Against the Wind

So a lot can happen in a week. In this column last published Thursday, the concerns of four community leaders from major organizations were brought up — in part — regarding the well-being of south Merced and having its residents represented fairly in Merced city government. First off, the city’s Citizens Advisory Charter Review Committee…

The public comment portion of Monday night’s Merced City Council meeting was packed with speakers demanding that something be done to protect undocumented…

In recent columns, I’ve been writing about various aspects of Stephen Leonard Park at 8th and T streets in south Merced. I was there last Sunday, and…

On the evening of June 3, back when the Merced City Council was still working on the final details of the budget for the new fiscal year, members of the NAACP gave a presentation about summer youth programs at McNamara Park, and improving attendance there by fostering a safe and welcoming atmosphere. Allen Brooks, the NAACP president, announced…

Plans to build a navigation center in Merced, and significant new investment into a regional homeless strategy came in the form of welcome news when they…

During the Fourth of July holiday, they say special teams of police officers and firefighters will be patrolling Merced streets tracking down…

When last we left … Jorge Garibay spoke up once again at the Merced City Council meeting on Monday night, calling for action concerning issues at Stephen Leonard Park in south Merced. The 71-year-old homeowner says he has witnessed criminal activity linked to some who frequent the park, or hang out there all day. He says…

So this was supposed to be a feature story about several fed-up homeowners who are organizing and developing strategies to improve the “quality of life” for…

This year, Ernie Amezcua of Ernie’s Transmission Shop in Merced has been contributing regularly to the Times with his views about auto repairs, and offering…

To be honest, I had no idea where we were going. Mr. “E.J.” Almo Lorenzi called up a month prior and he told me to not make plans for a Friday night in late April. “We have a wonderful evening planned Jonathan,” he said. “You don’t have to do anything. Just show up. We have a limousine lined up. We’re going to whisk you away. It’s gonna…