Greetings, friends—and happy holidays to those of you celebrating the 12th day of Christmas–the feast of the Epiphany. And to all y’all—welcome to the first workweek of the new year (ouch… I feel ya).
In today’s edition of The Newsletter, we are celebrating local news, as we do 52 weeks a year. Today, we turn our attention to a couple of local news initiatives that serve people in rural California communities.
Just below, I share my own story about work I’m honored to be doing in San Benito County, in the little city of Hollister—a farm town a stone’s throw from Silicon Valley. As you’ll see if you click the link (please do; it’s a relatively short read) BenitoLink, an independent nonprofit newsroom, is providing its community with the essential information that they need for self-governance.
I also want to make you aware of important work being done by our friends at Bay City News and their newly acquired outlet, Mendocino Voice. Up on California’s North Coast, there are important issues being decided, and Mendo Voice is the only place people up there can find out about this important stuff.
Please follow this link to see what Mendocino Voice is up to. And read on here to get local news about what’s happening in your county, and, as always, a recipe to help you make life just a little bit better in your kitchen and dining room.
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By Eric Johnson
Published Jan 06, 2025
This ad for BenitoLink's NewsMatch fundraiser proved somewhat successful--and you can still contribute.
Rural California Local News Matters
BenitoLink: A Community's Connection
Founded by the Community Foundation for San Benito County, this nonprofit newsroom brings indepenendent journalism to a rural community in the shadow of Silicon Valley.
Greetings from San Benito County
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San Joaquin County's Homepage |
| Direct your browser to https://sanjoaquin.californialocal.com/ to catch up on the latest news in California and San Joaquin County. Bookmark the link and visit often, there's a lot happening in your community! | |
Recipe of the Week
Our friends at Sacramento Digs Gardening publish a recipe from their gardens every Sunday, which we feature here so you can start your week with some yum.
See more recipes in their Taste Winter! cookbook.
Get to Know a Group
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Chest of Hope |
Created in 2005 by friends and volunteers, Chest of Hope raises funds to support women and orphans who are suffering from domestic violence.
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From Our Media Allies |
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Delivering in the Clutch: City Comes Through With $6.1M for Stockton Ballpark Renovations |
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A FRESH COAT of paint and brand-new facilities are coming to the nearly 20-year-old home of the Stockton Ports. The Stockton City Council has unanimously approved approximately $6.1 million in renovations for Stockton Ballpark to comply with Major League Baseball … |
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Are Stockton Housing Prices Headed Higher or Lower in 2025? Market Giving Mixed Signals |
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THE HOUSING MARKET is sending mixed messages about whether greater Stockton will be a great place to buy or sell a home in 2025.On the positive side, one of the major real estate websites, Realtor.com, is moderately bullish about Stockton. |
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San Joaquin County at Center of Bird Flu Crisis With Over 627,800 Egg-Laying Hens Infected |
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AS BIRD FLU takes it toll around the nation, San Joaquin County has jumped to the forefront, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting the virus has spread to 627,800 commercial egg-laying chickens. |
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Recent Local News |
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• New Stockton City Council Meets
The new Stockton City Council held its first meeting on January 7. Read on to learn more about the work ahead for the new term.
(01/07/2025) → Stocktonia• Update on Manteca American Legion Hall Remodel
It looks like a funding shortfall will delay the remodel of the American Legion Post 249 on East Yosemite Avenue in downtown Manteca. Read on to learn more, and consider donating to speed up work.
(01/06/2025) → Manteca Bulletin• Delta Stewardship Council Seeks Public Comment on Adaptation Plan for Delta
The Delta Stewardship Council, a state-appointed agency that works to protect the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta while preserving it as a major water source, recently released a draft adaptation plan called Delta Adapts: Creating a Climate Resilient Future.
(01/04/2025) → Local News MattersRead on to learn more about Jason Lee, who was recently announced as the new vice mayor of the City of Stockton.
(01/03/2025) → Stocktonia• 2024 Homicides in Stockton Increased Sharply
Data from the Stockton Police Department show local homicides jumped 20% over the previous year. Read on to learn more about this disturbing finding.
(01/02/2025) → Stocktonia• Permit Issued for First Manteca Cannabis Dispensary
The first of three permitted cannabis dispensaries is set to open in Manteca within weeks. Read on to learn more.
(01/02/2025) → Manteca Bulletin• New School & Fire Station Set for Manteca
Learn about the new fire station and school set to break ground in 2026 in southwest Manteca.
(01/02/2025) → Manteca Bulletin• Bird Flu Infects Over 600,000 Chickens in San Joaquin County
San Joaquin County is home to one of the largest flocks of chickens infected with H5N1 bird flu according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Read on to learn more.
(12/31/2024) → Stocktonia|
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Recent Statewide News |
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• Too Wet and Too Dry: The Crazy North-South Gap in California’s Rain
Some Northern California cities have been soaked with almost twice their average rainfall, while southern cities are bone-dry. This season’s huge — possibly unprecedented — disparity works in favor of the state’s water supplies.
(01/07/2025) → CalMatters• California’s $20 Billion Unemployment Debt Is Looking Like a Political Hot Potato
The legislative analyst has a plan to fix the “structural insolvency” of the unemployment benefits fund — but businesses aren’t happy and it’s unclear if lawmakers will get on board.
(01/07/2025) → CalMatters• California Study Finds Climate of Fear Driving Local Officials to Quit Amid Harassment, Abuse
THREATS AND HARASSMENT are pushing some politicians out of office, scaring off some would-be candidates and even compelling some elected officials to change their vote.
(01/04/2025) → Local News Matters• 4 New Laws Strengthen Cities’ Abilities to Impound Vehicles Involved in Sideshows
While cities in California continue to pass ordinances to combat illegal sideshows, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several laws that go into effect this year statewide to give municipalities more legal tools to address them.
(01/03/2025) → Local News Matters• California to Launch Amsterdam-Style Cannabis Cafés, Blending Weed and Coffee Culture
Those in California who’d like a latte with a side of weed have gotten their wish now that a new law goes into effect that permits licensed cannabis dispensaries to add sit-in cafes to their sites.
(01/03/2025) → Local News Matters• Can California Keep ICE Away From Schools? Lawmakers Want to Try as Crackdowns Loom
California legislators want to limit deportation actions at schools, but they can’t ban immigration officials.
(01/02/2025) → CalMatters• As California Tribes Sue Their Gambling Rivals, Cities Could Be the Losers
After winning a costly legislative battle last year, California’s casino-owning tribes have sued their rivals in the gambling business. Cities could lose money if the tribes prevail in court.
(01/02/2025) → CalMatters• Two New California National Monuments To Be Declared
Read on to learn about the two new California National Monuments to be declared by outgoing President Biden.
(01/02/2025) → Los Angeles Times|
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Government Announcements |
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United States (01/05/2025) FSIS Issues Public Health Alert for Frozen, Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination |
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WASHINGTON, Jan. 5, 2025 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert due to concerns of frozen, raw ground beef...
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United States (01/03/2025) Dierbregs Markets Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Wheat in Product |
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Dierbergs is recalling all 16oz Premium Home-Style Mashed Potatoes with a Sell By Date of January 09, 2025. The product carries an undeclared allergen of Wheat. The affected product is identifiable by a label ID number of 92 in the lower left-hand corner above the UPC code.
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United States (01/03/2025) Abbey Specialty Foods Recalls Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive 5.2 oz and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb 5.2 oz Because of Possible Health Risk |
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Abbey Specialty Foods of Fairfield, NJ is recalling Wicklow Gold Cheddar Nettle & Chive 5.2 oz product and Wicklow Gold Cheddar Tomato & Herb 5.2 oz product because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infecti
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State of California (12/27/2024) Damon Connolly CA Assembly 12: |
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Assemblymember Connolly Appointed as Chair of Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials
myreme
Fri, 12/27/2024 - 17:04
Assemblymember Connolly will serve as Chair of the Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials Committee for the 2025-26 legislative session.
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Press Contact
Email
megan.myre@asm.ca.gov
Phone
916-319-2012
Friday, December 27, 2024
SACRAMENTO, CA Today, Assemblymember Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) was appointed as …
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United States (12/27/2024) Braga Fresh Issues Voluntary and Precautionary Advisory Due to Possible Health Risk |
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Soledad, Calif. - Dec. 27, 2024 - Braga Fresh is voluntarily issuing a precautionary advisory of a single production lot of washed and ready-to-eat 12oz Marketside Broccoli Florets with best if used by date.
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United States (12/27/2024) Gardners Candies Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Tree Nuts in Cappuccino Meltaway® Bars and Gardners Meltaway Treat Boxes Containing Cappuccino Meltaway Bars |
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Gardners Candies of Tyrone, PA is recalling its 1.25 ounce packages of Gardners Candies brand Cappuccino Meltaway Bars because they may contain undeclared tree nuts (cashews). People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to tree nuts run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction
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United States (12/20/2024) Lidl Recalls Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables Due to Undeclared Milk Allergens |
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DECEMBER 20, 2024 - Lidl US is recalling all lots of their Taste of Deutschland Buttered Vegetables 10.5 oz box UPC 4 056489 122876 due to undeclared milk allergen. The recall was issued due to undeclared milk in the products. People who have allergies to milk run the risk of serious or life-threate
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United States (12/20/2024) Recall of Jose Madrid Salsa Chipotle Con Queso |
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Jose Madrid Salsa is announcing a voluntary recall of our Chipotle Con Queso Salsa. The salsa is being recalled because it contains Yellow 5 and Yellow 6, which were not listed on the ingredient label. Individuals who are allergic or sensitive to Yellow 5 or Yellow 6 run the risk of minor to serious
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United States (12/20/2024) Impero Foods & Meats, Inc. Recalls Raw Pork Sausage Products Produced Without Benefit of Inspection |
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 - Impero Foods & Meats, Inc., a Baltimore, Md. establishment, is recalling approximately 7,485 pounds of raw pork sausage products that were produced without the benefit...
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United States (12/20/2024) Ralph's Packing Company Recalls Ready-To-Eat Pork and Beef Bologna Products Due to Misbranding and an Undeclared Allergen |
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WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2024 - Ralph's Packing Company, a Perkins, Okla. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,132 pounds of ready-to-eat pork and beef bologna products due to misbranding and an undeclared...
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