Former Local Shady Surrogacy Agency Owner Arrested Again

LOCAL SPORTS Trump trade war Belgium reaches will likely cost World Cup California’s semifinals, first dairyfarmers 3A time in 32 years 1B

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threemonthsinfederal prison. Failure to The courtalso ordered Collins to pay restitution to the victims Former local shady and issuedaforfeiture judg- reform menttothe federalgovernment. Federal prosecutors have said could put that from November 2006 surrogacy agency through March 2009 Collins carried out aschemetodefraud Trump’s prospective parents, surrogates and banksthrough her compa- wall at risk owner arrested again ny, SurroGenesis, and the asso- ciatedMichaelCharlesInde- pendent Financial Holding In February 2013,Collins Group. BY KATE IRBY Tonya Collins being held in Fresno pleadedguiltytofour counts of Collins lived in Modesto until [email protected] on suspicion of violating parole wire fraud after bilking would- 2008,when she moved to Col- be parents out of more than $2 leyville, Texas. SurroGenesis WASHINGTON million.Victims from as far continued to operate in Modes- Failed Republicanefforts U.S.Marshal’sOfficers on away as Germany lost money, to; concerns were raised in on immigration reform could BY ROSALIO AHUMADA Monday arrested Collins on some of them their life savings. 2009 by would-be parents when jeopardize support within the [email protected] suspicion of violating parole. Many went into debttofinance payments to the surrogates party for President Donald Her parole officer saysCollins their dream of havingchildren. stopped. Trump’s wall funding–and Awoman who was convicted committed aseriesofviolations, Authorities said Collins spent The couples and surrogates Trump has threatened to shut of taking more than $2 million including drivinginthe Bay the money on automobiles, the agency representedcame down the government if he fromclients of her Modesto- Areafor the Lyft ride-sharing homes,jewelry, clothingand from across California and the doesn’tget it. based surrogacy agency six service, according to documents vacations for herself and others nation, as wellasEurope and Republicanswho pushed a years ago has been arrested filedinfederal court for the At the time,she facedamaxi- China. bill thatwouldhave granted a again.Tonya Ann Collins is Eastern District of California. mum sentence of 20 years in Collins is scheduled to return pathwaytocitizenship for accused of violatingparole four Collins,42, on Friday was federalprison. to federalcourt in Fresno on Dreamers months after she was released beingheld at the Fresno County But in May,2013,she was along with $25 from federal prison. Jail. sentenced to five years and SEE SURROGACY, 2A billion in border security gave arange of answerswhen McClatchy asked if they Rep. Jeff would still Denham supportfund- ing the wall withoutaction for Dreamers. Their bill failed last week by a large margin. But oneleaderinthat effort, California Republican Rep. Jeff Denham, who took a 30-second pausebefore an- sweringthe question, said it does put his voteatrisk. “I’ve been very clear that I want apermanent fix for Dreamers ... thathas to be a part of any solution,” Den- ham told McClatchy, refer- ring to people who came into the country illegally as children with their parents. “There are alarge number of us that feel very strongly that we negotiatedingood faith to find asolutiononthe border,aswell as asolution for Dreamers,” he added. “And Ithinkboth the president as well as the majority need to prove how they can find afix.” Congress has to approve the nextbudgetinSeptember to avoidagovernment shutdown. Afterapproving the last budget,which included JOAN BARNETTLEE [email protected] $1.6 billion for bordersecuri- DonPedroReservoir,which has approximately 160miles of shoreline, is shown at the Fleming Meadows Recreation Area . ty instead of the $25billion Trump said he wanted, Trump railedagainst the industry,the economy,ground- budget beingabad deal for water and the quality of life. Republicans, and saidifthe Joblosses, farm cuts and other The state’s Bay-Delta plan wall fundingwas not in the could take as much as 50 per- next budgethewouldn’t sign cent of February-to-Juneriver it. devastating impacts predicted flows in some yearsand 30 White House staff have percent in others, depending on since walkedback that state- whether there are agreements ment, though Trump hasn’t from state’swater plan with localwater users for im- personally, so it remains un- proving conditions for fisheries. clear if he would be willing to Amajor goal in the plan — trigger ashutdown. whichappears headed for a Democrats are unlikely to BY KEN CARLSON battleinthe courts —isre- supportabudgetwith such [email protected] storing severely depletedsalm- funding. on migrations in the Stanislaus, “The president’s $25billion final state waterboard Tuolumne and Mercedrivers. wall requestisimmoral and plan releasedFriday “The San Francisco Bay-Delta unwise,and has bipartisan came as no surprise to is an ecosystem in crisis,” State opposition,” DrewHammill, local irrigation districts WaterBoard Chairwoman Fel- spokesman for Minority andA county and cityofficials icia Marcus said in releasing the Leader Nancy Pelosi,D-Cali- battling what they call astate proposal for balancing interests fornia, told McClatchyFriday. water grab. in the delta. It will replace a If everyHouse Democrat The State Water Resources 20-year-old guide that the state voted against the budget, 22 Control Board wants dams such says is woefully outdated.. Republicanswouldhave to as Don Pedro to release 40 Officials in Stanislaus County join them to defeat it. There percent of natural river flows to warned the loss of waterrights were 25 Republicanswho the Sacramento-San Joaquin will resultinthousands of acres supported an effort to force a Delta to address what the state of fallowedfarmland, over- vote on apathway to citizen- calls an “ecologicalcrisis.” drafted groundwater and spikes ship for Dreamers, but many Farmers in the Northern San in unemploymentfor aregion of thosemembers are un- Joaquin Valley,along with Mo- with an historic reliance on willing to say whetherthey desto and Turlock irrigation JOAN BARNETTLEE [email protected] water stored in Sierra reservoirs. would risk another politically districts, business leaders and ModestoresidentLouise Alberti, center, listens during apresentation Localagencies organized in elected officials expect devas- by the StateWater BoardinModestoonthe proposal to boost flows SEE IMMIGRATION, 5A tatingimpacts to the agriculture on the Stanislaus,Tuolumne and Merced rivers. SEE WATER PLAN, 5A

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pole west of Keyes, ac- AROUND THE REGION Authorities release names in cording to the Coroner's MODESTO Office. The deadly What: NativeSons of the Golden West ModestoParlor #11 single-vehicle crash oc- When: Wednesday, 6to8p.m. StanislausCountyfatalcrashes Where: Perko’s Cafe,901 CarpenterRoad curred about 11:30 p.m. Info: No-host dinner will featurethe historyofCalifornia. Any along Central Avenue, just person born in California is eligible and welcome to join theNative land Avenue, according to was driving the Ford north of East Taylor Road. Sons.The goal of the NativeSonsisthe preservation and sharing of BY ROSALIO AHUMADA the Stanislaus County about 45 to 50 mph at an The CHP reported that California’s history. Forinformation contact Jim Atherstone at [email protected] Coroner's Office. unknown distance behind Gilstrap was heading 209-993-7971. Hendrickson was driving the Scion, according to the north when the Pontiac What: South ModestoMunicipal AdvisoryCouncil Authorities on Friday aScion and heading east in CHP. The Scion was drifted off the rural road When: Thursday, July 12, 6pm. released the names of two the rural area north of pushed into the west- and crashed with the Where: HartRansom ElementarySchool, 3930 ShoemakeAve. people who died in crash- Oakdale. The California bound lane, where it was utility pole. The Pontiac Info: Meeting will featurereports from the CHP,Sheriff’s Office, es this week, including a Highway Patrol reported struck by aChevrolet continued in anortheast- Stanislaus County BoardofSupervisors Jim Dimartini and other woman in acar that was that she was on Highway driven by Mikochobi Ar- erly direction into acorn local agencies.Special presentations will be made upon request.For moreinformation email at [email protected]. crushed by two vehicles 120and slowed to turn poika, 24, of Oakdale. field, where it overturned. just north of Oakdale. north onto Cleveland Ave- Charles Gilstrap, 26, of Gilstrap, who was not What: Operation 9-2-99 River Cleanup Event Wanda Hendrickson, nue, when her car was Oakdale died late wearing aseatbelt, was When: Saturday, July 14,8a.m. to 11 a.m. 71,died at the scene of a rear-ended by aFord. Wednesday, when the ejected from the vehicle Where: River Road and SeventhStreet crash Tuesday night at Before the crash, Nath- 1998 Pontiac he was driv- and was pronounced dead Info: Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes,gloves, ahat and Highway 120 and Cleve- an Flores, 39, of Modesto, ing crashed into a utility at the scene, the CHP said. layeredclothing. Aliabilitywaiver must be filled out prior to volun- teering. Volunteers under 18 years old need aparentsignature. The waiver form and details,including amap,can be found at tinyurl.com/operation9-2-99. Formoreinformation email Chris Guptill at [email protected]. tion of salmon and other species. What: CHP “Kick 4Kids” Experts including Delta When: Through Friday, July 27 Watermaster Michael Where: CHP ModestoAreaoffice, 4030 Kiernan Ave. Info: The California Highway Patrol ModestoAreaoffice is ac- George and Jay Lund, cepting donations of newsneakers and athletic shoes during July to professor of watershed benefit children. The “Kicks 4Kids” shoe driveisinpartnership with sciences at UC Davis, the ModestoGospel Mission and other area charities to help pre- have been skeptical that parechildren forasuccessful school year.New pairs of shoes can be increased flows will have dropped off in the lobbyofthe CHP ModestoAreaoffice. Shoes of the desired effect, because all sizes,for children from kindergartenthrough high school age, are needed to help make sure all students have appropriate foot- the Delta environment is wear for the new school year. The shoes will be handed out during a too severely impaired. The “Back to School Block Party” on Saturday, July 28, at the Modesto Delta, with its twisting Gospel Mission, which will also include haircuts,crafts, lunch and channels, creates afeed- games forthose attending. Formoreinformation contact Officer ing zone for nonnative Ming-Yang Hsu at 209-545-1440. bass to erase young salmon that are trying reach JAMESTOWN the San Francisco Bay and What: Summer diesel train rides JOAN BARNETT LEE [email protected] ocean, according to critics When: Wednesdays,10:30 a.m. and noon Amajor goal in the state’swater plan is restoring severely depleted salmon migrations of the state plan. Where: Railtown1897 StateHistoric Park, 10501 Reservoir Road in places likethe Stanislaus River. Local irrigation districts Info: California StateParksand Railtown1897StateHistoric Park argue the state water offer twodiesel train rides Wednesdays through Aug. 15.At11a.m., ages up to 6can enjoystory time reading activities in the caboose board ignored economic while ages 7-12 can participateinthe hands-on Junior Rangers FROM PAGE 1A District echoed state- studies and testimony on program that engages children with railroad history. Tickets are$15 ments that it’s an irre- an increase in “unim- adults,$10 ages 6-17,freeages 5and under.Park admission $5 sponsible water grab and paired flow” that were adults,$3ages 6-17,freeages 5and under.For moreinformation, WATER PLAN will devastate one of the delivered at aDecember contact 209-984-3953 or visit railtown1897.org. most disadvantaged re- 2016 hearing. the “Worth Your Fight” state action would leave gions in the state, while Marcus, the state water RIVERBANK campaign, launched to thousands of acres of not benefiting salmon or board chairwoman, said What: Meeting of the CompassionateFriends resist the water grab, farmland with zero sur- wildlife. she agrees that acombi- When: Monday, 7p.m. point to expert opinion face water in certain “The district has main- nation of “flow and non- Where: 2201 Morrill Road that larger flows won’t years, stripping the region tained for years that sim- flow” solutions are need- Info: This supportgroup is forfamilies whose children have died ply diverting senior water ed to improve the devas- at anyage, from anycause. The group meets the second Monday of have much affect on the of 6,500 jobs and $1.6 each month. First-time attendees areencouraged to call severely impaired Delta billion in economic out- rights away from our com- tated fisheries linked to 209-622-6786beforeattending or email ecosystem. put. The state’s updated munity for the benefit of the delta. [email protected]. In ajoint statement environmental document others solves nothing,” Several times during a Friday, the MID and TID released Friday recog- the Merced district said. conference call Friday, charged that the state nized those kind of im- The “Save the Stan” water board officials in- TURLOCK board disregarded almost pacts, but there were no campaign, composed of dicated they want agree- What: Sunshine Club Weekly Luncheon When: Mondays,1p.m. 6,600 comments from the changes to lessen the Oakdale and South San ments with water users Where: The Sizzler,3101 Hotel Drive campaign, as well as tech- damage to local commu- Joaquin irrigation districts, and other delta stakehold- Info: The Sunshine Club is asupportgroup formen and women nical analysis that chal- nities, the coalition said. projected an economic gut ers that would restore who have lost alovedone. Meet people who understand what lenged the credibility of a Terry Withrow, asuper- punch causing as much as habitat or reduce pollu- suddenly being alone really means.The lunch is no-host.For more 2016 update of the Delta visor for Stanislaus Coun- $12.9 billion in annual tion. information, contact Darlene at 209-668-6792. plan. ty and its 555,000 resi- losses to agribusiness, Marcus suggested that Send Region items to Region, The ModestoBee, P.O. Box5256, “The state water board dents, said everyone from food processing and relat- agreements with water Modesto95352; call 209-578-2330; fax209-578-2207; or email thinks this plan will have farmers to business owned industries. The two users in Stanislaus and [email protected] limited harmful effects,” ers to homeowners and districts using Stanislaus nearby counties could the districts said. “But we disadvantaged residents River water to serve a reduce the amount sacri- 100 YEARSAGO: The ModestoPaintand Decorating Co.was holding know this water grab will would share in the pain of combined 110,000 acres ficed to unimpaired flow apaintsale, advertising allits high gradepaints for$3.50 agallon. They and 5,000 farmers, joined requirements. Flows at 50 also did house painting, paper hanging andtinting. Theywerelocated have devastating impacts losing the water. at the ModestoHotel Building, 1015 HSt.,phone number 931. to our region. ... We are “The whole thing is others in charging the percent are based on an disappointed, but un- very disheartening,” coun- state had ignored the assumption of no agree- fortunately not surprised, ty Supervisor Terry With- economic concerns, their ments, but “settlements that state water board row said. “It is almost as if knowledge of the delta are going to get you to 40 FROM PAGE 1A staff decided to ignore they are tone deaf. They and ideas for water re- percent or below,” Marcus these site-specific, peer didn’t listen to any of our source management. said. reviewed studies.” concerns from this county State officials and local “We know the fish IMMIGRATION The two irrigation dis- and it would be devas- districts seem to agree would be much healthier tricts, which are co-own- tating for this communi- that about 20 percent of if they had 60 percent in unpopulargovernment posing wall funding,but ers of Don Pedro dam, are ty.” naturally flowing water in the San Joaquin River,” shutdown by denying wall said he wants to avoid a joining forces with other The supervisor de- the Tuolumne runs down- Marcus added. “Trust me, funding –two months shutdown at all costs. He water agencies to ask for scribed adomino effect of stream from Don Pedro, you will hear from people before the mid-term elec- was one of the first people more time for comment stingier water deliveries though state water offi- who think the flow should tions. to sign on to the Repub- on the final proposal. The for farmers, loss of pro- cials prefer to say upward be much higher.” All of the memberswho lican effort on behalf of state on Friday said it duction and acollapse in of 80 percent is diverted The state board plans to led the effort on behalf of Dreamers. would allow 21 days for farmland values, leading for farmers and city cus- accept comments on the Dreamers are at risk in “We have to get the comments. to less tax revenue for the tomers or stored behind plan until noon July 27. November, and many budgetdone,and to me The California Farm county to pay for basic the dam. The proposal could be havelarge Latino pop- shuttingdownisnot a Water Coalition and public services. “We are The state plan is prem- adopted following ahear- ulations in their districts. viable option,” Diaz-Ba- Merced Irrigation District not going to stand by and ised on atheory that more ing later in the year. Some of theiropponents lart said. “I don’t want to also voiced opposition to let this happen,” said springtime water in the havealso targeted them go there, because we need the state’s proposal, which Withrow, who suggested Tuolumne, Stanislaus and for their inability to deliv- to get the appropriations has slowly taken shape the stage is being set for Merced rivers would mim- er on immigrationreform. bills done. It’s our Consti- over nine years. litigation. ic the natural conditions Rep. Mike Coffman, tutional duty, but that’s all The CFWC warned the The Merced Irrigation that supported the evolu- R-Colorado, said he and subjecttonegotiation.” others who are pushing The offices of Reps. for apath to citizenship Carlos Curbelo,R-Florida, for Dreamerswere still and David Valadao, R- considering options, but California, gave vague SETTING IT implied therecould be an answers, saying they STRAIGHT effort to blockit, depend- would continue to try to ing on how that group find apathway to citizen- We want to makesure the decides to move forward. ship for Dreamers but information in this paper “Weneed to get togeth- makingnocomment on is accurate. Please call er –wehaven’t decided on supportoropposition of mistakes to our attention, strategy,soIdon’t know wall funding by itself. so we may correct them. whatwe’re going to do next,” Coffman said. Kate Irby: 202-383-6071; Local News...... 578-2330 Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, @KateIrby City Desk...... 578-2327 R-Florida, would not com- Work &Money...578-2343 mit to supporting or op- Features ...... 578-2312 Sports...... 578-2300

YOUR GUIDE TO APLACE OF WORSHIP IN THEVALLEY Worship/Churches Misc. CHURCH DIRECTORY Episcopal LOCAL SPORTS Documentary,panel will Croatia beats England address homelessness 3A in World Cup semifinal 1B

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the south delta. In other words, Don Pedro and other Sierra dams would not retain 40 per- Modesto councilman urges cent of the rivers’ natural flow but would let it run to the delta. That would leavefar less water for irrigated farmland and city to fightstate water plan other users in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Astate staff report said the proposal would ing that the state plan to take “We cannotafford this plan,” take the lead in an anticipated take an average of 288,000 BY KEN CARLSON largeamounts of Tuolumne Grewalsaid.“We cannotafford lawsuit to challenge the propos- acre feet of waterayear for [email protected] River water to rejuvenate the it for our region and we cannot al. environmental purposes,in- Sacramento-SanJoaquin River afford it for our citizens.” The StateWater Resources cluding attempts to restore AModestocouncilman called delta would create a“regulatory Grewalmentionedpotential Control Boardproposal released salmon in the rivers. on the city to contribute toward drought” in Stanislaus County. litigation as oneway of fighting Friday would set an unimpeded The proposed shift in water efforts to resistastatewater City leaders didn’t say how the state water grab.The Mo- flow of 40 percentfrom Febru- allocations coincides with the grab that’sbecomeanemotion- much could be spent opposing desto and Turlock irrigation ary to June on the Tuolumne, Delta tunnels project and plans ally charged issue in the region. the stateproposal. The matter districts, which are co-owners of Stanislaus andMerced rivers, for sending morewater to Councilman Mani Grewal willbebrought back for dis- Don Pedro Dam,and other whichare tributaries of the San said at Tuesday’s council meet- cussion. water districts wouldmost likely Joaquin River course that feeds SEE WATER PLAN, 6A

Trump to NATO: Boost defense spending

BY JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS New York Times

BRUSSELS President Donald Trump escalated his campaign of criticism against European allies Wednesday, accusing Germany of being “captive to Russia” and demanding that all NATO members double their military spending targets. But on the firstoftwo days of meetings with NATO leaders, Trump stopped short of any substantive breaks with the alliance, reaching agreement on aplan to improve military readiness and signing on to ajoint statementthat emphasized burden-sharing and harshly criticized Russia. Coming just days before he is to meet Russia President VladimirPutin, Trump’scrit- JOAN BARNETTLEE [email protected] ical stancetoward allies fo- ModestoDeputyCityManager JoeLopezwas promoted to the citymanager position Tuesdayona7-0votebythe CityCouncil. cused attention on longstand- ing concerns by the United Statesaboutthe willingness Tuesday’s vote came afterthe of Europe to shoulder its councilvoted May 8inclosed share of the financial burden Modestocouncil promotes session to enter into contract for NATO.Trump again de- negotiations withLopez. The manded that allies meettheir city has declined to say what the commitment to raise their acting citymanager JoeLopez closed session vote was, but the military budgets to 2percent councilhad beendivided over of their economic output by whetherLopez should get the 2024, but then he stepped up to the position permanently job. the pressure, sayingthey At 42,heisthe youngestand should make it 4percent. least-experienced Modesto city More broadly, his perform- manager in about 20 years. He ance,leavened at times by a BY KEVIN VALINE started with the city in January more reassuring tone, left [email protected] 2012 as its human resources other leaders struggling anew director, then becameadminis- to judge whether he waspos- fter more than 15 trative services director and turingtowin abetter deal for months withouta then adeputy city manager. the U.S., moving to weaken permanent cityman- Before coming here, Lopez institutions at the heart of the ager, Modesto finally worked in humanresources for post-World War II order, or Ahas one. Sacramento County for about a both. TheCity Council on Tuesday decade. Trump was primed for evening appointed Deputy City Council memberswere united confrontation before the Manager Joe Lopez to the job. in theirsupport of Lopez on gathering was even called to He had been filling the position Tuesday evening. order in alargeglass-and- on an acting and then interim “I’ll do everythingIcan to steel NATOheadquarters basis since April 2017 afterCity supporthim,” Mayor Ted building that he has com- Manager Jim Holgersson lost Brandvold said in an interview. plained looks overly lavish. At the support of four of the seven “I wantto be positive. We have abreakfast with Jens Stolten- council membersand was to moveforward. Thecouncil berg, the NATOsecretary- forced out. will get behind Joe and work general, Trump suggested Council membersvoted 7-0 THOMASREEVESCity of Modesto toward accomplishing the that he had come to Brussels to appoint Lopez and approve Lopez, left, is sworn in as citymanager by Mayor TedBrandvold on things we need to accomplish as avirtualpariah among his employment contract. Tuesdayevening in the basementchambers at TenthStreet Place in for the city.” allies,and was perfectlyhap- Lopez will be paid$217,592 downtown Modestoasother council members watch. But someformer and current py to be seen that way. annually.The contractalso employees who have worked Indeed, Trump spent the states he willbepaid 1.5 percent with Lopez have raised ques- next several hours practically more than the second-highest pez —who teared up briefly as capacity.” tions about his leadership. The ensuringhard feelings. He paidcity employee. Modesto his wife and two young daugh- Modesto conducted anation- Bee contacted these employees, laid into Germany for not would owe him six months in ters sat in the audience — widesearchfor the position. who spoke on the condition that spending moreonits military severancepay if the council praisedthe city’s roughly1,200 The recruitmentdrew 21 appli- their names would not be used. while becoming increasingly removeshim without cause. employeesfor their driveand cants, and 13 met the minimum They work or have worked dependent on Russia for its Themeetingbroke into ap- passiontoserve the community. requirements for the job, ac- throughout the organizationand energyneeds. His criticism plause as councilmen Doug “We have alot of work ahead cording to city spokesman Tho- have reputationsfor beingpro- was based on Germany’s deal Ridenour and Bill Zoslocki con- of us,”Lopez said, “but Iknow mas Reeves. He said the council ductive employees. to import natural gas from gratulated Lopez afterthe coun- by workingasateamand in interviewed six of the appli- Acouple said Lopez was more Russia via anew pipeline. cil vote. collaboration with one another, cants. The councilhired CPS than capable of beingcity man- His comments came when Lopez said he was honored I’m confident we can make this HR Consulting in December at ager. Otherssaid he wasn’t and humbled thatthe council amodel organizationand serve acost not to exceed$35,000 to SEE NATO, 5A had placed its trust in him.Lo- the community to our fullest help with the recruitment. SEE CITYMANAGER, 6A

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FROM PAGE 3A believes it’s just as impor- Carroll said. “We have all used.” ment Social Security. He tant as the film screening. seen homeless individuals Fuller, recovering from hopes to find a home in a “How often does someone that frankly we could give a bout of gastrointestinal place like Ralston Tower HOMELESS get a chance to talk with a room or housing to,” but illness, spoke while sitting because always in the Galen Carroll about the that would not solve the in Graceada Park on Tues- back of his mind is one Street in remembrance of “not going out and giving homeless?” he posed. issues that prevent them day. He typically lives grim thought. the 11 homeless people food — that’s not what The police chief, who in from living a so-called along the river, he said. “I don’t want to die out who died in Modesto that they need.” No one has to the documentary talks normal life.” Accepting During the January 2016 here, that’s one of my year. A couple of home- go hungry in Modesto about a brother who’s mental health treatment homeless count in Stanis- fears,” he said. “With my less men in attendance with the services avail- been homeless and in- and staying with it again laus County, he was stay- luck, I’d be lying on the asked if he’d be interested able, Anderson said. carcerated, said he plans depend on the individual. ing in Beard Brook Park. grass and somebody’d in recording their stories. “What needs to happen is to follow no script when Panelist David Fuller, Tuesday, he wore a think I’m sleeping, and “Little did I know that intervention. ... he talks July 19. homeless “off and on” freshly laundered, striped, three days later they’d lung cancer and the re- “They need our sympa- In an email to The Bee, since 2002, isn’t inter- button-up shirt. Fuller said come up and find me moval of a lung would thy and they need our he addressed the com- viewed in the movie but he makes it a priority to dead. ... Rather die in a draw the process out to tough love. Tough love is, plexities of the home- was asked to speak by stay clean and groomed, home, I guess.” five-plus years,” the 74- ‘When you’re ready for us, lessness problem. In the Ploof and Caine, he said. and the Modesto Gospel To learn more: year-old said. society is here to help you cases of people or families Suffering no addictions or Mission and the Cleansing www.modestoca Anderson refers to him- out of this, we want to who have become home- mental illness, Fuller said Hope Shower Shuttle have homelessdocumentary self as the videographer of help you’.” less because of job loss or job loss was the primary been of great help. .org, www.facebook.com the film, which is “but a Those interview subjects a tragic incident, the re- reason he became home- Recently, he largely /modestohomeless snapshot of homeless who made the cut had to sources exist to help them less. The mailing house he gave up on looking for documentary people and processes of have something to say that get back on their feet, worked for lost customers steady, long-term work July 19 screening: 7 the community in re- advanced the movie’s Carroll said. and had to downsize. At because at age 62, he’ll p.m., State Theatre, 1307 J sponse.” He estimated goals, Anderson said. The But cases where a per- the same time, “my home start drawing early-retire- St., $5 admission that 30 to 35 homeless filmmakers steered clear of son’s alcohol or drug life wasn’t so good and people were interviewed. the antisocial, he said, and abuse has taken preceden- dumped, too. It all hit me Anderson began the didn’t push interviewees to ce over all else in his or at once and I landed documentary with John defend their logic, because her life are much more here,” he said of home- Lucas of the Modesto some simply were illogical. difficult. “If an individual lessness. Peace/Life Center. Leng “Homeless in Modesto” spends the majority of He’s had part-time, Nou joined as an interview- addresses conflict, such as their waking life look for short-term jobs, but noth- er, homeless advocate the homeless wanting the next drink or fix, ne- ing steady. What he finds Frank Ploof found inter- places to stay vs. efforts glecting their own basic usually is manual labor, view subjects, and Eric like Operation 9-to-99, needs of housing, clothing which he can do — but Caine served as still pho- which works to clean out etc., then it is a choice pushing 61, he doesn’t tographer and narrator. homeless camps and re- that individual is making know for how much longer. The filmmakers had claim the Tuolumne River and the community won’t His career was in retail, three goals, Anderson trails for recreational use. be able to help until a and over the years he’s said: to present faces and But the filmmakers tried different choice is made,” regularly tried to re-enter voices of the homeless, to to keep politics out of the the chief said. The pain of the work force, he said, showcase some of the documentary and present living in their condition but employers seek many organizations pro- “just the facts,” Anderson has to be greater than the younger people. It’s a viding services to them, said. pain of going through shame, he said, because and to show viewers how Though the panel dis- addiction withdrawals. “there are a lot of good they might help. cussion was a late devel- And mental illness is a people out here, with By helping, he means opment, Anderson said he whole other challenge, skills that could still be

Merced County plan. Martinez, Leonardo 16 9-Jul Turlock Funeral Home County Supervisor Vito Chiesa said he favors a broader information campaign to educate state lawmakers and the public on the ramifications of the state proposal. He talked with the city councils of Turlock and Hughson, which could possibly support the cause along with other cities. The county Board of Supervisors is expected to see a request Tuesday for $50,000 that could be spent on public education and additional costs of fighting the water grab. The county would be more of a cheerleader, rather than a plaintiff, in a JOAN BARNETT LEE [email protected] lawsuit against the state. The Stanislaus River on Wednesday at Caswell Memorial State Park in Ripon, Calif. A “We need to broaden proposed state water-allocation plan would have a dramatic effect on the Stanislaus. our audience,” Chiesa said. Local entities have until FROM PAGE 1A regardless of whether it July 27 to submit com- affects the city’s surface ments on the final propos- water agreement with al, though elected officials WATER PLAN MID. He cited estimates have said more than of billions of dollars in 6,500 comments on a Southern California, furth- In an agreement with economic losses from the 2016 Bay Delta update er stirring emotions. MID, Modesto since the proposal. were virtually ignored by Local irrigation districts, 1990s has supplied treat- City Attorney Adam the state water board. cities and the county pre- ed Tuolumne River water Lindgren said he’s had The state board could dict severe impacts in to homes and businesses, detailed conversations vote in August to approve terms of agricultural loss- serving to stabilize the with MID’s legal staff the sweeping decision on es, stepped up ground- groundwater underneath about responding to the water allocations, which water pumping, depressed the city of 215,000, state plan. The MID has also affects the Sacra- land values and economic Grewal said. joined with Turlock Irriga- mento River. losses. One estimate has The councilman said tion District in the Worth put potential job losses at the city should help with Your Fight campaign 6,500. fighting the water grab opposing the Bay Delta

FROM PAGE 1A and high administrative ing making sure the city costs. uses the right processes in In an interview Mon- doing its work, and reach- CITY MANAGER day, Lopez essentially said ing decisions based on Modesto is bigger than its evidence and data. ready and Modesto need- visors, although the city challenges. “I want Modesto to ed a more experienced has made solid hires to fill “The city has a lot of become a model organiza- manager. Some said Lo- some of the vacancies. untapped potential,” he tion, a world-class organi- pez can take issues per- And the council has said, “and we’ve started zation that other munici- sonally, hold a grudge and been fractured and bick- some really great initia- palities look to and say, have a hard time making a ered at times, although tives, and I want to see ‘that organization does it decision. recently council members those initiatives through. I correctly.’” When asked whether have treated one another think the city has a bright Ridenour — who was the criticisms were valid, with respect. future ahead of itself as elected to the council in Lopez said in an inter- Modesto also went long as we maintain focus 2015 and retired from the view: “I cannot tell you through several embar- on the bigger pictures and Modesto Police Depart- whether they are fair or rassing months starting be strategic in our think- ment in 2013 after 41 not. I cannot assess who last fall, when it began to ing.” years — said Lopez more you talked with, the cir- reveal breakdowns in its He said those initiatives than proved himself while cumstances, my level of purchasing practices, include a proposal the serving as acting and interaction with them. But which led to the city buy- council is exploring re- interim city manager and of course, there always ing about $16 million garding Modesto building holding down the job will be people who take more in goods and serv- its own fiber optic net- while the two deputy city issue with my style of ices than what had been work, which would pro- manager positions remain leadership. All I can do is authorized over a number vide super-fast internet open, although Assistant do the best job I can for of years. service to the city and Police Chief Rick Armen- the betterment of this And an audit released businesses, and working dariz provided some sup- organization. I don’t take last week by HUD’s Office with Stanislaus County to port. anything out on anyone.” of Inspector General rec- help the homeless people “He was the best candi- Modesto faces challeng- ommended that Modesto who cause the most dis- date, the most experi- es, including skyrocketing pay back the U.S. Depart- tress to themselves and enced candidate for the pension costs, tens and ment of Housing and the community. city of Modesto,” Ride- tens of millions of dollars Urban Development as Lopez said it’s critical nour said. “What he went in deferred maintenance much $1.94 million in that Modesto use its limit- through in the last year, in its parks and other federal housing money. ed resources efficiently most city managers facilities, homelessness The audit faulted Modesto and effectively in order to wouldn’t go through dur- and affordable housing for providing HUD with deliver high-quality serving their entire, four-, crises, and high turnover false information, not ices to residents. He said five-, six-year career (with among department direc- understanding the rules in that involves paying atten- a city).” tors, managers and super- how to spend the money, tion to the basics, includ- LOCAL SPORTS Ferguson Fire Zach Johnson, surpasses 24,000 Kevin Kisner acres; services set sharethe lead in forfirefighter 3A British Open 1B

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JOHN G. WHITESIDE, 1942-2018 Stanislaus Interior SecretaryZinke judge visits embattled reservoirs known as akind mentor

BY ROSALIO AHUMADA [email protected]

Retired Stanislaus Superior CourtJudge John G. White- side died Wednesday morning of complications from cancer, his family said. He was 75 years old. He was ajudgefor nearly 30 years, even continuing to work as an assigned judge after his retirement.Mr. Whiteside covered judi- cial vacancies at Stanislaus John G. Superior Court, Whiteside or he would step in when judgeswere at conferences or training programs. Stanislaus Superior Court Presiding Judge Ricardo Cór- dova said Mr. Whiteside’s death is atragic loss for the court and surroundinglegal ANDY ALFARO [email protected] community. Interior SecretaryRyanZinke, middle, talks with marina owner Darin Mills,right, at New Melones Lake on Friday. Rep. Jeff Denham is at left “He servedasamentor and congressman TomMcClintock is second right. judge to many of our judges,” Córdova said. “Judge White- side was an outstanding in the Sierra watersheds for judge,respected by all who Trip signals federal interest in waterfightover meetingneeds. appeared before him and increased flows from New Melones,Don Pedro “Let’s get to asolution with- those of us whohad the plea- out breaking water districts and sure of working with him.” saddling them withmillions of Mr. Whiteside had been dollars in costs,” Zinke said. married for 54 years to Carol BY KEN CARLSON The federal government has Whiteside, Modesto’smayor [email protected] more to do with operation of from 1987to1991. Theyhad New Melones,which is part of two sons, Brianand Derek nteriorSecretary Ryan the federally backed Central Whiteside, andfour grand- Zinke paid avisit Friday to Valley Project. Butlocal officials children. two reservoirs that are em- believe federalassistance could “He was akind person and broiled in an intense fight also influence whathappens was well-loved by everyone Iover water allocations in the with Tuolumne River water whoselife he touched,” Carol Northern San Joaquin Valley. storedatDon Pedro. Whiteside said. The visit from ahigh-level Zinkegleaned information John G. Whiteside was born official in the Trump adminis- Friday on the Federal Energy on Aug. 7, 1942,inSacra- trationraised hopesfrom local Regulatory Commission relicen- mento. He earnedabache- farmers and irrigation districts sing of Don Pedro,co-owned by lor’s degree from the Uni- that federal intervention will Modesto and Turlock irrigation versity of California,Davis, in stop astate Water Board pro- districts. 1964. He earned ajuris doc- posal to allocate more water Zinketold the press that $25 tor degree from the Uni- from New Melones and Don million in ratepayers money versity of California,Hastings Pedro reservoirs to restore the paid for scientific studies for the School of Law in 1967, and he Sacramento-San Joaquin River FERCrelicensing and the study was admitted to the Cali- Delta.The stateproposal also ANDY ALFARO [email protected] results have been ignored. forniaState Bar in 1967. calls for increased Merced River Interior SecretaryRyanZinke, middle, talks with the press The two districts hope that “One of the most endearing flows. accompanied by Rep. Jeff Denham, right, and congressman Tom agenciesunder the Department qualitieshepossessed is that Zinke was accompanied by McClintock at DonPedroReservoir. of Interior, such as the U.S. Fish he was always genuine,” Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, and Wildlife Service, will take JudgeRoger Beauchesne said. whosetwo amendments to another look at the studies un- He reachedthe rank of block part of the state’s “water table to talk with media at Don millionsofacres of federal land der Zinke’s direction. Addition- captain in the U.S. Army grab” passed the House of Rep- Pedro. and naturalresources. In con- al flows to support fisheries in JudgeAdvocateGeneral’s resentatives on Thursday. “I do believe part of the solu- trast to regional battles in the the Delta are expected to be Zinke,alongwith Congressman tion in California is more stor- West over Colorado Riverwa- SEE WHITESIDE, 6A Tom McClintock, sat at apicnic age,” said Zinke, who oversees ter, Zinke said, waterisplentiful SEE ZINKE, 4A

gave the storm warning,” Mi- During the storm thatswept chaelHoman, aresident, said, through Thursday evening, Tourists stunned as duck boat “and then massive, straight line there were two duck boats on windscameout of nowhere.” the lake,and both were return- The accident raisednew con- ing to land at the timeofthe disaster in Missouri kills 17 cernsabout the safety of duck accident. “The first one made it boats, modeledafter the am- out,and the second one didn’t,” chop. Then as stunned onlook- state officials said; two other phibioustrucks thatthe U.S. Sheriff Doug Rader of Stone BY LAURA BAUER, ERIC ADLER, IAN ers watched, somecapturing members of the family who had Army and Marine Corpsused County said. CUMMINGS AND MAX LONDBERG video, the duck boat, carrying 31 been on the trip survived. It was duringWorld War II to carry Theboat thatsank had life The KansasCity Star people, suddenly slipped under. one of the deadliestduck boat troopsand supplies between jackets, but the sheriff said he BRANSON, MO. Seventeen people were killed accidents in U.S.history. land and water, and about did not know if peoplewere As the duckboat made its in the accident Thursday eve- Residents aroundBranson,a whether tourists should be pas- wearingthem.Ofthe 31 people everyday tour aroundTable ning,authorities said Friday, showy city that drawsthrongs of sengers on them. After 13 peo- on the boat, 29 were passengers Rock Lake,apopular, summer- and sevenothers, including touriststothe Midwest every ple were killed when aduck and two werecrew members. time touriststop in southern threechildren, were taken to summer, said the storm had boat sank in Hot Springs, Ar- Theboat’s captain, who had 16 Missouri,the skies grew dark hospitals.Officials haveyet to come up suddenly, only ashort kansas, in May1999,the Na- years of experience on the lake, and afiercewind,more than 60 release the names of the vic- time after weather officials had tionalTransportationSafety survived and was taken to a mph, beganbattering it. Waves tims,but said that they range in issued warnings,and witha Boardhad called for sweeping hospital, but authorities said the crashed againstthe boat’s sides, age from 1to70. Nine of the shocking ferocity. changes to the way suchtourist as it rose and fell in abrutal deadcamefrom one family, “The wind pickedup, they boatsoperate. SEE ACCIDENT, 2A

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AROUND THE REGION MODESTO SaturdayatStanislaus County Fair What: Special Needs in My CityParentSupportMeeting When: Thursday, July 26 Where: Cornerstone CommunityBuilding, 2200 Sunrise Ave. close 11 p.m.;groundsand Info: Special Needs In My City, Inc., anonprofit initiative, is a BY JOHN HOLLAND carnival close midnight one-stop online resource centerfor families with individuals with [email protected] ADMISSION: $12gen- special needs.Tofind out moreabout resources and events foryour eral, $7 for children 7to12 child of all ages or the special needs podcast,attend their monthly Saturday is the ninth and seniors 65 and older, parentsupportmeetings or simply connect with other parent, visit specialneedsinmycity.com or email to [email protected] to RSVP day of the 2018 Stanislaus free for 6and younger fordetails. CountyFair in Turlock. WHERE: From High- It’s Valley First Credit way 99, exit at Fulkerth What: Movie: “Powerinmyhands” Union Day,with giftsfor Road in Turlock and head When: Saturday, July 28,7p.m. the first 1,000 guests. It’s east. For fairgrounds park- Where: Fr.O’HareHall, 1813 Oakdale Road also SeniorsFree Day. ing, turn right on Soder- Info: St.Joseph’s Church offers afreescreening of the newly released movie “Powerinmyhands.” Refreshments will be served, Patrons 65 and older get quist Road,orgopast but feel free to bring abaked treat or fruit to share. The film fea- free admission and aride Soderquist for more park- tures Catholic theologians presenting the beautyand powerofthe on the carousel. ing; $8 per vehicle. rosaryand sharing personal witness. Formoreinformation call HIGHLIGHT: Junior PARK ‘N’ RIDE: Tur- 209-551-4973. Livestock Auction, 8a.m. ANDY ALFARO [email protected] lock Transitisproviding for hogs, 9 a.m. for rabbits Melanie Wolf,15, of BeyerFFA presents her mini lop free buses during fair What: ValleyChildren’s Hospital Fundraiser and poultry,followed by rabbit during advanced showmanship Wednesdayatthe hours, including stops at When: Through July 31 Where: Various Locations sheep and meat goats. Stanislaus County Fair in Turlock, Calif. the free parking lot at Info: Save Mart Supermarkets annual fundraising campaign in VARIETY FREE California State Universi- supportofValley Children’s Hospital. All proceeds will go to the STAGE: Grand Funk ty, Stanislaus. Shuttles will VCHtofund research and treatmentfor thechildren. Save Mart Railroad, 8:30 p.m. Carnival, food booths, AmericanPig Races, run every 15 to 20 min- shoppers will have the opportunitytodonate$2, $3,or $5 though ARENA: Monster livestock area,commer- Smage Brothers Motorcy- utes. coupons available in participating stores.Forty-four Save Mart stores throughout the SanJoaquin, Stanislaus,Merced, Madera, Truck 2featuringBig cial and other exhibits, cle Jumpers INFORMATION: Tulare, Fresno,Kings and Tuolumne counties areparticipating in Foot, 6:30 p.m. Sky Trek Kids Zone, hyp- HOURS: Gates open www.stancofair.com, this year’s campaign. Formoreinformation visit www.savemart.com. WHAT ELSE DAILY: notistSuzy Haner, Great noon; exhibitbuildings 209-668-1333

What: National NightOut Barbecue When: Tuesday, August 7, 6-9p.m. Where: Tuolumne River Lodge, 2429 River Road Info: Tuolumne River Lodge promotes and supports community and neighborhood relationships and encourages the public to meet their fellow neighbors in this old-fashioned, picnic-style event. Dinner is $15 adults, $7 children and includes dessert. For more information or to purchase tickets contact Diane 209-541-5626 or visit www.tuolumneriverlodge.com.

ANGELS CAMP What: Angels Camp Museum Art Camp When: Friday, July 27, 8 a.m. to noon Where: Angels Camp Museum, 753 S. Main St. Info: Illustrator and Education Coordinator Jim Miller will guide students ages 9-12through aday of “Drawing NatureStep-By-Step.” The lessons will focus on developing observation skills useful in sketching with pencils.Materials will be supplied; children should takeabrown bag lunch and plenty of water. Formoreinformation or to register,call 209-736-2963 or email [email protected] or visit angelscamp.gov/museum.

JAMESTOWN What: Summer Diesel Train Rides When: Wednesdays,10:30 a.m. &Noon Where: Railtown1897 StateHistoric Park, 10501 Reservoir Road Info: California StateParksand Railtown1897StateHistoric Park offer twodiesel train rides Wednesdays through Aug. 15.At11a.m., ages up to 6can enjoystory time reading activities in the caboose while ages 7-12 can participateinthe hands-on Junior Rangers program that engages children with railroad history. Tickets are$15 adults,$10 ages 6-17,freeages 5and under.Park admission $5 adults,$3ages 6-17,freeages 5and under.For moreinformation, contact 209-984-3953 or visit railtown1897.org.

MERCED ANDY ALFARO [email protected] What: Ferguson FireFirefighterRelief Supplies When: Ongoing A proposal would allocate more water from New Melones reservoirs to the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Where: UCCEMerced 4-H, 2145 Wardrobe Ave. Info: Mariposa and Merced 4-H Emerald Star candidates are collecting items to donatetofirefighters battling the Ferguson Fire. FROM PAGE 1A water projects from judi- to get on the same page Requested items arelip balm, eyedrops,babywipes,Gatorade and to achieve solutions in bottled water. Donations can be dropped off at the UCCEMerced cial review, calling it 4-H office, 8a.m.-5 p.m. M-F. Formoreinformation call irresponsible. disputes over water. 209-385-7418 or visit merced4h.ucanr.edu. ZINKE Barbara Barragan- At New Melones, Ca- Parrilla, director of Re- laveras County Super- required under the FERC Board angered farmers store the Delta of Stock- visor Dennis Mills asked RIVERBANK relicensing and the Wa- with afinal proposal to ton, said Denham’s Zinke to forward aletter What: Time Capsule Opening ter Board plan. require 40 percent un- amendment to thwart the to President Trump, When: Friday, Aug. 17,3:30 p.m. Where: Riverbank CommunityCenter, 3600 SantaFeSt. “We are grateful for impeded flows in the Water Board “is further asking for an executive Info: The Riverbank Historical Societyand the CityofRiverbank Secretary Zinke’s attend- Tuolumne, Stanislaus dividing people in his order forbidding any will unseal a50-year-old time capsule. The excavation will begin at ance and believe his and Merced rivers. While district who need to water controlled or 3:30 p.m. Therewill be adinner dance from 6:30-10 p.m. Tickets for presence today can only the state says the flows come together and try to owned by the U.S. gov- the dinner are$35,available at Riverbank CityHall. Formorein- benefit our relicensing are needed to save the solve the problems” in ernment to be released formation call 209-863-7150. process,” TID Board Delta’s ecosystem, oppo- the Delta. She charged as part of the Water Send Region items to Region, The ModestoBee, P.O. Box5256, Member Michael Frantz nents claim the loss of the Calvert bill would Board’s plan. Modesto95352; call 209-578-2330; fax209-578-2207; or email said. water will devastate abolish protections for “The time has come to [email protected] Republican leaders agriculture and the econ- the San Francisco Bay take off the gloves and have recently made at- omy. and Delta estuary. fight for our community, 100 YEARS AGO: It wasreportedthat Modestowas investigated as tempts to shape water Denham said the state The state Water Board our region and our state apossible rest,repair and refueling station forArmyaviators. Major said Friday it does not opposing stupid policies,” Ruben H. Fleet had visited Modestotoseek out suitable land forthe policies in California, proposal, which could be creation of an airfield to incorporateinto the Army’srelaystation with Southern California approved next month, is comment on pending Jack Cox of the Lake program. Major Fleet,who met with W. H. Langdon of the Stanislaus Congressman Ken Cal- adisastrous plan to flush legislation, but said Den- Tulloch Allliance wrote County Council of Defense, wasincharge of Mather Field and the vert’s bill in May to make water from Valley rivers ham’s bill appears to Friday. governmenttraining school. the Delta Tunnels project to the ocean. “This is preclude Department of Assemblyman Adam immune from lawsuits going to be an ongoing Interior from spending in Gray, D-Merced, and and an amendment last fight until we have a the upcoming fiscal year other Valley lawmakers month from Congress- federal government nex- to comply with the Bay- joined the Modesto Irri- man David Valadao of us to stop this,” Denham Delta plan. State legal gation District in asking Hanford to extend the said. staff said the Bureau of for a30-day delay on the SETTING IT STRAIGHT proposed ban on court The recent legislation Reclamation has been July 27 deadline for com- Retiring YES Company mistakes to our attention, reviews to other water could stumble in the responsible in the past ments on the Water director Melanee Wyatt is so we may correctthem. projects in the Golden Senate, where the GOP two decades for com- Board proposal and for 63.Anincorrect age ap- State. holds aslim majority; plying with the plan postponement of the pearedonPage A3 on Local News...... 578-2330 The federal Bureau of nonetheless, the federal through water rights Aug. 21 meeting. The Friday. CityDesk...... 578-2327 Reclamation also has a action is cheered by Val- permits. state board notified the Work &Money...578-2343 proposal for boosting ley conservatives. Zinke noted Friday the MID the request was We want to make sure the Features ...... 578-2312 water deliveries in the Democrats have different government denied. information in this paper Sports...... 578-2300 Central Valley. Early this strongly opposed the bureaus in the Depart- is accurate. Please call month, the state Water GOP proposal to exempt ment of Interior will need

FROM PAGE 3A “Lyingaboutaphone wentonfor afew days FROM PAGE 3A River Roadfrom Brice- doesn’t make you akiller” and ended with the at- burg to the gateatRail- Snipestold the jury. torneys’ closing argu- road Flat and all camp- CHILD MURDER Mayneargued that Do ments Wednesday. The FIRE grounds in the area and was a“scammer” more jurors began deliberations Hites Cove-Jerseydale standing up and injured revive the girl. interested in protecting Wednesday afternoonand ing in an area where the Road. herself after fallingback Acupressure is used to his “meal ticket,” so he continuedThursday be- largest recorded fire in the Authorities alsoissued and then forward afew relieve tension or pain refused to call authorities fore their verdictwas Sierra National Forest an evacuation advisory feet to the ground. using the same points on who wouldthen go to his announced about 3p.m. took place in 1926. for: Do told investigators the body as in acupunc- home.The prosecutor said The prosecutor said the Nearly 3,000fire- A Yosemite West that other childreninthe ture, but acupressure Do must have been wor- jury’s verdict seems to fightersare battling the A Lushmeadows Com- house were sometimes stimulates with fingertip ried Child Protective Serv- indicate the jurorsbe- fire in roughterrain and munity rough with Jacklyn. or thumbpressureinstead ices would retrieve the lieved Do’s failuretocall dangerously hot weather A Ponderosa Basin “They could’ve caused of with the insertion of children, endinghis busi- for help was criminally for crews.Heavy smoke Community those bruises,” Snipes said needles. ness enterprise. negligent,but theyalso continues to hamper the A Triangle Road from about the other children. Forensic pathologist Do, 51,remainsincus- believed the defendant use of fixed-wing aircraft Jerseydale to Highway 49 “Andifthey caused those EugeneCarpenter testi- tody at the Stanislaus didn’t know his failure to to contain the blaze. South (including all side bruises, then he’s not fied that Jacklyn died County Jail. He is sched- call would likely seriously Difficult conditions roads) guilty of murder.” from blunt force trauma uled to return to court harmorkill Jacklyn. could worsenfor fire- A Darrah Roadfrom Stanislaus County sher- that was not consistent Sept. 4for his sentencing “I respect the jury’s fightersbecauseofthe Triangle to Sherrod Road iff’s Sgt. Josh Sandoval with afall. hearing. Maynesaid Do verdict, whichcameafter chance of thunderstorms A East side of Highway testifiedthat Do told him Snipes argued that his faces amaximum sen- overaday of deliber- at the crest of the Sierra 49 from DarrahRoad to that the child fell at the client cooperated with tence of 11 years in prison. ations,” Mayne said. “De- that producewindsthat HarrisRoad, including park, but he waitedafew investigators, asign of his Had the jury convicted Do fendantDowill be held fan flames. BoyerRoad, Woodland hours before he called 911 innocence. But Do lied to of murder,hewould’ve responsible for Jacklyn’s The cause remains Area, WassRoad and Tip for help. The defendant investigators, saying he faced asentence of 15 death, as he well should.” under investigation. Top Road told Sandoval thathetried didn’t have his cell phone years to life in prison. Other road closures A National Park Service to use acupressure to with him at the park. Testimony in the trial include Incline Road, El Portal Complex LOCAL SPORTS Deadly eyesore Lucroy,Manaea DennettDam help A’sdown will finally be Blue Jays to cap removed 3A season sweep 1B

VOLUME 141,No. 214 FACEBOOK.COM/MODESTOBEE NEWSALL DAY. Hazy and sunny STAY CONNECTED MODBEE.COM TWITTER.COM/MODBEE YOUR WAY. THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 $1 94°/63° See 2A

Water plan raises concerns for Stanislaus County area Rep. Jeff Denham, left, and Josh Harder will squareoff in November forthe 10th Congressional District seat. President support keyin10th District race

BY GARTH STAPLEY [email protected]

Former president Barack Obama endorsed Josh Harder in his bid to unseat Rep. Jeff Denham on Wednesday, shortly after news broke that President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign will donate money to Denham’s campaign. Harder, who turned 32 Wednesday, is among 81 Democratic candidates getting anod from Obama. Others include Gavin New- som, frontrunner on the No- ANDY ALFARO [email protected] vember ballot for California Brothers Don, left, and GaryBartonsay increased waterreleases in the Stanislaus River will flood their ranch in Ripon. governor. Newsom endorsed Harder aweek ago. In astatement, Obama said VIDEO Harder and the others will BY KEN CARLSON Bay Delta plan “strengthen this country we [email protected] Ripon walnut farmers sayproposed The California Water love by restoring opportunity, increased waterreleases will kill off trees Board’s final Bay New Melones repairing our alliances and on Barton of Barton and hurtlocal economy, modbee.com. Delta plan, released in Reservoir early July, proposes Sacramento- Stockton standing in the world, and Ranch near Escalon is that dams release San Joaquin upholding our fundamental not mincing words 3feet deep, killing 45 trees. 40 percent of the River Delta Manteca River commitment to justice, fair- over astate water His brother, Gary, said Friday natural flows in the slaus ani Don Pedro ness, responsibility, and the Dboard proposal. He says the plan that vineyards and orchards StanislausStanislaus,,T Tuolumneuolumne Tracy St Reservoir rule of law.” to raise flows in the Stanislaus owned by multiple growers up- and Merced rivers to Modesto Tuolumne River S benefitthe a Harder told The Modesto River is adisaster waiting to stream of the Ripon ranch also Aqueduct n J o Sacramento-San takes the a Bee, “It’s good to get some happen for farms on the river’s will sustain flood damage, q Turlock u Joaquin River Delta. water south i ver n d Ri McClure Reservoir recognition. This shows that a north side from Ripon to Oak- thanks to the state’s plan to R ce There havebeen i er ve M national eye in on this dis- dale. provide higher river flows for strong opinions r trict.” He Tweeted the en- As “unimpaired flows” are the Sacramento-San Joaquin supporting and Merced dorsement to followers, say- released from New Melones River Delta. opposing theplans. ing he was “honored.” Dam located far upstream, more Along with 110acres of wal- Potential detriments: Potential benefits: Denham’s campaign man- than 300 acres of the family’s nuts owned by Barton in the Economy: $5.6 billion in annual economic losses Delta: Better water quality ager, Josh Whitfield, said the walnut trees will be flooded for floodplain near Ripon, about Agriculture: 210,000 acres of land fallowed Fish: Restored salmon, steelhead Obama endorsement reflects months during above-average 200acres of mature walnuts will Employment: 6,500 job losses trout fisheries liberal support for Harder. water years and destroyed, he be flooded on Barton Ranch Public services: Lost revenue from declining Farming: Flush harmful salts that Trump and Obama both said. With atemporary “pulse property across the Stanislaus land values threaten Delta growers indicate they’re eager to flow” this year, pushing water from Riverbank, the brothers Sources: Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office; State Water Resources Control Board over the bank, walnut trees LAURIE McADAM THE MODESTO BEE SEE PRESIDENT, 2A owned by Barton stood in water SEE WATER PLAN,4A

forest ecologist at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Superheated bugsinthe soil, belching carbon, aU.S. Department of Energy facility in Richland, Wa. mayadd to growing rate of greenhouse gases Numerous scientists say the atmospheric buildupofcarbon dioxide, primarily from indust- backloop” that could aggravate lengthyheat wave. counteract impactsofmore rial emissions, is aprime driver BY STUART LEAVENWORTH climate change, according to a Scientists say this feedback rapidsoil decay. of recent record-hot conditions [email protected] study published Wednesday in loop has implications for under- This week’s study castsdoubt that have contributed to deadly the journal Nature. standing the build-up of green- on that theory. wildfires, from Northern WASHINGTON Increased heat is activating house gasesinthe atmosphere. “Onething we show here is California to Greece.Charting Risingtemperatures that are microbes in the soil, converting In the past,many researchers not only ahigher rate of respira- future impacts not only involves contributingtowildfires and organicmatter into carbon diox- assumed that increased carbon tion from the soil, but it is rising trackingman-made emissions droughts are also changing the ide at aheightened rate, much dioxide would trigger aboost in relative to the growth of vegeta- but understanding how ecosys- world’s soil so that it pumps out like acompost heap that decom- growthofforests and vegetation tion,” said Ben Bond-Lamberty, more carbon dioxide, a“feed- poses quickly when exposed to a that would capture carbonand the study’s lead author and a SEE SUPERHEATED , 2A

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FROM PAGE 1A the state wants to use 40 more commonplace at percent of the February- Lake McClure, a recre- to-June Sierra runoff in ation mecca. WATER PLAN the Tuolumne, Stanislaus In 2016, Stanislaus and Merced rivers, which County Agricultural Com- said. Two other growers Gov. Jerry Brown’s tun- are tributaries of the San missioner Milton O’Haire with crops near the Stanis- nels are built to send large Joaquin, to restore fisher- estimated $5.6 billion in laus said Monday they’re amounts of water to the ies and improve condi- annual economic losses as concerned about potential southern San Joaquin tions in the Delta. Nor- 210,000 acres of farm- flood damage from the Valley and Southern Cali- mally, Don Pedro and land are fallowed due to state proposal. fornia. New Exchequer dams water shortage, reducing “It is going to have a Water board Chairwo- release varying amounts harvests by 22 percent. On huge impact on our busi- man Felicia Marcus says from 21 percent to 28 ANDY ALFARO [email protected] top of the $1.6 billion in ness,” Don Barton said, the increased flows in the percent. A pivot sprinkler waters a corn field at Triple-C Farms in reduced farm income, noting the family’s walnut Tuolumne, Stanislaus and The state has estimated Denair Calif., Tuesday, July 24. other factors including job growing and processing Merced rivers are needed the total releases for salm- losses and reduce spend- business has 60 employ- to support fish that have on will average 300,000 ing would account for $3.5 ees year-round. been pushed to the brink acre feet a year for the To visualize that to see a 200,000-acre- billion in losses. The Bartons and many of extinction. In her opin- three rivers. But irrigation amount, you can fill Tur- foot drop in water supplies In a region dominated other farmers are caught ion, water users can adapt districts say the plan will lock Lake almost 10 times in dry years. by agriculture and food in a battle over the State by switching crops, be- take a larger amount of with 457,000 acre feet of Because of other re- and beverage processors, Water Resources Control coming more efficient and water. Last week, the MID water, and it’s enough to quirements deeper in the one estimate puts job Board’s final Bay Delta storing more water in wet said the average releases provide water for 1.3 mil- plan, some predict that losses at 6,500. Plan, released in early times. in the Tuolumne will more lion families a year, MID New Melones will be 3. Would Modesto July, which proposes that 2. How much water than triple from 216,000 said. The Department of virtually empty in one out residents have less wa- dams release 40 percent will be released from to 673,000 acre feet, Interior said last week the of seven years. Merced ter for drinking, taking of the natural flows in Don Pedro and the two resulting in the loss of state plan will reduce Irrigation District has showers and watering rivers to benefit the Sacra- other reservoirs to meet 457,000 acre feet a year storage in New Melones called the Bay Delta Plan lawns? mento-San Joaquin Delta the proposed require- that could be used for by an estimated 315,000 a “completely irresponsib- Modesto is supplied from February through ments? crop irrigation or drinking acre feet a year. Merced le water grab” that will June. Unlike the Bartons’ According to the plan, water. Irrigation District expects make drought conditions SEE WATER PLAN , 5A situation, water shortages are the primary threat to agriculture in Stanislaus, OBITUARIES Merced and southern San Joaquin County. What follows is important information on questions posed by readers about elements of the water board plan, which could bring profound changes to the Northern San Joaquin Valley. The board could approve the plan following hearings Aug. 21-22 in Sacramento. 1. Why are local leaders upset about the plan? The proposed releases from Don Pedro, New Melones and New Exche- quer (McClure Reservoir) dams will send water running past cities and farms to the Delta and San Francisco Bay, leaving far less storage in reservoirs for agriculture and cities. To use those time-honored words on the Modes- to arch, an old symbol for a city built on dam construction, it’s expected to diminish the region’s “water wealth” or reservoir storage that’s a hedge against frequent droughts in the Central Valley. It could eliminate the “con- tentment” of reliable paychecks for thousands and pose a threat to “health” in a region that boasts impressive agriculture but also houses more than 1 million people. “I can’t think of an issue that is more important than this,” County Super- visor Terry Withrow said recently in urging local agencies to go to war over the state plan. The utilities district serving San Francisco and sister cities in the Bay Area, which receive Tuo- lumne River water, says the plan will strain its ability to meet the water needs of homes and businesses. Some have suggested that irrigation districts have exaggerated the impact of 40 percent unimpaired flows in the rivers, with claims of billions of dollars in economic losses and job losses in the thousands. But groups bent on protecting the Delta say 40 percent won’t restore the fish and that’s expected to exert pressure on Modesto, Turlock and other irrigation districts to give up 50 percent or even 60 percent of natural flows from February through June. “Let’s hope we don’t have to go there because the impacts just get worse,” said Peter Rietk- erk, general manager of South San Joaquin Irriga- tion District. Stanislaus County officials, who claim the plan is deeply flawed, say state leaders are dangerously applying environmental law to muscle the water from irrigation districts that have historic water rights. Most everyone believes this battle over these rights will be decided in the courts. Some, including Delta advocates, are suspicious the water is desired to replace Sacramento River water in the estuary after THURSDAY AUGUST 2 2018 5A MODBEE.COM News

FROM PAGE 4A benefit the fishing industry and recreational an- gling, supporters of the WATERPLAN plan say. In advocating for higher with treated Tuolumne seniors and disadvantaged flows, Drekmeier said the River water for homes and residents who can’t afford historic wet year of 1983 businesses through an to dig deeper wells. produced the return of agreement with Modesto County officials point to 40,000 spawning salmon Irrigation District. That the well failures during in the Tuolumne some 2 water runs through pipes the 2012-2015 drought ½years later, and the from aModesto Reservoir that occurred under the winter floods of 1997-98 treatment plant to city current system of water set the stage for 18,000 customers. allocations. returning adults. In adrought, the city Walter Ward, county “The big question is takes the same cuts as water resources manager, how much flow is neces- farmers who may receive said there were hundreds sary,” Drekmeier said. shorter water allocations of dry wells across Stanis- “Even with 40 percent, from the irrigation dis- laus County and many ANDY ALFARO [email protected] you could see improve- trict, said Modesto Util- more in the region. Coun- Darrell Cordova stands by acontrol unit forhis pump and irrigation system at his farm ment and it really matters ities Director William ty leaders heard continual in Denair Calif., Tuesday, July 24. how it is managed. You Wong. reports of people living in need Tuolumne pulse If farmers are cut by 50 homes for weeks or flows to get young fish to percent, the MID will months without water for dent of the Stanislaus that suffers from acol- solution, she said. “If we the ocean and fall attrac- reduce the water deliver- drinking, taking showers County Farm Bureau, lapsing food web and take astep back and look tion flows to cue adult ed to Modesto by the and flushing toilets. predicted water shortages devastated fisheries. Dur- at the whole picture, the salmon to come back to same rate, Wong said. If After living in unsani- under the state plan will ing the last drought, toxic process started in 2009 spawn.” farmers are given no wa- tary conditions, 80 house- force people out of busi- algal blooms spread in the was based on abad as- Drekmeier said one ter, the city won’t see a holds were able to get ness. He sees the water warm waters and created sumption that has re- proposal from an irriga- drop. temporary assistance from grab as athreat to anear pollutants near Stockton quired all the sacrifice to tion district called for With less water at Don acounty program that century-old way of life that were adanger to fall on those (eastern small changes in river Pedro Reservoir, “we will provided hookups to a created by construction of children, she said. tributary) districts,” she flow combined with hab- see drought conditions portable tank plus water the original Don Pedro Restore the Delta was said. itat restoration, but “it is more often where we deliveries to refill the Dam in 1923 and the New grateful the final water State water board staff virtually the status quo.” reduce the watering tank. Others waited for Don Pedro Project com- board proposal released in said the upper San Joaquin TID maintains that schedule for residents and more than ayear to have pleted in 1971. July assures that addition- districts are not participa- more than 90 percent of have more enforcement new wells sunk. Residents Cordova said one of al flows in the lower San ting because that arm of juvenile salmon on the so people are not watering with dry wells in San Joa- their two grown sons, who Joaquin are not soon ex- the river is not asalmon- 52-mile stretch of the on the wrong days,” Wong quin County called county attended local schools, ported to entities south of bearing stream. Water Tuolumne, between La said. offices only to find tempo- has returned to the 700- the Delta, but will in- from the upper San Joa- Grange and Grayson, are When conservation rary assistance wasn’t acre farm to learn the crease the outflow to San quin is heavily allocated eaten by nonnative bass measures are in place, available. ropes and his wife, Nor- Francisco Bay. The group, and efforts are under way before reaching the San residential customers use Officials predict afar ma, served on the Denair however, wants to see to “rewater” virtually dry Joaquin River. less water and the city more severe problem with school board. stronger language on the sections. That’s primarily based takes in less revenue, dry residential wells if the The Cordovas conserve subject. Peter Drekmeier, policy on a2012 predation study Wong said. state takes large amounts water with micro-sprin- Barrigan-Parrilla said director for Tuolumne by Fishbio consultants. An Modesto’s use of sur- of water from the irriga- klers in orchards and there’s ascientific basis River Trust, said more abundance of largemouth face water since the 1990s tion districts. special planting tech- for 50-to60-percent water in the Tuolumne and striped bass fed on an has served to stabilize the An environmental re- niques for corn silage. flows from the lower San will boost salmon and estimated 62,000 juvenile groundwater under the view on the water board Valley farmers like Joaquin tributaries “if we steelhead trout. salmon and about 2,300 city. But more pumping plan recognized impacts Chance and Cordova fear have any hope of species By impounding runoff made it to the San Joa- will be necessary if cuts to to residential wells, which aregulatory vice grip, in recovery.” from the Sierra Nevada quin, according to the surface water allocations often draw from shallow which the state takes She is sympathetic to and releasing small study. are frequent, and that aquifers and are subject to more surface water for the the Stanislaus-area water amounts, construction of From there, less than 5 could draw down the “degraded water quality, Delta and then restricts districts in one regard. It dams like Don Pedro percent of the survivors aquifer and lead to ground including the migration of use of groundwater under isn’t fair the total burden turned cold, fast-moving would make it through the subsidence. contaminant plumes that the Sustainable Ground- of Delta restoration has streams in the Delta into bass-infested Delta chan- “The way the trends impair water supplies.” water Management Act of fallen on those water warm, slow-moving channels to the Bay, Fishbio look over the last few In comments on the 2014. districts, she stressed. nels that don’t support Vice President Andrea years, we will have more environmental document, Increased pumping by Friant Dam water users salmon, he said. Fuller said. The biologist and more dry years,” the MID said the water farmers and cities will near Fresno and other Stronger flows in spring said the effects of higher Wong said. “With proper shortages will create a make the groundwater districts with political would help young salmon flows in 2006 and 2011 water management, Mo- public health crisis by unsustainable, and “then clout in the upper San hatching in the rivers to on the salmon population desto can weather adry contaminating domestic you are out of compliance Joaquin should be re- migrate to the ocean and were not that impressive. period fairly well. When wells in an area that is 75 with the state ground- quired to contribute to a restore the population to they take away our sur- percent comprised of water law,” Cordova face water resources, it disadvantaged communi- noted. creates an imbalance.” ties. To prepare for the Cities like Manteca in 5. How will farmers March-to-October irriga- south San Joaquin County respond when water tion season, water stored get about half their water districts cut back on in Don Pedro is sent to La from the SSJID treatment deliveries for irrigating Grange Dam and then plant at Woodward Reser- 435,000 acres of farm- funneled into Modesto voir. Dry conditions land in the three coun- and Turlock reservoirs. forced SSJID to reduce ties? From there, it’s distrib- allocations for agricultural Stan Chance, whose uted through canals to customers and the cities family grows almonds in agricultural customers; by 25 percent in 2015. Denair, said with the state gates are opened to deliv- Those customers could plan, Turlock Irrigation er the canal water to in- face dry-year reductions District will cut irrigation dividual properties. closer to 65 percent with deliveries for growers in With the Bay Delta full implementation of the dry years and farmers will Plan, Justin Gioletti is state water plan, forcing pump groundwater to afraid TID would provide the cities to pump more keep their trees alive. less water for his dairy groundwater and face the Almonds require 36 to 42 west of Turlock in amulti- costs of tougher drinking inches of water each year. year drought. Shorter water standards, Rietkerk If the TID regularly cuts allocations during the last said. allocations from 48 inches four-year drought prompt- 4. Why are some pre- to 18 inches in dry years, ed the dairy to fallow dicting serious ground- as was done in 2015, almost 100 acres and water impacts that will farmers will make hard move the irrigation water threaten public health? decisions about fallowing from that piece of ground Local experts say the ground or switching to to another and supple- Modesto and Turlock area crops that require less ment with pump water. has avoided severe deple- water, Chance said. If no TID water is avail- tion of groundwater aquif- Conversion to lower- able for agriculture in ers because of irrigation value crops causes proper- drought years, it could with surface water on ty values to sink, reducing stunt local production of 200,000 acres of farm- tax revenue that pays for corn silage feed that re- land and Modesto’s use of law enforcement and quires 30-plus inches of treated water. other public services. irrigation water, Gioletti By leaving less water in Darrell Cordova of said. He might stop rent- reservoirs, the state plan Denair said there are ing land and incur the could result in cuts to strong incentives for extra costs of making a surface water irrigation growers to stick with al- 50-mile trip to purchase and water allocations for monds, even though feed from growers in the the cities, triggering more groundwater pumping Delta. groundwater pumping on makes the electrical meter “The dairy business is aregular basis. spin. He said strong al- tough in California,” Gio- Of the 1.25million peo- mond prices were the only letti said. “If you add ple living in the broader way to continue afarm his water restrictions, it region, no less than wife inherited and trying makes it that much har- 130,000 rely on private to switch to field crops der. It has the potential to wells for drinking water, may not be agood al- put us out of business.” according to the 2010 ternative. 6. Why do groups census. “We used to grow grain trying to protect the If the state forces farms and beans, and there was Delta support the in- and cities to use less sur- alot of labor and the mar- crease in river flows? face water and pump ket wasn’t good,” Cordo- Barbara Barrigan-Parril- more from the ground, va said. “You need to have la, director of Restore the Stanislaus County fears crops that keep you go- Delta in Stockton, said widespread well failures, ing.” inflows of freshwater are which will hit hard on Cordova, who’s presi- necessary for an estuary BUSINESSBEAT SPORTS Drink up: Five Memorial is final newcraft beer Montana-to-Clark bars opening momentfor 49ers acrossvalley 3A teammates 1B

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Board of Supervisors approved Church $50,000 to cover the costs of preparing written comments County leaders to and giving testimony at hear- named ings and for educational outreach. The county received help in sexual Tuesday from supervisors in expand water fight Merced County who approved $50,000 for the education and abuse outreach effort, which is led by Stanislaus. lawsuit past ‘fish vs. farmers’ Other cities and irrigation districts may contribute to the effort. reservoirs will have far-reaching Mike North, amanagement BY GARTH STAPLEY Stanislaus, Merced each spend impacts on groundwater, the analyst for Merced County, said [email protected] $50K to fueloutreachefforts economy, employment, busi- the county is using social media ness owners, public safety and and working with the Farm SAN FRANCISCO disadvantaged communities. Bureau and other partners to Modesto’sCrossPoint VIDEO The State Water Resources spread the word about the Aug. Community Church is for- BY KEN CARLSON Control Board will hold hear- 20 rally inSacramento. mally sued by awoman [email protected] Watchcounty supervisor Kristin Olsen ings on its final proposal for the Two years ago, Merced whowas sexually abused by criticizestate’swater plan. modbee.com Bay Delta plan Aug. 21-22. chipped in $20,000 to help ayouth pastor when she Stanislaus County leaders County officials hope at least Stanislaus and San Joaquin wasateen 30 years ago. hope that broader outreach will from fish-against-farmers to 1,000 people attend arally counties pay for an economic Jennifer Roach, now 47, help win abattle against apow- broader issues,” Assistant Chief outside the Capitol building in impact study called the Strate- alleged sexual battery, neg- erful state board’s plan to take Executive Officer Keith Boggs Sacramento Aug. 20.The rally con Report, which outlined the ligence, failure to supervise water rights from local irriga- said Thursday. is set for noon on the north economic consequences of the youth tion districts. County officials say the state steps of the Capitol. pastor, and “We are moving the message proposals to reduce storage in In July, the Stanislaus County SEE WATER,10A infliction of emotional distress when she initially suednine weeks ago. Jennifer But Roach CrossPoint, formerly First Baptist,was not specif- ically namedbecauseofa legal technicalityrequiring thatajudge sign off on the analysis of amental health expert. The analysis remains sealed from public view, but Judge HaroldKahn of San Francisco Superior Court signed the “finding of reasonable and meritorious cause for filing of action” on July 26, granting Roach “leave to designate (defen- dants) by their true names.” Roach’s Sacramento attorney,JosephGeorge, refiled Wednesday using CrossPoint’s current and former names, and including as adefendant former youth pastorBrad Tebbutt. Roach seeks unspecified damages. CrossPointlead pastor Matt Whiteford,who arrived in Modesto longafter the alleged abuse, could not be reached for comment Thursday,and individual messagessent to each of the church’s 12 deacons drewnoimmediatere- sponse. Tebbutt’slast-known employer, International MARCUSYAM TNS House of Prayer of Kansas Firefighters watchasair tankers drop fireretardantahead of the River FireinLakeportonWednesday. New planes could takeyears to arrive. City, placed him on leave after The Modesto Bee reportedRoach’s story in 1,000 homes in and around February, and later Redding, north of San Francis- commissioned an Congresspavesway forseven co, and killed at least six people. investigation by athird It’s currently the seventh most party with expertise in cler- destructive fire in California’s gy abuse. firefighting planes, but date history. State officials don’t The Beealso has reported expect the rest of this year’s fire that then-youthpastor Les season to ease. Hughey had sexual encoun- of arrival could be years away The newly authorized fire- ters withgirls in his charge fighting program mandates that at First Baptist in the 1970s, seven C-130Coast Guard air- and thattwo male craft be converted into air tank- volunteers separately mo- BY KATE IRBY ers and given to Cal Fire, the lested several boys they met [email protected] primary state firefighting agen- andworked with at First cy. Baptist in the mid-1980s. WASHINGTON Cal Fire would then use the Alleged FirstBaptist cover- ore help is on the aircraft, larger than many in its ups allowed two of the three way for the increas- current fleet of about 60 planes, men to reoffend additional ingly devastating for carrying larger amounts of victims at other churches, California fire sea- flame retardant. The Beefound. son,M thanks to Congress. “These C-130s fit the bill we Hughey resigned as se- Only trouble is, that help need,” said Scott McLean, Cal nior pastor at an Arizona won’t be there this year, pos- Fire spokesman. “They’re not as megachurch in the wake of sibly not next year or the year nimble as some of our other The Bee’s report in April, after that. And the last time planes, but they fit aneed we’ve and remainsunderinvesti- Congress tried to provide the been asking for for quite a gation by authorities and same resources, after years of while.” two evangelical churches in work and approving tens of Cal Fire currently uses planes that state. millions of dollars, it didn’t borrowed from the National Garth Stapley: 209-578- deliver. MARCUS YAMTNS Guard for carrying larger 2390 The Carr Fire ravaging Cali- Helicopters makewater drops on the River Firenear Lakeport on fornia has destroyed more than Wednesday. Planes promised by Congresscould ease firewoes. SEE PLANES, 10A

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FROM PAGE 1A WATER losing water allocations including families, farm- for agriculture and cities. ers and farmworkers, Boggs said the county is laborers, manufacturers, developing information on public safety profession- how the Water Board plan als, teachers and business would create hardships for owners. different sectors and other Assemblyman Adam groups of people, such as Gray, D-Merced, and the poor and disadvan- Flora are helping to orga- taged communities that nize the Aug. 20 event. struggle to provide clean “The State Water Board water for residents. thinks this plan will have a County Supervisor Vito limited impact on Valley Chiesa favors reaching out residents,” Flora said in a to districts and public statement released Thurs- officials in other areas of day. “If the Water Board the state, such as the Sac- continues this process ramento Valley, that may with a total disregard for also be expected to con- the people of the Central tribute increased flows to Valley, the legislature the delta. “This may af- needs to look at ways to fect our three counties reform the board.” first but anyone who has a Riverbank City Manager water right in Northern Sean Scully said he ex- California is getting nerv- pects a couple of city ANDREW SPEAR NYT ous,” Chiesa said. elected officials will at- Michael Rodriguez of Hilliard, Ohio, a wrestler at Ohio State University in the 1990s, is one of more than 100 men who The State Water Board, tend the upcoming rally. say they were molested by Dr. Richard Strauss, a team doctor and physician at the school from the late 1970s to the whose members are ap- The city is concerned 1990s. “People say this is conspicuous that this comes out now,” Rodriguez said. “But to me, this is all about #MeToo.” pointed by the governor, about the effects of cut- says it’s amending the Bay ting irrigation water for Delta Water Quality Con- farmers near Riverbank. Complicating it is the trol Plan to reasonably “What happens to the Ohio State wrestlers assistant wrestling coach at protect fish and wildlife city water supply if you the time, Jim Jordan, who habitat while balancing have 50 or 60 more (agri- is now a powerful conser- the needs of agriculture cultural) wells drawing vative congressman run- and cities. The board from the same ground- detail abuse: #UsToo ning to be speaker of the asserts that the salmon water basin?” Scully House next year. Jordan fishery has been devas- asked. has denied knowing any- tated by a lack of water Irrigation districts say thing about sexual mis- flow in the tributaries of the increased releases conduct, and he insinuated the San Joaquin River and from dams such as Don BY CATIE EDMONDSON AND MARC TRACY that some of the accusers the delta. The proposed Pedro would require a New York Times may have political motives. requirements call for in- tremendous amount of “People say this is con- creased unimpaired flows water and greatly reduce CLEVELAND spicuous that this comes within a range of 30 to 50 storage behind dams for ick Nutter, an out now,” said Michael percent. agriculture and cities. All-American Rodriguez, a former wres- The plan would start According to one esti- N heavyweight tler who was abused by with 40 percent unim- mate, more than 200,000 wrestler at Ohio Strauss and who pushed paired flows in the three acres of farmland would State turned professional back hard on that notion. rivers from February be fallowed in the three martial arts fighter, sat “But to me, this is all through June to help counties, resulting in job watching the television about #MeToo.” young salmon migrate losses and ripple effects last January as, one by Rodriguez recalled downstream to the delta for businesses supported one, the young women, watching the news with and the ocean. The term by agriculture. Cuts to former gymnasts – some his 13-year-old daughter “unimpaired flow” refers irrigation deliveries would of them Olympians – took ANDREW SPEAR NYT last fall when the TV pro- to the runoff in the water- trigger large-scale ground- the stand in a courtroom Steve Snyder-Hill says he was groped by Strauss at the gram did a segment on sheds that occurred before water pumping, serving to in Michigan, and in Ohio State University student health center, then filed a Harvey Weinstein’s sexual dams were constructed. deplete aquifers. wrenching testimony, complaint against the university in the 1990s. “It took half misconduct and the In promoting the Sacra- According to the analy- detailed how their team my life later to find out he was a serial abuser,” he said. broader moment of reck- mento rally, a flier distrib- sis, local government doctor, Larry Nassar, had oning it had spawned. uted by state Assembly- revenues that pay for used his power to sexually “Oh my God – I have one man Heath Flora, R-Ri- public services would abuse them. used, and now they were University, where a former of those,” Rodriguez told pon, said the Water Board suffer from a decline in The memories that coming forward – many of football coach, Jerry Sand- his daughter. “I have a proposal will affect a land values. Nutter for so long had them half his size but with usky, raped young boys; ‘hashtag MeToo.’ ” broad group of people tried to bury came surging seemingly so much more and the University of One weekend last back, he said: how when courage. Southern California, where month, the wrestlers remi- he was in college, his He said he picked up a school gynecologist is nisced and poked fun at team doctor groped him the phone and called his accused of sexually abusing their own reactions to the “19 exams out of 20;” former college teammates female students. episodes. They acknowl- how the doctor once to ask, “Are you watching This week, Ohio State edged the tears that fe- called him to his house for this stuff?” placed the head coach of male abuse survivors had an emergency treatment “Michigan State is what its storied football team, displayed during the Nas- of a poison ivy rash, care- got us to say, ‘Hey, it can Urban Meyer, on paid sar trial, but, they said, fully laid down and happen even to guys,’ ” leave while the university joking about it was, for smoothed out a white Nutter said. investigated allegations them, the only socially linen sheet on his bed, More than 100 men that Meyer knew a long- acceptable way to discuss then repeatedly groped his have now come forward to time former assistant what happened. genitals when he was say they were molested by coach had been accused “Society teaches you it’s supposed to be treating Dr. Richard Strauss, a team of domestic abuse in 2015. embarrassing to talk the rash – and how for two doctor and physician at In some sense, what about” sexual abuse, said decades, the burly no- Ohio State University from separates Ohio State’s Steve Snyder-Hill, who holds-barred fighting the late 1970s to the 1990s, abuse scandal from others said he was groped by JOAN BARNETT LEE [email protected] veteran had said nothing. according to an independ- are the victims: young Strauss on a visit to the Stanislaus County is fighting against rules that would Watching the Nassar ent investigation commis- adult men, and many of Ohio State student health impact the Stanislaus River. trial “woke up the beast,” sioned by the university. them muscular wrestlers, center, then filed a com- he said at an airport coffee Three lawsuits have been left to grapple with pain plaint against the uni- shop before a flight to filed accusing Ohio State of and anguish they thought versity in the 1990s. The Florida for work. Nutter enabling a sexual predator, they weren’t entitled to. university responded that FROM PAGE 3A said he had always putting the school into a Having built their identi- it had no other complaints thought, “He’s a doctor. new and expanding cate- ties around traditional about the doctor. “I think I’m sure he’s got a reason gory that includes Michi- notions of toughness and it has everything to do CERES THEATER to be doing it.” But that gan State University, where stoicism, many are strug- with power. Someone has was precisely the reason- Nassar preyed on female gling with a new identity – power over you, and it offstage. classrooms at Fowler ing that so many female athletes and Olympic gym- #MeToo, or in their case, doesn’t matter what gen- Other projects in the Elementary School. victims of Nassar had nasts; Pennsylvania State #UsToo. der you are.” last phase of bond spend- A Modernization of the ing total $7.5 million and small gym at Ceres High include: School.

FROM PAGE 1A scrapped if the program there quickly ... fire dan- A A six-classroom The district also plans a had been terminated. ger is increasing in Cali- expansion of Central swimming pool at Central Instead, work on the fornia,” Feinstein said. Valley High. Valley High, but comple- PLANES planes will continue and “You need to be able to A A new wing at Caswell tion could be years away, they’ll be transferred to put them out quicker, Elementary School, as Siegel said. It will be fund- amounts of flame retar- announced it was seeking Cal Fire when completed before they get huge and part of its conversion to ed by a state reimburse- dant, rather than planes of termination of the pro- instead. before they build.” a dual-language ment of money the district its own. gram, preferring to con- The Forest Service, Feinstein is sending a academy. fronted for other projects. Besides the change in tinue contracting air tank- unlike Cal Fire, does not letter to the Pentagon and A Replacement of portable agency, the newly autho- ers from private compa- currently operate any the Air Force asking them rized program is nearly nies. planes of its own, so im- to expedite maintenance identical to one OK’d by By the time the Forest plementing the new sys- on the planes for Cal Congress and President Service asked to end the tem will be less of an Fire’s use as soon as pos- place in the Republicans’ Barack Obama in 2013 program no permanent undertaking for Cal Fire sible, but it’s unclear ex- Trump slams column this fall. But the that planned to transfer fire retardant systems than it would have been actly how much longer it media at rally race between GOP U.S. seven C-130 aircraft to the were installed in any of for the Forest Service. will take. No one is ex- Rep. Lou Barletta and U.S. Forest Service. the planes, though two Sen. Dianne Feinstein, pecting they’ll be ready in Pennsylvania two-term incumbent Dem- The Air Force, which have fought fires in Cali- D-California, who pushed for this fire season. ocratic Sen. Bob Casey handled maintenance and fornia this year. for the new program to be The Air Force did not WILKES-BARRE, PA. took a back seat to conversion of the planes Those planes still need included in the latest respond to a request seek- Thundering that the Trump’s invectives against to air tankers, was autho- other modifications, such defense policy bill, see the ing comment. media is the “fake, fake the media, which came rized to spend up to $130 as bomb bay doors for program as much more “They’re not all built by disgusting news,” Presi- amid a backdrop of antag- million on the planes. dropping flame retardant effective this time. any means, if any of them dent Donald Trump un- onism to journalists from The planes never made from the bottom, before The bill also increased are, and we need to get leashed a torrent of griev- the White House and hos- it to the Forest Service. It they’ll be considered per- the authorized spending pilots,” McLean said. “It ances Thursday at a Penn- tility from the thousands took the Air Force two manent fixtures. The amount to $150 million, will take at least a year – sylvania campaign rally in packed into a loud, over- years to award the con- other five planes aren’t an additional $20 million I’m hopeful it would take which he cast journalists heated Wilkes-Barre tract to build and install cleared for even tempo- from the original cost of less, but we have to be as his true political arena. the retardant delivery rary use. the project, at the Air realistic.” opponent. “Whatever happened to systems on the seven After sinking between Force’s request. The Air Trump barnstormed in a the free press? Whatever planes. Two years after $60 million to $80 million Force has estimated it will Kate Irby: 202-383-6071; state that he swiped from happened to honest re- that, in February, the of taxpayer money into need $67.4 million to @KateIrby the Democrats in 2016 porting?” Trump asked. Forest Service under the converting the planes, complete the planes. and that is home to a Sen- “They don’t report it. They Trump administration, they were all going to be “We want to get them ate seat he is trying to only make up stories.” LOCAL SPORTS SAVE UP TO Waterslides are High school $308 returning to football’s first IN COUPONS Manteca – but week: big game, INSIDE with a catch 3A big news 1C

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SPECIAL SECTION

2 0 Recognizing our best, brightest 1 8 Fear not the so-called “brain drain,” the idea that our best and brightest leave for college, never to return to the Modesto region. The fact is, many talented people either remain here or do return after college, eager to enhance their hometowns.

Today, we celebrate the region’s emerging young leaders, sharing KENT PORTER Press Democrat file The Bee’s 20 Under 40 Class of 2018. Homes burn in Santa Rosa last October. PG&E said Thursday Christopher Adams Channce Condit Jessica Chang Irish Tyler Richardson Inside, you can read about the honorees and what they’re doing to Shivaugn Alves Emmanuel Escamilla Vincent Jamison Manuel Rivera that it expects claims from the Jake Barber Chelsea Foy Patrick Kolasinski Stacy Speiller better our community. We invite you to join us in celebrating them on Josh Boyd Mike Garcia Evangelina Paoluccio Chad Van Houten wine country fires to exceed Jeeni Casey Keith Highiet Joel Geddes III Amy Wolfe $2.5 billion. Food Sponsored by: Wednesday, Aug. 22, 6-8 p.m. at the Gallo Center for the Arts. Tickets

AUGUST 19, 2018 are $25, at www.gallo.org or at the Gallo Center box office. PG&E ‘Water grab’ foes to rally wildfire liability Monday at Capitol proposal shelved

BY TARYN LUNA [email protected]

California state lawmakers are ending efforts to reduce PG&E’s legal liability for wildfires, rejecting Gov. Jerry Brown’s request to create a new court standard for determining fault after utility equipment sparks blazes. After weeks of tense hearings and criticism from lawmakers in both political parties, Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, said the Legislature is shifting focus to proposals that would improve forest health and address actions utilities must take to prevent fires. “I can officially say inverse condemnation is off the table,” said Dodd, the co-chair of legislative committee con- vened to examine wildfire laws this year. “We felt we could still accomplish all our goals without it.” The controversial proposal dominated discussions about wildfires in the Legislature long before Brown began floating a draft of his proposal last month. JOAN BARNETT LEE [email protected] Top PG&E executives re- Modesto Irrigation District canal lateral 3 on North Gates Road is pictured Friday morning. peatedly called California’s “strict liability” standard an outlier among other states Modesto, Merced residents due and said it threatens the San Francisco-based utility giant’s to join opposition to state plan to financial health. The company spent $1.7 million lobbying reallocate water from three rivers lawmakers to change the law from April through June, surpassing the total amount it MORE INSIDE dished out to influence legis- BY KEN CARLSON lators during all of 2017. [email protected] • Mike Dunbar: Water fight is one we must The law says a utility is win, but it’s not a fight to the death. 1B automatically responsible for pponents of a state • Patrick Koepele: If we’re smart, we can property damages if its equip- “water grab” are find enough water for all of us. 1B ment causes a fire, regardless O taking their political of whether investigators battle to the steps of from the Modesto and Merced prove the company behaved the state Capitol in Sacramento areas, but organizers also have negligently. on Monday. heard from folks in Tulare and Brown’s plan would have From 500 to 1,000 people the Sacramento Valley who written wildfire liability laws are expected at a rally to protest want to attend. with a new set of directives a state water board plan to dou- Assemblyman Adam Gray, JOAN BARNETT LEE [email protected] instructing the court to deter- ble the amount of water taken D-Merced, the chief organizer, The picturesque Stanislaus River is seen Tuesday morning from the mine whether the utility act- from the Tuolumne River to said the water board’s Bay- Brichetto ranch in Oakdale. ed reasonably and in compli- improve water quality in the Delta plan is part of broader ance with fire mitigation Sacramento-San Joaquin river efforts to reallocate water re- plans, such as trimming trees delta and restore fish popula- sources in the state and that’s ter’.” The rally was timed the day and branches around power tions. upsetting to communities with Gray and Rep. Tom McClin- before water board meetings on lines, in civil liability cases. The plan, also to take addi- senior water rights. tock, R-Elk Grove, as well as the Bay-Delta plan, set for Tues- Opponents of the plan tional water from the Stanislaus “Phase II of this plan is water county supervisors and Farm day and Wednesday, but offi- quickly labeled it a bailout for and Merced rivers, is opposed from the Sacramento River,” Bureau representatives are cials said recently the board PG&E, which experts say by irrigation districts and cities Gray said Thursday. “There is scheduled to speak. A number won’t take action on the plan that predict devastating effects so much frustration in the com- of students and marching bands until later in the year. To Gray, SEE LIABILITY, 10A on agriculture and the economy munities around the state that are expected at the rally, while the decision to postpone the in the Northern San Joaquin people started calling and say- some groups could advocate for vote is a sign the board is start- MORE INSIDE Valley. The noon rally is expect- ing, ‘We are fed up with Sacra- delta protections at their own ed to draw busloads of people mento trying to take our wa- event. SEE RALLY, 10A The latest on the Ferguson Fire. 3A

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Atwaterevidencecustodian FROM PAGE 3A retires amid stateprobe into missing guns and drugs PARK ica Hernandez came to Kendall Flint, the director Modesto to visit her moth- BY THADDEUS MILLER of communications and er and brought her two [email protected] strategic planning of Re- children, ages 3and 5, in gional Government Serv- strollers to the mall. She One of the two employ- ices. Flint is consultant was frustrated by the new ees trained to have access recently hired to handle service to the Atwater evidence public relations and other “That’s 200more peo- room retired from the city duties in Atwater. ple who have to find this week just days after it “She had been con- someplace else to park became public that state templating retirement for now,” she said. investigators will be look- sometime andduringearly With the service run- ing into missing evidence. budgetdiscussions for the ning through the always An employee in Atwater for 2018-19budget, she busy holiday season at the since July of 1999, Police advisedInterimCity Man- mall, it is conceivable that Administrative Supervisor ager Lori Waterman that premium parking will pick Tyna Lamison’s last day she would be retiring,” up in popularity. But for was Tuesday, according to Flint said in astatement. now the paid program is the city’s Human Re- She submitted anotice ruffling feathers both sources Department. of intention to retire on inside and out of the mall. One of her roles in that Aug. 1, according to Flint. Jeff Klotz mans the position included access The Atwater Police RepairAll phone and tab- ANDY ALFARO [email protected] to the evidence room. The Department shut down its let repair kiosk inside the New “Front And Center” preferred parking at VintageFaireMall in Modesto, Calif. position also requires evidence room last week mall near the premium California Commission on pending completion of the parking entrance, in front Police Officers Standards investigation led by the of the Starbucks. He said about the decrease in was deemed more affor- service. and Training classes in California Department of foot traffic the last two customers, most who dable for shoppers. Whether the trend will property and evidence Justice. weekends at the entryway, simply found another More and more malls stick in Modesto is up to management, according Earlier this week, the and by extension business entrance to park near. have begun charging for shoppers. But, given some to the job description. attorney for Police Chief at his stand, has been Some argued that afull prime parking places of the sentiments from on Attempts to reach Lami- Samuel Joseph accused noticeably down — by at valet service would work across the country. Last Saturday, it might be a son were unsuccessful. former interim City Man- least 50 percent. better, allowing for cus- month the trend extended tough sell. Problems with the Po- ager Art de Werk of doing “This used to be the tomers to continue to park to another Macerich “No way, Iwouldn’t use lice Department’s evi- something with the mis- busiest entrance at the in front of the entrance Company mall in New it,” said Modesto resident dence room was made sing evidence to frame the mall and now there are 20 while also giving those Jersey. There, like at fel- Celia Baker, who came to public last week when a chief. De Werk put Joseph cars parked there,” he looking for quick and easy low Macerich-owned the mall with her family. July 26 letter from District on paid administrative complained. parking an option. Amies Vintage Faire, the compa- “We’re not the Bay Area.” Attorney Larry Morse II leave in January. Other nearby store said full valet was consid- ny has contracted with surfaced. It informs area De Werk brushed off workers also groused ered, but the assisted valet AmeriPark to provide the defense attorneys that those accusations, saying some evidence may be he ordered an audit of all missing. The Sun-Star has city services as aroutine confirmed investigators action. It was the audit of FROM PAGE 1A ment” approach, in which participate in the Sacra- believe the missing evi- evidence room by the districts would start with mento rally. dence may include guns, Merced County Sheriff’s 40 percent unimpaired To reduce pressure on drugs and cash. Office that first noted RALLY flow in rivers and possibly the Delta, the water board Lamison had been plan- potentially missing evi- scale down to smaller has suggested adesal- ning to retire, according to dence. ing to feel pressure from Modesto customers would flows if the measures are ination plant in the Suisun the affected communities. receive less surface water effective. Bay to serve Bay Area “It does not mean it is from MID in dry years, In comments on the customers. time to let up,” Gray said. forcing the city to pump Bay-Delta plan, the Cali- Another group predicts FROM PAGE 1A Water board Chairwo- more from wells and pos- fornia Sportfishing Protec- building moratoriums in man Felicia Marcus has sibly leading to over- tion Alliance compared several cities and amore said that the Modesto and drafting. According to a adaptive management to crippling housing crisis if LIABILITY Turlock irrigation districts staff report in July, the previous “back room too much water is sacri- and others need to sacri- delta plan also would limit deals” with water districts ficed for environmental could ultimately face as sion. fice more water to avert the city’s ability to devel- that failed to produce purposes in the delta. much as $15billion in “The Conference Com- an ecological crisis in the op and grow. results for the delta. “Anything that makes it liability damages from mittee’s prioritization on Delta. Chinook salmon Councilman Bill Zos- Groups such as the more difficult to build multiple fires in 2017 that preventing fires that have virtually disappeared locki said the city has Tuolumne River Trust more housing is athreat devastated Santa Rosa would destroy our homes, from the lower San Joa- been progressive in man- contend that an increase to the Bay Area economy and other parts of North- businesses and forests will quin, Tuolumne, Stanis- aging water and providing in spring flows on the and that is athreat to the ern California’s Wine help California for dec- laus and Merced rivers recycled wastewater to Tuolumne, from an aver- rest of California,” said Country. ades,” the trade associ- and other species are farmland in western Sta- age 20 percent to 50 or Adrian Covert, vice presi- The California Depart- ations said in astatement. harmed by degraded wa- nislaus County. He sees 60 percent, is needed to dent of public policy for ment of Forestry and Fire Republicans and Demo- ter quality, Marcus says. no problem with the city restore the salmon. the Bay Area Council. Protection has linked crats openly denounced The chairwoman sug- joining in litigation to The Tuolumne also is a “The Bay Area economy PG&E’s equipment to 15 the proposal during a gests that water users protect its water supply. source of water for 2.7 is the strongest economy of the wildfires that series of legislative hear- adapt by growing crops “This is just acontinual million Bay Area residents in the United States, but scorched Northern Cali- ings that stretched on for that use less water and by march by the state to grab served by the San Francis- the Achilles heel is the fornia last year. The re- weeks. Senate Republican putting more storage in more of our water rights,” co Public Utilities Com- inability to build housing sults of Cal Fire’s investi- Leader Patricia Bates reservoirs during wet said Zoslocki, who sus- mission, which has rights for our workforce,” Covert gation into the Tubbs Fire called for the Legislature years. The plan is part of a pects the “water grab” is to water in Hetch Hetchy said. in Santa Rosa, the most last week to continue the broader concept of less tied to Gov. Jerry Brown’s Reservoir high in the Sier- As an alternative plan to deadly and damaging of discussions at alater time, reliance on the Delta for Delta tunnels project, also ra Nevada. The utility says restore salmon, the San the October blazes, have signaling her caucus supplying water for cities called the California Wa- that releasing 40 percent Francisco PUC, along with not been announced. would not approve the and farmland in the state. terFix. Some believe the unimpaired flows from MID and TID, propose a Brown’s plan did not plan. About 26 million Cali- state needs fresh water February through June management plan for the address liability for the PG&E met with legisla- fornians are supplied with from the Tuolumne, Sta- would have limited bene- Tuolumne between La 2017 blazes, but would tive leaders Friday and drinking water from the nislaus and Merced if fits for fish but would Grange and the San Joa- have been retroactive to called off their request to Delta. Sacramento River water is result in more severe quin River, including a the beginning of 2018. change the law this year While the water board routed through the tun- water rationing for Bay hatchery, gravel cleaning, Another proposal, Assem- after it became clear that has called for negotiated nels and shipped to the Area customers and would habitat improvements and bly Bill 33, would allow the proposal lacked wide- settlements that are less Southland. further complicate ahous- suppression of nonnative the state to issue bonds spread support. Discus- stringent than what could “It’s awater fix and the ing shortage. bass that feed on young paid off by ratepayers to sions continue over how be required under state or fix is on us,” Zoslocki “If the state water salmon. cover wildfire property regulators can allow util- federal environmental said. board’s plan had been in The management plan damage claims from last ities to recoup costs from laws, local agencies are Aspokesperson said the place during the most has not gained much trac- year. ratepayers, place the bur- poised to file suit if the MID has prepared for recent drought, San Fran- tion with the state water Changes to the existing den on shareholders or plan is adopted. more than ayear to en- ciscans would have had to board. liability law could have use other means to ad- In late July, the Modes- gage in litigation. “We are go from already conserva- The rally Monday will shifted the financial bur- dress the financial toll on to City Council approved prepared to file as soon as tive 41 gallons of water begin at noon on the north den for blazes onto home- companies. Dodd said $100,000 for aresponse they vote,” spokeswoman per day to nearly 20 gal- steps of the Sacramento owners’ insurance compa- other parts of Brown’s to the Bay-Delta proposal Melissa Williams said. lons of water per day — Capitol Building, facing L nies, driving up premiums proposal also remain un- and said it’s likely the city Groups who support which is below the stan- Street. across California. der consideration. will join in litigation to higher river flows to re- dards for basic health Acoalition of insurance “We have to have challenge it. store salmon and steel- needs,” said the PUC, trade groups, which in- strong financially stable About one-third of the head trout have their own which doesn’t intend to cludes the Personal Insur- utilities or their bond city water supplied to history of lawsuits over ance Federation of Cali- rating goes down, their 200,000 customers con- delta issues. fornia and the Property interest rates go up and sists of treated Tuolumne Marcus has called for Casualty Insurers Associ- that all gets passed to River water purchased negotiated settlements ation of America, applaud- ratepayers,” Dodd said. from MID. As aresult of with irrigation districts ed the legislature’s deci- the water board proposal, and an “adaptive manage- LOCAL SPORTS Family seeks Best female fly explanation of caster in the whypolice shot world is only 15-year-old boy 3A 14 years old 1B

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BayArea Hundreds rally at Capitol liberals giving big to Dems in Central Valley to decrystate’s water plan House races

BY EMILY CADEI [email protected]

WASHINGTON Democrats’unprecedented fundraising in CentralValley Houseraces this year is fueledinsignificant part by the support of well-heeled donors in Silicon Valley and San Francisco.The cash in- flux has helped boost these Democrats’ visibility and kept them competitivewith the GOP incumbents, who can attract big checks from political action committeesand other special interests. But it also has adownside: opening them up to attacks from their Republicanoppo- nents that they are aligned with Bay Area liberals rather than their moreconservative districts. That association can be damaging for politicians in the Central Valley, where many residents are skeptical of their wealthyneighbors on the other side of the Coastal Range. “People are always suspi- PAUL KITAGAKIJR. [email protected] cious of moneyhaving an ModestoIrrigation District boardmember LarryByrdisone of the about 1,500 people who attended the “Stop the StateWater Grab”rally at interest behind it,” said Pro- the Capitol on Monday. Participants were protesting the state’splan to restrict Valleywater deliveries in an efforttorestoresalmon in rivers. fessorThad Kousser, chair of the political sciencedepart- ment at the University of California,San Diego. Waterboardproposes to take Democratic challengers Josh Harder, T.J. Cox, An- double from three Valleyrivers drew Janz and Jessica Morse have all raised more in item- ized donations (donations of BY KEN CARLSON VIDEO $200 or more) from residents [email protected] of San Francisco, San Mateo Foravideo report, go to this story at and Santa Clara Counties SACRAMENTO www.modbee.com. than they have from their boisterous rally Mon- own districts, in some cases, day sent amessage to dro, McClure and New Melones colossally more. the state to keep its reservoirs is the lifeblood of Harder, who is challenging handsoff the water farm-belt communities includ- RepublicanRep. Jeff Den- Arights of communities in the ing Modesto and Mercedand ham, raisedroughly Central Valley and reconsidera small towns like Hughson. $860,000 fromSiliconValley newwaterallocation plan that The participants, coming and San Francisco,according won’t be effectiveinrestoring from counties that lack political to an analysisofcampaign salmon in rivers. clout, cametomake noise on PAUL KITAGAKIJR. [email protected] finance records. That’s more About 1,500 attended the the Capitolsteps.And nothing Assemblyman Adam Gray,D-Merced, who represents Merced and than 30 times as much as the gathering outsidethe stateCap- made harmonic noise like the partofStanislaus County,speaks at the rally Monday. “This plan will $27,000 he raised from the itolorganized by leaders from Atwater High Schoolmarching decimatethe economyofthe Central Valley,”Gray said. Modesto-area district. Cox, Stanislausand Mercedcounties. band, led by directorMichael who is running against Rep. People held signsand chanted Flores. DavidValadao of Hanford, “stop the water grab” in an The rally brought together stepsbyabanner and wall of water boardtolisten to his dis- raised$111,000from the Bay outpouringofpassion against an bipartisan elected officials, blue-jacketed Future Farmers of trict’s concerns and was re- counties, compared to appointed state water board that farmers and farmworkers, coun- America students, as well as fused. $1,000from district resi- proposes to take double the ty and city officials and educa- dignitaries. “This plan will decimate the dents. amount of water from the Tuo- tors in unity to battle astate AssemblymanAdam Gray, economyofthe Central Valley,” Republicans have taken lumne, Stanislaus and Merced water board decisionthat could D-Merced, who represents Gray said. “We standtolose notice. “If you wantto be an rivers and use it for salmon have profound impacts on the Mercedand part of Stanislaus $1.6 billion and over 6,000 jobs elected officialsomeday, restoration. region. Aseriesofspeakers County, said that for six years Thewaterstored in Don Pe- were backed on the Capitol he repeatedly called on the SEE WATER RALLY, 6A SEE DONORS, 8A

The “fire bomber” is among Toofew ‘firebombers’ the scoresofairtankers and helicopters attacking record- breaking wildfires in states areavailable in the West acrossthe West. Yet demandfor such resourcesfar exceeds sup- this wildfireseason ply. In July, as the FergusonFire threatened the shuttered Yose- mite Valley, incident command- 19,000gallons of magenta ers requested air support. Acall BY JENNIFER OLDHAM retardant. came backthat nothingwas Washington Post Dubbed the “Spirit of John available. Muir,”the jumbo jet has at- The response reflected a DENVER tained Hollywood-like celebrity complexityofissues that offer Thecaptain lined up his 747 on social media and television many Westerners little reas- airtankerwith the Holy Fire this summer. Between July 7 surance about the future, which incinerating California’s Cleve- and Aug. 9, it flew 41 sorties in awarming climate seems landNationalForest and pre- over 10 massiveblazes scorch- RINGO H.W. CHIU AP certain to feature ever-longer pared to steerthe retrofitted ing the Pacific Coast. Jittery An airtanker drops retardantonthe Holy Fireasitburns in the and more intense wildfire sea- freighter straight into the jaws residents pleaded for it to be Cleveland National Forest in Lake ElsinoreonAug. 9. sons. The risk growsaspeople of hell. Followingatiny spotter sent to savetheir homes. continue to move into heavily plane silhouetted in acockpit “We’vehad phone calls from forested areas where millions of window against the smoky in- individuals on our line in Cali- isn’t the planeflying?’”said which counts Global Super- dead trees, victims of drought ferno, the pilot descended to- fornia desperate to know what Roger Miller, amanaging part- Tanker Servicesamongits avia- ward the trees and released is going on and asking us, ‘Why ner at Alterna CapitalPartners, tion assets. SEE ‘FIRE BOMBERS’, 8A

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another tweet Monday. “It Trump dares Brennan to sue certainly isn’t because of the good job he did! He is a political “hack.” Retired Navy Adm. because clearance was revoked Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under George W. Bush and Oba- Speaking Sunday on and should not hold secu- ma, likened it to President BY DEB RIECHMANN NBC’s “Meet the Press,” rity clearances — and Richard Nixon’s use of a Associated Press Brennan said he’s been everything to do with an political enemies list. contacted by a number of attempt to stifle free Mullen told “Fox News WASHINGTON lawyers about the possibil- speech.” The signees Sunday” that while he resident Donald ity of an injunction in the included seven former doesn’t agree with Bren- Trump on Mon- wake of Trump’s move to CIA directors, six former nan’s decision to criticize P day dared former revoke his clearance and CIA deputy directors and the president, the former CIA Director John threaten nine others who two former national in- CIA director has the right Brennan to takelegal have been critical of the telligence directors, James to freedom of speech action to try to prevent president or are connect- Clapper and retired Navy unless he’s revealing clas- him from stripping securi- ed to Mueller’s investiga- Adm. Denny Blair. sified information. ty clearances from other tion, which Trump has A day later, 60 former “It immediately brings current and former offi- called witch hunt. senior CIA officials added back the whole concept of cials. “If my clearances and their names. the enemies list,” Mullen “I hope John Brennan, my reputation as I’m be- ANDREW HARRER Bloomberg This past weekend, the said, “and even before the worst CIA Director in ing pulled through the Former CIA Director John Brennan speaks during a organizers of the initial that, in the early ‘50s, the our country’s history, mud now, if that’s the House Intelligence Committee hearing in 2017. President messages were inundated McCarthy era, where the brings a lawsuit,” Trump price we’re going to pay to Trump yanked Brennan’s security clearance Wednesday. with more than 175 addi- administration starts put- tweeted. “It will then be prevent Donald Trump tional requests to sign on ting together lists of indi- very easy to get all of his from doing this against to the opposition, not only viduals that don’t agree records, texts, emails and other people, to me it’s a not to do what is best for Soon after, the retired from people who have with them and that histor- documents to show not small price to pay,” Bren- your party but what is best Navy admiral who over- worked in intelligence, ically, obviously, has pro- only the poor job he did, nan said. “So I am going for the country,” he said. saw the raid that killed but also senior officials ven incredibly problem- but how he was involved to do whatever I can per- Trump yanked Bren- Osama bin Laden called who had worked at the atic for the country.” with” the Russia probe led sonally to try to prevent nan’s security clearance Trump’s moves “McCar- State, Defense and Justice Republican Sen. Ron by special counsel Robert these abuses in the future. on Wednesday, saying he thy-era tactics.” Writing in departments, the National Johnson of Wisconsin Mueller. “He won’t sue!” And if it means going to felt he had to do “some- The Washington Post, Security Council and agreed with Trump that The war of words be- court, I will do that.” thing” about the “rigged” William H. McRaven said NASA. They issued a Brennan’s comments tween Trump and Bren- Brennan, who served in probe of Russian election he would “consider it an letter of their own on “really did cross a line.” nan continued as scores President Barack Obama’s interference. And he has honor” if Trump would Monday. But, he said, rather than more former U.S. national administration, said that said he may do the same revoke his clearance, as “Everybody wants to pulling officials’ security security employees joined while he’ll fight on behalf for nine others, including well. keep their Security Clear- clearances, Trump should a wave of opposition to of his former CIA col- a Justice Department That was followed by a ance, it’s worth great avoid politicizing the issue the president’s threat to leagues, it’s also up to official whose wife joint letter from 15 former prestige and big dollars, and simply deny them continue pulling clear- Congress to put aside worked for the firm in- senior intelligence offi- even board seats, and that access to classified mate- ances. To date, more than politics and step in. “This volved in producing a cials, who said the presi- is why certain people are rial. 250 have publicly ex- is the time that your coun- dossier on Trump’s ties to dent’s decision had “noth- coming forward to protect “I don’t want to see an pressed opposition. try is going to rely on you, Russia. ing to do with who should Brennan,” Trump said in enemies list,” he said.

and Fire Protection. It can strap secured, one hand Utah firefighter died lay a swath of fire retar- holding the top of the dant as wide as a football helmet as it takes the after fire retardant drop field for as long as a mile. brunt of the impact, CalFire says the mod- McLean said. The fire- McLean, a spokesman for ified 747 can drop 24,000 fighter’s legs should be BY DON THOMPSON California’s firefighting gallons, double that of the spread to provide stability, Associated Press agency. “Look up, look DC-10. It uses a system because the force of the down, look around.” that can release the slurry falling slurry and the air SACRAMENTO He and other spokes- under pressure or as gent- turbulence can otherwise A firefighter died last men could not say what ly as falling rain from an lift a firefighter off the week from falling tree went wrong in this case, altitude as low as 400 ground. debris after thousands of citing the ongoing in- feet. “If you’re in that partic- gallons of retardant were vestigation. That includes Firefighters who can’t ular area and you can’t dropped on the area disclosing the type of get out of the way are leave, you want to get to a where he was helping aircraft involved, why the trained to lie face down safe position,” McLean battle California’s largest- four firefighters were toward the oncoming said. ever wildfire, according to underneath, or even if all aircraft, helmet on, chin- a preliminary report from four firefighters were investigators. from the same unit. The summary report by Cliff Allen, president of OBITUARIES California fire officials the union representing says Battalion Chief Mat- state wildland firefighters, thew Burchett was struck said he understood in- RAVELL CALL Deseret News by debris on Aug. 13 at the vestigators were still con- Firefighters on Monday carry the casket of Battalion Mendocino Complex Fire. ducting interviews. But he Chief Matt Burchett of the Draper Fire Department into Three other firefighters said fire supervisors the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah. had minor injuries. should have made sure Funeral services for the the firefighters were well 42-year-old Burchett were clear of the drop zone or he said. He cautioned that ened, then strong winds or held Monday in his home that their positions were it’s not clear from the water or retardant drops state of Utah. He is sur- clearly marked for the air preliminary report wheth- could potentially cause vived by a wife and 7- tanker pilot and the pilot er the tree was weakened them to fall and possibly year-old son. of the lead planes that from the fire or from the injure folks,” he said. “It’s The two-paragraph guide in the huge aircraft, retardant drop, or if the often referred to as ‘wi- summary calls for an showing them where to go firefighters were hit by dow makers.’ ” immediate corrective and when to start and stop fire retardant slurry, Modified DC-10s can action, saying firefighters slurry drops. which is a mixture of drop 12,000 gallons of must remain clear of areas There could have been water, fertilizer and red slurry, 12 times the with overhead hazards a radio miscommuni- dye. amount carried by the during a retardant drop. cation or the crew may “Anytime you’re work- standard smaller air tank- “That is what we’re not have heard or chose to ing in trees, you have er used by the California trained to do,” said Scott ignore the radio warning, trees that are fire weak- Department of Forestry

FROM PAGE 1A mento to have their voices affair. heard, including Colton Noah Oppenheim, di- Tucker of Hughson, who rector of the Pacific Coast WATER RALLY said his family’s almond Federation of Fisherman’s orchards will be devas- Associations, said the in my community alone.” Rally organizers had tated by water shortage. number of coastal salmon Rep. Tom McClintock, expected a State Water FFA student Anthony fishing outfits has dropped R-Elk Grove, whipped up Resources Control Board Agueda said his family’s over 40 years from 4,500 the crowd, saying families decision on the Bay-Delta dairy in Hickman will face to 450. were faced with cata- water quality plan this an uncertain future if With an average of 20 strophic water shortage, week, but officials in- canals run empty in percent natural flow in the “not because of any act of dicated last week a vote drought years, when the Tuolumne, corporate God but because of will be postponed until an board’s plan would re- farming operations have breathtakingly stupid acts unspecified meeting. quire 40 percent of un- grown fat by holding a of governance.” Hearings on the plan are impaired flows in rivers tight grip on water rights Jose Gonzalez, superin- set for Tuesday and also for the sake of fish. to the detriment of the tendent of the Planada Wednesday if necessary. Intense debate swirls fishing industry, Oppen- Elementary School Dis- More than 25 buses, around the Sacramento- heim fumed. trict, said Merced-area some arranged by the San Joaquin Delta, the “It’s time they go on a school districts asked the Farm Bureaus in Stanis- hub for California’s mas- diet,” Oppenheim said. water board for more laus, Merced and San sive storage and con- “It’s us versus you and we study on the impacts on Joaquin counties, trans- veyance system stretching will win.” school wells if river water ported people to the Capi- from Shasta Dam in the Lane Parker of Modesto is diverted away from tol grounds. north to San Diego. attended the main rally to farms and aquifers are Patricia Lopez was The state is simultane- reinforce that larger num- overtaxed. He said the among employees of ously holding hearings on bers of people could be rural districts can’t afford Duarte Nursery in Stanis- a $17 billion twin tunnels hardshipped by the state to upgrade their wells or laus County who wore project that’s strongly board’s ultimate decision. dig new ones. orange shirts and carried opposed by San Joaquin He said almond growers Other speakers included signs at the rally. She said leaders and delta ad- like him will have to Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, her earnings as a laborer vocates. choose what orchards to Rep. Jeff Denham, R- provide for her daughters An hour before Mon- keep and which ones to Turlock, and elected state and grandkids. day’s rally, a coalition of abandon under the 40 officials from the Sacra- “It’s not right they want delta protection and envi- percent flow scenario. mento Valley, Salinas and to take our water,” Lopez ronmental groups held an Many expect that the the southern San Joaquin said. “We need water for event to criticize the water water board’s decision Valley, who were invited living. We need water for board’s plan for not guar- will soon be followed with on the premise that their our jobs. We need water anteeing enough river lawsuits that could tie the communities’ water rights for our families.” flows for salmon and matter up in court for are threatened by state Scores of FFA students steelhead trout. About 25 years. actions. made the trip to Sacra- people attended the quiet LOCAL SPORTS Modestohas a Central Catholic newamphitheater is ready to take with fruitful plans on De La Salle forbig acts 3A challenge 1B

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in July in releasing afinal plan callingfor 40 percent of unimpaired river flows, within a Water hearings, sometimes rangeof30 to 50 percent, from February through June to help young salmon swim downstream to the ocean. Many testy, end with plan in reach speakers from environmental and sportfishing groupsurged the board to seek flows of 50 to mentsfrom people concerned area stretchingfrom Tulare to are scared ... Ibelievewecan do 60 percent or higher to reverse BY KEN CARLSON about collapsing fish popula- Redding. better as farmers, but we have the historic effects of dam con- [email protected] tions in the Sacramento-San In astatewith nearly 40 mil- to weigh the costs.” struction on the delta ecosys- Joaquin Delta and fears about lion people, the board was Chiesa said he believes tem. wo days of hearings job losses and economic calami- urged to consider the impact of there’s hopeofasettlement but The boardmade no decision before the State Water ty in the Northern San Joaquin its decisions on people as well “ask you not to push too far too on the proposal. Its staff recom- Resources Control Valleyifwater rights are as fish. early.” mends adoption of the plan at a Board createdsome stripped from communities. Stanislaus County Supervisor Board Chairwoman Felicia future meeting. Some water Thope of voluntary agreements One speaker said the board’s Vito Chiesa said the proposal to Marcussaid the board will take district officials said they prefer with local irrigation districts, proposal for delta water quality double the unimpaired flow in into considerationthe local to reach voluntary settlements which are under pressure to sent ashockwave throughrural the TuolumneRiver will have a economic impacts. “There is with the state rather than litiga- release morewater in rivers to California, as evidenced by a human toll in acounty with high plenty to be concerned about, tion. help salmon. rally Monday in Sacramento unemployment.“Iknow you which is why we are not going Boardmember Steven Morris Tuesday andWednesday, the that drew more than1,000 heard from angry people,” for thattop number,” she said. state board heardheartfelt com- peoplefrom aCentral Valley Chiesa said. “It’s because they The board sparked an uproar SEE HEARINGS, 4A

Gregori High has declared its water off-limits fordrinking

BY DEKE FARROW [email protected]

Drinking fountains are off-limits at Gregori High School, as is using tap water for food preparation, after a test of the school’s water system turned up higher lead levels than allowed. Ten locations on the Pir- rone Road campus in Salida were tested for lead and copper as required by the state. Four locations came back above the “state action” level of 15 micrograms per liter, Associate Superintendent Tim Zearley told Gregori families in aletter Tuesday. “The district will provide bottled water for all the stu- JASON ORTEGACityofModesto dents and staff while the Crews work to remove Dennett DamonTuesdaynear the Ninth street bridge in Modesto. Thereare plans fortrails near the Tuolumne River. water is being retested,” the letter said. “Retesting is scheduled for later this week, will have an easierand more and results could be available enjoyable time. Houx said a as early as Monday.” Historic, tragic DennettDam $780,000grant from the state Signs are posted at all wa- Division of Boatingand Water- ter fountains, the letter said, wayswill fundthe construction and the tap water is safe for removedaspartofplan of aboat rampalongNeece hand washing and showering Drive, just north of the driving in the locker rooms. Bottled range at the Modesto Municipal water is being boiled to clean to restoreriver in Modesto Golf Course. the utensils used in cafeteria The upstream boatramp food preparation, Zearley told couldserve as an exit. Houx The Bee. said construction of the ramp Because the school is on its BY ROSALIO AHUMADA couldbegin in 2020. own well, not part of the [email protected] A$500,000 grantfrom the public water supply, testing state Department of Parks and for lead and copper is re- Fireworks,aVenetian boat Recreation will fund the con- quired every three years, parade, California Gov. James struction of a100-seat outdoor Zearley said. It’s unknown, Rolphand more than 20,000 theater at Legion Park.Houx then, exactly how long the people were part of aJuly 4, said the theater will be avenue lead levels have been higher 1933, dedicationceremonyfor for natureeducation for stu- than acceptable. Dennett Dam, which was in- dents, including those at nearby Asked if Gregori families tended to create serene Lake Orville WrightElementary have reason to worry, Zearley Modesto along the Tuolumne School. said, “At this point, we don’t River. There are alsoplans for trails believe so, but we’re taking Therewas significantlyless at Tuolumne RiverRegional every precautionary mea- pomp and circumstance this JOAN BARNETTLEE [email protected] Park.These are all projects, sure.” week whencrewsremoved the Dennett Damonthe Tuolumne River is pictured in Februaryofthis along with the removalofDen- Modesto City Schools is tiny dam from the river,where year.CityofModestocrews removedthe dam on Tuesday. nett Dam,toprovide an envi- working with Stanislaus it had become adangerous ronment inviting for boaters, County health officials to hazard and an eyesore near children, hikers and swimmers. determine what constitutes Modesto’s Ninth Street Bridge. Work on the removal of the VIDEO “Themore people downthere an unsafe level of lead. And Thosebehind the project dam’s remnants beganearlier doinggood things,the less peo- though only four of the 10 envision that removing the dam thismonth.The roughly $1.6 Forvideo,see this story at ple down there doing bad water collection devices on will restore the natural habitat million project is apartnership www.modbee.com. things,” Houx said.“We want campus showed elevated and change the public’s percep- between the city and the Tuo- (the river) to be an asset to the lead, the school is entirely tion of that area along the river. lumne River Trust. removing the dam since 2010. community.” eliminating water consump- “We wanttoget people on Thewaterflowing over the The projectwill return that These areas along the river in tion. the river, and we haven’t been dam can create awhirlpoolthat sectionofthe river to its natural Modesto havegainedabad The district will work to able to do that,” said Nathan pulls swimmers down into a state and provide salmonand reputation for garbagedumping, determine if the elevated Houx,Modesto parks planning holecreated by the falling wa- steelhead with unimpeded ac- drug use and othercriminal levels are awater source and development manager. “I ter,Trust Executive Director cess to 37 miles of upstream activity.The areas also have problem or afixture problem, don’tknow if alot of people Patrick Koepele has said. His habitat. know there’sariver there.” group has been working on Canoeists and kayakersalso SEEDENNETT, 4A SEE WATER, 5A

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FROM PAGE 1A tershed. The districts say which include flood con- submitted asolid proposal water quality standards in the plan would force trol and storage for agri- to the state Department of the lower San Joaquin much larger releases from cultural and drinking Water Resources for im- River. HEARINGS Don Pedro Reservoir than water. proving conditions for Groups concerned with what’s indicated by the On acue from Marcus, salmon. the ecological health of asked the top manager of cess. And aproposed water board, forcing grow- board member Tam Do- O’Laughlin tried to the delta said voluntary the Merced Irrigation requirement to keep ers to fallow ground and duc asked if the bureau reach agreement with the settlement deals with District if it could live 180,000 acre-feet of pump groundwater to will comply with the board on how much water water districts have failed with an annual water “cold storage” in the res- preserve orchards. state’s water quality stan- will be available for cus- in the past and only larger budget for environmental ervoir for environmental There was aminor ex- dards. The bureau official tomers in multiple-year flows will achieve good purposes. District General purposes would limit wa- change Tuesday between said the U.S. Department droughts. The board has results. Manager John Sweigard ter deliveries to farmers in aU.S. Bureau of Reclama- of Interior will review the suggested the impact on Peter Moyle, awa- said he’s open to the con- drought years, the general tion official and the board requirements when agricultural diversions is 7 tershed sciences expert cept but the district can’t manager said. over New Melones Reser- they’re released. It could to 14 percent for districts with the University of accept losing control of The Modesto and Tur- voir on the Stanislaus seek legal action over the with rights on the Stanis- California, Davis, wrote in operations at McClure lock irrigation districts River. The bureau says the issue. laus River. ablogthis week that Reservoir. face asteeper climbwith federally operated dam Attorney Tim O’Laugh- From 30 to 40 percent large-scale habitat im- Sweigard said attempts increasing flows in the won’t comply with the lin, representing water of unimpaired flow is provements in the south to lower water temper- Tuolumne River, which plan if it’s inconsistent districts in the San Joa- often released from New and central delta are key ature in the Merced River often are 20 percent of with congressional pri- quin Tributaries Author- Melones because of a to improving salmon sur- would have limited suc- the runoff in the wa- orities for New Melones, ity, said the group has responsibility for meeting vival.

FROM PAGE 1A Just ayear afterthe Dennett Dam served as a Decades later, the dam by the dam with sediment dedication ceremony, watering hole for the pub- impeded fish and deterred that had been blocked by Lake Modesto and Legion lic during the warm sum- people who canoed and the dam. DENNETT Park were the centers for mer months. Plans to kayaked along the river. It There’s also alot of aFourth of July celebra- rebuild the dam were has been the site of three debris to remove. In- become arefuge for Highway Bridge. tion that included about revived but eventually drownings since 2006. novative Construction homeless people who At acost of nearly 30,000 people. There died. When theriver ran low, Solutions, which was hired camp in the parks along $10,000, construction of were canoe and kayak In 1970,there was a the remnants of the dam’s as the general contractor, the river. the dam created Lake races, along with amotor- plan for two Tuolumne foundation were visible, temporarily diverted the Eighty-eight years ago, Modesto along Legion boat-water polo game and River dams. The dams creating aroughly 2-foot river around the dam city planners had loftier Park. The dam increased an event where swimmers would be part of the then drop. through achannel near goals of creating a97-acre the river depth to 10 feet were given the chance to proposed Tuolumne River Work associated with the river. The water di- water and recreation re- to provide quiet water keep the duck they caught Regional Park, creating a the dam’s removal is ex- version is expected to sort with the installation navigation as far upstream in the water. large enough lake to at- pected to continue until continue for another few of Dennett Dam. It was as Empire Bridge. The dam washed out in tract boating concessions, late September, possibly weeks. supposed to create a It originally was called 1935 and again in the boathouses and river rec- October. Houx said crews “pleasure lake,” according Lake Modesto Dam, but early 1940s. It wascon- reation. will fill in the hole created to a1933article from the was renamed for former demned in 1947.Only its Modesto News-Herald. Mayor L.L. Dennett. The foundation was left, span- The dam was dedicated dam’s foundation was ning the Tuolumne River OBITUARIES along with the three-lane planted 20 feet below the under the bridge. Ninth Street Golden State river bottom. In the ‘30s and ‘40s,

FROM PAGE 3A A Expand the state’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit program by $300 HOUSING million annually A Make it easier and nership report points to a mendations include: faster for developers in real issue. “We cannotsay A Advocating for the Stanislaus County to use we don’t have anaffor- passage of Proposition 1 local government pro- dablehousing crisis,” she (The Veterans and Affor- grams that offer fee re- said. “But alot of people dable Housing Act) and ductions and waivers and are coming together to Proposition 2(The No create more of these pro- work on it, and that’s Place Like Home Act) on grams huge.” the November ballot to A Designate land in The report issued state- provide $6 billion in state Stanislaus County for infill wide and local recommen- bonds to help veterans, projects that allow for dations. The Housing Au- the homeless, the disabled alternative forms of hous- thority provided input for and others with affordable ing, including smaller or the local ones. The recom- housing modular homes

FROM PAGE 3A the dried fruit company Traina Foods, said he already has adream act AMPHITHEATER he would love to book: The iconic crooner Tom the 1,200-capacity Manci- yards. By comparison, the Jones. And, he is in luck. ni Bowl in Graceada Park, Gallo Center for the Arts, The “What’s New Pussy- Turlock has the 10,000- Modesto’s premiere in- cat?” singer has played capacity amphitheater at door performance center, the region before, per- California State Universi- has atotal capacityof forming at the Bob Hope ty, Stanislaus, and Mur- about 1,700 between its Theatre in Stockton in phys has the 7,000-capac- two theaters. 2007 —and it only has ity Ironstone Amphithe- Traina, whose family 2,042seats. atre at Ironstone Vine- also owns and operates

FROM PAGE 3A side trip down Christmas lane? “I just might,” she said. AMYGRANT “I do get requests for Christmas music. Some- Most recently, she re- for that last child to leave times songs Ihardly even leased asingle in May, the nest, so “I’m trying to remember.” “Say It With aKiss.” be really selective about While she’s had tremen- While she continues to the work Ido,” she said. dous success with holiday tour, she’s also focusing But while being selective, music, “I was not trying to on “things that cannot be playing live shows like the brand myself as aChrist- monetized.” upcoming one in Modesto mas artist,” she said. “But “I’mjust enjoying con- remains important. December has historically nectingwhat have felt like Grant said audiences been the busiest time of are alot of disparate Friday evening can expect year for me ... It’s been a threads in mylife,” she “a walk down memory natural way for me to said, which includes open- lane with music.” incorporate my faith into ing her farm in Nashville to “I’m coming with a music.” youth camps as well as great band, just really “It’s always been ajoy fireside gatherings that talented musicians and to make Christmas music promote community and singers. We just kind of go ... long after (an artist) is mindfulness.Grant shares down memory lane and gone, Christmas music that “home base” in Nash- play old songs, new songs, has the greatest potential ville with her husband, from every decade ... tell to be heard.” Of all her countrymusic star Vince some stories about the hits, she said, “It has the Gill. The couple have five songs,” she said. “It’s fun best shot of outliving me.” children —four from pre- just to make the theater vious marriages and one feel like aliving room — daughter together. that’s really my goal.” She’s preparing herself As for apossible brief

FROM PAGE 3A services for OSH workers and that those employees will have priority when ORCHARD applying for positions at Lowe’s. He noted that 86 than two years later, more locations, and would percent of OSH locations crushed by hundreds of give the company “the are within 10 miles of a millions of dollars of debt opportunity to participate Lowe’s. Shares of Lowe’s it was saddled with as part more fullyinCalifornia’s were up 7.64percent in of the spin-off. economic recovery.” midday trading to Lowe’s bought72OSH Ellison on Wednesday $107.21. stores out of bankruptcy. said there “were some The company’s CEO atthe strategic decisions made The Los Angeles Times time saidthe deal wasan that, if they had to be contributed to this report. opportunitytoquickly done over, would be done expand operations in Cali- differently.” Bryant-Jon Anteola: fornia, where executives He said that Lowe’s will 559-441-6362, believed Lowe’sneeded provide job placement @Banteola_TheBee LOCAL SPORTS Carrie Stephens What to watch in sworn in as judge 49ers vs.Colts: forStanislaus Sherman’s debut, County 3A position battles 1B

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Ceres and Turlock through a joint powers authority called the McCain Stanislaus Regional Water Au- Ceres, Turlock look thority will build awater treatment plant that initially will stops provide Ceres with 5million gallons and Turlock 10 million treatment to $272M project to gallons of water per day on average. That’s ahuge amount for both cities. For instance, forbrain Turlock uses 18 million gallons secure water futures per day on average. cancer The treatment plant, which will be built on abluff over- source —the Tuolumne River — from the ground. looking Fox Grove Park near BY KEVIN VALINE in addition to the groundwater The project comes as the Hughson, should be operational BY MIKE DEBONIS, JOHN [email protected] they now pump. State Water Resources Control by 2022.The Turlock Irrigation WAGNER AND PAUL KANE Officials say groundwater Board seeks to require much District will supply the Tuo- Washington Post Officials from Ceres, Turlock requires extensive treatment to more water from the Tuolumne, lumne River water for the plant. WASHINGTON and the Turlock Irrigation Dis- rid it of contaminants (including Merced and Stanislaus rivers to Friday’s ceremony marked Sen. John McCain, who trict gathered Friday near Fox arsenic and phosphates), must flow into the San Joaquin Sacra- the beginning of construction defied death in the skies over Grove Park along the Tuolumne meet increasingly strict state mento Delta, aproposal local for the project, which entails Vietnam,endured years of River to celebrate the start of and federal standards, and is officials say will devastate this building what is called awet torture in enemy captivity and construction of aroughly $272 not sustainable. region’s ag-based economy. well along the river. The well is embarked on astoriedpoliti- million project that will provide “We have declining ground- TID Board President Charles aroughly 60-foot-deep vault cal career that brought him to the two cities with reliable and water quality and supplies,” Fernandes took adig at the that will store water pulled from the precipiceofthe presi- clean drinking water. Turlock Municipal Services state during his remarks Friday perforated pipes in the river. dency, has endedmedical Officials said the project will Director Michael Cooke said in by saying this project was a Construction is expected to take treatment for the brain cancer secure the cities’ futures and an interview. The project also great example of how regional alittle more than ayear. he has fought for 13 months, economic vitality because it will let the groundwater recover needs are being solved through his family said Friday. gives them asecond water as both cities pump less water regional partnerships. SEEWATER, 6A “John has surpassed expec- tations for his survival. But the progress of disease and the inexorable advanceofage render their verdict,” the statement said, John making clear McCain that McCain’s life is near its end. The news prompted an outpouring of sympathy and acclaim for McCain, 81, a Republican who has served six termsasArizona senator. The tributescame from Republicans and Democrats who had together heldout hope that McCain might beat the grim odds posed by his aggressive form of cancer, glioblastoma, and perhaps return to Washington and retake his perch as elder statesman and embodiment of his personal motto:“Coun- try first.” Instead,McCain’s family and close friendshave gathered with him at his family ranch near Sedona, north of Phoenix. “My family is deeply appre- ciative of all the love and generosity you have shown us during this past year. Thank you for all your continued support and prayers. We could not have made it this ANDY ALFARO [email protected] far without you –you’ve given The Tuolumne River runs through WaterfordonFriday. us strength to carry on,” his daughter MeghanMcCain,a co-host of ABC’s “TheView,” working group for the rivers that wrote FridayonTwitter. wouldexertfar too much influ- John McCaintook his last Irrigation District official: ence over the operation of Don vote in the Senate in Decem- Pedro, New Exchequer and ber, justbefore asudden New Melones reservoirs, two hospitalization and weeks State’soffer of working group boardmembers said. after he had started to be- The so-called “STM Working come noticeably morefrail. Group” would include state Buteven in absence, to oversee waterflows ‘a joke’ water board staff and its exec- McCain hardly withdrew utive director, the state and fromthe public sphere, deliv- federal wildlifeagencies, and ering occasional but stinging water users. The group would rebukes of President Donald BY KEN CARLSON implement the flowsdown- Trump–aleader who,during [email protected] streamfrom the dams and the 2016 presidential cam- assesstheir effectiveness in paign, had mocked McCain’s ey elements of aState boosting salmon numbers. service as anavalaviator and Water ResourcesCon- “The STM Group is ajoke,” thenwent on to attack trolBoardplan for said John Mensinger, who sees McCain’s 2017 Senate vote restoring fisheriesare himself as amoderate board thattanked aTrump-backed Knot acceptable to local irrigation member of Modesto Irrigation billtorepeal the Affordable districts, whichare likely to sue District, which co-owns Don Care Act. if the stateboard does not com- Pedrowith Turlock Irrigation Trumpand the White promise, district board mem- District. “We are never going to House had no comment Fri- bers said Friday. accept it.” day. Most people know by now An important role of irrigation In his final and perhaps that the Bay Delta update would district board membersisdecid- most damning broadside, require 40 percentofunim- ing how much water to allocate McCain lambasted Trump’s pairedflows from February for agriculture and city custom- Julynews conference along- through June on the Stanislaus, ers each year and how much to sideRussianPresident Vladi- Tuolumne and Mercedrivers to hold in storage, said Michael mirPutin in Helsinki –where restore salmon and support the Frantz, aTID boardmember. Trumpseemedtoput more Sacramento-San JoaquinDelta PAUL KITAGAKIJR. [email protected] “In certainyears,(the STM credence in Putin’s denials estuary. Hundreds of farmers attend Monday’s“stop the statewater grab” Group) would take that control thanU.S. intelligencefindings To implement the plan, the rally in Sacramento to protest the state’splan to restrict water state boardwould createa deliveries. SEE FLOWS, 3A SEE MCCAIN, 2A

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Suspect,24, in 2014Ceres killing found in Mexico

BY ERIN TRACY [email protected]

ACeresmurdersuspect who has been wanted for more than three and ahalf yearswas detained by authorities in Mexico and returnedto the United States this week. Eric Sanchez-Padilla, 24, is one of five suspects in the shootingdeath of Derrick Far- row that occurredatRunaround Sue’s bar on Mitchell Road in Ceres on Dec. 26, 2014. Sanchez-Padilla was detained at the Calexio-West port of entry Aug. 14,according to Sgt. Greg Yotsuya. He was escorted to the pedestrianfacility by Mexicanofficials, then turned over to Customs and Border Protection officers. Border protection officers contacted the Ceres PoliceDe- partment, and Wednesday, Sanchez-Padilla was transported ANDY ALFARO [email protected] to Stanislaus County and Carrie M. Stephens,left, is sworn in as the newest judge forthe Stanislaus County Superior CourtbyJudge Ricardo Cordova during an booked on suspicion of murder, investitureceremonyatthe BoardofSupervisors Chambers in ModestoFriday. assault with adeadly weapon and participating in astreet gang. of Criminal Appeals. She’s also Three othersuspects have been chiefjudge for the Naval already beensentenced in the and Marine Corps Trial Judi- case, and one remainsatlarge. Governor has new ciary,and she’s workedasan RichardIssac Monroyand attorney for the Stanislaus Jesus Prudente Ramirez both County Counsel’s Officeand pleadednocontest to assault the Public Defender’s Office. with adeadly weaponand were Stanislaus judgetake She earnedajuris doctor each sentenced to four years in degree from the McGeorge prison. School of Law and abachelor’s GabrielEnriqueGallardo of science degree from the pleadednocontest to voluntary the bench early University of the Pacific. manslaughter and was sen- Stephens, 54, has lived in tenced to 17 years in prison. Newman for nearly her entire Luis Emeterio Martinez re- phens beat Attorney Crystal basis. Her interim appoint- life. She and her husband, Tim mains at large. BY ROSALIO AHUMADA Swanson with70.9 percent of ment went into effectAug. 3 Bazar, have three children. [email protected] the vote. Bothcandidateswere and allowedher to start her “Carrie Stephens comes to newcomers to the Stanislaus new job early. Her annual us with awealth of knowledge arrieStephens was bench and were seeking a salary is $200,042. and experience,” said Assist- sworn in as the newest vacant spot created by the “I am honored to receive ant Presiding JudgeDawna Ceres police: judge for the Stanis- retirement of Judge Loretta this appointment fromthe Reeves. “She is exceptionally laus Superior Court Begen. governor,” Stephens said. “I well qualified, and we are Officer in durinCgaceremony Friday in Stephens’ term as judge was look forward to serving the pleased with her interim ap- the Board of Supervisors cham- to begin in January, but Gov. court and the community.” pointment.” fatal shooting bers in downtown Modesto. Jerry Brown on July 20 Stephens had been ajudge In the June5election, Ste- appointed her on an interim for the Navyand Marine Court a7-year vet

FROM PAGE 1A BY ERIN TRACY [email protected]

FLOWS CERES Cerespolice on Thursday away from our elected leaders mise. But board members’ released the name of the officer and transfer it to aSacramento comments near the end of the involved in the fatal shooting of bureaucrat.” meeting Wednesday evening a15-year-old boy on Saturday. In astatement Friday, the suggested they won’t budge Officer Ross Bays, 38,was the state agency said it wouldnot be and were disappointing, Frantz officer involvedinthe incident, operating the reservoirs. The said. according to apressrelease STM group would assistwith Felicia Marcus, chairwoman issuedbySgt. Greg Yotsuya on implementation andmonitoring of the five-member board, is a behalf of PoliceChief Brent of the flow requirements and former western director for the Smith. Bays is aseven-year would be comprised of the cur- National Resources Defense veteran of the department. rent operators, who areexperts Council, an environmental The incident began as acall on reservoir management, and advocacy group. Other board reporting someone was bran- fisheries experts, who know how members have professional ANDY ALFARO [email protected] dishing agun at SmyrnaPark in to manage flows for fish protec- backgrounds with regulatory Waterruns through aside channel of the Tuolumne River in Ceres. Bays, responding to the tion, the board’s statement said. agencies. WaterfordonFriday. scene,spotted aLexus that “The STM working group is Negotiations are still possible matched the description of the all about having experts that with the state’s Natural Re- one involved in the incident. understand the local problems sources Agency, Department of would have been delivered to The irrigation districts are The officertried to pull the make recommendations to best Water Resources and Depart- TID customers in the last two faced with convincing the water car over, but it led him on a manage the system,” the board ment of Fish and Wildlife. Rep- years of the drought if the state board to accept some of their high-speed chase towardHugh- said. resentatives of those agencies proposals had been in place, ideas for salmon restoration in son, authorities said earlier. The water board, which held said at the hearing they’re com- Frantz said. the three rivers. They contend The Lexusstopped on Sperry atwo-day hearing on the plan mitted to discussing voluntary Some special drought provi- more can be done with less Road just northofService Road, Tuesday and Wednesday, says settlements before the Nov. 7 sions in an agreement might water by providing habitat and and Carmen Spencer Mendez— it will vote on the Bay Delta decision. help appease the districts. suppressing nonnative bass that armedwith ahandgun —imme- water quality update Nov. 7. “If the state board adopts this “We expect to see more feed on young salmon swim- diately got out,the Stanislaus Local and state officials who program, as it stands, we are droughts,” Frantz said, noting ming downstream. County Sheriff’s Department spoke at the Sacramento hear- going to sue them because the that weather patterns suggest Some have suggested the said. ing said they would prefer to environmental document is that dry spells could be longer state should remove June from Bays fired at least one shot. negotiate voluntary agreements deficient and alot of things and more severe in the future. the requirements since the Mendez was declared dead at that could include other tools they are asking for are un- Aside from the farm-related young salmon are no longer in the scene. for improving the fisheries in lawful,” Mensinger said, noting industries served by the dis- the river that month. Bays has been placed on ad- the delta. he has seen arough draft of a tricts, more than amillion peo- If the flow requirements are ministrativeleave, per depart- If there are no agreements, lawsuit. ple live in the area affected by approved in November, asignoff ment policy, Ceres police said. the state could impose the flow Legal challenges to the Bay the water board’s plan. is requiredfrom the U.S. Envi- The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s requirements through condi- Delta update are also antici- The state plan would allow ronmental Protection Agency. It Department is investigatingthe tions on water rights starting in pated from environmental the increased river flows or an could be another flashpoint in incident. 2022. groups that have called for 50 equivalent amount of water to the process given the recent This is Bays’ secondofficer- The irrigation districts, in- to 60 percent river flows to be managed and shaped for effortsbythe Trump adminis- involved shooting. cludingMID andTID, along benefit the fisheries. creating river conditions and tration to intervene in water In Octoberheand Sgt. Darren with districts with rights to Sta- Frantz said the carryover cooler water temperatures that resource policies in the delta. Venn shot27-year-old Nicholas nislausand Merced river water, storage requirements are a support the salmon. The releas- The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Adam Pimentel, asuspected take issue with the final flow lesser-known piece of the es, starting at 40 percent of the has said the updated Bay Delta drunken driver wholed them on proposals, which were issued in state’s plan and one reason for natural runoff in the waterplan contradicts the congression- apursuit that endedinsouth July, but alsocan’tlive with dire predictions of economic sheds, could be adjusted in al priorities forthe federally run Modesto,also in the sheriff’s proposals for year-to-year car- losses for the region. future years between 30 and 50 New Melones reservoirand has department’s jurisdiction. ryover storage behindthe dams He said it would result in cuts percent based on whether the threatened legal action. The sheriff’s department has for environmental purposes. or total elimination of water measures are effective in boost- The state water board has not not disclosed where the pursuit With amore civil tone pre- deliveries to farmers and city of ing the fisheries. conceded that the federal EPA began or what initiated it, how it vailing at the hearing this week, Modesto customers amid mul- Mensinger said the upper end has approval rights over all of endedand whatPimentel did at local officials had thought that tiple dry years. As an example, of the range is too high —the the Bay Delta water quality that point.Itwould not say if Gov. Jerry Brown’s appointees he cited the severe drought MID won’t sacrifice half its update. Pimentel had aweapon or threat- on the board might compro- from 2012 to 2015. No water water. ened the officers in anyway. EXPLORE LOCAL Homemade CHP delivers sauce opens message to the door to those ignoring BBQ bliss 1B school buses 3A

VOLUME 141,No. 255 FACEBOOK.COM/MODESTOBEE NEWSALL DAY. Mostly sunny STAY CONNECTED MODBEE.COM TWITTER.COM/MODBEE YOUR WAY. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12 2018 $1 77°/54° See 2A

ipating in the Nov.7board vote. It looks, however, like acozy relationship to local officials Water boardleader’s ties who are upset with the state’s proposal to allocatemore water to fish and wildlife in the Sacra- mento-San Joaquin Delta and to think tank raiseconcerns leave less storage in reservoirs for agricultureand city customers. of irrigation districts in the relationship with the executive for the agency’s regional water “Theyshould neverhave put BY KEN CARLSON Northern San Joaquin Valley. director of aBay Area think boards. themselves in that kind of posi- [email protected] With acrucial vote set for tankthat’s had millionsofdol- The executive of the San tion to begin with,”said Jim Nov. 7onthe Bay-Delta Water lars in contracts with the state Francisco Estuary Institute is DeMartini, chairman of the Felicia Marcus, chairwoman Quality ControlPlan —known agency she oversees. Marcus’ husband, WarnerCha- Stanislaus County Board of of the State Water Resources as the “water grab” in Stanis- The nonprofitSan Francisco bot. Supervisors. “If that center is Control Board, has considerable laus, Merced and south San Estuary Institute had contracts No onehas formally claimed doingwork for the board she influence over decision-making Joaquin counties —someare worth $3.3 million withthe the spousal relationship and chairs, one of them ought to thatcouldleavemore water in puzzled by what they feel is a StateWater Boardfrom 2014 to SFEI’s contracting with the state rivers for salmon at the expense conflict of interest given her 2017 androutinely does work disqualifiesMarcus from partic- SEE WATER, 4A

Residents flee as Hurricane Florence approaches

BY JONATHAN DREW Associated Press

WILMINGTON, N.C. Motorists streamed inland on highways converted to one-way evacuation routes Tuesday as about 1.7 million people in three stateswere warnedtoget out of the way of Hurricane Florence, ahair- raising stormtaking dead aim at the Carolinas with 140- mph winds and potentially ruinousrains. Florence was expected to blow ashorelate Thursday or early Friday, then slow down and wring itself out for days, 1 unloading 1to2⁄2 feet of rain that could cause flooding well inland and wreakenviron- mentalhavoc by washing over industrial waste sitesand hog farms. Forecasters and politicians JOHN [email protected] pleadedwith the public to Captain Craig Stone of the ModestoFireDepartmentringsabell in honor of firefighters killed in the Sept 11,2001, terrorist attacks in New take the warnings seriously York during an anniversaryceremonyonTuesdayinModesto. and mincednowords in de- scribing the threat. “This storm is amonster. It’s big and it’s vicious. It is Modesto, an extremely,dangerous, life-threatening,historichur- ricane,” North Carolina Gov. Turlock Roy Coopersaid. He added: “The waves and pause to the wind this storm may bring is nothing like you’veever seen. Even if you’ve ridden remember out storms before, this one is different. Don’t bet your life Sept. 11 on riding out amonster.” Some hopedfor divine intervention. “I’m prayedupand as ready as Ican get,” Steven BY JOHN HOLLAND Hendrick said as he filled up [email protected] gasoline cans near Conway, S.C. Modesto and Turlock joined More than 5.4 millionpeo- the nation Tuesday in remem- ple live in areas under hurri- bering the nearly 3,000 people cane warnings or watches on killed in the Sept. 11,2001, the U.S. East Coast, according terrorist attacks. to the National WeatherServ- The Turlock Fire Department ice, and another4million unveiled apiece of steelfrom people wereunderatropical the World Trade Centerwreck- storm watch. age as partofits ceremony. Turlock FireDept President Donald Trump Fire chief Robert Tallonisaid Turlock Fireunveiled apiece of the steel from the World Trade CenteratTuesday’sRemembrance declared states of emergency the block will be on display for Ceremony. The steel will be on permanentdisplayatFireStation 31. for North and South Carolina visitors at the city’s fire mu- and Virginia, opening the way seum inside the station on Mar- for federal aid. He said the shall Avenue. Gladys Williams, president of Virginia and anotherinto afield this day, and hopefully,itwill federalgovernment is “abso- “It will be therefor you to see the Modesto-Stanislaus Branch in Pennsylvania afterpassen- always unify us,” said Mani lutely, totally prepared” for and touch,” he said.“We want of the NAACP. Other speakers gers foughttogain control. Grewal, aModestocity council- Florence. you to touch it.” outside the Modesto Fire De- Speakers in Modesto recalled man and member of the Sikh All three states ordered Modesto’s organizers invited partment’s Station1represent- the firefighters and policeoffi- faith. mass evacuations along the adiverse groupofspeakers to ed Latino, Sikh and other com- cers who died along with the The event is hostedbythe coast. But getting out of show that the attacks, carried munities. employeesand visitors to the city of Modesto, Grewal, Com- harm’sway could prove diffi- out by Islamic extremists,have Atotal of 19 hijackers flew buildings. They noted that peo- munity ActionofStanislaus cult. not driven Americans apart. two planes into the World Trade ple of various ages and ethnic County, and Modesto View. Florence is so wide that a “There is no place in our Center towers in New York backgroundsdied on Sept. 11. heartsorminds for hate,” said City, one into the Pentagon in “We will alwaysremember SEEHURRICANE, 8A

AROUND THE REGION MODESTO times than traditional surgery. invited to come and learn about What: Real EstateProgram Formoreinformation and to AAUW and what the organiza- When: Wednesday, 6p.m. register forthis free event, call tion plans forthe year.For more Where: ModestoLibrary, 844-410-5857. Lightappetizers information contact PatPort- 1500 ISt. will be provided. wood at 209-634-3592. Info: The ModestoLibrary, in What: Guest speaker on partnership with Realtor Cyndy “Posada &the Mexican Penny Hackett,will offer afreemonth- What: Peripheral-Neuropathy Press” ly residential real estatepro- SupportGroup When: Sunday, 2p.m. gram series,“Real Talk Real When: Monday, Sept.17, Where: Carnegie Arts Center, Estate.”The first program is 10:30 a.m. 250N.Broadway designed to help guide partici- Where: TrinityUnited Pres- Info: Director of the Posada pants on home buying and byterian Church, 1600 Carver ArtFoundation Jim Nikas will selling. Hackett will discussthe Road discussthe lifeand legacy of currentchange in the market Info: The Peripheral-Neuro- Mexican printmaker and illustra- from aseller’s market to amore pathySupportGroup monthly tor, José Guadalupe Posada and balanced market.Aquestion meeting forthose suffering his impact on the arts of Mexico and answer session will follow. from the disease, caretakers and in the 20th century. Works by Formoreinformation, call supporters.Guest speaker will José Guadalupe Posada arenow 209-558-7814. Information on be LindsayFosler,apatient featured at the Carnegie in the upcoming programs in this education liaison with aAl- exhibition “Posada &the Mex- series will be posted at nylam, focused on educating ican PennyPress.” Formore stanislauslibrary.org. the public on ararecondition information about the Posada known as hereditaryATTR ArtFoundation go to (hATTR) amyloidosis.For more posada-art-foundation.com.For JOAN BARNETTLEE [email protected] What: South ModestoMun- information contact Ray at moreinformation contact center icipal AdvisoryCouncil 209-634-4373. at 209-632-5761orvisit StateWater BoardChairwoman Felicia Marcus and her relationship with the executive When: Thursday, 6pm. www.carnegieartsturlock.org. director of aBay Area think tank that’shad millions of dollars in contracts with the state Where: Harvest Hall, 3800 agencyshe oversees is leaving some to wonder if there’saconflict of interest. Cornucopia way OAKDALE Send Region items to Region, Info: The meeting will feature What: Madison Society The ModestoBee, P.O. Box5256, reports from the CHP,Sheriff’s Foundation Meeting Modesto95352; call Office, Stanislaus County Super- When: Thursday, 7p.m. 209-578-2330; fax209-578-2207; FROM PAGE 1A services come before the in October 2014 from visor Jim DeMartini, Modesto Where: Oakdale Sportsmen or email [email protected] water board. The powerful Chief Counsel Michael Fireand other community Club,840 NStearns Road board deals with water Lauffer. agencies.Special presentations Info: The foundation will 40 YEARS AGO: It wasreport- quality and water rights in Marcus, who’s some- will be made upon request.For discussupcoming events,up- ed that the Tuolumne County WATER moreinformation email coming litigation. Julie Jean, of WaterDistrict No.2endorsed California. times called the state’s [email protected]. “The Well Armed Woman” rate and feehikes forwater and step down.” In astatement Wednes- water czar, would partici- discussher organizations direc- sewerservices.Itwas estimated Chabot insists the cen- day, the water board said pate in the Nov. 7board tion. Formoreinformation email that the waterratehikealone ter is not involved in ad- Marcus was proactive vote unless it’s foresee- What: Knee or Hip Pain: From [email protected]. could have amountedto50 vocacy and stays away about the issue before able the decision would MiserytoTreatment percenthigher costs fora from studies on river Chabot accepted the posi- have amaterial effect on When: Thursday, 6p.m. typical single family home. flows. None of the agen- tion with SFEI in fall 2014 the couple’s finances. Where: McHenryConference TURLOCK Then-district manager Les Center, 1445 McHenryAve. What: Turlock/Modesto Delbon indicated that 40 cents cy’s work is cited in sup- and has followed the ap- Her financial disclo- Info: Doctors Medical Center AAUW Membership Brunch of the hikecould coverdistrict port documents for the propriate legal require- sures report spousal in- invites the public to alecture on When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 costs overthe previous two Bay-Delta water quality ments. Marcus did not come between $10,000 knee and hip pain and the Noon years and the lossof$112,000 in update. Chabot added comment for this story but and $100,000 from SFEI. possible treatments with speak- Where: PrivateResidence, tax revenues because of Propo- that the center does not released aportion of the ers Dr.WesleyKinzie and Dr. 2255 CastleviewDrive sition 12. contribute scientific find- legal advice she received SEE WATER, 5A William Pistel. Theywill discuss Info: Turlock/ModestoAmer- treatment options including ican Association of University ings to decision-makers advanced technology and how Women Membership Brunch. All for Gov. Jerry Brown’s that leads to quicker recovery members of the public are delta tunnels project. “We don’t do flows,” Chabot said. “We don’t do SETTING IT STRAIGHT tunnels.” We want to makesure the informationinthis paper is black hair,brown eyes related, but the girl wasnot the Under political reform accurate. Please call mistakes to our attention, so we intended target. laws, public officials are may correctthem. THE CASE: Soto is wanted by expected to abstain from The subject in the foregroundofaphoto of church Modestopolice on suspicion of REPORT ATIP: Police ask decisions in which they servicesinRiverbank, Calif. is Deacon Richard Wil- murder in the May 30,2016, anyone with information about have afinancial interest. liamsen. Fr. Misael Avila is pictured at rightback. In- shooting of 13-year-old Brisa Soto’s whereabouts to call Covarrubias outside her west Crime Stoppers at Officials who perform correctinformationappeared in aphotocaption on Modestohome. Investigators 209-521-4636.Tipsters can their duties in an impartial page A1 Monday. saySotoisaSureño street gang email through the Crime Stop- manner and free from MOST WANTED member. pers website, stancrimetips.org. bias serve to build public Local News...... 578-2330 NAME: David Cecilio Soto Callers to Crime Stoppers can trust in government. City Desk ...... 578-2327 NOTES: Fiveother people have remain anonymous and may be Attorneys have advised Work &Money ...... 578-2343 CHARGE: Murder been arrested and criminally eligible foracash reward. charged in this case. Authorities Marcus to recuse herself Features...... 578-2312 DESCRIPTION: 27 years old, believe the shooting wasgang- when SFEI contracts for Sports...... 578-2300 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12 2018 5A MODBEE.COM News

FROM PAGE 4A contract activities. There was no compet- the center’s executive Chabot said the SFEI itive bidding for the con- director is married to developed areputation for tract. When asked for the Marcus, having previously WATER nonpartisan and excellent lines of separation be- worked with Marcus on research long before his tween this contract and the council. Marcus was a Chabot said his salary has tenure. the water board’s plan for Delta Council member remained at $150,000 a The SFEI and its Aquat- delta water quality, Cha- from mid-2010 to 2012. year since taking the job, ic Science Center is a bot said the center will Rainer Hoenicke, the showing no material gain respected think tank cre- identify high-priority op- Delta Council’s deputy from contracting with the ated years ago by the tions for habitat restora- executive officer for sci- state. water board and Bay Area tion on the delta land- ence, was executive direc- Before he accepted the water agencies. Rather scape. The water board’s tor for SFEI before the job with SFEI, Chabot than continuing with years Bay-Delta plan talks about council hired him in 2013. said, legal advice was of combat science by restoring native fish hab- Fiorini said the insti- sought from three sources sanitation districts, oil itat in channels. tute’s peer-reviewed work —the attorney general, companies and interest Matt Gatto, aDelta is guided by alead scien- water board counsel and groups over pollution in Council member and tist and is not vulnerable SFEI’s attorney —tomake San Francisco Bay, the former assemblyman from to political influence. “To sure the center could still agencies created the sci- Southern California, did suggest that is insulting to contract with the water ence center as ajoint not support the SFEI con- the scientists who work on board. “I would not take powers authority and tract, approved in April these projects,” he said. the job unless we created pitched in funds for ob- 2017,over concerns it “We are seeking those aclear firewall and legal jective studies and mon- would duplicate the work services from them be- process,” he said. itoring. of the agency’s science cause they are good at it.” In aletter that October, Along with ecological staff. He wasn’t pleased to Approving the contract Lauffer advised that Mar- projects around the Bay learn last week Marcus is without seeking proposals cus could continue her Area and the state, the married to the executive from other potential con- service on the board if her SFEI currently runs the director of SFEI tractors was legal because spouse took the job. If Delta Regional Monitor- “This probably does not the SFEI’s Aquatic Science SFEI was aprivate busi- ing Program looking at make the state of Cali- Center is alocal govern- ness and hired Chabot, pesticide toxins in delta fornia look good,” Gatto ment JPA, Hoenicke said. Marcus’ service on the water, with almost $1.2 said. “We have alarge Jim Kelly, board chair- board would nullify con- million budgeted for the part of the state that is man for SFEI, said the tracts, even if she ab- program this year, and it skeptical of just about center’s work on the delta stained on those items. does monitoring for the everything we do. If you has expanded under Cha- Because the institute water board’s program have awhiff of aconflict, bot’s leadership. Chabot has nonprofit status, her called SWAMP. Work for it casts doubt on the sci- handles administrative community property in- state agencies represents ence we make available to duties while the work of terest in her husband’s 75 percent of Its $10.2 the public.” the center’s 50 scientists salary was deemed a“re- million budget this year. Council member Susan largely is overseen by mote” interest under The center has landed Tatayon, who supported clients including regional Government Code section contracts with the Delta the SFEI contract, said she water boards. “The clients 1090, the state law Stewardship Council, an didn’t know about the are deeply involved in the against self-dealing. Mar- independent state agency, spousal relationship and it whole process from the cus could remain on the created in 2010, that’s did not matter to her. “I scope of work to com- board and recuse herself focused on amore reliable don’t see aconflict,” she menting (on the findings) each time an SFEI con- water supply for Cali- said. “The scientists at the before it goes out,” Kelly tract was considered. fornia and protection and Aquatic Science Center said. Any other issues could enhancement of the delta are very well respected for Chabot took over reins be dealt with case by case, ecosystem. their work.” after the SFEI center was Lauffer wrote. The Last year, the Delta Randy Fiorini of Tur- without an executive di- married couple and staff Council approved acon- lock, who’s chairman of rector for nearly two would “remain vigilant tract with SFEI, not to the Stewardship Council, years. Acompetitive and assess potential con- exceed $960,000, to said the SFEI was hired recruitment and interview flicts as they arise,” the “enhance collaboration for the job because of its process determined he letter said. and coordination of sci- scientific reputation and was the best candidate for Chabot accepted the ence initiatives and in- previous work providing the position, Kelly said. position and established form management deci- an ecological history of Kelly assured that Mar- rules barring employees of sions affecting the Bay- the delta. The Bay Area cus was not involved in the Richmond center from Delta.” Part of the con- center performed studies the hiring process. “We talking with Marcus about tract is producing science for the Delta Council well are talking about two contracts or their work for that strengthens the ec- before Chabot’s time as people who are very savvy the state. Marcus was ological connection be- executive director, he legally and never would advised not to confer with tween the delta and San said. put themselves in that water board staff on SFEI Francisco Bay. Fiorini said he’s aware position,” Kelly said. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 2018 3A MODBEE.COM Local

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voluntary settlement would bring substantial Former funding from the water Feinstein urges districts for science and restoration work. “I be- Merced lieve avoluntary settlement ... will accomplish chief’s voluntary water deals more in fishery restoration over the next decade than a flows objective relative storing fish in theTuo- Opponents predict the state Sen. Scott Wiener dictated from Sacramen- BY KEN CARLSON lumne, Stanislaus and flow regime will have se- wrote in aletter last month to,” the senator wrote. found [email protected] Merced rivers. rous economic impacts in also signed by assembly- Leaders of Modesto and The water boardisslated the Northern San Joaquin men Phil Ting and David Turlock irrigation districts Sen. Dianne Feinstein for aNov. 7vote on aBay- Valley. More severe water Chiu. All three areDemo- have said the state board not guilty and some state representa- Delta water quality update, rationing in dry years and crats from San Francisco. has ignored their plan for tives in the Bay Area are which would require 40 rate increases are predicted They urged the board to well-timed flows, habitat calling for voluntary settle- percent runoff from the for Bay Area cities that rely postpone avote until restoration and control of BY THADDEUS MILLER ment agreements,rather watersheds to remain in on water from Hetch agreements are negotiated nonnative bass that prey [email protected] than aState Water Board the rivers to revive chinook Hetchy Reservoironthe with the San Francisco on young salmon. District- proposal, to bolster the salmon migrations through upper TuolumneRiver. PUC and Modesto and funded studies on the The son-in-law of a salmon population in trib- the Sacramento-SanJoa- “We areconcernedthat Turlock irrigation dis- Tuolumne found that former Mercedpolice utaries of the San Joaquin quin Delta. Approval of the the board’s proposal would tricts. The three agencies predation eliminates more chief was found not guilty River. flow requirement is expect- drastically reduce the San say their alternative plan than 90 percent of juve- on Tuesday of involuntary In aletter Friday to wa- ed to trigger lawsuits by Francisco Public Utilities would more quickly re- nile salmon before they manslaughter in connec- ter board chairwoman irrigation districts in Stanis- Commission’s ability to store the salmon fishery can reach the lower San tion with adeadly fistfight Felicia Marcus, Feinstein laus andMercedcounties provide water to meet the and yield better outcomes Joaquin River and delta. at Merced Theatre more said avoluntary settlement and southern San Joaquin basic needsof2.7 million for the environment. than four years ago. will achieve more in re- County. people in the Bay Area,” Feinstein wrote that a SEE LETTER, 5A The 2014 fight involved then 36-year-old Manfound Jesse Saucedo hanging and 55- Jesse year-old from train Saucedo III Jack Kline, who later trestle ID’d died, according to investigators. AMerced Countyjury returned the not guilty verdicts on all BY DEKE FARROW counts against Saucedo, [email protected] according to his attorney, Kirk McCallister. The person found hang- Anumber of issues with ing Friday morning from the testimonyled to the the train trestle just east verdict,according to of the Seventh Street McCallister.“Issues on bridge in Modesto has the medical end of what been identified. actuallycaused the gen- AStanislaus County tleman’s death,”hesaid. Coroner’s Officedetective “They had alot of evi- said he is AntoneSims, dence to sift through and 25,and wasnew to Mo- they made the right deci- desto. He was known to sion.” frequent the area of the The fight took place bridge.Sims alsoisknown during ashow by comedi- as Antone Patillo, the an RalphieMay on the name by which his mother night of March 21,2014. identified him, the detec- Someone in Saucedo’s tive said. ANDY ALFARO [email protected] party asked Kline’s wife, The Sheriff’s Depart- Owner Craig Stott walks through the newMcHenryAvenue location of CrescentWork &Outdoor in Modest on Tina Kline, to quiet down. ment reported that the Tuesday. Tina Kline, who is acor- death appears accidental. rectional officer,said “F--- Sims was trying to swing you, bitch” before giving into the Tuolumne River, the woman the middle but the ropebecameen- finger, several witnesses tangledaround his arm- Crescentfire said during testimony. pits. “We knew this case It appears he became would be challengingboth asphyxiated after hanging investigators factually and legally,” there for an undisclosed ThomasMin, the prose- amountoftime, sheriff’s cutor in the case,said in a Lt. Mike Parker said Fri- seek ID of man statement.“However, we day. believedthat it had to go Emergency crewsre- in frontofajury. We are sponded at about 7:30 on video obviously disappointed in a.m. Friday to the report the verdictbut appreciate of the body’s discovery. VIDEO the jury’s time in this matter.” BY JOHN HOLLAND Forvideo,see this story at ANDY ALFARO [email protected] Saucedotestified he [email protected] www.modbee.com. Firefighters mop up aftera4-alarm firedestroyed struck Kline twice as the FROM PAGE 1A CrescentWork&Outdoor on Eighth Street in downtown man leaned overthe seats, Investigators on Mon- arson, said Dustin Bruley, ModestoonSept.14. and said Kline never day released video of a chief of the Stanislaus punchedhim but seemed BOY man in the area of Cres- Regional Fire Investiga- to be advancing on him. cent Work &Outdoor on tion Unit. It is working the sumed abuilding that the Point Uniforms. He said he did not know out the day Monday and the day it was destroyed case with the Modesto business, earlier known as Bruley said investiga- why Kline was being ag- into the night, searching a by fire. Police Department. Crescent Supply, had tors are still waiting for gressive. home connected to Cosso, They are trying to iden- The video is from two occupied since 1963. The analysis of the evidence Police previously said issuing an Amber alert for tify the man, who walks businesses that Bruley company, founded in by the California Depart- Kline acknowledged there Jayce and pleading with up and down an alley in declined to name. It 1946, plans to resume in a ment of Justice. had been afight,and said the public for help in find- the area of Eighth and I shows the man looking 321McHenry Ave. store People with information Saucedohad struckhim ing the Ford Fusion in streets, where the Sept. 14 through afence at one that it used to operate about the fire can call six times. An ambulance which they drove away. fire started. point, then removing his concurrently with the 209-525-5537 or send an arrived and treated It was atip from acaller The man is not a sus- shirt and putting it back downtown location. An email to [email protected]. Kline’s wife for acut to to CrimeStoppers that led pect at this point, and it is on. opening date has not been her face, but Kline was not to Tuesday’s happy re- too early in the probe to The fire, reported at set. Crescent also has a taken to the hospital by union. say that the cause was about 5p.m, quickly con- Stockton location, Weber emergency responders. “We had tips coming in Adoctor testifiedKline on Facebook, Instagram, had previously had four CrimeStoppers and we operations on his heart followed up on the leads involved theportrayal of and admitted to falling throughout the evening Former Turlock nurse sentenced for sadistic, masochistic and and hitting his head a and then with the help of other depictions of vio- month prior to the fight. the Alameda County Sher- receiving, sharing child porn lence. Someofthe images Kline was taken to the iff’s Department, we took included depictions of hospitalbyfriends on the (John Cosso) into custody pre-pubescent children. night of the fightand was this morning,” Modesto BY ROSALIO AHUMADA GARY GENE BISHOP WASFOUND TO Bishop is thethird Tur- releasedfrom aModesto Police spokeswoman Sha- [email protected] HAVE RECEIVED AND DISTRIBUTED ON lock manthis month who hospitaldays later, ac- ron Bear said. has been sentenced in cording to testimony. As for Jayce, Bear said, A43-year-old Turlock THE INTERNET MORE THAN 100 federalcourt on child porn He diedonApril 9, “He’s in good spirits, he man on Monday was sen- VIDEOS AND5,000 IMAGES OF charges. Edward Paul 2014,investigators said. seemed excited to come tencedtoeight yearsand Cragg was convicted of Saucedoisthe son-in- home. He didn’t seem four months in federal CHILDREN ENGAGED IN SEXUALLY one countofreceipt and law of former Merced harmed in any way.” prisonfor receiving and EXPLICIT CONDUCT. distribution of child porn. Police ChiefNorman Bear said John Cosso distributingchild pornog- Adam AlanHenry was Andrade, who was the will be booked on suspi- raphy. convicted of conspiring to chief at the time of the cion of kidnapping, bur- Gary Gene Bishopwas sexually exploit aminor incident. His department glary, domestic violence found to have received and Drozd also ordered Bishop Bishop,anurse,was and receiving child porn. also led the investigation. and child endangerment distributed on the Internet to serve 10 years of super- arrested Sept. 29,2016 at The case against Bishop Police have said Andrade and held on $300,000 more than100 videos and visedrelease when he’s work. Turlock police said wasthe result of an in- removed himselffrom the bail. 5,000 images of children completed his prison sen- at the time that investiga- vestigation by U.S.Home- investigationand did not She said his son will be engaged in sexuallyexpli- tence.InAugust 2016, tors didn’t believe his landSecurity Investiga- participateinoroversee booked into juvenile hall cit conduct, according to Bishop was served with a crimeswere in any way tions and the Turlock Po- any of the personnel in- on suspicion of kidnap- the U.S. Attorney’s Office search warrant whenhewas associated with his job. liceDepartment. Assistant volved. ping, burglary and cruelty in Sacramento. suspectedofsharing explicit Federal prosecutors said U.S. Attorney BrianEnos to achild. U.S.District Judge Dale photosofchildren online. the online images also prosecutedthe case. WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26 2018 News 5A MODBEE.COM Trump attacks 2nd Kavanaugh accuser

“that a majority of the BY JOHN WAGNER members are prepared” to Washington Post vote then. The full Senate could vote next Tuesday. WASHINGTON Senate Majority Leader President Donald Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Trump attacked one of the was defiant, speaking women who has accused confidently about Kava- Supreme Court nominee naugh’s prospects, assail- Brett Kavanaugh of sexual ing Democrats and cast- misconduct in harsh lan- ing the nominee as a vic- guage Tuesday, as sen- tim of “the weaponization ators escalated their parti- of unsubstantiated san warfare over his con- smears.” firmation ahead of a high- “We’re going to be ly anticipated hearing. moving forward. I’m con- MARK MAKELA AP pool After his speech at the fident we’re going to Bill Cosby is taken away in handcuffs Tuesday after he was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for felony sexual United Nations, Trump win,” McConnell told assault on in Norristown, Pa. took aim at Deborah Ra- reporters Tuesday after- mirez, a classmate of noon. “He will be con- Kavanaugh’s at Yale Uni- firmed in the very near FROM PAGE 1A serve that classification. “How’s he going to versity and the second future.” The expert, Timothy Fo- meet these people?” woman to accuse the And asked Tuesday ley, said Cosby was no Green said. “There is no nominee. She told the whether he could envision COSBY longer a threat to anyone reasonable prospect that New Yorker magazine any scenario in which the and he contradicted a an 81-year-old blind man that he exposed himself to White House withdraws stared straight ahead. The second day of deliber- psychologist representing is likely to reoffend.” her at a party when they Kavanaugh’s nomination, other female accusers, ations on three counts of Pennsylvania’s Sexual But the psychologist for were both first-year stu- deputy press secretary Raj seated more toward the aggravated indecent as- Offenders Assessment the state panel, Kristen dents. Dismissing Rami- Shah said on MSNBC: back, did not celebrate. sault. One key difference Board who testified Mon- Dudley, said she did not rez’s account because she “Absolutely not.” But some later expressed in the trials: During the day, the first day of Cos- believe the disorder had was “totally inebriated their happiness. retrial, O’Neill allowed by’s sentencing hearing. dissipated with age. and all messed up,” FEMALE LAWYER HIRED “This is fair and just,” five additional accusers to That psychologist had said “It is possible that he Trump also accused Dem- Looking ahead to said Janice Dickinson, the give their accounts of Cosby had demonstrated has already met someone ocrats of playing a “con Thursday’s hearing, Judi- former model who had what they said was sexual a lifetime interest in sex who could be a future game” in an attempt to ciary Committee Chair- testified at the trial that abuse by Cosby. During with nonconsenting wo- victim,” she said. derail his Supreme Court man Charles Grassley, Cosby had assaulted her the first trial, he had al- men, which indicated a The final decision by choice. R-Iowa, said his staff has at a Lake Tahoe hotel lowed only one additional mental abnormality. O’Neill upheld the board’s “The second accuser hired a female lawyer room in 1982. “I am victo- accuser to join Constand The determination of finding. He said the state has nothing,” Trump told from outside the commit- rious.” in giving an account. whether a defendant is a had met “a clear and reporters. “The second tee to lead the question- Cosby was no stranger Cosby’s trial and con- sexually violent predator convincing standard.” accuser thinks maybe it ing, but he would not to the Central Valley dur- viction has played out at a can be a factor in sentenc- Constand spoke in court could have been him, disclose her identity, citing his career. In 1999 he time when the country is ing and in the conditions Monday, along with her maybe not. She admits ing her security. gave the commencement coming to terms with a imposed both in prison mother, father and sister. she was drunk. She admits Kavanaugh has vehe- at California State Uni- culture of predatory sex- and afterward. Constand told the judge: time lapses.” mently denied the allega- versity, Stanislaus, and ual abuse by powerful “I found him to be ex- “The jury heard me, Mr. The president dismissed tion from Ramirez, as well performed a sold-out men. traordinarily low risk,” Cosby heard me and now the notion that the allega- as the accusation from comedy show that same A large number of the Foley said. all I am asking for is jus- tion could be disqualify- Christine Blasey Ford, weekend on campus. women who accused Cos- He came to his opinion, tice as the court sees fit.” ing, saying sarcastically: who told The Washington He was back in 2011, by of abusing them had he said, after he met with Cosby told the judge “Oh, gee, let’s not make Post that he sexually as- appearing for a sold-out expected a long prison Cosby for three hours on Tuesday through his law- him a Supreme Court saulted her when they show at Modesto’s Gallo sentence, one that offered July 18 and also after re- yer that he did not intend judge because of that.” were high school students Center for the Arts. Then a measure of comfort viewing some records. He to speak before sentenc- Trump’s charged rheto- in Maryland. Top Judi- his last visit was in 2015, since their own claims said he had read none of ing. ric against his nominee’s ciary Committee staffers again in Turlock, but this were barred by the statute the trial records or deposi- Cosby has denied all the accusers came as Repub- held a call with Kava- time in the midst of his of limitations when they tions in the case. accusations against him, licans quickly closed ranks naugh earlier Tuesday to past sexual assault revela- came forward in the past M. Stewart Ryan, a and most experts had said around Kavanaugh, even interview him about the tions. The show was sold few years. prosecutor, asked whether they did not anticipate he as a handful of pivotal allegation outlined in the out and he received a O’Neill, who also fined he was aware that Cosby would express remorse swing votes remained New Yorker. As he has standing ovation from the Cosby $25,000, refer- had admitted to getting because his team has quiet on whether they done publicly, Kavanaugh crowd that was spotted enced Constand’s victim seven prescriptions of already announced plans would support his confir- again denied the allega- with a few empty seats. impact statement, where quaaludes to give to wo- to appeal his conviction. mation in the coming tion in the staff interview. Outside one a single she described the emo- men for sex. Foley said he He did answer a few days. Unlike a previous staff showed up with a home- tional pain the assault had was not. procedural questions, and The Supreme Court interview, Democratic made sign that read, “I left her in. “As she said, Foley also said he did asked a question as prose- begins its new term Mon- aides listened in on the Believe The Women.” Mr. Cosby,” the judge not know that five other cutors led him through a day, and Republicans are Tuesday afternoon call, Cosby’s journey to pri- said, “you took her beauti- women had testified at list of his duties now that under intense political another person briefed on son was a long one. After ful healthy young spirit trial that they had been he will be a registered sex pressure from conserva- the conversation said. But his arrest in December and you crushed it.” assaulted by Cosby. offender for the rest of his tives to confirm Kava- the Democrats – who have 2015, his first trial in 2017 O’Neill ruled earlier in Cosby’s lawyer, Joseph life. naugh amid warnings that called for the FBI to re- ended with a hung jury the day that Cosby qual- Green, argued Monday “If I went from a city to failure could cost the GOP open its background check after six days of deliber- ified as a “sexually violent that Cosby’s age and the another city do I have to, in November’s midterm investigation of Kava- ations. predator” under Penn- fact he is legally blind even if it’s just overnight, elections. naugh – made their ob- But at the retrial here in sylvania law. meant he was no risk, I have to get in touch with Late Tuesday, the Sen- jections to the process April, in the same court- His decision came after especially since there have the state police?” Cosby ate Judiciary Committee clear and subsequently house and before the testimony by a psycholo- been no new allegations said. Ryan, the prosecutor, sent out a notice sched- refused to ask the judge same judge, a jury con- gist for the defense, who of sexual abuse leveled said he should consult his uling a 9:30 a.m. commit- questions, the person said. victed Cosby on only the said Cosby did not de- against him since 2004. lawyer. tee vote Friday in the case

FROM PAGE 3A the delta. In setting the flow standards, the State Crack in support Water Board is obligated LETTER to protect the beneficial uses that rely on water beam shuts down With the districts’ ap- including cities, agricul- proach, more water would ture, industry and the SF’s $2B terminal remain in reservoirs for environment. According agriculture, city customers to a statement from the and other needs. State Water Board, the replacing roofing tiles. An MID spokeswoman settlement talks are confi- BY PAUL ELIAS Zabaneh said engineers said the districts are active dential and conducted Associated Press spent the day inspecting participants in discussions with the state’s Natural the damage and decided with the state. “Senator Resources Agency. SAN FRANCISCO to shut the station around Feinstein’s letter adds to The proposed delta plan San Francisco officials 5 p.m., just as the after- the growing list of elected update is structured to shut down the city’s cele- noon rush hour started. LORIN ELENI GILL AP file officials that are encourag- provide a discount on brated new $2.2 billion “The beam is cracked,” Tourists take photos inside the San Francisco Transbay ing the parties to seek a flows to water districts transit terminal Tuesday Zabaneh said. “The beha- Transit Center in San Francisco last month. It was shut voluntary agreement and that come up with signif- after discovering a crack vior of the beam is unpre- down Tuesday after a crack was found in a beam. further bolsters the dis- icant proposals, the board in a support beam under dictable.” trict’s position that a com- said. River flows could be the center’s public roof Zabaneh said the crack prehensive, science-based reduced to 30 percent or garden. was found near a weld on a temporary transit center entrance hall and a roof- approach is vital to meet raised to 50 percent, de- Coined the “Grand a stress-bearing horizontal about two blocks away top park with an outdoor the fishery goals set by the pending on whether goals Central of the West,” the beam. He said he did not that was used during the amphitheater. state,” the MID said. The are met for doubling the Salesforce Transit Center know how long the crack center’s construction. A The San Francisco State Water Board has salmon population. The opened in August near the was. downtown street that runs Chronicle reported that expressed concern the water board’s statement heart of downtown after Zabaneh said the cause under the beam was also the complex faced delays salmon population is in cited the Yuba Accord, a nearly a decade of con- and the extent of the dam- ordered closed indefi- in putting out contracts to serious decline. About product of protracted struction. It was expected age were unknown and nitely, causing traffic bid, and the winning bids 70,000 fall-run adults litigation, as a robust to accommodate 100,000 the decision to close the chaos at the same time were ultimately higher returned to spawn in the agreement that balanced passengers each weekday, terminal was made out of some streets were closed than expected. The termi- San Joaquin tributaries in the needs of fish and wild- and up to 45 million peo- an “abundance of cau- for a conference spon- nal’s cost rose from $1.6 1984, but the number was life, water districts, agri- ple a year. tion.” sored by Salesforce that billion at its 2010 ground- just 8,000 in 2014. culture and electrical The center is operated He said structural engi- was expected to draw breaking to more than $2 A state report in 2010 power generation on the by the Transbay Joint neers would be working at 170,000 attendees. billion in 2016 because of concluded that 60 percent Yuba River. Powers Authority and its the building Tuesday Enveloped in wavy what one analyst called flows in the San Joaquin executive director Mark night to assess whether it white sheets of metal veil, “optimistic assumptions,” tributaries from February Zabaneh said workers is safe for people to re- the five-level center in- according to the Chron- through June would sup- discovered the crack turn. cludes a bus deck, a to- icle. port native fish species in around 10 a.m. while Buses were rerouted to wering sky-lit central SCENE SPORTS Popstar The topgames Paula Abdul talks to watchinhigh straightupabout school football her long hiatus 6C playoffs 1B

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who represents the tributary association. O’Laughlin, MID and TID officials met with The Board’s river flow vote could Modesto Bee editorial board Wednesday. State representatives have been flexible on some elements triggeraflood of lawsuits of the Bay Delta update, such as the proposal for 40 percent natural flow in rivers from Feb- to require irrigation districts to Authority, including Modesto, It’s conceivable that Bonham ruary through June, O’Laughlin BY KEN CARLSON leave more water in the Tuo- Turlock and Oakdale irrigation and Department of Water Re- said. Because of aconfidential- [email protected] lumne, Stanislaus and Merced districts, has drafted alawsuit sources director Karla Nemeth ity pact, the attorney said he rivers in an effort to restore that will be filed within days of could decide enough progress could not share more details of Most signs point to the State salmon. next week’s decision. has been made to postpone the possible agreements. Water Board approving amuch- Local irrigation districts and Water districts on the trib- hearing and work on more de- Wednesday’s decision also is disputed river flow plan next county and city leaders have utaries have held regular talks tails of settlements. expected to trigger lawsuits week that will mean less water promised aprolonged battle since September with state But no one is betting that will from environmental groups for farms and cities in the over the water board’s final plan Department of Fish and Wildlife happen. demanding larger water releas- Northern San Joaquin Valley. released in July, saying it will director Charlton “Chuck” “We don’t know as we sit es from Sierra Nevada dams to The board, also known as the devastate the region’s economy Bonham and former Interior here today what they are telling support fish in the Sacramento- State Water Resources Control and won’t help the fish. Secretary Bruce Babbitt on the state board if anything,” Board, is set to vote Wednesday The San Joaquin Tributaries possible settlement agreements. said attorney Tim O’Laughlin, SEE WATER VOTE, 6A Save Mart:Anew look, newstore, but same old Central Valleypride

OLIVIER DOULIERYTNS PresidentDonald Trump said his executiveorder is to protect against amigrant“invasion.” Trump: It’s tent cities forasylum seekers

BY FRANCO ORDOÑEZ [email protected]

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump, in a televised addressfilled with tough election-seasonrhetoric, said Thursday that he willsign an extensiveexecutiveorder requiring asylum seekers to presentthemselves at aport of entry and will house them in tent cities until their legalcases are completed. Trump has madeacaravan of several thousandmigrants from ANDY ALFARO [email protected] CentralAmerica acentralcam- Hector Calderon finishes aconcretepad Thursday at the siteofThe Marketplace retail developmentonOakdale Road in Modesto. paign issue as the midterm elections loom Tuesday. “We’re not releasing them into our country any longer. “It’s really arefresh to our They’ll wait,” Trump said. BY MARIJKE ROWLAND stores so customers have a “We’re putting together mas- [email protected] shopping experiencethat’s sive cities of tents. We’re going worthy of their patronage,” she to hold them right there.” Thefresh face leading Mo- said. Trump said the orderwas desto-based grocery giant Save This includes anew Save necessary to protect the United Mart wants to bring fresh ideas, Mart logo (switching to asofter States from an “invasion” of afresh look and fresh experi- more organic font with orange thousandsofmigrants who are encetothe Central Valley. and green colors instead of its traveling north in acaravan. He TheSave Mart Companies more utilitarianred font from also said the more than 5,000 CEONicole Pesco, whose before), full store redesigns, militarytroopsthat are assigned grandfather Michael Piccinini new programs and in-store to “harden”the border will and great-granduncleNick features. At the sametime,the consider arock thrownbya Tocco startedthe venerable brand has launcheda#Val- migrant“as afirearm.” valley brand in 1952,isnow leyProud social media cam- That comment suggests that almost two years into her ten- paign to re-emphasize its com- the militaryorlaw enforcement ure at the helm of the super- mitment to the region where it could engageinmore lethal market empire. And, she said, was founded. activity thanthe support role finally the fruits of her efforts Save Mart has storesupand JOAN BARNETTLEE [email protected] the Pentagon has saidthey will to reframe the company are Save Mart CEO Nicole Pesco gives the keynoteaddressatthe being seen by consumers. SEE SAVE MART, 6A BusinessWomen’s Symposium on ThursdayinModesto. SEE TENT CITIES, 5A

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OBITUARIES FROM PAGE 1A Save Mart focusing back on being born and bred here in the valley and SAVE MART understanding our customers in an better way down northern and cen- than someone with an tral California from Chico office in adifferent state to Tehachapi. The Save is where we can differ- Mart Companies also entiate ourselves.” owns the Lucky, Lucky WE’RE REALLY Some of that is in the California, FoodMaxx and TRYING TO BE redesign. Another compo- Maxx Value Foods grocery nent is creating new fea- ‘‘MUCH MORE tures, like its in-store chains for atotal of 208. This year 50 stores, LOCALLYFOCUSED. grills. The concept allows including some in the customers to purchase company’s Bay Area- Nicole Pesco, SaveMart meat, poultry, seafood based Lucky supermar- CompaniesCEO and produce and have it kets, are being refur- grilled to order while they bished. The work will shop. The redesigned culminate with the com- materials used. There will Oakdale and Ceres stores pletion of the company’s also be an increase in have the new grill option. new flagship Save Mart freshly prepared offerings Another way of staying store in north Modesto, from prepped meal kits to competitive is entering slated to open late next fully made hot dinners. the online grocery market. year. In the meantime, And the company wants to Earlier this year Save Mart construction continues on stock more local products. joined competitors like other Save Mart super- Pesco said those items will Raley’s and Safeway who markets in what is the change between stores, offer personal shopping first-ever company-wide depending on regional services via apps and store redesign project. tastes and availability. online ordering. Its Already stores in Porter- “We’re really trying to ClickCart service started ville, Tracy, Los Banos, be much more locally in the Modesto store on Oakdale and Ceres have focused so that we can Pelandale Avenue and has debuted the new design. provide our customers since expanded to five This coming week, four with food that comes from other locations including Save Marts in Fresno will their friends and neigh- Riverbank, Fresno and have grand reopenings to bors who are producing Visalia. show off the new look. it,” she said. In about ayear, Pesco Before the end of the year, Another part of that said Save Mart hopes to more stores in Fresno, local focus is the #Val- add adelivery component Reedley, Clovis, Kings- leyProud social media to its online shopping burg, Sonora, Merced, campaign. The first video service. Right now only Lemoore and Visalia all in the series was filmed in curbside pickup is avail- will debut the updated Fresno and features local able. design. residents proclaiming why Work began at the site All 81 Save Mart stores they’re proud to live in the of the new flagship Mo- should be completed in region. Pesco said more desto store, in the under the next couple of years, videos will be produced construction The Market- Pesco said, in amulti- and rolled out from place development at the million dollar directive around the valley in the corner of Oakdale Road aimed at keeping and future. and Sylvan Avenue, earli- attracting consumers in Still, it is achallenging er this year. The company the increasingly crowded time for grocery stores as has not broken ground yet grocery industry. more and more retailers on the 54,000-square- Modesto-native Pesco, enter the market. Grocery foot structure, but expects who is also the daughter products are being sold at to in the new year. The of the late longtime com- mega superstores like store opening has been pany owner and CEO Bob Target, Walmart and even pushed back to late 2019. Piccinini, took over in Home Depot. To combat Two other structures in December 2016.Her that, Pesco said Save Mart the development, whose background in design — has focused on making tenants have not been she holds adegree from going to its stores an expe- announced yet, are being the Polimoda Institute of rience shoppers look for- worked on currently. International Fashion ward to, instead of a “That will be really our Design in Florence, Italy chore. flagship store and will —isshowcased in the new “I think creating an have all of the bells and project as is her attention experience in store that whistles in terms of the to the customer experi- makes it worth people brand and concepts that ence. making the drive and we are ready to present to Part of the refresh is to going to shop in aretail the customer.” improve the ambiance environment is very im- inside each store, chang- portant,” she said. “And ing the color schemes and that’s where really for

FROM PAGE 1A Davis, wrote in the Cali- fornia WaterBlog in Au- gust that “the fall run WATERVOTE Chinook salmon population in the San Joaquin San Joaquin river delta. tiated settlements with basin are being sustained ASan Francisco Board cities. by straying hatchery fish of Supervisors decision “The city believes a from the Sacramento this week, to support the balance between envi- River system.” state plan, struck at the ronmental preservation Local irrigation districts, alliance between the city’s and protection of water along with the San Fran- public utilities commis- supply for our residents cisco PUC, have wanted sion and MID and TID. and businesses can be assurance that increased San Francisco’s utilities achieved,” Gillmor wrote. flows in the San Joaquin agency has rights to Tuo- “This is acritical issue for tributaries will stream lumne River water in our city, and we believe through the delta to im- Hetch Hetchy reservoir, that anegotiated settle- prove outflows. It’s known which supplies 85 percent ment is the best way to that water originating of water for customers in provide an adequate and from the San Joaquin the city and 26 other com- reliable water supply from basin is soon exported by munities in the Bay Area. the Tuolumne River, a the Tracy pumps to water “We are disappointed in vital part of the Bay Del- users in the southern San the supervisors’ support ta.” Joaquin Valley. for the State Water Board Supporting the decision The Bay Delta issues plan,” said Michelle to back the state plan have coincided with hear- Reimers, assistant general were the Natural Re- ings on Gov. Brown’s manager of external af- sources Defense Council, delta tunnels project to fairs for TID. Reimers said Trout Unlimited, the Sier- improve the conveyance aTuolumne River man- ra Club and Tuolumne of Northern California agement plan backed by River Trust. Those groups water to agribusiness in the irrigation districts and have claimed that 50 to the San Joaquin Valley PUC is abetter alternative 60 percentriver flows are and urban users in South- for boosting salmon in the needed to revive species ern California. river. in the delta, amounts that Courts are expected to San Francisco’s liberal would drain reservoirs in see aflurry of lawsuits in supervisors wanted to consecutive dry years, the months following next break free from an alli- according to the Valley week’s water board deci- ance with President Don- irrigation districts. sion. The plan requires a ald Trump, who has in- In written comments signoff from the federal tervened on behalf of and at hearings, critics of Environmental Protection Central Valley water users the water board’s proposal Agency, which could ap- who oppose what they call say it contains vague goals prove or reject it in April. the “water grab.” The for salmon restoration and Brenda Burman, aBu- board’s support for the lacks cohesive science, reau of Reclamation com- Bay Delta update could despite millions spent on missioner, has suggested a weaken the PUC’s ability studies in the delta. Scien- federal lawsuit could be to challenge the water tists have suggested the filed if the Stanislaus flow board proposal in court. delta, with its severely requirements are not More frequent water altered waterways, no consistent with congres- shortages and higher longer operates as an sional directives for New water rates are predicted estuary, creating condi- Melones reservoir. if less river water is di- tions that favor nonnative Despite all the talk of verted for the cities. Be- bass, which eradicate lawsuits, everyone from fore the decision Tuesday, young salmon before they the governor to Central cities and water agencies can reach the ocean. Valley farmers would in the Bay Area urged San The state is aiming for a prefer voluntary settle- Francisco to postpone the goal of doubling salmon ments they can live with. pro-Delta plan vote due to populations in the three “If there is an opportu- the ongoing settlement rivers, though experts say nity for an extension on When aloved talks with the state. few natural-born salmon that vote, that would be In an email to the San return to San Joaquin advantageous to us,” said Francisco board, Santa tributaries. John Davids, MID’s assist- Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor Peter Moyle, associate ant general manager of agreed with Gov. Jerry director of the Center for water operations. Brown’s support for nego- Watershed Sciences at UC SPORTS BUSINESSBEAT ModestoChristian Organic eatery QB Hayden in Hughson brings Sauser comes up healthful food big forhis team 1B to ag heartland 3A

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ity or environmental objectives. Water Board Chairwoman Felicia Marcusagreed to sup- Stateboardagrees to delay port the request from the state’s top elected officialand his suc- cessor, thoughshe preferred to see more parties involved in the approval of river water plan negotiations. “There are folks who won’t be in this room and alot of skepti- pressure to divert less water so The governor and Newsom clear exactly how the water cism on the part of people who BY KEN CARLSON salmonpopulations can re- asked for the one-time exten- board plan for the San Joaquin don’tknow what’s going on in [email protected] bound in rivers. sion Tuesday in what some River and its tributaries serves there,” Marcussaid,adding Wednesday, the state board called an historic letter, which the tunnels project. later.“Iamwilling and wel- TheState Water Resources voted 3-0topostpone approval of would allow current negotia- Delta protection and envi- comethe attemptofthe gover- Control Board honored are- awater quality control update for tionstoprogressand “result in a ronmentalgroups have cast nor to try and get us alittle quest by Gov. Jerry Brown and the Sacramento-San Joaquin faster, less contentious and aspersions on voluntary settle- closerto(agreements) in away Governor-elect Gavin Newsom delta that’sfiercely opposed by more durable outcome.” ment agreements as “backroom that only (Gov. Brown) can.” for 34 days to work out volun- water districts, agricultural in- Brown has continued to push deals” that,intheir view,have MichaelFranz, aTurlock tary settlements with irrigation terests and communities that rely for his delta tunnels project in historicallyallowed water dis- IrrigationDistrict boardmem- districts in the Northern San on water from the Tuolumne, the final weeks of his storied tricts and their agribusiness Joaquin Valley, which are under Stanislaus and Merced rivers. political career, thoughit’s un- customers to evade water qual- SEE WATER PLAN, 6A Stanislaus clerk: Everyone able to vote;poll watchers disagree

JABIN BOTSFORD Washington Post Jeff Sessions has resigned at the president’srequest. Trump pushes Sessions out of AG post

BY PETER BAKER AND KATIE BENNER New York Times

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump forced out Attorney General Jeff ANDY ALFARO [email protected] SessionsonWednesday and Tech team supervisor Tim McNabb,right, prepares ballots forcounting at the Stanislaus County Clerk Recorders office in Modesto on replacedhim with aloyalist who Wednesday. The election office reportedearly Wednesdaythat it had counted79,996 ballots so far. will take charge of the special counselinvestigation into Rus- sia’s electioninterference, a Lee Lundrigan, county clerk defiantmove just aday after a BY KEVIN VALINE AND and registrar, and othercounty midtermelection loss. GARTH STAPLEY officials reiterated Wednesday Sessions delivered his resigna- [email protected] that voters were not denied the tion letter to the WhiteHouse at [email protected] ability to castballots. the request of the president, and Discord between Stanislaus “Wewere doing the bestwith Trump tapped Matthew Whitak- County’selection office and whatthey (the pollwatchers) er, Sessions’ chiefofstaff, as pollwatchers continuedaday perceived as problems,” County acting attorney general. In that afterTuesday’s midterm elec- Counsel John Doering said. capacity, Whitaker assumes con- tions, with poll watchers con- “Andwedid address those trol of the Russia investigation, tinuing to claim some voters problems in atimely fashion, raising questions aboutthe future were not able to cast ballots, an with the touchstonethat every- of the inquiry led by specialcoun- allegation officials say is not one was able to vote.” sel Robert Mueller. true. ThiscomesasRepublican Whitaker has previously ques- “Unfortunately voters were incumbent Jeff Denhamcon- tioned the scope of the investi- disenfranchised,” Modesto tinues to hold aslight lead gation. In acolumn for CNN attorney Lisa Battista said against Democratic challenger last year, Whitaker wrote that Wednesday. “We are not going Josh Harder to represent Sta- Muellerwouldbegoingtoo far to get that back and have afair nislaus County and southern if he examined the Trump fam- election.” San Joaquin County in Con- ily’s finances. Battista organized agroup of gress. There are thousands of “This wouldraise serious about 50 pollwatchers in Sta- ballots left to count. concerns that the special coun- nislaus County throughthe There were long lines here sel’s investigationwas amere auspices of the California and across the nation Tuesday, witch hunt,”Whitaker wrote, Democratic Party.She fileda and preliminaryestimates echoingthe president’s derisive petition Tuesdayasking ajudge suggest huge voter turnout. description of the investigation. to extendvotinghours beyond The Bee has reported voter Muellerhas subpoenaed the their normal closing time of 8 registrationinStanislausCoun- Trump Organization for docu- p.m.AStanislausSuperior ty increased 16 percentsince ments related to Russia. Court judge denied the request the 2014 midterm elections, Until now, the investigation at an emergency hearing. while the county’s population has beenoverseen by Rod Ro- Battista also said she faced grew by less than 5percent. senstein, the deputy attorney hostility from county officials, Lundrigan said her office ANDY ALFARO [email protected] general, because Sessions re- which county officialssaid was Aprovisional ballot envelope at the Stanislaus County Clerk not true. SEE BALLOT ISSUES, 6A Recorders office in Modesto. SEE SESSIONS OUT, 4A

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FROM PAGE 1A

WATER PLAN THE GOVERNOR ber, said after the meeting Bay Area, said the talks AND that lawsuits likely would have been fruitful in the ‘‘GOVERNOR-ELECT have been triggered if the past two months but more state board had approved work is needed on the ARE THE RIGHT the controversial Bay- agreement, which in- Delta plan this week. And cludes floodplain restora- LEADERS, AT THE the talks would have end- tion and functional river RIGHT TIME.THEY ed. flows to support young “I am grateful the water salmon. In addition, a ARE BOLD.THEY board heeded the gover- revenue structure is need- KNOWHOW TO nor’s request,” Franz said. ed for funding improve- “We look forward to con- ments. ACCOMPLISH BOLD tinuing with the good faith “We are working dili- THINGS.THEY process at the negotiating gently,” Carlin said. “We table.” think we can get there in RICH PEDRONCELLI AP file AGREE WITH THE Franz explained that a the next 35 days.” Assemblyman Adam Gray,D-Merced, speaks at arally to protest aproposal by state NEED TO IMPROVE board vote to adopt the Doug Obegi, director of waterofficials to increase waterflows forthe lowerSan Joaquin River to protect fish. Bay-Delta plan would river restoration for the AQUATIC have forced the districts Natural Resources De- into court based on legal fense Council, urged the Chuck Bonham, director right leaders, at the right tance of that in aphone ECOSYSTEMSAND advice. The legal theory is board to approve the Bay- of the state Department of time. They are bold. They conversation. The Bay- THATIT’S AN that water districts must Delta plan and let the Fish and Wildlife, and know how to accomplish Delta plan would establish comply with the details of parties continue with Department of Water Re- bold things. They agree river flow objectives of 40 URGENT NEED. water quality control plans negotiations. sourcesDirector Karla with the need to improve percent of natural flow, ChuckBonham, director rather than side agree- “I wouldlove to see a Nemeth told the water aquatic ecosystems and within arange of 30 to 50 of thestate Department ments that are negotiated settlement that requires board that the voluntary that it’s an urgent need,” percent, to double salmon of Fish and Wildlife after the regulatory plans less flow,” Obegi said. “But settlements areapath to Bonham said. populations in the rivers. are adopted. Ihave never seen any implementing measures Board member Steven In wetter-than- normal Michael Carlin, chief credible science showing needed to save the ecosys- Moore, who will soon years, the districts could and elected officials in operating officer of the that is possible. If there’sa tems in the delta. leave the board, said it’s store extra water in reser- Stanislaus County predict San Francisco Public Util- voluntary settlement that Bonham said the gover- important that settlement voirs for supporting the the flow requirements will ities Commission, which achieves a(salmon) dou- nor has promised to seek proposals include awater fish in dry years, when result in severe cuts to diverts Tuolumne River bling objective then bring it no additional delays after budget for the environ- aquatic life has suffered water deliveries to agricul- water for residential and back and let allofuseval- Dec. 12. “The governor ment and that the gover- from limited flows. ture and would devastate business customers in the uate it.” and governor-elect are the nor recognized the impor- Local irrigation districts the economy.

FROM PAGE 1A sional ballots and voters envelopeswere provided they had to vote at the names and instructions to were turned away. “This to polling places that election officeand as- vote at Cornerstone Cov- problem caused delays needed them and polling sumed they were being enant Church and Cross- BALLOT ISSUES and long lines and some placesfound other ways to prevented from voting. roads Church, respec- voters were certainly frus- segregate provisional Someothervoters in tively, said Endsley-Bull had “multiplethousands ed electorate,”Lundrigan trated and left without ballots. Turlock —claimedby and LaFollette’s husband, of ballots” remaining to said. voting,”she said in a She said the recent both Denhamand Harder Brian. But they still were be counted. The election Battista said poll watch- previousstory. optionofconditional vot- as their home base—felt forced to re-register be- office reportedearly ers worked with the Har- Provisionalballots are ing was anotherfactor. devalued when poll work- fore they were given pro- Wednesdaythat it had der campaign to pinpoint offered to voterswhose This lets peoplevote who ers could not find their visionalballots, they said. counted 79,996ballots so the polling places with registration cannot be missedthe Oct. 22 regis- names on voter rolls. Endsley-Bull saidshe far. That represents a high turnoutand Spanish- verified at apolling place. trationdeadline to regis- Stephanie Endsley-Bull doesn’tvote by mail be- turnout of 32.3 percent speaking voters. She said Those reasons can include ter but they have to vote and her husband, John cause she likes her 6-year- among the county’s poll watchers visited people who are registered at the main electionoffice Bull, and Ronda LaFol- old son to see her partici- 247,833 registered voters. about three dozen polling to vote at another polling in downtown Modesto. letteall took their sample pate in the democratic She said Tuesday’s places. Lundrigan said the place or whohave recent- Lundrigan has said her ballots with them to the process. Butwhat usually election ranks among the county had 141polling ly moved. These ballots office had morethan pollswherethey had vot- is aquick in-and-outstop five busiest of the 43 her places Tuesday. are placed in pink enve- 1,000 of these voters ed many years, The Bee took more than an hour office has conducted dur- Battista has said that lopes to separate them Tuesday. She said poll learned in separatephone on Tuesday, she said. “I ing her 17-year tenure. “It about adozenpolling from regularballots so watchers may have seen interviews. didn’t leave with that seemslike avery busy places ran out of pink they can be verified later. conditional voters being Clearly printed on the satisfied, ‘I voted’ kind of election, and avery excit- envelopesused for provi- Lundrigan said pink told at polling places that sample ballots were their feeling,” she said. EXPLORE LOCAL Americans still Aguide to love the comfort popular area and taste of holidaylight Italian food 1B displays 3A

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Fightoverriver flows heads to Water Board; hopes risefor basic deal

At most, the districts and announcement after aclosed- BY KEN CARLSON negotiatorswith the state Nat- doorsession held Tuesday to [email protected] ural Resources Agency will have discuss potential litigation. the basic framework of an Top officials with the state As all eyes turn to the State agreement that’s an alternative Natural ResourcesAgency are Water ResourcesControlBoard to astate plan for river flows expectedtogive an update on on Wednesday,the board won’t that is fiercely opposed by water the talks at Wednesday’s meet- have complete settlement users and local agencies in Sta- ing in Sacramento.Ifthere is a ANDY ALFARO [email protected] agreements with Modesto-area nislausCounty. framework for an agreement, The Tuolumne River flows through WaterfordinAugust. On irrigation districts to consider at The Modesto Irrigation Dis- Wednesday, the StateWater Resources Control Boardwill consider a acrucialmeeting. trict board of directors had no SEE WATER BOARD, 5A plan to reserve moreofthe flowfor fish.

EPAseeks to roll back some limits in Clean WaterAct

BYKATE IRBY AND DALE KASLER [email protected] [email protected]

WASHINGTON The Environmental Protec- tion Agency said Tuesday it will make sure federal clean water regulations do not apply to thousandsofbodies of water in the United States. Acting EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced Tuesday that he’s proposing a rollbackofenvironmentally friendly rules first attempted three years ago when Barack Obama was president –ablow to environmentalists and avic- tory for anti-regulation Repub- licans and farmers. Wheelersaid Tuesday he would roll back those rules so ANDY ALFARO ModestoBee file the Clean Water Act would only John Duarte looks overDuarte NurseryinHughson. Duarte paid $1.1 million in fines forplanting wheat. apply to traditional navigable – deep enoughtobetraveled on by boat–water, tributaries to navigable waters, certain ditch- es largeenough to be usedfor navigation or subject to tides, Trump rolls back lakes and ponds,impoundments and wetlandsadjacent to any of PROPERTY OWNERS those. WILL BE ABLE TO Wheelersaid those limits wetlands rules; statestill made it clear to private citizens ‘‘STAND ON THEIR what would be subject to those PROPERTY AND regulations, and emphasized has protections in place that the EPA’s position was DETERMINE WHAT local entitiesshould have more IS FEDERAL WATER control overtheir ownlands and waters. Andrew Wheeler, acting Wendel RosenBlack &Dean WITHOUT HAVING “Property owners will be able BY DALE KASLER AND KATE IRBY administrator of the Environ- law firm in Oakland, agreed TO HIREOUTSIDE to standontheir propertyand [email protected] mental ProtectionAgency, said that the state’s laws should “fill determine what is federalwater [email protected] the new ruleswill give property the gap” as the feds back away PROFESSIONALS. withouthaving to hire outside owners greater flexibility to from regulation. professionals,” Wheeler said. It all started whenCalifornia manage theirlands without The statewaterboard has Andrew Wheeler, The precise impact on Cali- farmer John Duarte ploweda having to worry about federal beenworking for several years acting administrator fornia remains uncertain. wheat field in TehamaCounty, intervention. on new rules to guard the wet- of theEnvironmental Wheelersaid California has about two hours north of Sacra- “Property owners will be able lands, but isn’t expected to Protection Agency stricter regulations and mento, and wounduppaying a to stand on their property and finalize them untilsometime in wouldn’t be affected by the $1.1 million fine to the federal determinewhat is federalwater 2019, said board Chairwoman change. government for his efforts. without having to hire outside Felicia Marcus. hailedthe decision.Jamie Jo- Tim Moran,spokesman for On Tuesday, Duarte, who professionals,” Wheeler said. Despite the state protections, hansson,president of the Cali- the state Water ResourcesCon- wasembraced by conservatives The impact on California, environmentalists said they’re fornia Farm BureauFederation, trol Board,said, “Regardless of nationwide as avictim of gov- which has millionsofacres of still worried that Wheeler’s said the existing regulations the proposed federal action, the ernment over-reach, got vindi- wetlands,vernal pools and announcement could spell have “produced little beyond state’s waters and wetlands cation of sorts. other waterways subject to trouble for wetlands. “It’s po- confusionand litigation, and continue to be protected under In avictoryfor farmers and federalregulation,wasn’t clear. tentiallyahuge deal for the has undermined farmers’ ef- state laws.” landdevelopers throughout the Tim Moran, aspokesman for stateofCalifornia,” said Rachel forts to work cooperatively with The state board has been West, the Trump administration the State Water Resources Zwillinger,water policyadviser government agencies to protect working on policies of its own, announced abroadrollback of Control Board, said, “Regard- at Defenders of Wildlife. “It waterand land.” known as Watersofthe State, to rules designedtoprotect wet- less of the proposed federal would removefederalprotec- The controversy involves a provideeven stricter protections lands andothersmall bodies of action,the state’s waters and tionsfor ahuge number of ... provision of the federalClean for wetlands.Moran said those water. The decision means reg- wetlands continue to be pro- streams that are criticalfor the Water Act knownas“Waters of rules should be finalizednext ulations put in place in 2015 by tected under statelaws.” water we drinkand sustain fish the UnitedStates,” or WOTUS, year. the Obama administration will Wendy Manley, an envi- and wildlife.” fall by the wayside. ronmental attorney with the California’s farm groups SEE WETLANDS, 8A SEECLEANWATER, 8A

CUSTOMER SERVICE Classified Local Opinion To subscribe or reportdeliveryissues, 5B 3A 7A Comics 1C Lottery 2A Sports 2B 800-776-4233ormodbee.com/customer-service Horoscope 2C Obituaries 6A TV 5B WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 12 2018 THE MODESTO BEE ...... 5A OBITUARIES manage the cleanup and costs will be shared Calif. wildfires cleanup among state, federal and local authorities. He said he expects the to cost at least $3 billion cleanup to begin in Jan- uary and take about a year to complete. State and BY PAUL ELIAS federal officials are cur- Associated Press rently removing hazard- ous household materials SAN FRANCISCO from the damaged proper- State and federal au- ties. thorities estimated Tues- Most of the work will day that it will cost at least occur in Northern Cali- $3 billion to clear debris fornia, where the state’s from 19,000 homes and most destructive wildfire businesses destroyed by destroyed the city of Para- three California wildfires dise. last month. AP file Insurance companies The disaster relief offi- A vehicle rests Dec. 3 in front of a home leveled by the estimate the industry will cials said the cleanup Camp Fire in Paradise. State and federal disaster relief face at least $10 billion in costs will far surpass the officials said Tuesday that private contractors will most claims from homeowners record cleanup expense of likely begin removing debris in January from Butte, and businesses destroyed $1.3 billion the U.S. Army Ventura and Los Angeles counties. or damaged in the latest Corp of Engineers spent wildfires. on debris removal in California Insurance Northern California in much dirt and damaged of over-eager contractors. Commissioner said the 2017. unbroken driveways, side- “We learned a great carriers received $11.8 California Office of walks and pipes. The state number of things,” last billion in claims because Emergency Services Di- OES spent millions of year, Ghilarducci said. of the 2017 wine country rector Mark Ghilarducci dollars repairing that He said the U.S. Corps fires. said the state will manage damage. of Engineers was asked to Jones has warned in- cleanup contracts this Ghilarducci said the lead the effort last year creasing risk from wild- time. Hundreds of North- state OES will hire audi- because state resources fires in California could ern California home- tors and monitors to were stretched thin after prompt insurers to raise owners complained con- watch over the debris responding to more than a premiums or decline to tractors last year paid by removal in hopes of cut- dozen wildfires. This year, sell policies entirely to the ton hauled away too ting down on the number he said state officials can homes in high-risk areas.

Shooter attacks McConnell OKs Court OKs deal Pelosi, critics near Strasbourg vote on criminal with no jail in discuss limits on Christmas market justice overhaul Baylor rape case leaders’ terms A shooting in the The GOP-controlled A former fraternity Rep. Nancy Pelosi and French city of Strasbourg Senate will vote on a bill president at Baylor Uni- House Democrats oppos- killed three people and to overhaul the nation’s versity who was accused ing her bid to become wounded 12 others near a criminal justice system of raping afemale stu- speaker have discussed world-famous Christmas before the end of the dent in 2016 will avoid new rules that would market Tuesday, sparking year, Senate Majority jail time and will not have likely limit party leaders a broad lockdown and a Leader Mitch McConnell, to register as a sex of- to three two-year terms, search for the suspect, R-Ky., said Tuesday. fender under a plea deal people familiar with the who remained at large. He said recent changes approved Monday in talks said Tuesday. The French prosecutors said to the bill, such as pre- Waco, Texas. proposal, if adopted, a terrorism investigation venting some violent The agreement, which could well restrict Pelosi was opened. It was un- criminals from benefiting has roiled Waco and to just two more years clear whether the Christ- from its rehabilitation drawn outrage nationally, atop her party. mas market – which was programs, had won over calls for Jacob Anderson, The plan represents a the nucleus of an al-Qai- enough conservative 23, to serve three years of narrowing of a package da-linked plot in 2000 – holdouts to bring the probation, pay a $400 fine Democrats had consid- was targeted. The city is measure to the floor. and attend counseling; he ered that also would re- also home to the Euro- “At the request of the could eventually have the strict the number of years pean Parliament. president, and following conviction cleared from lawmakers could serve as Gendarmes went to the improvements to the his record. House committee chairs. suspect’s home to arrest legislation ... the Senate Anderson pleaded no That part of the plan has him before the attack, but will take up the recently contest to felony unlawful encountered criticism he wasn’t there, police revised criminal justice restraint in return for the from senior lawmakers said. They found explo- bill this month,” he said. dismissal of four counts and members of the Con- sive materials there. — MCCLATCHY of sexual assault. gressional Black Caucus. — ASSOCIATED PRESS NEWSPAPERS — NEW YORK TIMES — ASSOCIATED PRESS

FROM PAGE 1A The state board also is have a comment on the under pressure to stop progress of negotiations delaying and approve the Tuesday. WATER BOARD water quality update for The irrigation districts the delta. In a news re- want to prevent scenarios the state board could In July, the irrigation lease, the Environmental in which no water is deliv- approve a much-disputed districts and communities Defense Fund said the ered to farmers in dry update to its Bay-Delta in the Northern San Joa- board could approve the years, which would result water quality plan, which quin erupted after the plan to benefit salmon in pumping and depletion could serve as a baseline state released a proposal and still keep the door of groundwater basins. for considering detailed for leaving 40 to 50 per- open for voluntary agree- With regular cuts to irriga- voluntary settlements with cent of unimpaired flows ments “if reached by all tion, farmers converting water districts after Gavin in the Tuolumne, Stanis- parties.” to lower-value crops Newsom is sworn in as laus and Merced rivers The MID and TID, would erode property governor in January. with a goal of doubling along with the San Fran- values and tax revenue for It’s also possible the depleted salmon pop- cisco Public Utilities Com- public services. water board could post- ulations in the rivers. mission, say they have a The city of Modesto pone the matter again. The state water board comprehensive plan for uses treated water from The issue was continued said those higher flows, at restoring salmon in the the Tuolumne River to from a Nov. 7 meeting at the expense of farmers Tuolumne, including $171 supplement its drinking the request of Gov. Jerry and city water customers, million in restoration and water wells and would Brown and Newsom, who were needed to revive the habitat projects. An MID receive the same reduc- wanted to allow more troubled ecosystem in the spokesperson said the tions as farmers if the time for negotiated agree- Sacramento-San Joaquin funds would be spent over MID is forced to cut water ments with the water Delta. the 30- to 40-year life of a deliveries. districts. Assemblyman Adam Federal Energy Regulato- MID Board Member Gray, D-Merced, orga- ry Commission license John Mensinger said there nized a rally in Sacra- renewal for Don Pedro is general agreement on mento attended by 1,500 dam. many issues with the state residents from the valley Larry Byrd, an MID Natural Resources Agen- and other places in Cali- board member, said the cy, which includes the fornia, saying the state district would prefer to departments of Fish and proposal would take too avoid years of litigation Wildlife and Water Re- much water, wreak havoc that usually follow water sources, among other on the farm-based com- policy decisions in Cali- agencies. munities and lead to fornia. “We will spend a “What we are talking groundwater overdrafting. lot of money on the Tuo- about is much better,” The fairness of the flow lumne, but it has to be for Mensinger said Monday. requirements on the trib- fish restoration and to “On most issues there is utaries of the lower San enhance fish habitat,” general agreement. What Joaquin River is seriously Byrd said. “We are not was in the Bay-Delta plan questioned. The plan going to give up 40 per- and (supplemental envi- requires nothing from cent flows.” ronmental document) was upper San Joaquin water For all of the districts, unacceptable.” users who are said to have the key issues are the The Oakdale and South more political clout. amount and timing of San Joaquin irrigation The state board has said river flows to support districts and Merced Irri- there is flexibility in the salmon migration, the gation District have tried plan, allowing the 40 amount of cold storage to negotiate their own percent flow requirement held in reservoirs for fish agreements for flows in to be used as a budget for management and possible the Stanislaus and Merced restoring salmon in the “offramps” to keep from rivers, respectively. rivers, and will consider draining reservoirs in Tom Orvis, board presi- voluntary settlements that consecutive dry years. dent of Oakdale Irrigation achieve the goals of the “Everyone seems to be District, sounded less Bay-Delta plan. talking about a suite of optimistic Tuesday. “This “We prefer a deal that flow, habitat restoration is completely in a state of improves the fisheries and predation manage- flux,” Orvis said. “I plan while maintaining our ment,” said John Swei- on attending the meeting water rights and our econ- gard, general manager of tomorrow to see what omy,” TID Board Member the Merced Irrigation happens. ... No matter Michael Franz said Tues- district. “It appears there what happens, the legal day. “We need the water is frustration on all sides.” teams on both sides are board to do the right thing A California Natural going to be at the ready.” for that to happen.” Resources Agency didn’t LOCAL SPORTS CityCouncil Dodgers check taking multilevel everybox for approach to Harper –except homelesscrisis 3A ‘rational’ 1B

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Joaquinirrigation districts, which have rights on the Stanislaus River, and the Merced Irrigation StateOKs water flowplan; District have not agreed to join in the multiagency settlement proposal. Astate board decision to approve the Bay-Delta plan for groups pursuingalternative the lower San Joaquin River and tributaries is expected to spawn lawsuits from districts with his- alternative to the State Water In agreeing to the settlement strongly opposed by irrigation toric waterrights and environ- BY KEN CARLSON Resources Control Boardplan proposal, the MID andTID sug- districts, counties and cities in mental groups wanting larger [email protected] that’s strongly opposed by water gested the state combinethe San the Northern San Joaquin Valley. river flows to benefit the delta. districts, counties and cities in Joaquin section of the Bay-Delta The MID, TID and the San In asurprise addition, Friant TheModesto andTurlock Northern San Joaquin Valley. water quality plan with Phase II, Francisco Public Utilities Com- Dam water users on the upper irrigation districts tentatively According to the proposal which includes the Sacramento mission agreed to theframework San Joaquin have offered agreed to join other agencies in presented to the State Water Riversystem. In exchange, the of avoluntary settlementwith 50,000 acre-feet of water for Northern California in agrand Resources ControlBoard, 14 districts wouldbegin to imple- the state Department of Fish and refreshing the delta. The pack- scheme forimproving fisheries agenciesinaregion stretching mentriver flows and non-flow Wildlife and Department of Wa- age of voluntary agreements is andsending morewatertothe from Stanislaus County to the measures to start supporting ter Resources as an alternative to grounded in Gov. Jerry Brown’s Sacramento-San JoaquinDelta to Sacramento River andits trib- beleaguered salmoninthe Tuo- the water board plan callingfor water action plan released in support its deteriorated ecosys- utaries would contribute water, lumne River next year. 40 percent of unimpaired flows January 2014,designed to start tem. habitat restoration, floodplain At about 7:15p.m.,the state on the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and rejuvenatingthe delta after Districtleadershope the vol- management and funding for board approved Phase Iofthe Mercedrivers. untary agreement will be an science andconservation. Bay-Delta plan, which has been The Oakdale and South San SEE WATER FLOW, 6A Turlock council OKs change affecting mayor, legalcontracts

CRAIGRUTTLE AP Michael Cohen, second from right, arrives at court. Ex-Trump lawyer gets 3years for hiding ‘dirty deeds’

BY MATT ZAPOTOSKY AND DEVLIN BARRETT Washington Post

NEW YORK Afederal judgeonWednes- day sentenced President Donald Trump’s formerattorney Mi- chael Cohen to three years in [email protected] prisonfor financial crimes and Turlock Mayor AmyBublak, left, takes the oath of office with newCityCouncil members Nicole Larson and Andrew Nosrati on Tuesday. lying to Congress, as the dis- graced“fixer” apologized but said he felt it was his duty to cover up the “dirty deeds” of his BY KEVIN VALINE former boss. [email protected] Cohenmade an emotional apology to U.S.District Judge The Turlock City Council THIS IS ALL ABOUT William PauleyIII, taking meeting on Tuesday night was TRANSPARENCY. responsibilityfor what the judge jammed with well-wishers who ‘‘ called a“veritablesmorgasbord applauded the new mayor and Mayor AmyBublak, of criminal conduct”–crimes two new council members as speaking about thechange that included tax violations, well as the three officials they sherequested lying to abank and,duringthe replaced. 2016 campaign, buying the But later in the meeting after silence of women who claimed the hooplawas overand most message. that they once had affairs with of the audience hadleft, the “I’m not here to microman- the future president. new council quickly and unani- age your jobs,” she said. “I The downfall of the hard- mously approved arequest understand you report to the charging,high-profile lawyer from Mayor Amy Bublakthat city manager. And as policy has potential consequences far could signal changes at City makers we (theCity Council) beyond Cohen,asauthorities Hall. have two employees: the city have alleged that Trump direct- The council voted 4-0 to Outgoing Councilman Bill DeHartaddresses residents during the manager and the city attor- ed him in violating campaign take away the mayor’s author- CityCouncil meeting in Turlock on Tuesday. ney.” finance laws. Facinghis day of ity to enterinto legal agree- New council members Ni- reckoning, Cohen laid plenty of ments. cole Larsonand Andrew Nos- the blame at the president’s “Thisisall about transpar- overstepped his authority, Bublak —who faced accusa- rati joined Bublak in taking the feet, and his lawyersaid he ency,” Bublak said in a claims he has denied. tionsfrom Soiseth thatshe ran oath of office at Tuesday’s wouldcontinue to cooperate Wednesday phone interview. Bublak also questioned in anegative campaign —cam- meeting. The three joined with the ongoing specialcounsel She was alongtime council- Januarythe council having to paigned for office saying she Councilman Gil Esquer,who investigation of the president’s woman when she defeated approve$300,000 in legal would restoreTurlock’s coun- was electedtohis four-year campaign. incumbent Gary Soiseth and costs in which she claimedcity cil-manager governance in term in November 2016, on “My weakness could be char- two othersinthe Nov. 6may- officials had stonewalled her which the City Council sets the council dais. acterized as ablind loyalty to oral election. requestfor detailed informa- policy and the city manager Audience membersalso Donald Trump,” Cohen told the Soiseth faced claimsduring tion. She also said Soiseth had carries it out. applauded Soiseth and out- packed courtroom. He sniffled the mayoral campaign that he signed the legal contracts. She said on Wednesdayshe going CouncilmenBill DeHart and foughtback tears as he was abully who had driven Soiseth has disputed Bublak’s metwith the city’sdepartment away city officials and had characterization. directors to give them that SEE COUNCIL VOTE, 5A SEE SENTENCING, 6A

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for him to intervene. for arresting Meng, Chi- Trump upends US strategy “If I think it’s good for nese authorities on Mon- what will be certainly the day detained a former largest trade deal ever Canadian diplomat, Mi- made – which is a very chael Kovrig, in Beijing. toward Huawei and trade important thing – what’s On Wednesday, Free- good for national security land said she was worried – I would certainly in- that another Canadian tervene if I thought it was had been detained in Freeland expressed con- necessary,” Trump told China. BY PAUL WISEMAN AND ROB GILLIES cern that another Cana- Reuters in an interview. “We are aware of a Associated Press dian may have also been The comment suggests Canadian who got in taken into custody. Meng could be a political touch with us because he WASHINGTON A Canadian court on pawn in negotiations and was being asked questions The United States and Tuesday released Meng makes things more awk- by Chinese authorities. China have taken pains on bail, confining her to ward for Canada, which We have not made been this week to emphasize Vancouver and its suburbs arrested her on America’s able to make contact with that their trade talks are while she awaits possible behalf during a Dec. 1 him since he let us know entirely separate from the extradition to the United layover at the Vancouver about this,” Freeland told U.S. case against a top States. The U.S. accuses airport. a news conference. Chinese technology exec- Huawei, the biggest global Canadian Prime Minis- Canada has also asked utive. But with a few JONATHAN HAYWARD AP supplier of network gear ter Justin Trudeau bristled China for extra security at words, President Donald After posting bail on Tuesday, Huawei chief financial for phone and internet at Trump’s assertion, its embassy. Trump obliterated the officer Meng Wanzhou, right, waves goodbye to visitors companies, of using a saying: “Regardless of Meng’s arrest came the distinction, saying he’d at her home in Vancouver on Wednesday. Hong Kong shell company what goes on in other same day that Trump and wade into the case if it to do business with Iran in countries, Canada is, and Chinese President Xi would help produce a violation of U.S. sanctions. will always remain, a Jinping agreed over dinner trade agreement with diplomat in what appears officer of telecommunica- But on Tuesday, Trump country of the rule of in Buenos Aires to a 90- China. to be retaliation for Cana- tions giant Huawei. On raised the possibility that law.” day cease-fire in a trade China has already de- da’s arrest of Meng Wanz- Wednesday, Canadian a U.S.-China trade deal In what appears to be war that has shaken global tained a former Canadian hou, the chief financial Foreign Minister Chrystia might be reason enough retaliation against Canada financial markets.

FROM PAGE 1A release pulse flows from native bass that decimate water banking. tially less water than Don Pedro Reservoir in young salmon, and a $38 Based on a quick look at what’s in (the Bay-Delta March of 2,750 cubic feet million conservation fund. the proposals, environ- plan),” said Barbara Barri- WATER FLOW per second. The pulses MID representatives mentalists and delta pro- gan-Parrilla, director of would last for 20 days in said it’s more appropriate tection groups claimed Stockton-based Restore years of inaction that has pour into the delta from wet years, 18 days in be- to include the San Joaquin that the Tuolumne pro- the Delta. threatened species. Sacramento and San Joa- low-normal years, 14 days system in the broader posals amounted to little Proponents of the volun- Chuck Bonham, direc- quin river systems, with in dry years and nine days package because it shows more than the status quo tary settlements say they tor of Fish and Wildlife, major contributions from in critical years. how the different water- or would fail to benefit the can fast-track efforts to asked the water board to the State Water Project William Paris, represent- sheds would contribute to fish. Some of those same improve conditions in the create a “safe harbor” and Central Valley Pro- ing MID, said the annual delta restoration. groups don’t think the delta, as opposed to law- against regulatory en- ject. About 140,000 acre- flow package from the Bonham, who was chief- flow requirements in Bay- suits that could delay im- forcement for the Modes- feet annually would come Tuolumne would be boost- ly involved with the nego- Delta plan -- from 30 to plementation of the Bay- to and Turlock irrigation from the San Joaquin and ed from 216,000 acre-feet tiations, said the state and 50 percent of natural Delta program for years. districts while additional Tuolumne. a year to 313,000 acre-feet. irrigation districts would runoff -- will accomplish Water board Chairwo- details are worked into The details of the agree- Some of the nonflow mea- keep talking about possible much either. man Felicia Marcus noted settlement agreements in ment negotiated with MID sures would include habitat out clauses in consecutive “Right now, some of our that the discussion of the coming year. and TID this fall emerged and floodplain improve- dry years, a feasibility smarter colleagues are voluntary settlement With the settlement Wednesday. As a push for ments, a temporary float- study on developing addi- finding out that the volun- agreements was not proposals, up to 1 million outmigrating young salm- able barrier for annual tional supplies for river tary settlement agree- opened to groups with acre-feet of water would on, the districts would activities to reduce non- flows, and possible ground- ments allow for substan- different perspectives.

FROM PAGE 1A admitted it made the payment principally “in concert” with Trump’s SENTENCING campaign to “suppress the woman’s story so as to spoke, pausing occasional- hen should have known prevent it from influ- ly to regain his compo- better,” the judge said. encing the election,” ac- sure. “While Mr. Cohen is tak- cording to a statement Cohen had faced as ing steps to mitigate his from the U.S. Attorney’s much as five years and criminal conduct by Office for the Southern three months in prison, pleading guilty and volun- District of New York. but Pauley said the sen- teering useful information In his appeal for lenien- tence should reflect two to prosecutors, that does cy, Cohen denounced key elements of Cohen’s not wipe the slate clean. what he called his own case – punishing those “Mr. Cohen selected the weakness in the service of who repeatedly break the information he disclosed his former boss, the presi- law while rewarding those to the government,” Pau- dent. who cooperate and pro- ley said. “This court can- “I take full responsi- vide truthful testimony. not agree with the defen- bility for each act that I Cohen has provided in- dant’s assertion that no pled guilty to, the personal formation to investigators jail time is warranted. In ones to me and those about Trump and the fact, this court firmly involving the president of Trump campaign, but believes that a significant the United States of prosecutors said he re- term of imprisonment is America,” he said. fused to tell them every- fully justified in this high- Cohen said there was a thing he knew. ly publicized case to send deep irony about his sen- Wednesday’s hearing a message.” tencing, because he felt marked another milestone Trump made no imme- that he was finally getting in the FBI investigations diate statements after the free from Trump. “Today that have engulfed the sentencing, but he told is the day I am getting my president and led to crimi- Reuters on Tuesday that freedom back as you sit at nal convictions for his the payments made to buy the bench and contem- former campaign chair- women’s silence did not plate my fate,” he said. “I man, former national violate criminal campaign have been living in a per- security adviser, and two finance laws. sonal and mental incar- other campaign aides. “Number one, it wasn’t ceration ever since the A special counsel’s a campaign contribution. fateful day that I accepted office prosecutor empha- If it were, it’s only civil, the offer to work for a sized in court that the and even if it’s only civil, famous real estate mogul man who once fondly there was no violation whose business acumen I considered himself based on what we did. truly admired. In fact I Trump’s fixer has provid- OK?” Trump told the now know there is little to ed useful information that news organization. be admired.” speaks to the core mission The president also He cited a recent tweet of Robert Mueller III: sought to cast blame on from the president calling determining whether Cohen. Cohen “weak” for cooper- anyone in the Trump “Michael Cohen is a ating with the government campaign coordinated lawyer. I assume he would and said the president was with Russia to influence know what he’s doing,” right, but not in the way the election. That is worri- Trump said. he meant. some for Trump. But, as it Cohen pleaded guilty in “It was my own weak- has throughout the in- two separate cases. One ness and a blind loyalty to vestigation, Mueller’s was brought by Mueller this man that led me to team held its cards close, over Cohen’s lies to Con- choose a path of darkness not revealing any new gress about a possible over light,” Cohen said. details about what it had Trump Tower project in “Time and time again, I learned from Cohen, or Moscow that he pursued felt it was my duty to where the probe might be in the heat of Trump’s cover up his dirty deeds.” headed next. presidential campaign. Cohen was joined in The judge ordered Co- The other was brought by court by his parents, his hen to begin serving his federal prosecutors in wife, his children and sentence on March 6 and New York over tax and other family members. He recommended he be sent bank fraud allegations, as entered the courtroom to a federal prison in Oti- well as campaign finance locked arm-in-arm with sville, New York. He also violations. his daughter. Upon leav- told Cohen, a multimillio- Separately, New York ing, he ignored a micro- naire who owns pricey prosecutors announced phone stand that had been real estate and a taxi med- Wednesday that they had set up. Moments later, allion business, to pay struck a non-prosecution Michael Avenatti, the nearly $2 million in fi- agreement with AMI, the attorney for one of the nancial penalties. company that produces women whom Cohen “Our democratic in- the National Enquirer arranged to be paid hush stitutions depend upon tabloid, for its role in money, told reporters the honesty of our citizen- squelching stories of wo- Cohen “deserved every ry in dealing with the men who said they had day of the 36-month sen- government,” Pauley said, relationships with Trump. tence” he received. calling Cohen’s crimes AMI paid $150,000 to “Michael Cohen was serious, particularly given one of the women before sentenced today,” Av- his profession. the 2016 election. As part enatti said. “Donald “As a lawyer, Mr. Co- of the agreement, AMI Trump is next.” SCENE BUSINESSBEAT ‘Noel the Musical’ Fisherman’s will have you Wharf site of laughing through Modestopair’s your tears 6C 3rdmangoshop 3A

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“There are many points of consensus,”the districts said in astatement issued jointly with Water districts: Vote may the Save the Stan campaign. “Settlementdiscussions since last night provide encourage- mentthat alasting solution on the Stanislaus Riverisnear. We spur aflood of lawsuits encourage the stateboard to provide abit more time to foster continued dialogue toward day’s meetingofthe State Wa- “Given that the board adopt- ment of Water Resources. reaching settlements.” BY KEN CARLSON ter Resources Control Board. By ed the plan, it is reasonable to In earlyNovember, Gov. Jerry Localpolitical leaders had [email protected] virtue of a4-1 vote approving say we are all headed toward Brown and governor-elect Ga- hopedthe water board mem- the latest update to the Bay- litigation,” SSJID General Man- vin Newsom convinced the state bers, all appointees of Gov. Some water districts would Delta water quality plan,the agerPeter Rietkerk said Thurs- water boardtogrant another 35 Brown, would postponethe liketokeep negotiating with agencywill require districts to day. days for those talks, allowing decision again.Boardmembers state officials over river flows. leave 40 percent of runoff in The OID and SSJID releaseda the MIDand TID to achieve a said it wastime to vote and Butlawsuits replaced settle- the Tuolumne, Stanislaus and statement saying avoluntary framework of asettlement move to asecond phase focused ments as the most likely path Merced rivers for salmon. agreement with the state had agreement. By the deadline this on the Sacramento River. They forward,the day afteracrucial As aresult, farms and city beenwithin reach. In the past week, the Merced districthad were encouraged by conserva- vote in Sacramento approving customerswill receive less wa- several months, the two districts no dealbut OID and SSJID were tion groups to approve aplan the “water grab.” ter. And agencies will struggle alongwith Modesto, Turlock close. that was nine yearsinthe mak- TheOakdale and South San to preservewaterinreservoirs and Merced irrigation districts The districts offered habitat ing. Joaquin irrigation districts had like New Melones and Don negotiated for acceptable terms improvementsand alargepulse “Why notallow more time if no agreementfor flows on the Pedro during multiyear with the state Department of flow to support salmon migra- StanislausRiverbefore Wednes- droughts, district officials say. Fish and Wildlife and Depart- tion in the Stanislaus. SEE WATER VOTE, 8A

Turlock considers ways to aid homeless amid crisis

BY KEVIN VALINE [email protected]

The Turlock City Council has declared ashelter crisis, which means the city can compete for some of the $7.2 million in one-time state money to deal with homelessness in the area. Council members voted 3-0ataspecial meeting Wednesday in support of the shelter crisis resolution. Councilman Gil Esquer was not able to attend the meeting, and the council is down one member since Council- woman Amy Bublak was sworn in as mayor Tuesday after winning the Nov. 6 mayoral election. The council is soliciting applicants to fill JEFF CHIU AP the open council seat. Apolice officer walks an intersection closed off by police on California Street in SanFrancisco on Thursday. Authorities saybomb threats The special meeting in- senttodozensofschools,universities and other locations acrossthe U.S. appear to be ahoax. cluded abrainstorming session in which about 50 members of the public broke into Authorities agreed the threats four groups to discuss poten- werenot credible.“We are tial ways to address home- Bomb threats acrossUS, aware of the recentbomb lessness in Turlock. threats made in cities around The city’shomelesspop- the country, and we remain in ulation is estimated at 250, touchwith our law enforcement while thereare about 100 including one sent to partners to provide assistance,” emergency shelter beds in the FBI field officeinWashing- Turlock. ton, D.C., saidinastatement as The ideas included provid- local school, not credible reported by the Times. As al- ing the homeless with bath- ways, we encouragethe public rooms, housing them in what to remainvigilant and to are called tiny homes, an promptly report suspicious ac- apprenticeship program to afternoon. Deputies went to the to the school, and the campus tivities which could represent a teach them job skills, bringing BY ROSALIO AHUMADA school and determined every- was placed on lockdown during threat to public safety.” the Modesto-based Cleansing [email protected] one was safe.The department their investigation, according to According to astatement Hope Shower Shuttle to Tur- alsoreceivedinformationfrom updates on the Sheriff’s Depart- published on Facebook by the lock, and doing more out- Bombthreats reported at other law enforcement agencies ment Facebook page. police in Cedar Rapids,Iowa, reach to let the homeless businesses, schools and media throughout San Joaquin County The students at the school several businesses in that city know about services. organizations across the U.S., were investigatingsimilar were determined to be safe. received the same emailed “Thank you all,” Bublak prompting evacuations and threats. Investigators found and ques- threat, the Times reported. The told audience members near reaction on social media, Separately,the Tuolumne tioned the student who alleged- sender claimed that an explo- the end of the meeting. “That reached into the Northern San County Sheriff’s Department ly made the violent threat. Sher- sive device had been hidden“in was awesome.” Joaquin Valley on Thursday. placed an elementary school on iff’s officials said the student’s the building whereyour busi- Bublak also said the meet- The threats, which sought lockdown as aprecaution threat was not credible, and the ness is conducted”and could be ing was agood start to an payment in the cryptocurrency Thursday, but there was no lockdown was lifted about 12:20 prevented from detonating with ongoing conversation. She Bitcoin, kept authorities busy indication it was connected or p.m. Thursday. a$20,000ransompayment, added that helping the home- but ultimately were deemed not similar to the bombthreats The emailed threats were madeusingBitcoin,acryptocur- less should lessen the impact to be credible. reportedthroughout the coun- received throughout the coun- rency. “I can call off my man if of some of them on busi- Locally, the San Joaquin try. try, from Washington state to you makeatransfer,”the send- nesses and residents. Busi- County Sheriff’s Department On Thursday morning,sher- Colorado to Georgia, and even er wrote. ness owners have to deal with receivedareport of abomb iff’sofficials received acall in Canada, the New YorkTimes trash and human waste as threatsent to aschool. Sheriff’s fromColumbia Elementary reported. The San Francisco well as concerns from cus- officials did not indicatewhich School in the small town of police departmentsaid it re- tomers who don’t feel safe. school receivedthe threat in an Columbia about alleged threats sponded to multiple reports California has setaside announcement on the depart- of violence made by ahigh throughout the city starting at ment’s Facebook page Thursday school student. Deputies went 10 a.m. SEE HOMELESS, 8A

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FROM PAGE 1A process and for the public Judgeorders Appeals court Tainted lettuce and others to get under probeintoclaims rules on no-cost traced to at least the hood and understand WATER VOTE what the proposals mean of whistleblower birth control 1California farm for their interest,” Rietk- Afederal judge ordered Adivided U.S. appeals U.S. health officials the settlement talks are erk said. an independent investiga- court Thursday blocked have traced afood poi- getting close?” Stanislaus With the Stanislaus tion Thursday into wheth- rules by the Trump ad- soning outbreak from County Supervisor Terry carrying 30 to 35 percent er top California correc- ministration that allowed romaine lettuce to at least Withrow saidThursday. of unimpairedflow, com- tions officials deliberately more employers to opt one farm in California — “Now this will be left in WHY NOTALLOW paredwith the Tuo- misled court officials into out of providing women Adam Bros. Farms in the hands of the attor- MORE TIME IF THE lumne’s average of 20 believing that mentally ill with no-cost birth control. Santa Barbara County. neys, and millionsofdol- percent, the OID and ‘‘SETTLEMENT SSJID perhapswould give inmates generally receive The ruling, however, may But they cautioned lars will be wastedfight- proper care. be short lived because the Thursday that other ing this in court. This TALKS ARE up the least amount of U.S. District Judge administration has adopt- farms are likely involved should be worked out water to the state plan. Kimberly Mueller ordered ed new rules that are set in the E. coli outbreak through negotiations, and GETTING CLOSE? ... But the districts watched former U.S. Attorney to take effect next month and consumers should there should be aplace in THIS SHOULD BE as New Melones Reservoir Charles Stevens to in- and will likely prompt continue checking labels. the middle where we crashed duringthe last vestigate allegations con- renewed challenges. The Food and Drug meet.” WORKED OUT drought, sinking to 10 tained in a161-page whis- Thursday’s ruling by a Administration said 59 TheMID and TID,joint THROUGH percent of its 2.4 million tleblower report by Dr. 9th U.S. Circuit Court of people in 15 states have owners of Don Pedro acre-foot capacity, with- Michael Golding, the Appeals panel concerned been sickened by the Reservoir,essentially NEGOTIATIONS, out the burdenofaddi- prison system’s chief changes to birth control tainted lettuce. That’s agreed to strategic flows AND THERE tionalflow requirements, psychiatrist. coverage requirements seven more than previ- and extensive nonflow Rietkerk said. Golding says officials under President Barack ously reported, but reg- measures, as early as next SHOULD BE A Fine printinthe up- systematically misrepre- Obama’s health care law ulators said they are fairly year, to boostsalmon PLACEINTHE datedBay-Delta plan will sented that nearly every that the U.S. Department confident that the lettuce numbers in the Tuolumne. result in losingmore than inmate was being seen by of Health and Human which first triggered the Thetwo districts would MIDDLE WHERE the 40 percentflow re- psychiatrists within time Services issued in Octo- outbreak has been re- join more than adozen quirementand is not ac- limits set by the court. ber 2017. moved from the market. other agencies on the San WE MEET. ceptable,the general man- —ASSOCIATED PRESS —ASSOCIATED PRESS —ASSOCIATED PRESS Joaquin and Sacramento TerryWithrow,Stanislaus ager said. riversystems in acompro- Countysupervisor The districts have a miseagreement favored partner in the U.S. Bureau by Gov. Brown, commit- of Reclamation,which has ting$1.7 billion for water, Gray said. threatened legal action to spawning grounds, habitat The Northern San Joa- challenge pieces of the and hatchery improve- quin Valley water districts water board plan that ments to rejuvenate the have 30 days to decide contradict congressional delta. whether to contest the directives for New Mel- State Water Project and state plan in court. ones.The dam is operated Central Valley Project The state board OK’d for flood control, agricul- contractors wouldcontrib- an amendment to its reso- tural deliveries, recreation ute to the effort. lution encouragingparties and otherpurposes. Assemblyman Adam to continue working to- The Bay-Delta planalso Gray, D-Merced, said the gether on agreements that needsasignoff fromthe state water board mostly are consistent with goals federal Environmental disregarded the settle- of the waterquality plan. Protection Agency by ment proposals that were Gov. Brown’s ambitious April. EPAofficials who put forward. He calledfor compromise proposal was report to President Don- alawsuit to stop the state seen for the firsttime at ald Trump, and staff regulatory agencyfrom Wednesday’s meeting and membersofthe previous implementing the flow needs to be vetted, board administration,have cited requirementsapproved members said. concerns with versions of Wednesday. Chairwoman Felicia the Bay-Delta proposal. “This plan is danger- Marcusand others sug- Withrow said the county ous,” Gray said. “It fails to gested that additional won’t be involved directly protect people; it fails to talks shouldbetranspar- in litigation filed by irriga- ANDY ALFARO [email protected] protect the environment.” ent with participation tion districts but will be Homelessresidents Kim Silva, middle, and David Said arestaying at Broadway Park In consecutive dry years, from other groups, which supportive. with about 50 other homelesspeople in Turlock. the higher river flows would include those want- “I don’t know how that February through Juneare ing to see more reservoir will work financially,” he expected to draw down storagecommittedtothe said. “We have to dispute FROM PAGE 1A million. Potential projects reservoirs and cut deliver- environment. this draconian decision could include an access ies to agriculture,de- “They did say they want that is going to affect our center, more emergency stroying thousand of jobs, it doneinatransparent county.” HOMELESS shelter beds and permanent supportive housing. $500 million in one-time Turlock City Manager County officials, in- money to help communi- Bob Lawton has said the cluding CEO Jody Hayes, ties across the state deal declaration gives the City talked at the meeting with the homelessness Council the opportunity to about the larger effort to crisis. decide whether it wants to address homelessness in The state is providing pursue some of the $7.2 the county and its cities. $7.2 million of that money to the Stanislaus Commu- nity System of Care, which is made up of local governments, homeless service providers and others. The system of care expects to receive the money early next year. The system of care will use acompetitive process to award the $7.2 million to programs and projects. But cities and counties cannot receive funding unless they declare ashelter crisis. Cities and counties — including Modesto and Stanislaus County —across California have declared sheltercrises, though some have not. Making such a declaration does not obli- gate alocal government to build ashelter, just to spend the money to help the homeless.