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Government

We have in-your-face homelessness due in part to horrible court decision

in Community/Government/News

The Boise decision was a horrible one.

I’m referring to the Martin v. Boise decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in response to a 2009 lawsuit by six homeless plaintiffs against the city of Boise, Idaho regarding the city’s anti-camping ordinance.

The ruling held that cities cannot enforce such ordinances if they do not have enough homeless shelter beds available for their homeless population. It did not necessarily mean a city cannot enforce any restrictions on camping on public property.

Continue reading on Ceres Courier

City pulls back on food vendor changes

in business/Food/Government

City leaders have retreated on a proposed ordinance change affecting mobile food vendors as a new one is crafted. On Monday the council cancelled a proposed ordinance change as a committee looking into lifting restrictions is backing away from the idea of unlimited numbers of vendors.

Earlier this year the council signaled it wants to lift the current limit of 10 mobile food vendors with no cap.

Continue reading on Ceres Courier

Congressman Josh Harder Delivers Over $1.6 Million for Stanislaus State in Turlock to Expand its Social Work Education Program

in Community/Government/News

Last Friday, Representative Josh Harder (CA-9), a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, announced he secured over $1.6 million to expand Stanislaus State’s social work education program. This funding will address critical shortages of mental health providers by increasing the number of students in Stanislaus State’s social work program. Specifically, the funding will increase the number of supervising social workers in area facilities as well as provide student stipends and paid internships. Stan State’s Master of Social Work program operates at both the Turlock and Stockton campuses.

Continue reading on Sierra Sun Times

Turlock might cancel plan for 50 apartments made from shipping containers. Here’s why

in Community/Government/News

Turlock might rescind a controversial plan for 50 apartments made from shipping containers on the west side of town.

The City Council voted 3-2 in April for this approach to helping homeless people. It could reverse the action Tuesday evening due to the terms of the $9.95 million state grant sought for the project.

Continue reading on Modesto Bee

Mixed reactions from food vendor policy changes

in business/Government/News

The City Council voted on Monday evening to remove the limit of 10 mobile food vendors in Ceres but the action does not sit well with established restaurant owners and at least two councilmen who cast no votes.

For decades the city didn’t allow taco trucks and other types of mobile food vendors to do business in Ceres. In 2018 the council gave vendors a trial run and since then the numbers of persons wanting to sell food from trucks and trailers have exceeded the limit, said Christopher Hoem, director of Community Development for the city of Ceres. 

Continue reading on Ceres Courier

Dairy Council of California Awarded $250,000 Grant From Legacy Health Endowment

in Food/Government/Health

 To support its efforts to improve nutrition security during the earliest stages of life, Dairy Council of California is thrilled to partner with Community Health Centers of America on a $250,000 grant awarded by the Legacy Health Endowment in Turlock. Through the grant, Dairy Council of California will partner with CHCA and other local organizations to provide evidence-based, culturally relevant nutrition education training and resources to health care providers and residents in Gustine, as well as extra funds for mothers and families with children between 6 months and 2 years of age to purchase nutrient-dense milk and dairy foods.

Continue reading on Morning Ag Clips

California kicks in another $40 million to extend ACE to Turlock. When will 1st train run?

in Government/News/Transportation

The Altamont Corrdor Express has received a $40 million state grant toward the Ceres-to-Turlock leg of its expansion.

The money will go to double-tracking and other upgrades aimed at opening this rail stretch to passengers by 2029.

Continue reading on Modesto Bee

Local unemployment rates in Stanislaus County remain stagnant

in Community/Government/News

The State of California’s Employee Development Department released its month labor report this week, and the statistics show that unemployment rates in the region had little movement during the month of May. It comes as California and the United States have seen slight rises in unemployment rates.

Continue reading on Ceres Courier

Modesto water bills could rise about 20% over five years. How do nearby cities compare?

in Community/Government/News

The city of Modesto has kicked off the process of raising water rates by 4.5% annually over five years.

An average home’s monthly bill would go from $67.13 now to $83.66 in 2028 if the proposal goes through, a staff report said. Businesses would have roughly similar hikes.

Under state law, the proposal would die if a majority of customers file protests at or before an Aug. 22 hearing before the City Council.

Continue reading on Modesto Bee

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