Dropout rates mixed in Valley
More California high school students are graduating and dropout rates have decreased -- but minorities continue to leave school at a higher rate than white students, according to the latest figures released by the state.
Fresno Bee article

Additional Coverage on dropout rates
Bakersfield Californian article
Merced Sun-Star article
Modesto Bee article
Stockton Record article
Visalia Times-Delta article

West Park opponents question county approval process
West Park opponents are again accusing Stanislaus County of rushing the project through bureaucratic hoops, but county officials say they’re just following the letter of the law.
Patterson Irrigator article

Rancher uses state agency to preserve property
J.B. Overstreet climbed quickly out of his pickup, looking for signs of the cattle he raises on his oak-studded ranch. He needed only to look straight down. Overstreet had stepped into a fresh cow pie. Indeed, cattle live on this property, 1,080 acres of grasslands near Chukchansi Gold Resort and Casino. But if not for cow pies, you might not notice.
Fresno Bee article

Manteca power outrage
A 30-acre almond orchard that has been home to five generations of the Freitas family faces the threat of being bisected literally by giant power transmission lines.
Manteca Bulletin article

Commentary: It's time for farmers to take back 'sustainable'
It's hard to get through the day anymore without hearing the word "sustainable." In fact, I was recently asked if I was a factory farmer or if I raised cattle sustainably. Who judges what's sustainable and what isn't? It seems that the word has been hijacked and is being used by people who are opposed to modern agriculture.
California Farm Bureau Federation opinion

Steep water rate hike proposed
Officials on Tuesday proposed a 63 percent increase in residential water rates over four years to fund the Delta Water Supply Project, Stockton's $217 million plan to pump drinking water from the Delta.
Stockton Record article

Kings County farm production slips
Kings County's total farm production fell slightly to $1.7 billion last year as weak crop prices contributed to declines in the value of nuts, milk and livestock. The county's total crop value dropped just 0.1%, with nearly every major category falling. Among the biggest declines was livestock, which fell 19.7%, according to the Kings County 2008 Crop Report released Tuesday.
Fresno Bee article

Panel warns Marsh to skip land-use vote
City Councilman Garrad Marsh is Modesto's most outspoken proponent for farmland preservation. Last month, he found out he can't vote on a proposal that would advance his cause because he could benefit financially from it.
Modesto Bee article

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