CVJC Newsletter Nov. 20 edition: The latest Merced and Valley news
Here are some of the top news items that made recent headlines in the San Joaquin Valley
New Merced City Manager Scott McBride is shown taking his oath from Mayor Matthew Serratto on Nov. 6, 2023 at the Merced Civic Center. Photo by Roger J. Wyan
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.
UC Merced set to begin construction on medical education building next year
After many years of plans and speculation, The University of California Board of Regents on Wednesday approved a medical education building set to be built at UC Merced. READ FULL STORY
Photo by Roger J. Wyan
Q&A: Stephanie Dietz, first woman to serve as Merced’s city manager, reflects on years of leadership
Merced City Manager Stephanie Dietz, the first woman to serve in the role, received a standing ovation and tearful goodbyes during her last City Council meeting. READ FULL STORY
Screenshot, CNN YouTube
CNN to broadcast documentary on kidnapping of 26 school children in Chowchilla
The notorious 1976 kidnapping of 26 school children and their bus driver in Chowchilla has been chronicled in a new documentary that’s scheduled to air next month. READ FULL STORY
How a ‘debt-free’ scholarship for California college students became laced with delays, skepticism
Dozens of students have encountered headaches dealing with the process – mostly stemming from unexpected changes to their financial aid. READ FULL STORY
San Joaquin medical community celebrates at Community Medical Center annual fundraiser-gala
For the first time since the pandemic, hundreds gathered in Stockton to discuss how far medical access has expanded for migrant communities in San Joaquin County and how northern San Joaquin Valley residents can receive quality healthcare. READ FULL STORY
Bitwise Industries may have ended. But laid-off workers say they’re just getting started (KVPR)
“When everything fell down, I felt confident that we could create something,” said one former Bitwise employee. READ FULL STORY
MORE STORIES RELATED TO BITWISE FALLOUT:
Bitwise Industries was a company always running out of time. Then, one day, it did.
At its inception, Bitwise Industries aimed to remove barriers into the technology space. But the company gambled on its dreams and quickly ran out of time. READ FULL STORY
‘They swindled investors.’ Bitwise Industries co-founders facing prison in fraud case
“They used lie after lie to pull over $100 million into a dying venture through fraud,” United States Attorney Phillip Talbert said in a press release. READ FULL STORY
The latest deal to save Madera Community Hospital falls apart (KVPR)
Efforts to reopen the shuttered Madera Community Hospital faced another major setback this week, after Adventist Health pulled out of a deal to take over hospital operations. READ FULL STORY
Fresno sued over ‘secret budget committee’ after Fresnoland investigation
The ACLU of Northern California and First Amendment Coalition are suing the City of Fresno for allegedly violating state transparency law in connection with the city’s budget — a question first raised earlier this year in a Fresnoland investigation. READ FULL FRESNOLAND REPORT
Area lawmaker seeks to undo Central Valley Project environmental protections (SJV Water)
Just last month, a San Joaquin Valley congressman added language to an appropriations bill that would unwind a key portion of the 1992 Central Valley Project Improvement Act (CVPIA). READ FULL STORY
As storms arrive in California, reservoirs are in good shape. But the water forecast is murky (Cal Matters)
As California’s water managers plan for the water year ahead, they’re faced, as always, with their dueling responsibilities: forestalling floods while preparing for possible scarcity in a state where water supplies are often stretched thin and long droughts are common. READ FULL STORY
Government meetings calendar
Monday, Nov. 20 — Merced City Council meeting 6 p.m. at the Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St. in Merced.
Tuesday, Nov. 21 — Gustine City Council meeting, 5:15 p.m. Gustine City Hall, 352 15th Street in Gustine.
Tuesday, Nov. 21 — Dos Palos City Council, 6 p.m. 1554 Golden Gate Ave. in Dos Palos.
Tuesday, Nov. 28 — Merced County Supervisors, 10 a.m. at the County Administration Building, 2222 M St. in Merced.
Tuesday, Dec. 5 — Livingston City Council meeting, 6 p.m., 1416 C Street in Livingston.