Merced County Times Newspaper
The Power of Positive Press

The Times celebrates 60 Years of ‘Positive Press’

It was 1964, and I was employed as a reporter for the Merced Sun-Star. I made a fateful decision to quit and start my own newspaper. I was fed up with covering accidents on Highway 99. There had to be something better. Something more positive to write about. My co-workers thought I was crazy when I came up with the idea of having a…

‘Save The Train’ begins for Kiddieland

There’s some local news to share this summer that will surely disappoint many local youngsters — especially in a growing Merced, where more and more families are constantly looking for fun activities. Here it is: The beloved train at Kiddieland in Applegate Park has gone kaput. It’s not working. The ride is closed. While the…

Local agent Padilla explains insurance industry problems

When Pete Padilla showed up at a recent, noonday Merced Rotary Club meeting, everyone knew him as one of Merced's premier insurance agents. He has spent most his whole life in the business. He was invited to explain what is going on with the Insurance Industry in California, and why so many companies have stopped offering insurance in this…