Latest news with #StanislausStateUniversity
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Stanislaus State goes on lockdown after possible threat, avoid area
( — Stanislaus State University is currently on lockdown after a possible threat, according to the Turlock Police Department. Around 5 p.m., TPD announced it was assisting the campus's law enforcement with a report of a possible threat. It is unclear what the threat is. However, police said the campus is on lockdown out of an abundance of caution. 'Extreme Heat Watch' underway in Northern California, 104-degree weather forecast Additionally, police said no shots have been fired or injuries reported. They advised the public to avoid the area until further notice. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Economists predict perfect storm of factors that could send grocery prices skyrocketing: 'It is very concerning'
Earth's rising temperatures can directly impact your wallet when shopping for groceries. Economists in California's Central Valley are currently monitoring how climate challenges combined with recent policy factors (such as tariffs and immigration raids) may create a perfect storm that drives food costs higher for American families. California farmers face multiple climate-related challenges affecting crop production. Despite some recent rainfall, parts of the state still experience drought conditions with snowpack at only 83% of normal levels. Unpredictable weather patterns across major agricultural regions disrupt growing seasons — and ultimately increase prices at checkout. Adding to these climate pressures, ongoing tariff tensions between the United States and its North American neighbors contribute to rising goods costs. Dr. Gokce Soydemir of Stanislaus State University warns that these trade disputes "may slow down the economy and, because of higher prices resulting from tariffs, inflation may start increasing again," in an article appearing in Bakersfield Now. Immigration raids in farmworker communities can also have a major impact. These enforcement actions reduce the available workforce needed for harvesting, with experts cautioning that crops left unpicked reduce the available supply and create potential food safety concerns. "They are going to lose their jobs, and the food quality will be impacted … the fruits and vegetables have to be picked in a certain amount of time. And if they do not then we may be facing outbreaks like salmonella, so it is very concerning," Dr. Soydemir said. When crops fail or yields decrease due to extreme weather, families feel the impact immediately through higher grocery bills. Lower-income households typically spend a larger percentage of their income on food, making them especially vulnerable to these price increases. Beyond the immediate financial strain, disrupted food systems threaten food security nationwide. Dr. Soydemir notes that climate impacts combined with other factors create "a growth scare along with fears of resurgence in inflation." Food quality can also suffer when crops must be harvested under suboptimal conditions. The situation highlights how climate issues directly affect our daily life. When farmers can't get enough water or face unpredictable growing conditions, we all pay more for food while potentially receiving lower-quality produce. Many farmers adopt climate-smart agricultural practices to build resilience against unpredictable weather, including drought-resistant crop varieties, improved irrigation techniques, and soil management practices to retain more moisture. Policy initiatives can also address these challenges. Programs supporting sustainable farming practices and water conservation help ensure continued food production despite climate challenges. Do you worry about how much food you throw away? Definitely Sometimes Not really Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. For shoppers looking to better manage their bills, check out The Cool Down's starter's guide for practical strategies to shop smarter at the grocery store. Simple steps like meal planning and reducing food waste can help offset rising prices while also reducing your environmental footprint. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Turlock approves 114 houses amid neighbor complaints. The site has long grown strawberries
A developer won approval to put 114 houses on a longtime strawberry patch in north Turlock. The City Council voted 3-1 on Tuesday, Feb. 11, for the Monte Vista Avenue project. Dissenting member Erika Phillips cited traffic concerns raised by 40-plus nearby residents in person or by email. The builder, Bright Homes of Modesto, could not be reached for details on the sale prices and timeline. The lots will be just 3,150 to 5,488 square feet, vs. 6,000-plus in a typical project, which could trim the cost. The 14-acre site is at the northwest corner of Monte Vista and Walnut Road. Stanislaus State University lies about a quarter mile to the east. The project will add to the diversity of housing choices, said Adrienne Werner, development services director for Turlock. She added that it also fits the city's goal for 'infill' rather than sprawling growth. Bright Homes is one of the leading builders in and near Stanislaus County, including Turlock's northern growth area in recent decades. 'We do feel that this is a great addition to the city of Turlock,' Chief Operating Officer Loura Erickson told the council. 'We're really proud of the communities that exist in that area, because we built them.' The project will have smaller-than-standard yards on the front, rear and sides. Masonry walls will shield much of the perimeter, though it will not be a gated community. Critics urged that the new lots be closer in size to typical single-family homes. They also objected to the initial plan to have just one entry and exit, on Snowbird Drive on the north side. The developer agreed to add a second on Four Seasons Drive on the west. The Turlock Planning Commission unanimously endorsed the project Feb. 6. The supporters on the City Council were Mayor Amy Bublak and members Cassandra Abram and Kevin Bixel. Member Rebecka Monez was absent. The strawberries have grown for at least three decades on land leased from Bright Homes. It was not clear as of Friday how the coming homes would affect the 2025 harvest, which would run from April to June. This year's plants are well along under weed-controlling plastic sheets . The site has a small stand for selling strawberries and other produce, but it was closed and fenced off Friday. Modesto Bee archives show that Laotian refugee Yong Va Yang started the farm in the mid-1990s. He later turned it over to son Bee Yang. Turlock needs at least 5,802 new housing units by 2032 under a state-mandated plan. Some will be in typical subdivisions for middle- and higher-income residents. Others will be in apartments at various rent levels, possibly on underused retail strips such as Geer Road and Lander Avenue. The project approved Tuesday is just west of an apartment site that will have 348 market-rate units in 12 three-story buildings. The interior parking lots are in place, but the structures have yet to rise.
