Four California inmates were killed at three state prisons, including two at a facility north of Bakersfield a day apart, corrections department officials said Monday. “They're all unrelated,” said department spokeswoman Terry Thornton. Officials say two inmates fatally stabbed Michael M. Ramadanovic, 65, on Friday at High Desert State Prison in...
Merced County Suspends Social Distancing Plan for Businesses
Responding to feedback from businesses and farmers, Merced County Health Officer Dr. Ken Bird on Thursday suspended part of a recent order requiring businesses to develop COVID-19 social distancing and safety plans. The order was to have gone into effect on Friday. The plan called for limiting capacity (five people...
10 Los Banos Health Clinic Workers Positive for COVID-19
Ten workers at a healthcare clinic in Los Banos have tested positive for COVID-19, Merced County public health officials said Thursday evening. The 10 people work at Sutter Health's clinic, which is at 1253 W. I Street. The clinic is closed while it is disinfected and people who had contact...
After 3 Deaths, Merced County Toughens COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
Officials said Wednesday night that Merced County's positive cases have climbed to 40 and three people have died because of COVID-19. There were two deaths Wednesday, a man and a woman. Both were more than 65 years old. That prompted Merced County Health Officer Dr. Ken Bird to beef up the...
Mobile COVID-19 Testing Comes to Merced
Merced County will activate mobile COVID-19 testing sites for those showing symptoms of the disease, according to a news release from the county's health department. Testing will be done in two locations each week — one on the west side of the county and one on the east side. Specific...
Voracious Rodents in Central Valley Set Off Alarms
LOS BANOS — One of the most recent threats to California's environment has webbed feet, white whiskers, shaggy fur and orange buck teeth that could be mistaken for carrots. "Boy, they're an ugly-looking thing," said David Passadori, an almond and walnut grower. "And the way they multiply — jeez." The...
Fresno-Clovis Keeps Healthy Streak Alive in June Job Data
The unemployment rate in the Fresno-Clovis area rose slightly in June but continued to show historically healthy job numbers, extending a record streak of rates less than 10%. The June unadjusted unemployment rate for Fresno County was 7.1%, higher than the 6.4% posted in May but a few ticks less...
Warnings Against Toxic Algae Increased at San Luis Reservoir
State water authorities on Thursday raised the warning level about toxic algae at San Luis Reservoir, saying no one should swim there or eat fish caught in the lake. The Department of Water Resources boosted the advisory level at the reservoir from warning to danger after detecting increased levels of...
Is Historically Low Unemployment Near in Fresno County?
Could Fresno County soon see its lowest monthly unemployment rate in more than a generation? In data released Friday by California's Employment Development Department, Fresno County had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 6.4% in May. In state records that date back to January 1990, the county's jobless rate dipped that...
Toxic Algae a Danger for Swimmers at San Luis Reservoir
San Luis Reservoir is not safe for swimmers because of a big bloom of blue-green algae, state authorities warned Tuesday. People looking to enjoy a day at the Merced County reservoir can safely ride atop the water in boats but must avoid any contact with the water, said the California...