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History

Valley Schools Have Child Safety Problems

On March 26th, a child died in front of a Modesto school when he ran in front of a bus. A few years ago, another child was hit in front of a school when he was run over by his own father’s car. At another school, a child on a bicycle was hit by a car. These accidents should not be happening.Every school day in valley communities, […]

How Would the New 132 Freeway Affect Wood Colony?

During the four years that this writer served on the Modesto City Council, many maps were examined and studied for planning purposes. Various urban configurations were presented for consideration. Based on this writer’s experience, the residents of that community may have considerable misconceptions about the impacts that the construction of the 132 freeway would have on them. […]

Johnston’s Exit: New Era for the Bee?

Publisher Eric Johnston has left the Modesto Bee. His departure marks the end of an era. Though still demonized as a “liberal” newspaper by tea-soaked locals, under Johnston, Mark Vaschè, and Judy Sly, the once moderate Bee veered sharply right. Jeff Denham and Kristin Olsen became political darlings and the Chamber of Commerce became the […]

MID Rate Policy Threatens Survival of Small Farms

Farmers are businesspeople first and friends second. When it comes to relationships in the farming business, the farmer looks after his own interests, just like a businessperson in any other business. Water is an indispensable part of the business of farming. No farmer is going to sell his entire water allocation to others unless he does not intend to farm. […]

Down the Higher One Rabbit Hole with Kyle Summerfield

Down the Higher One Rabbit Hole with Kyle Summerfield Note: Despite problems with the courts, the controversial financing practices of Higher One haven’t stopped hundreds of college administrations from hiring Higher One to disburse financial aid. Here, Merced College student Kyle Summerfield offers a graphic account of his own experience with the Higher One “Blue […]

MID Faces Conundrum about Need for Rate Increases, by Bruce Frohman

The Modesto Irrigation District (MID) is the primary electricity supplier to northern Stanislaus County and the town of Mountain House in San Joaquin County.    The Board of Directors of MID has been discussing an electric service rate increase in 2014. The numbers suggested have ranged from zero percent to a double digit increase. Current MID electric rates rank among the highest in California.  […]

Carson vs Fladager, by Bruce Frohman

Next year, an election will be held to either affirm the job District Attorney Birgit Fladager is doing for the citizens of Stanislaus County or to replace her with criminal defense attorney Frank Carson, who has already announced that he is running for the job. One way to evaluate the upcoming contest is to view it from the perspective […]

Higher One: Busted Again?

On November 6,  Inside Higher Education reported that Higher One, the provider of debit cards on hundreds of college campuses, including Modesto Junior College and Merced College, is in trouble again. As we reported here, Higher One paid $11 million last year as part of deal with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to provide restitution […]

Obamacare in the Great Valley, by Bruce Frohman

Many residents of the Great Valley are not too sophisticated about buying health insurance. The recent losses of coverage attributed to the higher standards of the Affordable Care Act, otherwise referred to as Obamacare, highlight the worthlessness of the health insurance policies that many Valley residents had purchased. Worthless Policies Cancelled Virtually all of the cancelled insurance policies would pay almost nothing towards treatment of a catastrophic […]

San Joaquin Valley Still Heading Toward Unsustainability, By Bruce Frohman

Over the last 25 years, concerned citizens in the San Joaquin Valley have tried to change growth policies in order to build sustainable communities. Citizens from interest groups such as Sierra Club, Audubon, GOAL: Growth, Orderly Affordable, and Livable, and FOOD: Future Options On Development, have had minimal impact on the rate of urban growth policies, the manner in which land […]