Housing & Development · Riverbank, CA
A proposed 2,400-home River Walk annexation on 1,522 acres west of Riverbank has divided the city for years. The Riverbank City Council approved the project 3-2 on Sept. 22, despite a 4-1 Planning Commission recommendation against it in August. Measure M, appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot, would give Riverbank voters veto power over most housing projects west of current city limits; City Attorney Tom Hallinan's impartial analysis calls it "likely unconstitutional." The project still requires approval from the Stanislaus Local Agency Formation Commission, which could consider it no sooner than Jan. 27. Opponents have filed a lawsuit in Stanislaus Superior Court and gathered roughly 1,760 signatures for a separate referendum to rescind the council's approval.
Local Politics · Turlock, CA
The Turlock City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to allocate $142,000 in opioid settlement funds to three youth-centered organizations. Westside Ministries will receive $82,000 for its youth ministry program, while Ten Pin Fun Center and Turlock Indoor Soccer will each receive $30,000. The city has received approximately $750,000 total from nationwide settlements since the 2022-2023 fiscal year to address opioid misuse impacts. Additionally, the council approved the purchase of saunas for fire stations and public safety facilities as wellness resources for personnel exposed to traumatic incidents.
Local Politics · Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County residents who missed the voter registration deadline can still register and vote in person at the Registrar of Voters office at 1021 I St. in Modesto or any Vote Center before polls close at 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Mail-in ballots postmarked Nov. 3 have until Nov. 10 to reach the Registrar's office, though officials caution that county mail is routed through Sacramento for postmarking and may not arrive in time. Outdoor drop boxes at Stanislaus State in Turlock, Bonita Elementary in Crows Landing, Burchell Nursery in Oakdale, Salida Library, and the Modesto Registrar's office close at 8 p.m. on election night. Any Stanislaus County resident may use any drop box or vote center regardless of home address.
Public Safety · Turlock, CA
A 9-year-old riding a small electric motorcycle was seriously injured Friday evening after being struck by a truck near Christoffersen Parkway and Crowell Road in Turlock, according to the Turlock Police Department. The child was airlifted to a hospital; the truck driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators, and drugs and alcohol were not believed to be factors. Eastbound Christoffersen Parkway at Crowell Road was closed during the investigation but has since reopened. Turlock police are asking anyone with information about the collision to contact Officer Rush at 209-668-5550, ext. 6768.
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Public Safety · Modesto, CA
A tree trimmer was injured just before 12:50 p.m. Friday when a large palm tree collapsed on him in the 1000 block of Annapolis Avenue in Modesto, according to the Modesto Fire Department. The worker had been cutting fronds about 20 feet off the ground, secured by a strap, when the entire palm structure above him collapsed at once, forcing his body upside down and crushing him into the tree's base. MFD crews performed a technical rescue using an aerial ladder, removing fronds to free the man before moving him onto the ladder. He was transported to a hospital with moderate to major injuries.
Community brief · Turlock, CA
The psychological thriller "Breeder," directed by Alex Goyette, is showing at the Regal in Turlock through November 5 and at Brendan Theatres in Modesto. The film stars Hilmar-area native Dot-Marie Jones as a deranged poodle breeder and was executive-produced by Turlock native Trenton Waterson, a former Disney and Marvel Studios employee. Jones, widely known for her role on "Glee," portrays an antagonist whose obsession with genetic perfection…
