July 4th fireworks: Modesto neighborhood keeping you up? Know your rights and how to file a complaint
The city has strict regulations regarding when and what types of fireworks are permitted. From noise ordinances to hefty fines, residents can report violations and reclaim peace during the holiday season.
ALSO READ:
US Independence Day 2025: What your zodiac sign says about how you celebrate the 4th of July
Residents of Modesto must abide by a number of municipal and state regulations governing the lighting of fireworks, which cover everything from the kinds of fireworks that are permitted to the times at which they can be detonated, as per a report by Modbee.
Which fireworks are illegal in California?
Illegal fireworks in California include:
Live Events
Rockets in the sky
Rockets in bottles
Roman candles
Shells in the air
Firecrackers
According to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, "other fireworks that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner" are also prohibited.
How can I report my neighborhood's illegal fireworks?
Residents of Modesto have three options for reporting unlawful fireworks: Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636, the GoModesto! app, or the department's non-emergency line at 209-552-2470.
Residents should dial 9-1-1 in the event of an emergency, such as a fire or an injury, as quoted in a report by Modbee.
What are the consequences in Modesto for using fireworks illegally?
In Modesto, setting off fireworks without permission can lead to fines and citations. To combat unlawful fireworks, the Modesto Police Department intends to step up patrols on July 4.
The agency will assist in identifying violations in the air by using its Sky-1 surveillance drone. 52 citations for unlawful firework use were issued by Modesto police in 2025, resulting in $96,000 in fines.
The first-time fine for illegal fireworks in Modesto is $2,000, and repeat offenders face fines of up to $4,000. A $10,000 fine can be imposed for producing or selling illegal fireworks.
When are fireworks allowed in my area?
Local governments have the authority to establish their own regulations regarding the timing of fireworks. Up until Friday, July 4, Modesto residents are permitted to light fireworks from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
How to report my neighbor in Modesto for using fireworks late at night?
The city of Modesto says that "safe and sane fireworks" can no longer be set off after 10 p.m. on Friday.
According to the city, citizens can report fireworks misuse by calling the GoModesto! app, the Modesto Police Department's non-emergency line at 209-552-2470, or Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636.
According to the city, if you plan to file a report, be sure to include a description, the address where the incident is taking place, and any other details.
The
Modesto noise ordinance
also prohibits setting off fireworks after ten o'clock at night.
FAQs
Can I report my neighbor's fireworks after 10 p.m. in Modesto?
Yes, fireworks after 10 p.m. are against local law. Call 209-552-2470 or report it through the GoModesto! app.
What happens if someone sets off illegal fireworks in Modesto?
They could face fines ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 for selling or manufacturing illegal fireworks.
Economic Times WhatsApp channel
)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
5 days ago
- Hans India
Drug peddler gets 10 years RI
Anakapalli: The 9th Additional District Judge of Chodavaram, Hari Narayana, has sentenced Gollavelli Srinivasa Rao to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh in the case of illegal transportation of ganja. In default of payment of the fine, he will also undergo additional simple imprisonment for two and half years. On July 9, 2015, while Cheedikada Sub Inspector A Koteswara Rao and his staff were conducting vehicle checks at Cheruku in Chettupalle village, the accused Srinivasa Rao, a resident of Cheedikada mandal in Anakapalli district, who was transporting ganja on a motorcycle, tried to flee from the spot. The police immediately arrested him and found 20 kg ganja in a plastic bag on his two-wheeler. Investigation revealed that the accused was trying to buy ganja at a low price in the agency areas near Paderu and sell it to people at a high price in Anakapalli. The police arrested the accused and sent him to remand. SI A Koteswara Rao conducted an investigation in the case and filed a charge sheet in the court. Additional public prosecutor U Venkata Rao proved the allegations in the court. Based on the evidence, the court sentenced the accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs.1 lakh. Anakapalli Superintendent of Police Tuhin Sinha congratulated the investigating officers, Cheedikada police and the court monitoring cell staff for their dedicated and coordinated efforts.
Time of India
12-08-2025
- Time of India
US OPT students grapple with employment instability and visa risks amid intensified payroll fraud
The landscape for international students on Optional Practical Training (OPT) in the United States has become increasingly precarious in 2025. OPT allows F-1 visa students to work temporarily in their field of study for up to 12 months, with extensions available for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) graduates, providing vital practical experience and career opportunities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, a growing crackdown on consultancies issuing fabricated payroll records has exposed many students to legal uncertainty and employment instability. These firms, which once provided students with fake payslips to maintain their visa status without meaningful work, are now under intense regulatory scrutiny. The human cost of a regulatory crackdown As authorities tighten oversight, numerous consultancies have ceased issuing fraudulent payroll documents, leaving hundreds of OPT students with a narrow window, sometimes as short as 60 days, to secure legitimate employment. Failure to do so may result in loss of visa status and other severe immigration consequences. The human impact is palpable. A 26-year-old postgraduate from Hyderabad, residing in Houston, described the situation as deeply unsettling. 'I was under the impression that I had a legitimate employer and was receiving authentic pay stubs. Now, with those stops, the pressure to find real work in such a limited timeframe is overwhelming,' she said. Another student, 25 years old and also from Hyderabad, currently living in Virginia, revealed how the fabricated payroll was crucial to managing significant living and educational expenses. 'I had been paying thousands of dollars in rent and tuition, believing my documentation was valid. Now, the sudden disruption has thrown my plans into disarray, and I am urgently seeking trustworthy consultancies and real job opportunities,' he explained. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Legal risks and immigration consequences The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explicitly labels such falsified documentation as fraudulent, cautioning that it jeopardises an individual's immigration status and future prospects. Consequences include termination of the I-20 form, loss of OPT eligibility, and potential allegations of misrepresentation during subsequent visa or applications. Advice from immigration experts Nicole Alexandra Gunara, principal immigration solicitor at Manifest Law, advises students to take decisive action. 'Students must rigorously assess the authenticity of any prospective employers or consultancies,' she said. 'It is imperative to engage with your Designated School Officer (DSO) or the international student office. Universities often have critical insights into dubious arrangements and can guide students toward legitimate opportunities. ' Gunara further recommends leveraging professional networks such as LinkedIn to connect with current employees or fellow F-1 students. 'Request clear work statements that delineate roles, responsibilities, and deliverables. Verify that the company holds active client contracts to confirm its legitimacy.' On the legal front, Gunara emphasized that ignorance does not offer immunity. 'Even if a student was unaware of receiving fake payrolls, they should promptly seek legal counsel. Gathering evidence to demonstrate good faith, reporting concerns to the DSO, and changing employers when feasible are essential steps to mitigate risk.' Navigating a complex employment landscape As enforcement of immigration regulations intensifies, OPT students face mounting pressure to navigate a more complex and unforgiving environment. Institutions and immigration advisors play a vital role in supporting students through this period, helping them understand evolving requirements and access reliable employment resources. For many, the road ahead requires vigilance, informed decision-making, and swift action. The evolving situation underscores the importance of transparency and legitimacy in OPT employment, reinforcing that the stakes are higher than ever for international students striving to build careers in the US. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us
Indian Express
09-08-2025
- Indian Express
20 years after he was ‘caught taking Rs 500 bribe', Telangana HC upholds acquittal of junior assistant in Hyderabad
Twenty years after he was 'trapped' for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 500, the Telangana High Court recently upheld the acquittal of a man who worked as a junior assistant in the tax section of the Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (now Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation). The bench of Justice E V Venugopal dismissed a criminal appeal filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) against a lower court's acquittal of the junior assistant who was accused of taking a bribe to process a mutation application. The judgment, dated July 16, underscored the significance of the complainant's motive and the absence of a pending 'official favour' at the time of the alleged bribe. The judgment stated that on 'perusal of evidence of P.W.1 (the complainant), it is clear that P.W.1 has categorically admitted that he has filed the complaint against the respondent/accused with the appellant/ACB only with an ill-intention and it is manifestly attended to by the de facto complainant.' The accused was charged under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. According to the prosecution, the de facto complainant purchased a house in Begumpet in January 2005. He submitted an application for mutation in February 2005, and a week later, the accused allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 500 to process it and stalled the application. Subsequently, the ACB set a trap, and the accused was found to have accepted the money. A sodium carbonate test on the accused's right-hand fingers turned pink, and the tainted cash was recovered from his pocket. Despite this, the trial court acquitted the accused on March 7, 2013 — a decision the ACB challenged in the current appeal. The counsel for the state, Vishal Gandhi, argued that the prosecution had proved the demand and acceptance of the bribe, which should have been sufficient for a conviction. He contended that the trial court should not have acquitted the accused just because no official work pertaining to the complainant was pending before him 'at the time of laying of trap'. However, the defense counsel T V Kalyan Singh submitted that 'in the absence of any official favour pending with the respondent/accused, the demand and acceptance of bribe by the accused is of no consequence'. He also highlighted a critical admission by the complainant during cross-examination that he had lodged the complaint out of a grudge after the accused declined to process the mutation without proper documents. The court found no reason to interfere with the lower court's 'well-reasoned and well-founded' judgment, thereby dismissing the appeal and reaffirming the acquittal. Rahul V Pisharody is an Assistant Editor with the Indian Express Online and has been reporting from Telangana on various issues since 2019. Besides a focused approach to big news developments, Rahul has a keen interest in stories about Hyderabad and its inhabitants and looks out for interesting features on the city's heritage, environment, history culture etc. His articles are straightforward and simple reads in sync with the context. Rahul started his career as a journalist in 2011 with The New Indian Express and worked in different roles at the Hyderabad bureau for over 8 years. As Deputy Metro Editor, he was in charge of the Hyderabad bureau of the newspaper and coordinated with the team of district correspondents, centres and internet desk for over three years. A native of Palakkad in Kerala, Rahul has a Master's degree in Communication (Print and New Media) from the University of Hyderabad and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore. Long motorcycle rides and travel photography are among his other interests. ... Read More
