Did you know Stanislaus County is an island?

We didn't either, but some of our county supervisors seem to think so -- or at least that's the impression they give by their isolationist attitude toward regional planning.

Efforts to control sprawl in the San Joaquin Valley could get a boost from a bill now awaiting Gov. Schwarzenegger's signature.

Senate Bill 375 would set up incentives for regions throughout the state to draw up broad new visions for future development patterns.