Merced County Times Newspaper
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John Derby 126 posts 0 comments

Currently retired and living on the shores of Mexico, John Derby is the founder of the Merced County Times and Mid-Valley Publications. He is currently enjoying his time away from the newsroom he developed in 1964 by sailing through the waters south of the border while continuing to write his weekly From Ship to Shore column and other articles of interest to the readers of Mid Valley Publications' newspapers.

Around Town

Another Spectacular Festival By Merced Soroptimist Members

John Derby
How do Merced Soroptimist members keep doing it year after year? The annual Hors d'oeuvre Festival, now in its 46 year, was an event where the “Who's Who” of Merced County turned out last Friday night, May 19. The Great Gatsby theme allowed the ladies to dress in their finest gowns and some of the guys got into the act too.…
Insights and Opinions

Colombia: The Big, Bad & The Beautiful

John Derby
As we step on the plane to fly back to San Francisco, our mind is full of thoughts and impressions of Colombia. First and foremost is it is nothing like we expected. It is a world apart from a backward place previously known for being the world’s largest cocaine producer and a home to wealthy drug barons and cartel leaders. Next, it is far…
Insights and Opinions

Is This The Way We Really Want Merced To Grow?

John Derby
We don't run the city, and it may not be our place to tell the city how it should be run; however, when a majority of the Merced City Council wants more shops which dispense marijuana, we can't let it just slide by without making a comment in our editorial column. There are other businesses which need the support and backing of the City…
Insights and Opinions

The Fish Are Coming

John Derby
There was a time, 25 years ago, when we first arrived in Conception Bay, when we could drop an unbaited hook in the water and catch fish. Not today! The area of Mulege, in Baja California, Mexico was once known as the best fishing place south of the border. This was before it was overfished, and the shrimp boats from mainland…