This week, we begin our annual review of the year that was, taking a look at the feature stories and photos as they appeared in the pages of The News during 2023. This installment, the first of three, reviews the first quarter of the year, focusing on highlights of January through April.
JANUARY
A flood watch and a high wind watch are both in effect for the region, issued by the National Weather Service in Sacramento. A portion of northern California, including the Carquinez Strait and Delta, Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley, Northern Sacramento Valley, Northern San Joaquin Valley and Southern Sacramento Valley are included in the flood watch, which remains in effect through Friday morning, Jan. 6. Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.
Riverbank Police Services deputies were busy as the calendar turned from 2022 to 2023, handling a variety of calls for service in Riverbank over the long holiday weekend. On Sunday, Jan. 1 from 12:01 a.m. to 12:40 a.m. there were eight calls for service regarding sounds of gunshots or fireworks that were received from around the Riverbank community. No arrests were made as a result of the calls.
The Riverbank Unified School District has issued a notice to parents and guardians concerning its policy on how it plans to deal with potential power outages in the area in light of continuing winter storms. And city officials have also announced weather has impacted a portion of Jacob Myers Park. Sent by e-mail and posted on social media, the RUSD notice clarifies how school campuses will be dealing with this situation, should it arise. Districts in the Sacramento area were forced to close for several days this week because of power outages in the city and the county.
The City of Riverbank declared a state emergency at the regular City Council meeting on Jan. 10. The City Council adopted the resolution to declare the existence of a local emergency in response to the storms that have hit the area this year. The adoption of the resolution will allow the city to be eligible for state and federal funding. The state and federal government reserve money for local emergencies. Noted in the agenda is that “under section 8685 of the Government Code, a local emergency must be declared to obtain monetary relief from both State and federal agencies.
The “Employees Making a Difference” (EMAD) program recognizes outstanding classified school employees throughout Stanislaus County. This year, Tim Turner with the Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) made the cut. He is an Equipment/Vehicle Maintenance Mechanic for RUSD. For the 16th year running, the Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) and the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) Region VII will partner to honor outstanding classified (non-supervisory) education employees in Stanislaus County. A total of 29 exceptional classified staff will be honored at an awards ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 18 at 4 p.m. at the Martin Petersen Event Center, 720 12th St., Modesto. “Employees Making a Difference” is a program where school districts throughout the county selected their honorees and forwarded the nominations to SCOE.
There was a box packing event hosted at American Veterans First (AVF) in Riverbank on Saturday, Jan. 21. Volunteers were on hand to fill care packages with a variety of items that will be shipped out to active military service men and women. CEO Paige McLaughlin noted that before the packaging began, all the volunteers gathered and each organization shared information about themselves. There were volunteers from USMC Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II Memorial Troop Support, Mid-Cal Blue Star Moms, California Valley Patriots, Victory Bombshells, Disabled American Veterans, and Cal Guard along with AVF members.
The parents of a Riverbank toddler are facing homicide charges in connection with his death. In a case that began in mid-December, arrests were made just this past week. According to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, on Dec. 16, 2022, Riverbank deputies responded to the 5900 block of Newbrook Circle for a report of baby not breathing. Deputies located an 18-month-old not breathing. Paramedics arrived on scene and transported the boy to Memorial Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased. Due to the child's age, the Stanislaus Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Unit (MCU) was activated. During a search of the home, detectives located narcotics, narcotics paraphernalia, and fentanyl. The mother of the child, identified by authorities as 25-year-old Maryanne Cazares, and the father, 31-year-old Tyler Jones, were initially interviewed at the Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation into the toddler’s death. During their interviews, both admitted to falling asleep while the boy played on the floor. Jones also admitted that before law enforcement arrived at the home, he hid drugs, paraphernalia, and fentanyl that were accessible to the child.
FEBRUARY
An agreement between the City of Riverbank and Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) for a School Resource Officer (SRO) was approved in a 3 to 2 vote by the Riverbank City Council during their regular meeting on Jan. 24. “We are pleased to have this resource again in our district after a number of years without the support,” stated RUSD Superintendent Christine Facella. “While the Resource Officer does not engage in discipline, they are certainly a resource for our administrators when they are dealing with issues that may have legal implications such as school lockdowns and illegal substances on campus.”
The City of Riverbank along with staff and volunteers, conducted the annual Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) Count. According to city staff, the information collected will assist in creating future programs and funding for the homeless within the city. City of Riverbank Senior Management Analyst Norma Torres-Manriquez explained that there were 10 volunteers for the Riverbank count including councilmembers Darlene Barber-Martinez and Rachel Hernandez and city staff members, City Manager Marisela Garcia and Administrative Assistant Jessica Barragan, along with Manriquez. The annual count is a requirement from the Housing and Urban Development Department that is planned and carried out locally with their guidelines and tools. Stanislaus County conducted its count on Thursday, Jan. 26. The people that were counted are living in shelters, transitional housing, unsheltered, living outdoors, in parks, abandoned buildings or in vehicles.
Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) is offering a new ASSETS program to students at Riverbank High School. ASSETS, After School Student Education Teamwork for Success, Director Vanessa Lopez launched the program in October and it is a federally funded grant that was awarded to the district this past summer. “This program is going to be a really great opportunity for our students,” said Lopez. “It is a five-year grant so it is going to be trial and error this first year. We are lucky to offer a variety of different things to the students. Another part of this grant is college and career readiness offering students information and workshops on scholarships.”
The Riverbank City Council recognized Eddie Negrete for his many years of service as a Troop Leader for The Boy Scouts of America during the regular city council meeting held last week. Mayor Richard O’Brien presented Negrete a certificate of appreciation for serving the Riverbank community as a Troop Leader from 2014 to 2022. The certificate stated, “In sincere appreciation to your many years of outstanding and exceptional service within the Boy Scouts of America. The Riverbank community is honored to have had you as a leader and role model. Wishing you the best for continued success.” Negrete shook hands with the mayor and said a few words. He recalled his very first camping adventure with the Boy Scouts at the Modesto Reservoir when it was pouring rain.
The Riverbank Historical Society hosted its annual meeting at Perko’s Restaurant on Friday evening, Feb. 3. Among the business conducted, the society seated its Board of Directors for the coming year. The board includes President Kristin Platts, Vice President Steve Bordona, Secretary Bertha Reyes, Treasurer Rich Holmer. Also seated as directors were past presidents Paulette Roberson and Craig Ethier, along with Jamie Vickers, Bob Vickers and Judie Hardie taking seats as directors.
Riverbank High School wrapped up its Spirit Week activities with the Winter Homecoming Game at the Ray Fauria Memorial Gymnasium on campus on Friday, Feb. 10. The week had daily activities, each with its own theme, and concluded by naming the King and Queen during halftime of the varsity boys basketball game. They honored Michael Soriano as King, a member of the Bruin varsity team; and Mia Vidal as Queen. Following the crowning, the cheer squad took its last turn at a routine for the season and then the game resumed, with Soriano returning to the court. An ankle injury in the fourth quarter sidelined the newly crowned King for the remainder of the game.
Area residents gathered together over the weekend to enjoy savory seafood and help support the Central Valley Community Resources organization provide funding for its non-profit, 501(c)(3), programs. The Sixth Annual Crab Feed was dubbed a “Crabby Love Affair” celebrating the proximity to Valentine’s Day, hosted on Saturday, Feb. 11, in the Riverbank Community Center. Table decorations were in shades of pink and red. In addition to the Caribbean style crab, the menu included Bayou shrimp, tri-tip, along with garden salad, Jambalaya rice and Cajun chili beans. Central Valley Community Resources, CVCR, is a community group that conducts a variety of service programs, supported by its fundraisers.
The Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority (StanRTA) plans to launch systemwide service changes on March 5, 2023, as a result of its Comprehensive Operational Analysis (COA) findings from 2022. The changes will help provide transit equity across The S service area. Although the service change will not occur until March 5, StanRTA has already started promoting the changes for riders to become familiar with changes in their neighborhoods. “Our goal was to create an easier, more efficient system to connect our communities across the entire service area,” said Adam Barth, StanRTA CEO. “The changes will provide significantly expanded and more equitable transit access.”
Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) has a new Board President, Diana Gonzalez and a new Board of Trustees member for Area 2, Katie Wedge. The board members also announced at the regular board meeting earlier this month that they appointed Dr. Constantino Aguilar to fill the role of RUSD Superintendent as the current Superintendent Christine Facella will be retiring. Aguilar’s employment as incoming Superintendent with the district will begin on April 3, as he will be working closely with Facella during her final few months in office. He will begin his new position as Superintendent on July 1.
Drivers on Squire Wells Way had a bit of difficulty getting through to the shopping center on Thursday and Friday while repair work was going on at the roundabout at Heartland. Traffic was blocked in both directions while the project was underway. The Riverbank City Council authorized the repair and restoration of the roundabout at the intersection of Squire Wells Way and Heartland Drive, just north of the Crossroads Shopping Center. The council voted to put up the $26,700 necessary for the project from the General Fund Reserve.
MARCH
Riverbank residents living near 6145 and 6129 Claus Road have been given a community survey regarding an environmental cleanup project. The Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) purchased the property in 2020 and is working with the California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) to remove the toxic soil from the site.
Lieutenant junior grade Elijah ‘Eli’ Vernon, a native of Riverbank, California, is currently serving aboard the U.S. Navy warship, USS Curtis Wilbur, operating out of San Diego, California. Vernon, a 2016 Riverbank High School graduate, joined the Navy two years ago. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2020 with a degree in robotics and weapon systems engineering. “I joined the Navy because I was looking for options that would offer the best opportunities,” said Vernon.
Adelante High School (AHS) senior Riley Thacker of the Riverbank Unified School District was nominated by Principal Ed Vaca for the 18th annual “Every Student Succeeding” Program. There are 26 students from 18 school districts throughout Stanislaus County, including Thacker, that have been nominated. “I actually feel really happy about being chosen for this award because I’m not really one to show my success myself,” said Thacker. “It just really warms my heart that they even chose me to win this award because I’ve been struggling a lot with mental health, with family life, with everything and I still made it through high school. I just feel very happy about this.”
The continuing rains in the Riverbank area did not prevent citizens from turning out for the Mayor’s annual State of the City presentation last week. The turnout appeared to be larger than recent editions of the event, with most seats filled in the Community Center on Thursday, March 9. Mayor Richard D. O’Brien started by welcoming elected officials from nearby jurisdictions, including the mayors of Modesto and Ceres, and county supervisor, Buck Condit. He also introduced current Riverbank council members in attendance. He proceeded to list the city’s achievements and goals, pointing out the many examples throughout the city. He said he hoped to represent the total body of work as “synergistic pieces to a puzzle that all fits together” for the community. “Our council and staff have chosen to focus on the value of the work we get to do to serve this community, which, in the end, is the true essence of public service,” said O’Brien.
The Riverbank Unified School District held its 2023 Parent Summit on Saturday, March 11, on the RHS campus. The overall theme this year was “Promoting a Pathway to Student Success through Family Support.” All the workshops and booth displays were centered around this theme. After an overview of the days’ activities, the morning started at Ray Fauria Memorial Gymnasium on campus, with registration and breakfast ahead of a session with a keynote speaker.
The City of Riverbank is going to continue hosting the Cheese and Wine Festival this year on Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15 … but they have also contracted with SMA Entertainment to oversee the festival this year. “So, we are off and running with SMA (Stephen and Michelle Alexander) Entertainment,” said Director of Parks and Recreation Sue Fitzpatrick. “They are very excited. The reason we chose this group is they have a great deal of experience and are extremely excited. They have wanted the festival for the past three years. Steven Alexander promises a great event. More to come as we get further in the planning.”
There are several different competitions for students to participate in at Riverbank High School (RHS) and earlier this month they competed in the 37th Occupational Olympics and Career Exposition. Riverbank won the Small School Overall Award with several of the students placing in the top three for different events. The competition was held at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds where over 700 students from Stanislaus County high schools participated in 16 different events.
There is a travel baseball team called Backyard Baseball 13u comprised of youth from communities all over the Central Valley including Riverbank that brought home the USSSA Super NIT Spring Championship from a three-day tournament held last week in Glendale, Arizona. Riverbank resident and an eighth grader at Cardozo Middle School, Isaac Castro, pitched a shutout game against the Salt Lake Gulls with an 8-0 win during the championship run. This qualifies the team for the World Series scheduled in Florida in July.
The Black Box Theatre at the Riverbank High campus was turned into two magical places: Xanadu and Mount Olympus. The musical Xanadu JR was staged by the RHS Drama Department, and, at the Saturday matinee performance, were supported by a guest appearance by District Superintendent Christine Facella, who took on the role of Zeus, played that day as ‘queen’ of the Greek gods on Mount Olympus.
APRIL
Through an annual literacy campaign that encourages reading among students, Riverbank Unified School District’s (RUSD) After School Program organized a variety of activities during the month of March for elementary students. The National Read Across America campaign is a celebration of literacy that is hosted at schools throughout the country and Riverbank coined it Read Across Riverbank. Students at California Avenue Elementary, Mesa Verde Elementary, and Riverbank Language Academy participated in a reading challenge where they tracked how many books, they read each week in a reading log. The students read a total of 26,629 books in the month of March.
The Love Your Cities campaigns are underway this month and that includes Love Riverbank. Although the volunteer event took a hiatus for a couple of years, new organizer Randy Richardson along with a dedicated committee are bringing it back to the City of Action on Saturday, April 29. The day will start with a rally at 8 a.m. under the gazebo at the Community Center Park. Richardson took to the microphone during public comment portion at the City Council meeting last week to invite everyone to join the Love Riverbank campaign as the event will once again be active in the City of Action.
Closure of a portion of roadway in the City of Riverbank will mean motorists traveling between Escalon and Riverbank along Santa Fe will be taking a detour. First Street from Atchison Street to Santa Fe Road will undergo a surface overlay; this will require the bridge over the Stanislaus River to be closed on First Street. This section of road and the bridge will be closed on weekdays only running through Friday, April 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; work is scheduled to be completed and the bridge fully reopened as of April 15.
There was a packed house at the Riverbank Unified School District (RUSD) chambers last week during the school board meeting, with plenty of district employees in attendance. RUSD and RTA (Riverbank Teachers Association) are currently in negotiations for a new contract. During public comment at the board meeting there were several teachers that addressed the board and shared their concerns with the current offer on the table.
With this season’s statewide snowpack well over percent of average at the end of March, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW), the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) are urging the public to take extra precautions and to be aware of cold-water dangers this spring to avoid a tragedy. The series of winter storms is causing rising river and stream flow levels not seen in years. The eventual spring warm-up will bring fast flows and cold temperatures when all that snow starts to melt. All Californians are being encouraged to wait until summer to recreate in the water, when conditions are safer.
Jeffrey Warn has been nominated for Teacher of the Year by Cardozo Middle School Principal Kevin Bizzini. There are 12 finalists including Warn and on May 2 the winner will be announced at a luncheon in Modesto. “Teachers do not get into the field for pay, or recognition, but being a finalist for Teacher of the Year is truly an honor,” stated Warn. “Teachers work extremely hard, put in countless hours, and to be recognized is something that means a lot to me and my family.” Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) designed the Teacher of the Year program to recognize outstanding teachers from TK-12 within the county in public and private schools.
New Life Community Church Pastors Paul and Trudy Jewell will hold their final service on Sunday, April 30 at 10:30 a.m. in Riverbank. They will be retiring to spend time with family and embark on a new journey. “We have completed the work that God has called us to do,” said Trudy. “We have preached the Word faithfully in season and out of season. After serving 16 years in Riverbank, it is time for another pastoral team to carry on the work of Jesus Christ in Riverbank.” The couple began co-pastoring in Riverbank in August 2007 at the New Life Church located at the time on Stanislaus Street. They relocated in 2015 to 6443 Estelle Avenue after the Nazarene denomination purchased the new location.
A senior soccer player at Riverbank High School participated in a ceremony last week, signing his Letter of Intent to accept a four-year scholarship to a Division III college in the Midwest. The signing by Gonzalo Luna took place in the Fauria Gym on the RHS campus, at noontime on Friday, April 21. It was scheduled so that his Bruin varsity soccer teammates, as well as the JV team members, could be present for the occasion. Luna signed the document, confirming his intent to attend University of Northwestern in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Look for Part 2 of the Year in Review, covering the months of May through August, in the Jan. 10 issue of The News.
