Merced County News

The Merced County Jail Ministry will celebrate its 20th anniversary from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Nov.

Diana Westmoreland Pedrozo, an outspoken voice for county farmers and their interests, resigned Thursday after six years as executive director of the Merced County Farm Bureau, she said.

A Merced County jury Friday convicted a 58-year-old man of attempted murder after he shot a woman at a 16th Street motel last year.

Bill Spriggs was declared Merced's mayor Thursday after tripling his narrow lead during the final vote tally.

The incident was reported around 9 p.m. during the Empressa Valdivia Spanish Dance event.

Authorities seize narcotics, weapons in operations. By VICTOR A. PATTON vpatton@mercedsun-star.com Merced Multi-Agency Narcotics Task Force agents arrested a total of nine suspects on drug-related allegations this week after serving two separate search warrants in Hilmar and near Merced.

The results of Merced's mayoral race won't be known until Friday. Councilman Bill Spriggs has a 24-vote lead over Councilwoman Michele Gabriault-Acosta, though the final tallies this week could sway the results.

A pursuit that started near Keyes ended after the suspect crashed a pickup into a utility pole Wednesday afternoon in Modesto, authorities said.

The Merced County District Attorney's office has been selected to receive $300,000 in Federal Economic Recovery Act funds to enhance its efforts responding to and prosecuting cases involving violent crimes against women.

The Merced County Office of Elections has been responding to issues at precincts around the county this morning.

This is the tale of a heart that's true. Gustine Mayor Rich Ford didn't think it would happen, given the steep walls of state bureaucracy.

An autopsy will be performed Tuesday on the 17 month old Delhi boy mauled to death by a dog last Friday.

A 37-year-old Merced man arrested for imprisoning and torturing his girlfriend has pleaded not guilty.

Caltrans said work on Highway 99 in the county in early November will result in some closures.. The left and right lanes on northbound 99 from the Atwater Boulevard on-ramp to the Hammatt Avenue off-ramp will alternately close, starting Sunday, Nov.

There's a new sheriff's outfit in town. The 80-member union representing the sheriff's correctional officers has joined forces with a powerful national union -- the Teamsters -- in an action which may change their relationship with the county.

A one year old boy has died after being mauled by a dog. The Merced County Sheriff's office says a 65-pound Pit Bull locked his jaws around the child's throat and would not let go.

A 17-month-old toddler attacked by a pit bull last week in Merced County died as a result of blood loss, according to preliminary autopsy results released Tuesday.

Or is it the breed? Two vicious pit bull maulings this month in Delhi -- one which killed a toddler -- have raised those questions yet again.

Merced County fire crews are mopping up an early morning fire that destroyed a home Tuesday.

Leaning power poles. Downed trees and branches. Tumbleweeds. Clouds of dust. All are being this morning throughout the Northern San Joaquin Valley as wind reaching 30 mph are blowing through the area.