John Holland

2 weeks ago | modbee.com | John Holland

Amtrak will run special trains once again to a Juneteenth event in the Southern San Joaquin Valley. It will be June 14 at Allensworth, named for the former slave who founded it in 1908. The town faded after several years due to the loss of its water supply and rail depot. Amtrak sets up a temporary platform next to what is now a state historic park. All tickets are half off for the trip, then reduced even more by Amtrak’s regular discounts for children, seniors and other groups.

3 weeks ago | modbee.com | John Holland

Visitors have five new trails at Dos Rios Ranch State Park, nearly a year after it opened southwest of Modesto. The public can enjoy them starting at 7 a.m. Friday, June 6. They go farther out on the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers than the initial two trails. They also provide easy access for the first time to swimming and fishing spots. Dos Rios is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. It continues to have free admission while the amenities are developed.

3 weeks ago | modbee.com | John Holland

Oakdale will spend $75,000 to examine whether switching from PG&E to the Modesto Irrigation District is worthwhile. The City Council voted 5-0 on Monday, June 2, to hire a consulting firm with expertise in electricity markets. The move came four weeks after members agreed informally to explore the idea. PG&E objected both times. It noted that rate relief already is happening and that the system is not for sale anyway. PG&E serves about 7,000 Oakdale homes.

4 weeks ago | modbee.com | John Holland

The Trump administration on Friday canceled a $75 million grant that would help reduce fuel use at Gallo Glass Co. in Modesto. Its massive furnaces make bottles for the adjacent E.&J. Gallo Winery, the world’s largest. The company declined to comment on the grant withdrawal, including a possible legal challenge. The grant was among 33 announced in March 2024 by then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, totaling $6 billion across several industries.

4 weeks ago | yahoo.com | John Holland

The Trump administration on Friday canceled a $75 million grant that would help reduce fuel use at Gallo Glass Co. in Modesto. Its massive furnaces make bottles for the adjacent E.&J. Gallo Winery, the world’s largest. The company declined to comment on the grant withdrawal, including a possible legal challenge. The grant was among 33 announced in March 2024 by then-Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, totaling $6 billion across several industries.