Steve Ringhoff is an independent investigative journalist. See more of his stories here. Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputy Antonio Hinostroza was killed when his patrol car slammed into a signal pole at Claribel and Terminal south of Riverbank on November 25, 2018 while speeding to join in the pursuit of a drunk driver. This week, the Central Division of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) released a 219 page final report fulfilling […]
History
Homeless: When the System Fails
Last Tuesday, while he was pushing a wheelchair-bound, double-amputee along the shady sidewalks of Modesto’s La Loma Avenue, Frank Ploof had plenty of time to think how he’d gotten there. It was circuitous story, one that always seemed to begin and end in the same place. Just the day before, after Ploof had learned Alan Davis was badly soiled and in dire need of a shower, he had paid Davis […]
Defund? These Cops are Already Defunded
Bernie Sanders, who understood underfunding of social services in America long before most other people, was incredulous when talk started about defunding police departments. Like most close observers, Sanders understands how law enforcement has changed over the years. “I think we want to redefine what police departments do, [and] give them the support they need to make their jobs better defined. So I do believe that we need well-trained, well-educated, […]
Modesto Vigil for George Floyd Offers Hope
On this night, Congressman Josh Harder and his wife Pam were just (masked) faces in the crowd, standing in solidarity with their fellow citizens. Modesto Police Chief Galen Carroll somehow managed to make a big cop — in uniform and packing iron — look like your friendly next door neighbor. That was the atmosphere Friday night in downtown Modesto, as the local chapter of the NAACP held a candlelight vigil […]
The Next Wave of Covid-19 Will Hit Stanislaus County Soon
The People’s Republic of China currently has over 100 million citizens in lockdown. A new wave of Covid-19, the Corona Virus, has emerged in Northeast China. The first wave of the virus hit Stanislaus County about four months after it was first reported in Wuhan China. What can we now expect? Now that the first wave of the Corona Virus has swept across the world, will another wave come and […]
When Medical Management Engages in Malpractice
“Maybe we should conclude that JIT supply chains, when involved on a global basis and with respect to certain types of businesses and service providers, are not the ideal model for medical preparedness.” As someone who’s been working for and around physicians since age 13 — not just through my high school years while working for a local doctor in Newman, but during my years at UCSF School of Dentistry […]
To Stanislaus County Supervisors: An Open Letter on Opening
My name is James Costello. I am a pediatric physician’s assistant with almost 40 years’ experience. I want to thank our health officer, the Board and all of those people who put this very impressive, detailed set of recommendations together. Thank you! In general, I agree that many businesses can and should open up under the strict guidelines presented. The documents mention an Online Training Tool and Marketing Tool Kit, […]
Poor and Homeless: The Plague after Corona
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand Our New Normal Just a little over eleven years after George W Bush signed the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act to save banks and financial institutions from defaulting on mortgage backed securities, the Trump administration is into a second round […]
Stanislaus Mayors! STOP: “It’s still too soon to open up!”
Ceres resident James Costello is a Pediatric Physician’s Assistant with over 40 years’ experience caring for children. His emphasis is on vaccines and vaccinations. As of April 25, Modesto is opening parks and golf courses under specific guidelines. Bathrooms will be cleaned twice a week. Playground equipment cleansing is up to parents. If you feel reassured, you should not be. The recent Stanislaus County mayors’ letter to Governor Gavin Newsom […]
Of Magpies and Men—or “COVID and Corvids”
Doctor Richard Anderson is a retired Professor of Microbiology. When contemplating the effects of Covid-19, we would do well to meditate on California’s endemic Yellow-billed Magpies as a model of how nature works her relentless process of evolving life forms. About 180,000 of these beautiful birds previously mobbed various favorite sites in Modesto and throughout their limited California range. More than half died after West Nile Virus reached California in […]