An overflow crowd at Modesto’s first permitted tent encampment in Beard Brook Park has grown to over 400 residents in a few short months and there’s still no shortage of homeless people in their usual haunts, including downtown Modesto. And until there’s better comprehension of the realities behind traditional economic indicators like stock market reports […]
History
Homeless: Stanislaus County Workers Bring Christmas Spirit
A bevy of Stanislaus County service workers, many wearing purple T-shirts emblazoned with the motto, “Together We Rise,” brought food and comfort to the homeless encampment at Beard Brook Park Saturday, just three days before Christmas. Working off the clock, many of the workers are part of the county’s outreach effort and know village residents […]
Deputy Sheriff’s Death both Rare and Tragic
Retired attorney and investigative journalist Steve Ringhoff pursues the stories he believes the people need to know. Read more of his fine work here. –Deputy Sheriff Antonio Hinostroza’s case is rare, because his death was the first vehicle pursuit related death of a Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Deputy; and, even more rare because only about 1 […]
Tracking Effects of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning is Tricky
Steve Ringhoff is a retired attorney and investigative journalist who formerly wrote for the Modesto Bee. His recent investigation (see link below) into the deaths of Jason Garner and Raschel Johnson is a classic of investigative reporting. Read more of Steve’s fine work here. Understand: There is no real “canary” for carbon monoxide poisoning. You may […]
Homeless: Time to Commit to Beard Brook Village
Flooded and collapsed tents at Beard Brook Village became routine as the first real storm of the season hit Modesto this week. The heavy downpour ran off the road above the tents at Beard Brook Park, cut channels along the sloping hillside, and wreaked havoc with campers ill-prepared for heavy rains. With little to no […]
Homeless: Will Beard Brook Village Survive?
Modesto — News that Stanislaus County Sheriffs enforced removal of a homeless camp in Turlock has prompted increased concern among homeless advocates that the encampment in Beard Brook Park may soon suffer the same fate. Now rechristened, “Beard Brook Village,” Beard Brook Park has long been a favored site for homeless campers, some of whom […]
Death in a Fiery Crash: a Steve Ringhoff Investigation
Steve Ringhoff is a retired attorney and investigative journalist who formerly wrote for the Modesto Bee. Read more of Steve’s fine work here. THIS TIME: We begin a three part report which examines the investigation into the crash which took the lives of Stanislaus Sheriff’s Deputy Jason Garner and Community Service Officer Raschel Johnson last […]
Sunday, October 28, a Vigil
Inside Modesto’s Beth Shalom Temple there was standing room only; another dozen people stood in the foyer. At the podium, a guest spokesman for the Islam religion said, “Why are we so afraid of difference when our Creator created us different?” The Imam spoke also of the close bonds between his church and the synagogue. […]
Homeless: Do We Really Have Enough Money?
Spokespeople for Stanislaus County’s “Focus on Prevention” program for the homeless have been saying for months that, “Money’s not the problem.” For people who’ve been on the ground dealing with the burgeoning homeless population, the claim just doesn’t make sense. Especially since the City of Modesto opened Beard Brook Park to campers, the extent of […]
Homeless in Beard Brook Park: “The rent just got too high.”
The Morris brothers, Harvey, aged 71, and Daniel, 69, say their landlord raised the rent and kicked them out when they complained about the roaches, rats, and black mold in their apartments. The landlord—an absentee owner—would most likely say the brothers trashed their units and ignored warnings to take better care of them. It’s a […]