 and older and include…
Community brief · Modesto, CA
A Modesto group of about 16 women called Manos Mágicas has spent roughly 25 years crafting papier-mâché catrinas and calaveras for Día de los Muertos altars across the Central Valley. The group's annual altar at the Gallo Center for the Arts in downtown Modesto is now available for viewing, and founder Laura Malagon is set to join a Day of the Dead panel at Stanislaus State on Oct. 28. Members also lend pieces to the Great Valley Museum and…
