In this, the third and final installment of the Year in Review for The News, we look back at the months of September through December, highlighting some top stories in and around the Riverbank community.
SEPTEMBER
Riverbank Unified School District has partnered with the University of California, Merced to create an academic pathway for RUSD students. When satisfied, the pathway will guarantee admission for the student to UC Merced. Information about the Merced Automatic Admission Program – MAAP – will be offered at an upcoming program in Riverbank and all interested students and their families are encouraged to attend. The event is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in the Fauria gymnasium on the Riverbank High School campus. Attendees can learn how to receive guaranteed admission to UC Merced, which is ranked as one of the top 100 Universities in the nation.
Stanislaus County Library is seeking community input on library services and programs in its third annual library survey. Responses collected from this survey help determine the community’s needs, benefiting both library staff and the community they serve as the library plans future improvements. The survey began Sept. 1 and will run through Sept. 30 to correspond with National Library Card SignUp Month, a nationwide library initiative to raise awareness of the valuable resources individuals can access with a library card.
Stanislaus Consolidated Fire District Station 26 was the site for a gathering on Patriot Day, with a special observance on Monday, Sept. 11. The Ceremony of Remembrance was hosted at its station on Topeka Street in downtown Riverbank, recognizing the day, 22 years ago, that terrorists hijacked four planes. Two flew into the World Trade Center, destroying the Twin Towers in New York City and a third flew into the Pentagon, in Arlington, Virginia. The fourth plane, with passengers aboard fighting back against the hijackers, resulted in the plane never reaching its intended target, instead crashing in a field in rural Pennsylvania. On Monday, dispatchers passed the word from the 911 Center, calling all to pause for a moment of silence. Following that, Station 26 officers stood at attention, saluting as the unit’s U.S. Flag was raised to full, then lowered to half-staff, in memory of those lost, where it was to remain until sunset.
The Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office has released the 2024 Adopted Budget, pending the Board of Supervisors’ approval. The recommended budget will serve as the definitive plan for Year Two of the budget period ending on June 30, 2024. Over the past 10 years, the County budget has expanded to support the growing needs of the community, increasing by over $500 million. In recent years, revenue has exceeded initial expectations, affording the County the opportunity to build a healthy reserve and implement strategies to leverage those savings in support of local parks, libraries, and aging County facilities.
Stanislaus County Public Health officials are reporting a significant increase in West Nile Virus (WNV) cases for the 2023 year compared with recent previous years. WNV is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. As of Sept. 15, 2023, a total of 28 WNV human cases, including one death, have been reported in Stanislaus County residents compared to 15 WNV cases for the entire 2022 season. Nineteen of the 2023 WNV cases reported so far have been neuroinvasive WNV, where those infected developed neurological illnesses. As of Sept. 15, there have been 124 human cases of WNV reported statewide compared to 51 cases as of this date in 2022.
It was a very spirited week, with Homecoming festivities staged at Riverbank High School every day last week, leading up to its dramatic football conclusion on Friday, Sept. 22. The events also included the popular Powder Puff game on Thursday and, at halftime of the Friday game, the Homecoming Queen and King were crowned for all to see. From the five candidates each, both boys and girls, Yadira Torres was crowned as Queen, with Eric Verduzco taking the headwear as King. Also Friday, the annual Homecoming Parade rolled along Santa Fe Street downtown, starting near City Hall and concluding in front of the RUSD District Office at Seventh Street after school on Friday afternoon.
OCTOBER
With more than $130,000 raised prior to the actual 24-hour Relay For Life this past weekend at John Thurman Field in Modesto, the 2023 event far surpassed its $150,000 fundraising goal. By the time the closing ceremony was staged on Sunday, Oct. 1, teams involved in the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser had gone over $161,000, with more donations still anticipated. At press time, the total had surpassed $166,000. Top fundraising team was Conagra Oakdale Fights Back, with the Oakdale team bringing in more than $25,000. Conagra also served as the presenting sponsor for 2023. The combined Relay, which brought together Modesto, Oakdale and Turlock Relays, also draws in participants from some San Joaquin County communities and is classified as the Relay For Life of Greater Stanislaus County. This year was the third year for the larger, combined event. All the activities were at John Thurman Field, home of the Modesto Nuts.
If you are you passionate about supporting local veterans and first responders, and have a soft spot for animals, an upcoming event at American Veterans First will be right up your alley. “We have an exciting event coming up that you won’t want to miss,” explained Paige McLaughlin, American Veterans First CEO and director of the board. The organization is offering the Pets for Veterans and First Responders Event, scheduled for Friday, Oct. 13 from noon to 3 p.m. at American Veterans First, 6436 Oakdale Road in Riverbank. AVF is launching a new program with the Oakdale Animal Shelter with this week’s Meet and Greet. Adoption and all medical fees that usually accompany an animal shelter pet adoption will be waived for veterans, active-duty military, and first responders.
Beginning under a bit of the morning shadow of the lunar eclipse, the annual Cheese and Wine Festival returned to Santa Fe Street in downtown Riverbank this past weekend, starting Saturday morning and continuing through Sunday afternoon. It was the 46th iteration of the event, which brought the headline elements – cheese and wine in the signature tastings – along with vendors of all kinds, musicians, kids games, and a car show. The area for the Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 festival days covered a stretch between Fourth and Seventh streets.
The City of Riverbank has a newly formed service club that is officially associated with Soroptimist International of America and is known as SIA City of Riverbank. Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment. There are two main programs that Soroptimist Clubs provide support for, one is the Live Your Dream; Education and Training Awards for Women and the other is the Dream It, Be It; career support for girls. Soroptimist International of Oakdale recently hosted a charter party for the Riverbank club, which is the 32nd and newest club in the Soroptimist Sierra Pacific Region.
At its Tuesday, Oct. 10 meeting, the Riverbank City Council recognized the coming event with a proclamation presented to RUSD Superintendent Dr. Constantino Aguilar. The proclamation recognized the district’s Project A.C.T.I.O.N., After school Care Together In Our Neighborhoods as a fundamental program “dedicated to providing extracurricular academic and recreational opportunities for student enrichment in a safe and nurturing environment so students may become diverse individuals.” The Riverbank Unified School District celebrated its after school programs along with students and their parents on Friday, Oct. 20, on the campus of California Avenue School.
Area residents were able to celebrate the Halloween season a little bit early this past weekend in Riverbank. Specifically, the spot to observe the holiday was Jacob Myers Park, with a trip on the Haunted Hay Ride there. The Friday and Saturday evening event, Oct. 20 and 21, saw crowds of enthusiasts line up to ride on wagons pulled along the walking trail at the west end of the park. The wagons held 16 passengers each and were pulled by City of Riverbank pickup trucks, and looped around the trail and returned to the main parking lot, where viewers were invited to vote for their favorite scare site.
NOVEMBER
Riverbank residents celebrated the spirits of their deceased friends and family members on Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, on Friday, Nov. 3, in downtown Riverbank. The celebration featured a number of activities on Third Street, stretching from Topeka to Stanislaus streets, and a bit of Santa Fe at the intersection. In the middle of it was a large community altar the city prepared for those who didn’t want to make a complete altar of their own. The traditional altars were featured in one block of the street, in front of City Hall North. They are intended to assist the souls of the deceased in reaching heaven so they can rest in peace.
With a snip of the scissors and some smiles for the crowd in attendance, members of the Riverbank City Council recently cut the ceremonial ribbon, opening a new facility in downtown Riverbank. The ceremony was hosted on Monday, Nov. 6, signifying the completion of phase one of the Sierra House Day Use Facility. It’s located at 3346 Sierra St., behind Sierra House, which is at 3344 Sierra. That building is still being remodeled, and will host the RESTART program, a residential training for Riverbank’s unhoused population. The Day Use Facility will be focused on providing that community with daily access to shower services, clothing, food, hygiene products and one-on-one case management and housing support.
Veterans Day was celebrated a little early, this past weekend, by members of the Royal Neighbors Riverbank Chapter 9890 and the many volunteers who band together to provide a free luncheon, now in its 15th year. The program was hosted by Diane Talbert at the Stanislaus Veterans Center in North Modesto. It had begun in the Community Center in Riverbank, but several years ago outgrew that facility and was moved. The printed program noted a thank you from the Royal Neighbors of America, for “your service and dedication to our country. We are grateful for the freedoms we enjoy today because of the many sacrifices that you have made.”
When the Burlington clothing store hosted a ribbon cutting at its Crossroads location at the end of October, company officials also made a donation to California Avenue Elementary School administrators and members of the student council. Before wielding the scissors for the ribbon cutting in front of the store, a special check presentation was conducted. Burlington had selected California Avenue to receive a $5000 check as part of its Adopt-a-Classroom Program. As part of the ceremony, Riverbank Mayor Richard D. O’Brien presented Burlington Store Manager Sarika Kumar with a certificate of special recognition on behalf of the Riverbank City Council. In addition, District 1 Supervisor Buck Condit presented a similar certificate from the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors.
A local muralist, Alexandra Riddle, has begun work on another project in downtown Riverbank. In October, the Riverbank Historical Society board voted to approve the design and funding of the work, which will honor and commemorate the Del Rio Theatre, a long-standing landmark that was at the corner of Third and Atchison streets. It was demolished back in July, and at present, the property remains empty.
The mural is being painted on the two-story alley end (east) wall of the bank/apartment building on the corner of Third and Santa Fe streets. Riddle’s work began last week, using a paint sprayer and a hydraulic lift to reach the heights. According to Society officials, the $10,000 mural painting has been funded by a grant from the city.
Riverbank City Council members have approved the hiring of a new director for the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The selection was made at the Nov. 14 council meeting. Michael Patton – attending the meeting via an online appearance – has held a similar position in Ephraim, Utah. He is scheduled to start his new position here on Monday, Dec. 4. Patton takes over the position previously held by Sue Fitzpatrick, who, after 20 years in Riverbank, retired back in September.
DECEMBER
The Christmas Spirit could be seen and felt in abundance at the Save Mart supermarket in the Crossroads Shopping Center in Riverbank on Sunday, Dec. 3. The festivities centered around the collection of items for the annual Toys For Tots holiday drive. United States Marine Corps reservists and retirees, along with volunteers from the Central Valley Community Resources organization and the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce, welcomed Santa Claus and families to the parking lot, along with a number of owners and drivers of classic and hot rod vehicles. The entrants in the car show also brought toys to be given to youngsters later this month, at the same time vying for trophies awarded to the top three choices.
The weekend saw Riverbank residents flocking to the downtown area to begin their celebration of the Christmas season with a day of holiday-related events, as part of the 54th Annual Riverbank Country Christmas Celebration. This year, the traditional craft faire was divided into two parts, an indoor session and one held outdoors. Once it started getting dark, entrants in the annual parade began staging in the area of Cardozo and the Community Center, preparing for the evening’s activities.
Friends and family members gathered in the old Bruin Gym for Riverbank High School’s Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 7. The program was broken up into three main parts, one for each of the school’s bands, each performing a number of winter and Christmas pieces.
Members of the Riverbank City Council gathered for their only meeting of the month of December this past week, with just a few items on the agenda. The first was recognition for the city’s Planning and Building Director Donna Kenney, who was retiring after the Tuesday, Dec. 12 meeting. The council presented her with a plaque recognizing her service to the city. The citation noted that Kenney has been employed with the City of Riverbank since June 1, 2015.
The Central Valley Community Resources group has held its final luncheon for Riverbank senior citizens this year, celebrating a Christmas meal. The feast was presented not only for area seniors, but also members of the community that have been helping serve those seniors during the year. The menu included turkey breast and drumsticks, wild rice and green salad, accompanied by a choice of beverages, coffee, tea or punch. A group of carolers visiting from the New Life Community Church of Riverbank, led the singing and performed for the seniors.
As residents all across the state prepare to usher in a new year, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is ramping up efforts to help ensure the safety of all road users, while reducing the number of deadly crashes on the state’s roadways.
Beginning at 6:01 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 29, the CHP will implement a statewide Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP), which will continue through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. The CHP conducted a similar enforcement effort during the recent Christmas holiday.
