Local Politics · Modesto, CA
Early unofficial results from the Nov. 3 Modesto City Council election show incumbent Eric Alvarez leading District 2 with 55.2% (1,101 votes) over Juan Telles (35.3%) and Jon Rodriguez (9.5%), while incumbent Jeremiah Williams leads District 5 with 69.7% (3,477 votes) over Jared Sylvia (30.3%). The results, released by the Stanislaus County Registrar of Voters, remain unofficial pending further ballot tallies and certification. Both races centered on housing affordability, economic development along the Highway 99 corridor, public safety surveillance policies including automated license-plate readers, and opposition to large AI data centers in Modesto. District 4 incumbent Nick Bavaro ran unopposed; winners serve four-year terms.
Local Politics · Turlock, CA
In early returns from the Nov. 3 election, Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak led challenger Jim Reape by 451 votes, with Kelley Coelho receiving 814 votes. Councilmembers Kevin Bixel (District 1) and Cassandra Abram (District 3) held leads over Jeremy Rocha and Ryan Taylor, respectively. In congressional races affecting the area, Rep. Adam Gray led former Stockton mayor Kevin Lincoln by 18,000 votes, while Rep. Tom McClintock received 55.4 percent against Michael Masuda. Republican Alexandra Duarte led Democrat Jaron Brandon 52-48 in the District 4 state senate race. An estimated 8,000 to 12,000 votes remained uncounted at press time.
Local Politics · Modesto, CA
Two Modesto-area school bond measures requiring a 55% supermajority showed early unofficial results Tuesday night, Nov. 3, 2026. Modesto City Schools' Measure K, authorizing up to $250 million in bonds at approximately $24 per $100,000 of assessed value, led with 56.9% support (16,062 votes) over 43.1% opposition (12,144 votes). Sylvan Union's Measure N, seeking up to $70 million in bonds at $25 per $100,000 assessed value, trailed at 53.7% (5,053 votes) against 46.3% opposed (4,360 votes), falling about 1.3 percentage points short. Superintendent Vanessa Buitrago called the early Measure K results "encouraging" while noting all votes must still be counted.
Public Safety · Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County public health officials reported four recent cases of Clade I mpox, with two confirmed by the California Department of Public Health and confirmatory testing underway for the remaining two. Three of the individuals reported no recent international travel, suggesting possible community spread within the United States. County Health Services Agency officials emphasized that risk to the general public remains low but urged residents to watch for symptoms including rash, sores, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. The JYNNEOS vaccine is recommended for those at increased risk of exposure, administered in two doses approximately four weeks apart.
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Crime · Modesto, CA
A 911 call reporting an active shooter led Modesto police to arrest Collin Ford, 32, at a residence in the 3300 block of Ocotillo Way, southeast of Lakewood and Briggsmore avenues, on Monday night. Officers determined Ford had fired gunshots inside and outside the home; no one was injured. He was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges including attempted murder, three counts of child endangerment, domestic-violence-related assault with a firearm, illegal possession of a gun and ammunition, and shooting at an inhabited dwelling. Bail was set at $1.74 million, and Ford remained in custody as of Tuesday afternoon.
Crime · Turlock, CA
Federal prosecutors filed criminal complaints against six noncitizens accused of illegally casting ballots in the Nov. 5, 2024, U.S. presidential election, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of California. Rosa Bento Silva Anderson, 26, a Portuguese national of Turlock, is among those charged; her initial appearance was scheduled for Nov. 2 in Fresno. The other defendants reside in Visalia, Hanford, Fresno, Vallejo, and Sacramento. Investigations were conducted by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations. If convicted, each defendant faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000; prosecutors noted all charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent.
Social Events · Turlock, CA
Multiple holiday craft fairs are scheduled across the Turlock and Hilmar area in November 2026. The third annual Holiday Market opens Saturday at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds with more than 80 vendors, free parking and admission, Santa photos, and kids' crafts. Additional events include the 12th annual Hilmar Holiday Expo on Nov. 22 at the Hilmar Grante Hall, the Pageo Holiday Market on Nov. 28 at a Turlock lavender farm, and a Dust Bowl Brewing Co. holiday shopping event on Nov. 29 in Turlock. A portion of Hilmar expo proceeds benefits families of the Hilmar-Stevinson community.
Community News · Turlock, CA
The City of Turlock is hosting its fourth annual job fair on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Life Christian Center, 2918 W. Tuolumne Rd. The free, public event will feature more than 50 local and regional employers, including Turlock Irrigation District, Sutter Health, United States Cold Storage, and Stanislaus State University. Job seekers can meet employers directly, participate in on-the-spot interviews, and receive résumé assistance. Attendees are encouraged to dress professionally and bring multiple printed copies of their résumé.
Transportation · Stanislaus County
As the processing-tomato harvest wraps up in California's Central Valley, trucks hauling tomatoes from fields to processors have left scattered fruit on area roads, creating slick pavement and occasional traffic disruptions. Two notable incidents occurred this season: a July 16 spill of thousands of tomatoes across Highway 165 near Bradbury Road in Merced County, and a September 6 collision between two tomato-hauling trucks on Henry Miller Road near Badger Flat Road that required road closures. The California Highway Patrol and Caltrans responded to both incidents, and officials urge motorists near agricultural trucks to maintain safe following distances and watch for fallen debris. Tomatoes ranked as the No. 10 crop in Stanislaus County's 2025 agricultural report, valued at $46 million.
Local Politics · Stanislaus County
Stanislaus County voters are deciding races for mayor, city council, school boards, and other local offices in the Nov. 3, 2026, California general election. Contests include mayoral races in Turlock, Hughson, Newman, and Patterson, plus city council seats in Modesto, Ceres, Oakdale, and Riverbank. In the 13th Congressional District, Democratic Rep. Adam Gray faces Republican Kevin Lincoln, a former Stockton mayor; Gray won the seat in 2024 by 187 votes. Voters are also deciding six local ballot measures and races for Congress, the California Legislature, and statewide offices. Vote-by-mail ballots postmarked by Election Day may be counted if received by Nov. 10; counties must certify results by Dec. 3, and the secretary of state must certify the final statement of vote by Dec. 11.
Local Politics · San Joaquin County
Republican Assemblyman Heath Flora appeared headed for a sixth term in California's 9th Assembly District, leading Democratic challenger Matthew Adams 38,522 votes (56.2%) to 30,054 (43.8%) in results released Tuesday night by the California Secretary of State. About 97.4% of election-night precincts were partially reporting. Adams, a Woodbridge resident and substitute teacher making his first run for office, said he was prepared to wait several days for final results. Flora, a Ripon native who has represented the district for nearly 10 years, was removed from his Republican caucus leadership role over the summer amid two Fair Political Practices Commission investigations into campaign spending allegations; neither investigation has resulted in publicly disclosed findings of wrongdoing. The 9th Assembly District spans communities in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and other Central Valley counties.
Local Politics · Modesto, CA
In the Nov. 3 Modesto Irrigation District board election, Chairman Robert Frobose led Dominic Giorgi 63.1% to 36.9% in Division 3, while Mike Moradian held a 44.6% lead over incumbent Janice Keating (29.2%) and John Van Oostende (26.2%) in Division 2. Incumbent John Boer IV appeared headed for re-election in Division 4 with 67.3% against Brad Johnson's 32.7%. The races drew attention amid internal district tensions, including Frobose's push to investigate allegations that Director Larry Byrd used district water on his ranch near La Grange, which Byrd denied. Keating was censured by the board in August 2025 for allegedly berating and throwing a clipboard at a staff member.
Community brief · Hughson, CA
The Hughson High School girls volleyball team advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title game after sweeping West Campus of Sacramento in the semifinals. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. at Cosumnes River College, where the Huskies won their previous title. This victory also secured the team a spot in the CIF State Tournament regardless of the final outcome.
Community brief · Modesto, CA
British mind reader Peter Antoniou brings his interactive "Pretty Psychic Tour" to the Gallo Center for the Arts in downtown Modesto on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. The show combines comedy, audience interaction and mind reading, drawing on Antoniou's background in London's West End. Tickets are $48 to $68, available at www.galloarts.org, with limited availability remaining.
Community brief · Turlock, CA
Chris Lewis, a Turlock father of three, has advanced to the national semifinals of the 2026 Super Dad competition. Voting closes at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5; Lewis must finish first in his semifinal group to reach the national finals scheduled for Nov. 6-12. The competition offers a $25,000 grand prize from Ace Hardware and raises funds for Children's Miracle Network through optional donation-based votes. Lewis, who recovered from a stroke about…
