June 13 , 2007
Tourism's role vital in Butte County's future
Orvile Mercury Register

"Tourism plays a vital role in the future plans for cities, businesses and organizations in Butte County, according to speakers at a meeting this week.

Representatives from local cities presented plans for developing tourism at the Annual Butte County Tourism Meeting in Biggs, Tuesday at the Bayliss Ranch."

The majority of growth has been along a 274-mile stretch of Highway 99, the San Joaquin Valley. Stockton and Modesto, at the north end of the San Joaquin Valley, are experiencing exceedingly robust growth."

The three-hour workshop at the Fresno County Farm Bureau was hosted by the Fresno County Local Agency Formation Commission, which decides on future city borders. The workshop advanced ideas for agricultural buffers to separate cities and ways to concentrate development in cities to save farmland."

But with the valley projected to grow by more than 4 million people in the next 40 years, the soft-spoken businessman said he and his colleagues don’t have much room for future mistakes."

As National Arbor Day is recognized today, groups such as the Great Valley Center in Modesto are encouraging the planting and maintenance of new and existing trees in cities across the country."

April 12 , 2007
UC Merced to set up Central Valley e-medicine network
Central Valley Business Times

"Four health clinics are to be established in the Central Valley, all connected electronically, by the University of California, Merced.

Money to start the project comes from a $225,000 seed grant from the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley.

The four health centers will connect into a network hub at UC Merced. Each center will be equipped to provide telemedicine patient services via videoconferencing and specialized equipment for telemedicine. The centers also will be used to provide training for physicians, medical students and allied health professionals throughout the region.."

April 12 , 2007
Officials kick off dress rehearsal for 2010 U.S. Census
Monterey County Herald

"FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Boarded-up houses and Army barracks in this area of North Carolina could pose a challenge to U.S. Census workers as they try to count every person in the country.

So could the new housing units and high number of Hispanic immigrants in San Joaquin County, Calif."

April 04 , 2007
The American Institute of Architects California Council Draws 75 Architects to the Annual Legislative Day at the Capitol
American Digital Networks

"SACRAMENTO, Calif.-(Business Wire)-April 4, 2007 - More than seventy architects from around the state joined in Sacramento March 21, 2007, to advocate the Legislature regarding important issues facing California and the architectural profession. Fifteen of the 21 California AIA chapters were represented. Meetings were held with more than 50 individual legislators and their architect constituents. "

March 28 , 2007
For now, it's a city only in his eyes
Los Angelos Times

"Standing in an empty field in southern Kings County facing the horizon, W. Quay Hays enthusiastically surveys the land — stark and featureless except for two newly planted redwood trees.

This desolate patch of San Joaquin Valley real estate along Interstate 5 is the spot Hays has chosen to pursue his vision for a new city: a utopia of 150,000 people living in a solar-powered, self-contained community rising from the dirt flats about 50 miles north of Bakersfield."

Although the $10 million they contrib-uted for the Gallo Center for the Arts in downtown Modesto, may be the most visible, it's not the only beneficiary of Gallo money."

March 4 , 2007
Congressman, coffee & chat
Manteca Bulletin

"Jerry McNerney learned something he didn’t expect Saturday morning — at lest one constituent is fed up with roadside litter.

“I’ve noticed that myself (crossing the Altamont),” the first-term congressman said.

McNerney was in Manteca Saturday morning listening to constituents at the Main Street Cafe as part of his Congressman at Your Corner series of informal meetings.

While roadside litter may not be a federal issue or rate up there in importance with the Iraq War or alternative fuels, McNerney said that is exactly what he wanted to hear."

March 1 , 2007
Group spreads message about ag
The Fresno Bee

"How can California ensure a sustainable agriculture future?

That's the question that the Roots of Change Fund, a nonprofit seeking to raise millions of dollars for community-based projects, asked in Fresno on Wednesday.

In the first of a series of meetings across the state, the San Francisco-based nonprofit met with government, nonprofit and business groups interested in joining its mission to make California agriculture "sustainable" by 2030."

February 25 , 2007
Kern County drives for share of road bond cash
The Fresno Bee

"Three months after voters approved $1 billion in upgrades for Highway 99, there is a fight brewing in the San Joaquin Valley about how the money should be spent.

The battle -- pitting Kern County against the rest of the region -- threatens to weaken the Valleywide coalition that originally lobbied for the money, contained in a $19.9 billion statewide transportation bond."

February 20 , 2007
Community Close-up: Councilwoman Linda Vernon
Tehachapi News

"As part of an ongoing series, the Tehachapi News continues to profile individual community leaders and their unique contributions to Tehachapi.

According to Tehachapi City Councilwoman Linda Vernon, her first six months in Tehachapi were not pleasant. "

February 15 , 2007
Development still gobbling up California farmland
Capital Press

"TULARE, Calif. - California's heartland is disappearing under housing subdivisions, shopping malls and pavement at an accelerated rate, according to new state data released at this week's World Ag Expo.

The California Department of Conservation has released preliminary data that show 18,801 acres of farmland in five valley counties has been converted to nonagricultural uses between 2002 and 2004."

February 15 , 2007
Central Valley loses 18,801 acres of ag land in two years
The Californian

"In just two years, more than 18,800 acres of farmland in several San Joaquin Valley counties became subdivisions, shopping malls or other developments, setting a new state record for loss of farmland, according to newly released state data.."

February 5, 2007
Atwater turns to panel for sprucing up
Merced Sun Start

"In a renewed effort to spruce up downtown and the nearby area, Atwater's elected officials restarted the Redevelopment Advisory Committee, which is in charge of advising leaders on how to spend millions on projects to beautify the city, encourage new businesses and provide affordable housing for residents."

February 4, 2007
Modesto's Election Dilemma
The Modesto Bee

"Critics say replacing at-large council races with district ones will give minorities clout

Residents in Salvador Vera's west Modesto neighborhood don't vote."

December 13, 2006
AT&T California Announces Half a Million Dollars in Grants to Support Technology and Educational Development Across Sacramento Area
AT&T Inc.

"Today, AT&T California announced more than $500,000 in Foundation grants to support education and technology initiatives for communities across the Sacramento area. The new grants include a three-year, $375,000 grant to the California Black Chamber of Commerce in support of its California Business Impact Initiative to quantify the impacts of political policy, business practices, and regulation on economic and community development provided by small and emerging businesses throughout the state."

December 2, 2006
Lathrop weighing another massive project
Recordnet.com

"LATHROP - City planners are in the early stages of mapping out yet another massive development proposal that, if approved, would add nearly 700 acres to Lathrop's quickly expanding boundaries."

December 1, 2006
Can Valley get fixes it needs?
Recordnet.com

"John Muir called the Valley "Eden," but the region's long-slithering serpent has been its economy, which in Stockton probably peaked between 1890 and 1925.

Ever since then - with exceptions such as Stockton's World War II militarization - the Valley's agricultural economy has lagged behind California's other regions."

November 29, 2006
Governor extends life of group focused on fiscal health
Recordnet.com

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants the work begun last year by a group dedicated to improving life in the San Joaquin Valley to continue for at least two more years.

Schwarzenegger traveled to Fresno on Tuesday to sign an executive order extending the life of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley until Dec. 31, 2008. The governor created the group in Fresno in June 2005, and it was set to dissolve at the end of this year"

November 29, 2006
Dan Walters: Governor's interest paying off
The Sacramento Bee

"One of the more unusual -- and more commendable -- aspects of Arnold Schwarzenegger's governorship has been his willingness, even eagerness, to deal with matters that his conventional predecessors shunned.

Three of Schwarzenegger's pet causes -- development of the San Joaquin Valley, strengthening the role of community colleges in the state's educational structure, and job-related training -- converged Tuesday."

November 28, 2006
Governor extends coalition for valley
The Bakersfield Californian

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Tuesday extended the life of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, a state-local coalition formed to help solve the region's chronic economic and social problems."

November 15, 2006
Blueprint for the Valley
The Fresno Bee

"The local councils of governments in the eight counties of the San Joaquin Valley have begun an ambitious, yet promising, effort to map a better future for Valley residents. The goal is to draw up a "San Joaquin Valley Blueprint" that will then be adopted — and followed — by all the counties: San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Merced, Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern."

November 9, 2006
Change in Congress has upside, down for Valley
The Fresno Bee

"The Democrats are taking over Capitol Hill, bringing new dangers and opportunities to the San Joaquin Valley.

The Valley's most highly ranked House member is leaving. Others are losing clout. Some are gaining muscle. All of those remaining must adapt to a new regime."

November 9, 2006
Valley awaits its share from bond funds
The Fresno Bee

"In approving $42.7billion worth of public works bonds Tuesday, voters set off a surge of construction on the state's roads, schools, levees, parks and housing. But exactly how much trickles down to the Valley remains to be seen. If there's one certainty, it's that Highway 99 will get a much-needed infusion of $1billion, including an expected $850million for upgrades along the 274-mile San Joaquin Valley portion."

November 5, 2006
As the world spins — one day a slap, the next accolades
Chico Enterprise-Record

"This has been an interesting couple of weeks for PAT FURR, who's shown her mettle throughout.Last Friday, Furr was applauded by the Chico Chamber of Commerce with a prestigious award. Furr is the first recipient of the Jeanne Posey Award. Until now, the chamber has handed out the Athena Award to women who've done a lot for their community and the business arena."

October 29, 2006
No reason to panic, real estate pro say
The Modesto Bee

"Bob Endsley, founder of Endsley & Associates Real Estate in Turlock, was interviewed recently by the Work & Money staff."

October 28, 2006
Task force takes aim at poverty
Tracy Press

"A task force that for six years has tackled poverty, pollution and federal government neglect in California’s San Joaquin Valley will ask President Bush in November to extend its work to San Joaquin County, according to a draft report released earlier this week."

October 26, 2006
California Partnership for San Joaquin Valley Adopts Strategic Action Proposal
Press Release CA Governor's Office

"Recognizing that challenges in the San Joaquin Valley will affect the entire state, the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley today adopted a Strategic Action Proposal to tackle its economic, environmental and social challenges, as well as to position the region as central to the future of California."

October 26, 2006
Governor Schwarzenegger attends California Partnership board meeting at Fresno State
Fresno State News

"Governor Schwarzenegger came to California State University, Fresno Thursday morning to attend the final board meeting this year of the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley."

October 26, 2006
Pumping bonds
Fresno Bee

"Calling the San Joaquin Valley an important part of California's future, Gov. Schwarzenegger praised the work of a 26-member organization working to improve the economic and overall quality of life in the region. Schwarzenegger was in Fresno on Thursday speaking before the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley."

October 24 , 2006
Sierra Health's leader to retire in '07
The Sacramento Bee

"Len McCandliss, who for 21 years led Sierra Health Foundation as its president and chief executive officer, will retire from the post in mid-2007, foundation officials announced Monday.."

October 19, 2006
State EPA official talks about greenhouse gases
Oroville Mercury Register

"California's governor and top officials have seen the environmental future of global warming, and it's bad — if nothing's done. Experts studied and concluded a range of scenarios for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, from best to worst, and even a middle-of-the-road prediction is frightening, said Dan Skopec, undersecretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency."

October 19, 2006
What a moderate change in greenhouse gases could mean
Chico Enterprise-Record

"A study on greenhouse gases put together by environmental experts for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offers three scenarios -- best, worst and middle ground over the course of a century. Choosing the middle-range setting, experts said the environment's temperature would go up 5 to 8 degrees, offered California Environmental Protection Agency Undersecretary Dan Skopec during Wednesday's Great Valley Center forum in Chico."

October 18, 2006
Silicon Valley Community Panel Calls for Public Input on Equal Access to Municipal Broadband
Santa Clara University

"A community panel organized by Santa Clara University’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society and the Broadband Institute of California urged greater public participation in planning broadband networks that are being commissioned by local governments around the country."

September 30, 2006
Valley is a Smoggy Second
The Fresno Bee

"For the second consecutive year, the San Joaquin Valley is the second-worst smog offender in the country, and that's actually looking like two years of improvement."

September 20, 2006
Santa Clara University -- Will Free Wi-Fi Close the Digital Divide?
Business Wire

"Its official! By early next year, 38 cities in Silicon Valley will have access to a free wireless network -- one of the largest in the country, reaching some 2.4 million people."

September 17, 2006
Report: Fresno's poor most segregated in the U.S.
Chicago Tribune

"Though these vast flatlands are a breadbasket to America, the poverty here runs so deep that some call this region the new Appalachia."

September 15, 2006
Group tells of spurring ‘vitality’ in valley
The Bakersfield Californian

"Elected and civic members with a plan to improve the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley met Friday with The Californian’s editorial board."

September 13, 2006
Tuolumne River Regional Park needs Prop. 84
Modesto Bee

"Proposition 84 would further responsible water management by funding programs for water supply, quality, flood control, ecosystem restoration and river parks.For Stanislaus County, it would fund improvements to the quality and safety of our river parks."

September 8, 2006
Yolo Co. land preserved
Capital Press

"A 137-acre Yolo County farm has been permanently shielded from development and set aside for agriculture."

September 6, 2006
Group seeks teens for grants panel
The Bakersfield Californian

"The Kern Community Foundation is accepting applications from area teenagers who would like to help provide funding for youth-led community projects."

August 23, 2006
Prop. 84 Committee Announces Bipartisan, Diverse Executive Committee
Yahoo! Finance

"The Proposition 84 campaign today announced its Executive Committee members for the Clean Water, Parks and Coastal Protection Bond, which will appear on the November 2006 statewide ballot."

August 21, 2006
Going nowhere
Modesto Bee

"The story of roads in Stanislaus County is filled with missed opportunities, poor planning, political turf battles and an appalling lack of vision."

August 20, 2006
Jobs in the Heartland of Bountiful Harvests
California Job Journal

"Agriculture is the economic base of the region and a diverse sector involving more than people planting and working the fields. It also includes advertising, manufacturing and all the related industries."

August 03, 2006
RTD adds 6 hybrid buses to fleet
The Record

"San Joaquin County's public transit just got a little greener.Six new diesel-electric hybrid buses joined the San Joaquin County Regional Transit District's fleet Wednesday, a step in combating poor air quality in the region."

August 02, 2006
Self-Help Enterprises Awarded Grant for Central Valley Housing
California Political Desk

"The Department of Housing and Community Development has reserved over $500,000 funding from the 2006 HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program Awards for Self Help Enterprises (SHE) of Visalia. This award is part of $13 million block grant designed to help meet the affordable housing needs of low-income household."

July 26, 2006
California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley
Business Wire

"California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Meets to Prioritize Action Plan Recommendations"

July 19, 2006
Madera Co.'s crop value up to $1.1b
Fresno Bee

"County's place in California's billion-dollar club holds for a second consecutive year."

July 13, 2006
Funds may fuel road building boom
Sacramento Bee

"The transportation bond -- expected to deliver at least $1 billion to the Sacramento area alone -- would launch far more than freeway widenings and four-lane arterial repavings at $500,000 a mile."

July 8, 2006
Will California's Central Valley meet needs of population boom?
Scripps News

"The local delegation ultimately persuaded legislators, including many who initially wanted to cut the Valley partnership funding, to support the $5m appropriation."

July 6, 2006
Valley partnership getting $5M windfall
Stockton Record

"The San Joaquin Valley is getting $5million to help pay for transportation, education and economic development projects across the region."

July 5, 2006
Immigration overhaul Legislation heats up
Sacramento Bee

July 4, 2006
Fresno Business plans compete
Fresno Bee

"Entrepreneurs across the country will submit Valley contest ideas to win cash."

June 27, 2006
Budget proposal good for kids, cops
Stockton Record

"The San Joaquin Valley Strategic Action Proposal, intended to reduce unemployment and improve the quality of life in the Valley, also will receive funding."

June 27, 2006
Central Valley plays growing role in high tech
Central Valley Business Times

"The Central Valley isn’t quite Silicon Valley but there are thousands of high-tech jobs in the region.."

June 23, 2006
Central Valley home price increases detailed
Central Valley Business Times

"Median home prices in May rose by nearly 25 percent in Tulare County..."

June 19, 2006
Merced university has room for more
Fresno Bee

"Low registration numbers at UC Merced could give San Joaquin Valley students unusually good access to the state's top public university system."

June 11, 2006