RE-STRIPING STATE ROUTE 99 IN MERCED COUNTY DUE TO SB 1 FUNDS
Caltrans is preparing to begin an SB 1 funded 27-mile re-striping project — increasing the stripe size from 4 to 6 inches, with reflective material included — on northbound and southbound State Route 99 in Merced County.
These new 6-inch stripes improve the safety and mobility of the roadway for motorists, and the reflective material accounts for emerging transportation technology by allowing autonomous vehicles to better “see” the roadway.
On July 2 at about 2:38 am, The Merced County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a missing person report. Deputies went to the area of the Cressey Bridge and Merced River in Ballico to contact the reporting party, Robert Apodoca.
It was reported that the missing person, identified as 37 year old Joshua Eugene Fox from Merced, was rafting with his friend on the river. They started floating down the river from the Shaffer Bridge on July 1, 2018 at about 3:00 pm and began consuming large amounts of alcohol.
During that time the two friends got separated somewhere between the Shaffer Bridge and Cressey Bridge.
Apodoca told deputies that after being separated from Fox, he began paddling his way upstream back towards Shaffer bridge. While doing so, his raft got a hole in it, and he had to walk the rest of the way back to Shaffer Bridge where his vehicle was located.
He got his vehicle, and drove to the Cressey Bridge with the hopes of meeting up with Fox. However, fox was nowhere to be found. At that point Apodoca called the Sheriff’s Office for help. The Merced County Sheriff’s Air Operation Unit was requested and after searching for about five minutes, located Joshua Fox stuck in the river a short distance from the Cressey Bridge.
With the assistance of the Air Operations Unit, Deputies were able to rescue Fox from the river and get him proper medical attention.
At participating AutoZone and O’Reilly stores within Merced County
Merced – The Merced County Regional Waste Management Authority (Authority) is pleased to once they will once again offer free oil filter exchange events throughout Merced County. Every Saturday or Sunday in July, residents can take a used oil filter to any participating AutoZone or O’Reilly Auto Parts Store within Merced County and receive a new filter for free.
The oil filter exchange program is funded by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) and administered by the Merced County Regional Waste Authority.
For more information, please visit www.mercedrecycles.com or call
the Regional Waste Authority at (209) 723-4481 ext. 224. The Merced County Regional Waste Authority is comprised with city and county governments, with members who meet to discuss and solve regional issues concerning solid waste. Members include one elected representative from each of the six cities and one elected official from each of the county’s five districts. More information can be found at www.mcrwma.org or by calling (209) 723-4481.
Spend the day in Sacramento without having to beat traffic with Amtrak San Joaquin new Morning Express Train to Sacramento, board as far south as Fresno and arrive by 8:00A.m. Work while you travel with their free WiFi, relax and take a nap in comfortable seating, or take advantage of their regional selection of snacks, sandwiches, craft beer and more.
The “First Ride Free” program is only valid for round-trip travel on train #701 with a return on train #702 or #704 and for travel Monday – Friday excluding Holidays. It is not valid on any other train number. Program is only valid for a one round-trip per passenger.
Upon receipt and approval of your “First Ride Free” application, an SJJPA representative will reach out to you. Participants in the program must be at least 18 years old. “First Ride Free” only valid for first time riders. Persons who have received a “First Ride Free” ticket in the past or are/have been a Morning Express rider are not eligible for additional “First Ride Free” tickets.
Allow 48 hours to process request. At anytime SJJPA can cancel or suspend this promotion. This form and free tickets have no monetary value and cannot be refunded or replaced. Limit one free round-trip per first time round-trip Morning Express passengers on trains #701, #702 or #704.
A Merced Gateway News viewer sent us these videos of a fire in Winton near the intersections of Gertrude Avenue and Winton Way, near the Winton cemetery, it happened just before sunset.
According to the viewer, the fire was close to a home. MGN does not have any further information at this time, the Atwater Fire Department was contacted regarding this fire, Merced Gateway News will post an update when information becomes available.
A “police taxi” with a distinctive paint job seen in Modesto is deployed around the city to discourage people from drinking and driving. The front half of the Ford Crown Victoria is painted like a standard black-and-white police car, but the back half is painted yellow with the words “taxi” and “choose your ride” on the side of the vehicle.
The police taxi is utilized at DUI checkpoints and placed on display at various locations and events throughout the city. The goal is to increase public awareness, create discussion about the dangers of impaired driving, reminding motorists that they need to make responsible decisions while drinking.
Do you think Merced Police should get one of these?
The Hot Spot 209, now has a location to call home. For now until further notice they will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s, Starting at 11A.M no closing time is available for now, it will go depending on business traffic, they are located at the Atwater Castle Airforce Base, look for a red food trailer and red truck.
If you’re coming down from the Merced area, enter the second gate on bowling alley side…Feel free to tell friends and family to try this place out. Their goal is to keep you full and satisfied.
Catering is also available visit their location for further information and pricing.
The former Save Mart that was closed about 6-years ago, located at 1136 W. Main street at the intersections of “R” and Main streets in Merced has a new grocery chain that would occupy the former Save Mart building.
The new business opening is Cardena’s Market, Merced will be their 37th store for the chain. Cardenas Market is a store chain that is taking over some of the former Mi Pueblo stores that have been closed. The store is expected to be opening mid September, no exact day was given by the Manager of the construction company.
According to their website, Cardena’s Market offers Groceries traditional flavors, fruits, Bakery, cooked food, fresh Juice bar and vegetables from across the USA, Mexico and more. Stay tuned for further information about where to apply or visit their website at the following link. http://AOvVaw15UQ04YHETJJvelt6MTWiL
There is more good news for downtown Merced. The Tioga is now undergoing renovations and will be transformed into a beautiful apartment building for residents wanting to live downtown in our arts and entertainment district.
On Monday June 4th, 2018, a crew was seen boarding up windows. This project is in addition to the renovations of El Capitan Hotel and the Mainzer Theatre that have previously been announced by City Mayor Mike Murphy. The Tioga is on the National Register of Historic Places and the remodel will keep the historic character of the original building. The historic hotel was visited by John Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe and many movie stars in the 1960’s.
The Tioga hotel opened in 1928. The rooms will be completely remodeled with new kitchens, light fixtures, and flooring.
The renovation is expected to be finished by Fall 2019.
Californians still love the beautiful weather and beaches, but more and more are fed up with the high housing costs and taxes and deciding to flee to lower-cost states. Rent in California keeps soaring more and more every year.
More Californians are moving from the Golden State, particularly lower-income residents, although even middle-class residents are saying their goodbye to California. Lower cost states such as Arizona, Texas and Nevada are popular destinations for relocating Californians.
Here is a list of Top 10 places Californians are moving to:
