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.
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.
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.
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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.
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…
