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Robert Plank - page 203

Robert Plank has 2441 articles published.

Massive Northern California reservoir project scaled back to reduce costs

in Around California

An ambitious plan to build the largest new reservoir in California in 40 years to supply water to homes and businesses from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, along with Central Valley farmers, is being scaled back considerably amid questions about its $5 billion price tag and how much water it can deliver.

Sites Reservoir is proposed for construction in remote ranch lands in Colusa County, about 70 miles north of Sacramento. The reservoir, originally designed to be four times as big as Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park and nearly as big as San Luis Reservoir between Gilroy and Los Banos, received more money than any other project two years ago from a water bond passed by state voters during California’s historic drought.

But supporters still haven’t found enough to pay all the construction costs.

Continue Reading on Mercury News

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OUTDOORS UPDATE: Access to Lakes McClure and McSwain now includes Turlock, Denair, Hughson, Hickman, Waterford, Oakdale

in Around California

Under current coronavirus health orders, the definition of local residency for access to Lakes McClure and McSwain been expanded to include Turlock, Denair, Hughson, Hickman, Waterford and Oakdale. Boating is now allowed, as is camping for those with RVs, motorhomes and trailers having self-contained restrooms. Bagby and Horseshoe Bend Recreation areas also opened this week.

Access to the reservoirs was suspended in March in response to the coronavirus pandemic under state health orders.

In addition to those communities recognized today, other nearby, local residents are considered to be the following:

Those from Mariposa County.
Those within 10 miles of the lakes as well as residents around Coulterville and La Grange.

Those from the Eastern Merced County communities of Snelling, Planada, Le Grand, Merced, Atwater, Winton, Cressey, Ballico and Livingston.

Continue Reading on Merced County Times

Man diverts wine truck for solo freeway tasting

in People

It’s not unusual that a person might partake in some wine to help them through these difficult times, but one man’s attempt to imbibe some vino on Tuesday in Turlock went beyond the extreme.

Gabriel Moreno, 39, of Hayward attempted to get his fill of wine and then some by drinking it straight out of a tanker truck that was traveling along Highway 99.

The imbibing started shortly after noon on Tuesday when a driver of a Cherokee Freight Lines tractor tanker noticed Moreno trying to get his attention.

The tanker was on northbound Highway 99, near Fulkerth Road when Moreno pulled his vehicle to the left and started trying to get the Cherokee driver’s attention. Thinking maybe he had a mechanical issue with his combination, the Cherokee driver pulled to the right shoulder of the freeway, said California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer Thomas Olsen.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

What Modesto, other school districts have in works for virtual graduation ceremonies

in Around California/People

Some kids will walk, others will TikTok. They’ll hear their names called, wear their caps and gowns and receive words of encouragement from dignitaries and student speakers.

In similar but various ways, school districts in Stanislaus County are working to ensure the Class of 2020 has virtual graduation ceremonies that approximate in-person commencements as much as possible. Some districts are doing the same for eighth-graders as they move on to high school.

Districts have said virtual commencements are not meant to replace in-person events, which they still hope to have sometime during the summer if social-distancing restrictions are lifted.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

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Stanislaus County reports two more deaths to coronavirus, bringing total to 17

in Around California

Two more Stanislaus County residents have died of the coronavirus, officials said Wednesday, bringing the total to 17.

Both women had “underlying medical conditions,” the county Health Services Agency said in a news release. That was the case for all 15 of the other men and women who have died, including nine at Turlock Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

The East Tuolumne Road center reported the ninth death Tuesday. An online update Wednesday said 95 residents and 36 employees have tested positive for COVID-19. The resident figure includes people who were retested.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

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9 Deaths In Turlock Nursing Home Coronavirus Outbreak; 73 Residents, 36 Staff Members Test Positive

in People

TURLOCK (CBS13) — A total of nine either current or former residents of a Turlock nursing facility have died after a large coronavirus outbreak.

The outbreak at the Turlock Nursing And Rehabilitation Center is one of the largest in California. Along with the 9 deaths, as of Tuesday, the facility confirms that 73 residents and 36 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19.

To deal with the outbreak, the nursing home has divided the facility into a wing devoted to residents who have tested positive for coronavirus and one for those who have tested negative.

Staff and essential medical personnel are also continuing to be screened before they can enter the facility.

Continue Reading on Sacramento CBS local

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‘Open really slowly.’ Stanislaus outlines next steps for businesses closed by coronavirus

in business/People

As it starts a process of reopening the local economy after the coronavirus shutdown, Stanislaus County will allow dog grooming, drive-in movies and retail stores providing curbside pickup, starting on Friday.

County supervisors, who made the announcement at Tuesday’s board meeting, acknowledged many people will be disappointed by the meager reopening of commerce this week.

But a plan for unshackling more business sectors is promised for next week’s Board of Supervisors meeting, which could be a good sign for dine-in restaurants, hair salons and fitness centers.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

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‘Feeling so isolated’: Coronavirus alters Stanislaus State dorm life for students

in People

Angelica Maghinay is living alone for the first time during the coronavirus pandemic at the place she has called home for the past five years: California State University, Stanislaus.

She is one of the 160 students remaining in the dorms, which are still open for residents who have nowhere else to stay, need a room to focus on their studies or want to be near work opportunities.

About three-quarters of the residents this semester moved out, said Renee Giannini, interim director of housing and residential life. Those who remain no longer gather in the college dining hall, know when required internships can begin or support many of their peers in person.

Continue Reading on The Modesto Bee

Agency setting coronavirus standards for nursing homes is moving too slow, lawmaker says

in Health

The federal office that sets standards for most nursing homes is moving much too slowly to address rising coronavirus deaths in facilities that treat the elderly, a California congressman argues in a new letter to the Health and Human Services Agency.

The oversight agency, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, on April 30 announced it was setting up a commission to “inform efforts to safeguard the health and quality of life of vulnerable Americans as CMS continues to battle COVID-19 as well as preparing for future threats to resident safety and public health.”

There is no set date for the commission to meet, but the agency said in a press release the commission is “expected to meet in late May.”

Continue Reading on The Sacramento Bee

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Protests, Open Defiance Test Newsom’s Resolve as California Counties Push to Reopen

in People

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) — People in Northern and Southern California ignored closures at public parks and beaches on Sunday, defying stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of the coronavirus as pressure to reopen parts of California continues to build.

Santa Cruz County began on Saturday to close all beaches between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to let residents visit the beach in the early morning or sunset hours and keep day-trippers away.

Beaches are just the latest focus for frustrations over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s six-week-old order requiring nearly 40 million residents to remain mostly indoors. Businesses not deemed essential are closed until COVID-19 testing, hospital and death rates indicate the state outbreak is beginning to ease. Millions have been unable to work.

Continue Reading on San Francisco CBS

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