NEWMAN – As a police Explorer in Modesto nearly a decade ago, Marcus Freeman gravitated toward the department’s K-9 units.

The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine is the top priority for Stanislaus County’s new District 5 supervisor.

GUSTINE – As local public schools have reverted solely to distance learning in the face of the surging COVID-19 pandemic, classroom instruction has continued on schedule at Our Lady of Miracles Catholic School.

NEWMAN – The city has further scaled back its revised Phase I annexation application for the Northwest Newman project.

Pharmacies in Newman and Gustine are planning to participate in the COVID-19 vaccine program but as of earlier were still awaiting the arrival of doses.

NEWMAN - One of Newman’s longest-tenured firefighters has retired from the local volunteer department.

GUSTINE - Local police officers have a new tool at their disposal to enforce speed laws.

GUSTINE - A local school board member and two friends are planning to develop a downtown youth center in Gustine.

GUSTINE - A cannabis micro-business is expected to open its doors in Gustine in February, the owner told Mattos Newspapers recently.

NEWMAN - The city’s efforts to bring normalcy as best possible in the face of an ongoing pandemic will continue in 2021, and even with the COVID-related challenges officials plan to complete a number of improvement projects in the year ahead.

NEWMAN - West Side Community Ambulance ushered in the New Year by putting two new ambulances into service Thursday afternoon.

NEWMAN - The Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District ushered in 2020 with every expectation of a typical second semester all that it entailed in bringing another year to a close.

The deepening pandemic has clouded the prospects for high school athletics resuming this school year.

GUSTINE - An ongoing California Fish & Wildlife campaign to eradicate nutria, an invasive, semi-aquatic rodent which can wreak havoc with levees and destroy wildlife habitat, has removed dozens of the animals from Gustine wastewater treatment plant property in recent weeks.

GUSTINE - The coronavirus pandemic has tested city staff, businesses and residents through much of 2020, but despite those challenges a number of municipal projects moved forward in Gustine.

NEWMAN - Community members, law enforcement officers and loved ones gathered Saturday to hold a vigil in remembrance of fallen Newman Police Department Cpl. Ronil Singh.

GUSTINE - Dozens of Gustine and Santa Nella families facing hard times this holiday season received food and toys Saturday, made possible by an overwhelming show of support from the generous community.

NEWMAN - A remarkable show of community generosity brightened the holiday season for about 170 children in more than 50 families in the Newman-Crows Landing area.

NEWMAN - A temporary grading policy enacted by the Newman-Crows Landing school board in November drew more than a dozen letters of protest, many of which were read at the Dec. 14 board meeting, but did not sway trustees.

Two new members have joined the board of directors of the West Side Community Healthcare District, which oversees operation of West Side Community Ambulance.

Stanislaus County Supervisor Jim DeMartini, who represented his constituents with a tireless work ethic and regular presence throughout District 5 communities, is wrapping up his 16-year tenure on the county’s governing board.

GUSTINE - The Gustine Unified School District this week suspended its hybrid learning program, reverting fully to distance learning due to increasing COVID-19 case numbers in the community and among staff members.

GUSTINE - Community icon Joe DeGregori, a long-time business leader, tireless volunteer for the Chamber of Commerce, Gustine advocate and founder of the local youth baseball program, died Sunday at 92 years of age.

NEWMAN - With COVID-19 cases climbing in the community and among staff ranks, the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District will suspend classroom instruction after the holiday break and revert fully to distance learning at least until March.

GUSTINE - Two familiar figures have returned to the Gustine City Council.

The fictional Grinch is not the only heartless soul willing to steal Christmas away from hard-working families, authorities are reminding West Side residents, as real-life thieves can also be turn holiday joy into frustration or heart-break.

A regional stay-at-home order imposed by the state on the San Joaquin Valley Region, including Merced and Stanislaus counties, imposes a new round of restrictions and closures on local businesses and residents.

NEWMAN - Work is proceeding on construction of a new well, booster pump station and million-gallon storage tank on the western reaches of Jensen Road north of the city.

West Side Community Ambulance is laying the groundwork to base a part-time unit in Santa Nella on a regular basis.

NEWMAN - Newman Mayor Bob Martina is bringing his service on the City Council to a close after 23 years of service.

GUSTINE - To say that Joe Oliveira was a reluctant applicant for appointment to the Gustine City Council in 1999 may be an understatement.

NEWMAN - A community-based effort to brighten the holiday season for families and children in need is under way in Newman.