CVJC Newsletter Dec. 18 edition: The latest Merced and Valley news
Here are some of the top news items that recently headlines in the San Joaquin Valley
Welcome. Bienvenidos. Bem-vindo. Zoo siab txais tos. Savāgata hai.
We are the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative, a new nonprofit newsroom geared toward covering Merced and the San Joaquin Valley.
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The following is a collection of news items written by CVJC, in addition to our partners KVPR, Fresnoland and other publications.
Merced County approved some employee raises, healthcare relief. But many say it’s not enough
“We are in need of workers, and we cannot retain the workers with the pay that we are receiving and the high premiums that we're going to be paying,” said one longtime employee. READ FULL STORY
Merced City Council to discuss potential resolution supporting call for Gaza ceasefire
The council member requesting the discussion has previously spoken out about the rising number of deaths among civilians in the war. READ FULL STORY
Merced Council to consider fee increase for commercial trucks illegally parked in residential areas
Merced’s City Council on Monday will consider adopting a resolution to increase fines for commercial trucks illegally parked in residential district.
If passed, the increase from be from $43.00 to $150.00 per citation, according to the city’s website.
Also during Monday’s meeting, at the request of Mayor Matt Serratto city officials are expected to give a presentation on Merced’s storm preparation efforts. The presentation comes nearly a year after a storm devastated parts of Merced and Planada.
During the meeting, new Merced City Attorney Craig Corwell will also be sworn into office.
Cornwell worked for more than 20 years for the Southern California city of Compton. He was city manager there from 2019 to 2021 and city attorney from 2000 to 2019, according to his LinkedIn profile.
The City Council meeting begins 6 p.m. tonight at the Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St. in Merced.
What’s behind the rise in Valley plasma centers? What you should know before donating
Plus, a look at the the types of plasma donation models and regulations in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. READ FULL STORY
New civil lawsuit blames city, county and state for 2023 flood that devastated parts of Merced County
It’s the latest suit that’s been filed in the aftermath of floods that hit Planada and Merced. READ FULL STORY
Schools chosen for ‘One pill will kill’ awareness contest in Merced County
Local education and law enforcement officials recently selected Hilmar High and Los Banos Community Valley school as winners of the “One Pill Will Kill” fentanyl video awareness contest.
On Tuesday, Dec. 12 students from each school were presented with $5,000 checks from Merced County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Tietjen, Merced County District Attorney Nicole Silviera and Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke, according to an MCOE news release.
The three judges selected two winners from the pool of video submissions from several schools.
The winning entries included “What Else is in Your Drugs?” by Los Banos Valley Community School students and “Drug Awareness: One Pill Can Kill” created by Hilmar High students.
Merced County Office of Education’s Communications team will work with the winners to create a 30-second, professionally produced commercial that will air on local television stations later this winter, the release said.
The $5,000 checks, taken from asset forfeiture monies from illegal activities, are designated for each school’s anti-drug and anti-gang program.
The competition is part of the One Pill Will Kill Campaign, an initiative launched by Merced County Office of Education and Merced County District Attorney’s Office in October.
The Cinderella of Santa Nella: Empty plot of land becoming first park in community (Westside Express)
Nov. 21, saw a small but eager crowd forming in the small town of Santa Nella where county officials and residents alike were eagerly heralding the coming of the community’s first local park. READ FULL STORY