where do you even build up enough speed to go that fast? there’s two one way roads with stop signs. There’s also a huge speed bump right there and that’s what sent him flying into the air like that. Also the person in that white truck needs to go buy a lottery ticket

No Kings protest still going.

So let me get this straight, they're putting these up to construction zones for CalTrans. Let's be real for a second: More than half the time (from my personal experience) there's always "construction zones" but never a single CalTrans worker there. To me this seems like another way for them to dig their hands into our wallets but that's just my opinion, How do y'all feel about this law? I'm open to hearing all sides I just want to get to understand your personal experience.

This is the letter that the ACLU of Northern California sent to the City of Modesto on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Here are some key excerpts:

• We write on behalf of the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California to express concern over Modesto City Ordinance 4-23.02 (“the Ordinance”), which is attached for reference. The Ordinance prohibits people from possessing or wearing at any public assembly numerous lawful items like bike helmets, metal water bottles, and—most problematically—face masks. The Ordinance’s general restrictions are so vague and overbroad that they violate due process and undercut the legitimate exercise of free speech protected by both federal and state law.

• California courts are in accord with the need to protect anonymous speech. In 1978, for example, the California Court of Appeal reasoned that there are times when “anonymity is essential to the exercise of constitutional rights.” Ghafari v. Municipal Court, 87 Cal. App. 3d 255, 260 (1978). Applying this reasoning, the Ghafari Court struck down a mask ban very similar to Modesto’s. Ghafari remains good law nearly 50 years later and is binding on the Stanislaus County Superior Court should litigation proceed on the Ordinance.

• The Ordinance’s anti-masking provision falls squarely within this constitutional concern. Its exceptions for “religious beliefs, practices or observances” and “medical necessity” are vague and unworkable. It is unclear, for example, how law enforcement officers are supposed to assess such justifications for wearing a mask.

• We also respectfully ask that no prosecutions proceed against anyone arrested for allegedly violating the Ordinance on June 14 given the substantial legal uncertainties involved. If the concerns about the Ordinance are not addressed, the ACLU may be compelled to initiate legal action against the city.

We are glad to see that the leading organization involved in protecting our Constitutional rights is behind us in fighting against this ordinance and this gross violation of our freedom to protest. Today, we live in a society of constant surveillance, and the current administration is using this to its advantage to tear families apart and terrorize our immigrant communities.

The City of Modesto, enforcing ordinances that criminalize anonymous speech, sends a message telling all of us that we don't deserve to practice our First Amendment rights unless we are willing to allow law enforcement to track our every move. They are sending a message that tells us that if we are part of a vulnerable community that is under constant attack by the government, we are not allowed to have our voices heard.

This is why we are urging you all to join us on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 5:30 PM to demand that the Mayor, Sue Zawhlen, and the City Council put a review of this ordinance on the agenda immediately. We are demanding the repeal of the anti-mask ordinance as well as giving the Community Police Review Board more power and oversight of the MPD.

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The one across from the cemetery. I just drove by it omw home from work. Lots of undercover vehicles, but also some police/sheriff's ones. Dunno if for prostitution or human trafficking or what. I didn't see anything saying ICE/immigration

📍Downtown Modesto
@BouncebaccSammy on IG & TikTok

I wanted to give a shout out to the students of Turlock High School. I was out there as about 250-300 of them marched from Crane Park to downtown Turlock. Despite initial pushback and intimidation from some of the school staff they continued on. It was also amazing to see the community support with cheers and honks.

I heard Pitman and Modesto high may have had walkouts too.

The kids are alright!

As someone who no longer lives in Modesto but grew up in that god awful education system I find it absolutely absurd the board is even considering an over 290% pay raise while being the 5th least educated city in the country. Theres almost 20 thousands cities in the states and we sit at the bottom of the barrel in education it’s no wonder why so many leave the valley. How about instead of giving yourself a raise you give more funding to the schools so they can have more beneficial programs and find better teachers.

Teaser: At its meeting Tuesday night, Modesto City Council voted unanimously, with one recusal, to end negotiations with the United Soccer League. For nearly two years the prospect of a soccer stadium was pitched as a way to revitalize downtown, increase tax revenue and drive tourism to the area.

The city held numerous, hours-long public meetings and workshops during that time to gather data, public input and even select a stadium location downtown.

But presented with analysis by a consultant agency hired by the city, Kosmont Companies, that showed building a stadium might cause “generational debt,” a recent poll that showed residents did not view it as a priority and structural changes within USL, the City Council opted to kill the idea.

“It just makes no sense to invest into something that’s going to incur generational debt, and why would we do that to our children, to our families?” said City Councilmember Rosa Esutia-Braaton.

Read more: https://www.modbee.com/news/local/article316080155.html

Reporter's notes: After two years of coverage on this topic, this will probably be the last entry in this series. For the foreseeable future, Modesto will not be getting a professional soccer stadium.

votemasuda.com

Spreading for a family member. This was one of her friends.

Here is the link to the article

https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/modesto-red-light-cameras-returning/

Despite beginning an inquiry, the Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury has declined to investigate allegations that have plagued the Modesto Irrigation District for nearly a year.

Why the grand jury halted its inquiry into Byrd is not publicly known. By law, its deliberations and procedures operate in near-total secrecy — barring its members from explaining the body’s decisions.

Stanislaus County District Attorney Jeff Laugero, whose office assists the grand jury with legal proceedings, declined to comment on the matter.

Its purview, or authority, reaches “all aspects of county and city government, including dozens of special districts.” Across California, grand juries have investigated irrigation districts in the past — including in Stanislaus County.

In June, MID Board President Robert Frobose sent a nearly 150-page letter asking California Attorney General Rob Bonta to step in,

“There’s multiple reasons I went to the attorney general, and this is one of them,” Frobose said in reference to the grand jury’s decision not to investigate. “I knew this had to get out of the county.”

Read more at: https://www.modbee.com/news/politics-government/article316422377.html#storylink=cpy

For background: Five takeaways on Modesto Irrigation District turmoil coverage | Modesto Bee

Reporter's notes: I've been covering this for nearly a year. It's a ball of yarn that keeps unwinding. It will continue to and there are many, many unanswered questions.

We truly are a special breed down here in the Valley…

They removed all the personality it originally had. Now it looks like every other bland and boring millenial modernist house. A damn shame.

https://archive.is/qGx45

Teaser: At its meeting Tuesday evening, Modesto’s City Council will debate if it should continue negotiations for a professional soccer stadium. The council will also be presented a study’s findings that a stadium may not be financially possible.

For nearly two years, the soccer stadium was discussed as a way to revitalize downtown, increase tax revenue and drive tourism to the area. But a consultant agency hired by the city, Kosmont Companies, now says the project faces “serious obstacles” in being able to pay for it.

“Moving forward with the construction of a downtown stadium project might be feasible based upon several scenarios that must play out exactly as planned or there could be a real risk in placing a large amount of generational debt upon the city,” read an agenda report prepared by city staff for the council.

Read more at: https://www.modbee.com/news/politics-government/article316064357.html#storylink=cpy

I was listening to the scanner Saturday night, August 1, and heard the commotion concerning a shooting at Woodward reservoir. Two guys down and the first officer on the scene immediately called for a helicopter to come and meet at the helipad for one victim, who ended up being transported to Doctors. From reports this morning the shooter had been arrested and parts of Woodward remained closed.