Merced County Times Newspaper
The Power of Positive Press

Local resident remembering Tony Bennett

By Steve Newvine Special to the Times When I learned Tony Bennett passed away on July 21 at the age of 96, two thoughts crossed my mind. One was about the song he wrote and debuted right here in the Valley. The other was how I power walked up Nob Hill in San Francisco just to see his statue a few years ago. The singer could interpret…

Failsafe procedures and an avoidable Cage Car escape

By Greg Wellman The late 1960s and early ’70s in the criminal justice system were primitive, though some would say not much progress has been made at all over the decades. Just tune in to the nightly news. As Probation Officers back then, we pretty much had life spelled out for us when filing new charges or dealing with the Courts.…

The Heat Wave

There is no use complaining as the heat, which we are used to having at this time in the Central Valley, is here. It seems hotter than usual because we have had such a wonderful mild summer thus far; however, we live in a high desert and nothing will change. Planting all the grass and trees will keep the dust and wind from blowing like it…

When Do You Remember The Weather Being Like This?

This will be 66 years for us in this valley, and never has there been weather as beautiful as we have seen this year. With the exception of a couple of very hot days, the rest of the weather has been outstanding. They were predicting July 4th would be very hot. It was not. There has not been a forest fire blowing hot smoke down the…