How deep will state budget cuts go?
Hundreds of Valley prison workers could face layoffs under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest budget plan, which also includes cuts to schools and social services to close the state's mounting deficit.
Fresno Bee article

Teachers learn about green energy
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. on Wednesday tutored San Joaquin County teachers how to incorporate renewable energy into the classroom curriculum.
Stockton Record article

Switchgrass could fuel cars, economy
Tall, green grasses waving in the wind look a little out of place on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, where lettuce, tomatoes and alfalfa fuel the valley economy.
Capital Press article

Ground broken on state's largest ultraviolet water plant
San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom climbed onto the rubber-tired backhoe and fiddled with the levers. Before the machine roared to life, he turned to San Joaquin County Supervisor Leroy Ornellas and said: "For the record, supervisor, I have OSHA-approved hair. My old hard hat is right here," pointing to his famously-slicked mane.
Stockton Record article

Kawamura: Science must lead the way
Science needs to take a stronger lead in setting future food and energy policy, California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura told a gathering of the energy community Wednesday.
Capital Press article

Farmers: Power lines will limit use of their land for crops
South County farmers worried that power transmission lines being considered that may severely impact – if not completely take away – their property aren’t holding back.
Manteca Bulletin article

Chrysler to close six Central Valley stores
Six dealerships in the Central Valley are being closed by Chrysler Corp. as part of its bankruptcy reorganization. The Valley dealerships are:
Central Valley Business Times article

Farm burning limit clears state Senate
If Valley residents can't put a log on the fire on smoggy days, then growers should not burn farm waste, says state Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter. The state Senate on Thursday approved Florez's proposed restriction, passing a bill that would invalidate farm burn permits on any day the Valley air districts prohibits fireplace burning.
Fresno Bee article

Central Valley picked for new VA health facility
The Department of Veterans Affairs has selected San Joaquin County as the preferred location to build a new, multi-specialty ambulatory care center.
Central Valley Business Times article

Easing the pain: Higher prices of some crops save local ag from larger financial hit
Exploding grain, corn, tomato and alfalfa hay prices in 2008 saved local agriculture from a big decline, according to a crop report released Tuesday by the Kings County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.
Hanford Sentinel article

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