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 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.

 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.

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

 8-30-08Merced Sun-StarDairyman gets five-star rating by national quality-control organization...CAROL REITERhttp://www.mercedsunstar.com/167/story/427594.htmlTony Machado wanted more than to just be a successful dairyman. He also wanted to be a good steward of the land.Because of his love of the land, Machado opened his dairy to an independent environmental evaluation by the Milk & Dairy Beef Quality Assurance Center in Stratford, Iowa.