As the annual State of the City event draws near, Merced Mayor Mike Murphy, city officials, and other community leaders have been busy making preparations. Slated for Friday, Feb. 7, at the Merced Theatre, the event is free and open to the public, with doors opening at 10:30 a.m. As the program gets underway at 11 a.m.,…

Chef Vinnie DeAngelo of Bella Luna Bistro in Merced, and local farming legend Joe Marchini and his children were featured on a live interview and…

A group of Ballico-Cressey School District students are taking part in an age-old tradition of Taiko drumming. Like a kettle drum, Taiko drums…

It’s been nearly decades since the Spirit of Christmas Luncheon began for local families, senior citizens, homeless individuals and others who have heard about it and just show up. The event is held every year at the Boys & Girls Club on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. “When we first started, there were five of us, but as…

Families — including a hundreds of children — crowded Main Street, between R and Q streets, for the annual Great Toy Giveaway sponsored by…

Every year on Dec. 21 — the first day of winter and the longest night of the year — family members, advocates, community leaders, service…

Despite wet weather, thousands of residents made their way to the Merced County Fairgrounds last weekend as part of the annual Hmong New Year celebration. Complete with a men’s and women’s pageant competition, a talent show, traditional food, dress and dance, sports tournaments, and more, the festivities took place over the course…

Student wishes came to life at Merced High School just in time for the holiday. Dozens of Bears received gifts as part of the school’s annual…

Residents came out to celebrate the seventh annual Cheerful Giving celebration on Main Street in downtown Merced last Sunday. The event was coordinated by local barbers Yader Zeledon, Joey-O, and Seneca Lopez; Nicole Lopez of Nicole Lopez Media, and David Padilla from Merced Cruz Knights. They all sit on the Barbers and Businesses…