Merced Sun-Star

Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Fresno have the highest emergency room visits per capita among urban counties in California, according to a study released Tuesday.

Evergreen Memorial Park and Funeral Home may soon be available to the highest bidder, the Merced Superior Court decided this week.

The county recorded its fifth death from the war in Iraq as the Army said Pvt. Janelle F. King, 23, of Merced, died Thursday in Baghdad "from a non-combat-related cause."

MERCED COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

The Merced County Chamber of Commerce said it won the Silver Award and "Best Animation" award for its Merced County exhibit at the annual California State Fair.

Merced police reported the arrest of three teenage boys this weekend on suspicion of stealing an Xbox video game console and other items.

Valley home sales prices plunged to a six-year low in July.

Despite reviving dying computers for a living, Kevin Hammon doesn't consider himself a hacker, a software wonder or even a geek.

August 20, 1958

3rd WEDNESDAY

Bubba. Jamie. Doug.

Three poor Merced families will soon have a house to call home.

WASHINGTON -- Congress dissed California dried fruits and nuts in the latest farm bill, and growers are feeling ambushed.

A man who pleaded guilty to sex crimes involving a teenage girl earlier this year is now accused of molesting two other children.

The Mexican government extradited a 40-year-old citizen to face federal drug trafficking charges stemming from his connection to a Merced County cocaine ring broken up in early 2006.

The roller coaster is still. The choo-choo train has stopped. The rocket ship is grounded. The carousel can't spin.

UC Merced Bioengineering professor Kara E. McCloskey, is receiving $1.7 million from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, school officials said Monday.

ATWATER -- A 90-year-old woman who residents described as energetic and well-liked died Sunday after being struck by a truck while crossing a street.

Merced County coroner's officials say they're withholding the name of a homeless man killed by a train last week until the man's next-of-kin have been notified.

Capital Corp of the West's appointment of a new chief executive officer, Richard S. Cupp, received approval from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, the company said in a news release Monday afternoon.

August 19, 1958

Public meetings

A new battle against the elements is unfolding in the foothills of Mariposa County, where the Telegraph fire has stripped away the natural architecture that holds up the hillsides -- the vast patchwork of grass, brush and trees.

Merced police reported that a parolee is back behind bars after he led officers Saturday in vehicle pursuit that ended in a two-car collision.

LIVINGSTON -- A married couple and their children were physically unharmed on Friday after two men entered their home on the 600 block of Briarwood Drive and held them at gunpoint, Livingston police reported.

New clean air rules would put tighter restrictions on Northern San Joaquin Valley residents who like to stoke their fireplaces during colder months.

There's no shortage of material for artistic inspiration at Yosemite National Park.

LOS BANOS -- When you live in the Valley, it's easy to eat locally. Chefs at area restaurants have shaken the hands that pick the produce they toss in salads and blend into bisques.

One fringe benefit of living to age 94 is that you get plenty of time to develop your sense of humor, if you're so inclined.

Russia's recent strike into Georgia could mean the start of another Cold War with the U.S., and to deal with it, the American military may be forced to resort to high-paying recruitment offers -- or even a reinstatement of the draft.

Merced police responded to 204 calls in shifts Thursday through early Friday and 164 calls in shifts Saturday through early Sunday. The following is a short list of those calls:

The Merced College Continuing Education Office will offer two mature-driver improvement classes from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. A $2 fee is required. For more information, call (209) 381-6540.

The Northern San Joaquin Valley's jobless rate continued to climb in July, when harvesting and construction typically boost employment.

SNELLING -- Merced County Sheriff's Department deputies destroyed about 3,000 marijuana plants found Friday about a half-mile from the end of Fourth Street.

A growing number of California students met state standards in English and math this year, but black and Latino students continue to trail far behind their peers, according to test results released Thursday.

The UC Merced graduate student accused of trying to cook a kind of methamphetamine that would skirt federal law pleaded not guilty to drug charges Friday.

Merced police officers arrested six teenagers believed to be Norteno gang members Thursday night after one of them hurled a rock through a car windshield, Lt. Tom Trindad said.

The next meeting to discuss conditions at Evergreen Memorial Park and Funeral Home is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Merced Civic Center, 678 W. 18th St., in the Sam Pipes Room.

The Merced Police Department will be auctioning items seized from crime scenes this morning.

A Union Pacific train hit and killed a homeless man Thursday night, Merced police said.

Caltrans will close southbound Interstate 5 from the Highway 152 junction to the border between Merced and Stanislaus counties.

For most parents, loading the kids into the car for a quick errand to the grocery store is no big deal. But for parents of children with disabilities, few things are simple.

More than 1,000 underprivileged kids are in for a special treat tonight, thanks to the Merced County Sheriff's Department. It will be hosting a free family night at Merced County Fairgrounds Speedway. Tickets for the free night of auto racing were distributed to low-income children through the Boys & Girls Club, FFA and 4-H. Deputies also handed out tickets while on patrol in the community. Mentally challenged adults will also attend the event.

SATURDAY

August 16, 1958

FRESNO — A dangerous mix of heat, pollution and stagnant air has settled over the San Joaquin Valley, pushing air quality to very unhealthy levels.

ATWATER -- In an effort to save money in dire economic times, the city fire department may soon be run by the state.