Modesto News Archives

CA) -- A Modesto man will be going to jail after posing as a licensed contractor and overcharging for poorly-done work.

Results of a countywide pavement condition survey, due in a few weeks, might further influence some agencies' wish lists, officials from Modesto and Newman said.

The trial of Howard "Doug" Porter will proceed as planned in Stanislaus County Superior Court, a judge said today as he denied a last-minute defense motion that sought to move the proceeding to another county.

Fewer Northern San Joaquin Valley homes are under construction than at any time during the past 20 years, Construction Industry Research Board statistics show.

A 19-year-old Ceres man whose truck collided head on with a big rig this morning near Hughson has died, according to the California Highway Patrol.

A woman has come forward with allegations against an Atwater youth coach, who already faces felony child molestation charges.

Modesto police are searching for a suspect who shot another man's tire in a fit of road rage Thursday.

Both directions of Highway 99 near Turlock are closed after a brush fire broke out and spread to both sides of the freeway Thursday, officials said.

A Riverbank, Calif., woman who pleaded no contest to assaulting her estranged husband with a can of wasps - then tried to withdraw her plea - Friday decided to stick with a two-year prison deal after all.

Three people were arrested in Modesto after police seized marijuana valued at up to $80,000, but the suspects all said the pot was intended for medicinal purposes.

Meet George Lucas, office supply salesman. If he had listened to his father and gone into the family business, that's what the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones might be doing.

Firefighters are battling a wind-whipped grass fire near Knights Ferry. A CalFire helicopter was dropping fire retardant on the flames.

Police arrested three men Wednesday in connection with the drive-by shooting that critically injured a toddler while he played in front of his west Modesto home last month.

Fire crews are fighting several small blazes in the Modesto area. According to highway patrol officials, the first fire started about 9:30 a.m. south of East Broadway Avenue at Highway 99 in Salida.

A Modesto judge today ordered a Stockton city attorney to explain why she failed to show for court in the capital case of a man accused of gunning down a California Highway Patrol officer two years ago.

DESCRIPTION: 22 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 200 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes THE CASE: Modesto police believe Vasquez rode up on a bicycle and fired a 9 mm handgun at least 10 times at two men who were ...

ANGELS CAMP, Calif. - Two girls remained hospitalized with injuries from a carnival ride that collapsed at the Calaveras County Fair, authorities said Saturday, as state safety inspectors investigated the cause ...

Three people attending a fair in California's Calaveras County were seriously injured Friday evening during the collapse of a carnival ride.

Another 15 riders also were hurt, but their injuries were considered less serious, said Dennis Townsend, a chief in the Calaveras County unit of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention.

Most of those injured were kids, he said.

The three most seriously injured riders were airlifted to three different hospitals: UC Davis, Doctors Hospital in Modesto and Memorial North Hospital in Modesto.

“Scarmazzo and Montes made millions by exploiting and hiding behind California's medical marijuana law”

Luke Anthony Scarmazzo, 28, and Ricardo Ruiz Montes, 28, were convicted by a federal jury Fresno on Thursday of conducting a continuing criminal enterprise, growing marijuana and possessing marijuana with the ... via SF Gate

“He had a fairly large arsenal.”

By ROSALIO AHUMADA rahumada@modbee.com Authorities seized a private arsenal from inside a dead man's central Modesto home Wednesday after they discovered 38 homemade grenades, at least a half-dozen pistols, a ... via KFIV-AM Modesto

“It's all such politics at this stage of the game.”

Modesto teachers abandoned barbecued chicken and tri-tip dinners for pickets at their annual celebration Wednesday marking the California Day of the Teacher. via The Modesto Bee

The fire is still smoldering but flames are pretty well out at the Bonzi recycling plant where a blaze this morning sent black smoke billowing into the air and started some grass fires nearby. via FireFightingNews.com

A large fire broke out at a Ceres recycling center on Tuesday, sending a huge plume of dark smoke skyward for a short time. via KCRA.com

A 34-year-old woman was arrested after a string of home burglaries were reported, Modesto police said. via The KCRA Channel

Two people were shot and a third person injured this morning in an argument police say appears to have been over a romantic relationship. via KFIV-AM Modesto

Stanislaus 12-Million Shortfall Next Budget Year -- Stanislaus County expects to finish its current budget year in the black. via LightHouse1280.com

“He partially pulled himself out of the wreck and waved his hand high like he was saying 'here I am, come and get me.'”

A bright yellow stunt plane doing barrel rolls and other maneuvers at the Modesto air show crashed about 1 p.m. today, seriously injuring the pilot, witnesses and authorities said. via Modesto Bee

CA) -- After 23-years of operation, Modesto's McHenry Surgery Center is closing Friday. via LightHouse1280.com

A 45-year-old man was arrested and booked yesterday evening for a felony hit and run incident in Modesto following a series of events involving a loud car stereo.

Authorities say that the incident began around 3:20 p.m., after witnesses called police reporting a hit and run had occurred involving a small gold vehicle.

The victim was reportedly rushed to the hospital with severe head injuries.

After a short investigation police were able to locate the suspect, William Gibbs, at his home. Read more

CA) -- The developer of the proposed Mariposa Lakes development in southeast Stockton plans to donate five acres to the Catholic Diocese of Stockton for use as its headquarters. via KFIV-AM Modesto

“A long stalemate is the last thing we need”

State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata said today he was dropping the recall of Sen. via The Modesto Bee

“UC Merced med school Rx: Unity in the valley”

Ventura County Star: "Honoring our fallen heroes" It shouldn't be difficult to get a bill passed that lets California offer Gold Star license plates to families whose loved one died while serving our country. via Chico Enterprise-Record

“We probably do need to get out a little bit more”

By BEE CAPITOL BUREAU Sen. Dave Cogdill outlined his determined stance that this is "no time to raise taxes" to balance the budget, citing the state's sagging economy and ongoing mortgage crisis in a ... via KFIV-AM Modesto

CA) -- A five-year-old girl was airlifted to a Sacramento hospital with very serious injuries after a two-car crash Monday morning in downtown Modesto. via KFIV-AM Modesto

A 64-year-old grandfather is in police custody on charges that he inappropriately touched five of his grandchildren. via KRCA-TV Burbank

CA) -- A 64-year-old Modesto grandfather has been arrested on several counts of lewd acts with a minor. via KFIV-AM Modesto

A 23-year-old known gang member was identified Thursday as a suspect in the shooting death of a tow-truck driver, Modesto police said. via The KCRA Channel

“I anticipate I'll be having to shelve books. A lot of us will be pitching in with duties we don't normally do.”

The region's struggling economy will cause the layoff of 94 part-time employees and a likely reduction in hours in the Stanislaus County Library system. via LightHouse1280.com

“Under federal law, there can be no legitimate marijuana business.”

There's no disagreement between federal prosecutors and defense attorneys that Luke Scarmazzo and Ricardo Ruiz Montes grew marijuana, sold it to people -- and made lots of money in a very short time doing it. via The Modesto Bee

“I think this is coming from young kids”

MODESTO, Calif. -- A tow-truck driver shot to death Tuesday morning in Modesto is being described by friends as a man who would "help a stranger in a minute." "He didn't care if you said 'thank you,'" said a ... via My58.com