Merced FOCUS newsletter Feb. 12 edition: The latest local and Valley news
Here are some of the top news items that recently made headlines in the San Joaquin Valley
Welcome. Bienvenidos. Bem-vindo. Zoo siab txais tos. Savāgata hai.
We are the Merced FOCUS, the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative’s 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 Merced FOCUS, in addition to our partners and other regional publications:
Students from across Merced County Compete in National History Day
Several Merced County students competed in National History Day on Saturday with 70 students from 15 categories going to the state finals.
Students in grades 4-12 showcased exhibits, websites, documentaries, podcasts and performances based on the theme “Turning Points in History,” accoridng to a news release from Merced County Office of Education.
National History Day is a year-long educational program that asks students to research and study world, national, state or local events throughout history and illustrate their research through a project category of their choosing, the release said.
Projects were presented individually and as teams of up to five students. There were 63 projects across all grade groups and 127 students took part in the competition.
Participating schools include Hoover Middle and Rivera Middle in Merced, Peggy Heller Elementary and Buhach Colony High School in Atwater and Hilmar Middle in Hilmar.
Winners from this competition will advance to California History Day for a chance to compete in the national competition, the release said.
Black History Month is being recognized in Merced County. ‘We have a direct connection to the spirit’
Several events are scheduled locally to celebrate the historically significant month. READ FULL STORY
Chinese New Year is here. Here’s a guide for newbies, plus the history of Chinese Americans in Merced and the Valley
It’s the Year of the Dragon. Here’s background on the holiday, which is also called Lunar New Year. READ THE FULL STORY
This Valley county is in dire need of mental health professionals. A $5.2 million program is helping fill the gaps
According to a recent report, the San Joaquin Valley had the highest percentage of adults who have experienced “serious psychological distress” by region across the state in the past year. READ THE FULL STORY
UCSF Health and Adventist Health join in new proposal to purchase Madera Community Hospital (KVPR)4
The plan opens up the possibility for Madera Community Hospital to be turned into a fully functional hospital as well as a teaching hospital for Valley medical students. READ FULL STORY
Planada residents look back, one year after a devastating flood. ‘I lost everything. I had to start from zero’
Although many of the memories Planada residents have from last year’s storm are of desperation, there are also stories of hope. READ THE FULL STORY
Merced County primary election ballots are in the mail. Here’s what to expect
Voting centers will begin opening at the end of the month. The last day to register to vote is Feb. 20. READ THE FULL STORY
An initiative promised 20,000 homes for mentally ill Californians. It delivered far less (CalMatters)
An initiative promised 20,000 homes for mentally ill Californians. It delivered far less. READ FULL STORY
San Joaquin County Workforce Development Board appoints representative of region’s healthcare sector
Healthforce Partners Executive Director Paul Lanning is filling one of the longtime board vacancies. READ FULL STORY
Ex-Bitwise employees can access 401(k)s, says former company exec (GV Wire)
The retirement money former Bitwise employees had been stashing during their tenure with the now-defunct tech company appears to be available again. READ FULL STORY
Climate change is pushing more San Joaquin Valley farmers to buy crop insurance as losses mount (SJV Water)
The nonprofit published an analysis pointing to extreme weather as a primary cause for the steep rise in indemnities. READ FULL STORY