September 2008

 9-1-08Merced Sun-StarMerced property values among worst in nation...J.N.

 When the mayor of New Orleans (referring to the approaching Hurricane Gustav) described the Doppler radar image as the “mother of all storms” and decreed a mandatory evacuation of the city, I packed my bags in a hurry.  The fear factor was escalated when reporter Geraldo Rivera followed with a description of the storm as “an awesome killing machine.”  Despite my experience that the media hyperbole does not always match the facts in these atmospheric predictions, I obeyed marching orders. Evacuating at 4:00 a.m.

 9-4-08Merced Sun-StarDry year hurts farmersMID's water shortages cut into growing seasons and reduce crops...CAROL REITERhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/435398.htmlOn 250 acres of figs in East Merced, Blair and Tonetta Gladwin make a living growing the ancient fruit. Many of the trees are 40 years old, and the Gladwins work hard to keep them both healthy and productive.But the water shortages this year are hurting the Gladwins -- and their trees.

8-31-08UK IndependentFor the first time in human history, the North Pole can be circumnavigatedMelting ice opens up North-west and North-east passages simultaneously.

  9-6-08Merced Sun-StarValley's housing woes get congressional hearing in Stockton todayMcNerney, Cardoza, Frank among lawmakers schedueld to attend...Michael Doyle, Sun-Star Washington Bureauhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/439838.htmlWASHINGTON -- Political incumbency offers many advantages, including the chance to summon congressional hearings like the one coming to Stockton today.The House Committee on Financial Services hearing at S

 9-7-08Modesto BeeNev., Calif., officials sign landmark river deal...MARTIN GRIFFITH, Associated Press Writerhttp://www.modbee.com/state_wire/story/420908.htmlRENO, Nev. — With the scenic stream flowing behind them, officials from Nevada, California and the federal government signed a landmark agreement that settles a century-plus-old dispute over the Truckee River's water.Sen.

 9-8-08Merced Sun-StarFarmers urged to save water, shift emphasis...Don Thompson, Associated Presshttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/442341.htmlSACRAMENTO -- California farmers can grow more food more profitably if they switch to water-saving crops and change their irrigation practices in response to the state's drought, according to a study released today.A report issued by the Oakland-based Pacific Institute says farmers in the Central Valley could save enough water to f

 9-10-08Merced Sun-StarPublic NoticeNOTICE OF SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF LIVINGSTONhttp://www.legalnotice.org/pl/mercedsun-star/ShowNotice.aspxNOTICE OF SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING CITY OF LIVINGSTON To All Interested Parties: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting on the following item: The public comment period for the Revised Public Draft 2025 General Plan and Draft Environmental Im

Livingston, that troubled town and home of the Super Sewer Pipe to Nowhere is in the news again. This is one among a number of cities in the region that forgot that, although "rooftops attract retail," actually there have to be people living under the rooftops to spend so that the cities can collect the sales taxes.

 9-12-08Merced Sun-StarFive at Merced housing nonprofit face criminal chargesFirm Build still hasn't paid many subcontractors for work performed years ago...SCOTT JASONhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/449952.htmlFive people, including two local public officials, face criminal charges ranging from grand theft to felony embezzlement tied to the demise of a local nonprofit funded mainly by taxpayers.Firm Build was formed by the Housing Authority in 1998 wit

But, will Morse and Lunney get out the orchard ladders and pick the whole tree?9-12-08Merced Sun-StarFive at Merced housing nonprofit face criminal chargesFirm Build still hasn't paid many subcontractors for work performed years ago...SCOTT JASONhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/449952.htmlFive people, including two local public officials, face criminal charges ranging from grand theft to felony embezzlement tied to the demise of a local nonprofit funded mainly by taxpayers.Firm Build was

 9-14-08Modesto BeeThink tank solutions run dry in our valley...Editorialhttp://www.modbee.com/opinion/story/429132.htmlMost likely, the Pacific Institute is sincere in suggesting ways to save water. Last week, the Oakland-based think tank issued a study that said if valley farmers would just be a little water-wiser, the state could save a lot of liquid.

 9-16-08Merced Sun-StarMerced council lets downtown developers take longer to repay loans...SCOTT JASONhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/455554.htmlIn the face of a faltering economy, Merced's City Council allowed two downtown developers to extend their loans Monday night.

 9-17-08Merced Sun-StarMerced pays $45,000 to send Wal-Mart plan back for reviewMoney will pay for additional traffic studies...SCOTT JASONhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/457273.htmlThe Merced City Council agreed Tuesday to pay an additional $45,000 on the proposed Wal-Mart distribution center's environmental review, because more work needs to be done to make it bulletproof before its release to the public.The council approved a request from consulting

The Sarah Palin TripThe selection of Gov. Sarah Palin, R-AK, to be the vice-presidential running make of Sen. John McCain, R-AR, on the Republican Party ticket boggled the minds of some of the most worldly, cynical liberals we know, people who stake their claim to brilliance on their ability to anticipate and mock rightwing perfidity wherever it arises. In the history of the dark arts of campaign politics, it must rank as one of the funniest, most diabolical sapooms one party has ever delivered to another for a 13-point bump in the polls to draw even. It was a stunning selection.

 9-20-08Merced Sun-StarCalifornia unemployment rate hits 7.7 percent...DON THOMPSON - Associated Press Writer, Sacramento Beehttp://www.sacbee.com/308/v-print/story/1250131.htmlA tumbling economy and crumbling housing market sent California's jobless rate to 7.7 percent in August, the highest level since March 1996.The unemployment rate announced Friday by the state Employment Development Department was up from a revised 7.4 percent in July, and a big jump from the 5.5 perce

 9-21-08 Fresno BeeWhat in our area is just 'too big to fail'?...Bill McEwenhttp://www.fresnobee.com/columnists/mcewen/v-printerfriendly/story/882255.htmlHere's the latest shorthand and conversation-starter for our economically perilous times: TBTF. These four letters stand for "too big (to be allowed) to fail" and explain the Bush administration's rationale for pouring billions of taxpayer dollars into the rescue of private financial firms.

 9-23-08Merced Sun-StarMore Merced coverage in The New York Times...Scott Jasonhttp://notebook.mercedsunstar.com/more_merced_coverage_in_the_new_york_times"The Pain of Selling a Home for Less Than the Loan" shows how families, such as Mike and Linda Kelly in Merced, are faced with selling a home at a loss. About a year ago, I got a call from a woman who was in a similar situation.

9-24-08Badlands JournalLow hanging fruit, Part II...Badlands Journal Editorial Boardhttp://www.badlandsjournal.com/node/5576The articles below from the Merced Sun-Star tell a story about felony indictments brought against five people associated with Firm Build, a program started in 1998 to train "troubled teens" in construction trades.

 9-26-08Merced Sun-StarBailout may kill Central Valley projectsPolticians' plans lose attention and funding in shadow of massive bill...MICHAEL DOYLE, Sun-Star Washington Bureauhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/471117.htmlWASHINGTON -- The proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout will rewrite -- and, in some cases, erase -- the California congressional agenda.Money will become harder to find, for big projects like restoring the San Joaquin River.

 9-28-08Badlands JournalLetter to Rep. John P. Sarbanes, D-Maryland…Badlands Journal editorial boardLink N/ADear Congressman Sarbanes,We are writing from Merced, CA, one of three top foreclosure-rate counties in the nation. Our congressman, Dennis Cardoza, Shrimp Slayer, now resides in the 3rd Congressional District of Maryland, which you represent. Therefore, since you represent our congressman, we are petitioning you to help with our foreclosure-rate problem.

 9-29-08Merced Sun-StarIn tough times, more are seeking job training in San Joaquin Valley...SANFORD NAX, The Fresno Beehttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/474603.htmlMore people are seeking out training programs in the central San Joaquin Valley as the tough economy forces companies to downsize.The number of people receiving job-training and placement services through Goodwill Industries increased 52 percent through July compared with the same period last year, said Sally

 9-30-08CounterpunchRep. Sarbanes, Take This Shrimp SlayerTake This Shrimp Slayer!...BILL HATCHhttp://www.counterpunch.org/hatch09292008.htmlDear Congressman Sarbanes,We are writing from Merced, CA, one of three top foreclosure-rate counties in the nation. Our congressman, Dennis Cardoza, Shrimp Slayer, now resides in the 3rd Congressional District of Maryland, which you represent.