@themercedfocus

@themercedfocus has been a member of Linktree for 2 years and joined in March 2024. Besides social media accounts, themercedfocus has populated their site with The only Fresno shelter for people escaping domestic violence has to turn some away – now they’re on the streets - The Intersection, Where to celebrate the Fourth of July in Merced County in 2026, Merced drag queen is a defining figure in Valley LGBTQ community, Around 1,200 Merced County ballots were rejected during the June 2 primary election, registrar says - The Merced FOCUS, About one of five Valley seniors live alone. What does that mean for their physical and mental health? - The Merced FOCUS, Upscale Chowchilla HOA in legal battle with water agency, Sign up for our email newsletter, From fields to stages and the road: The many lives of Adolfo Sanchez - The Merced FOCUS, Lopez and Boyenga to compete for Merced County schools chief, Older adults go back to school in Merced, Alleged fentanyl dealer pleads not guilty to murder charges connected to 3 fatal overdoses - The Merced FOCUS, Merced County primary analysis: Some races still too tight to call, Residents want more say in proposed High Speed Rail station, UC Merced Labor Center study says, Merced County primary analysis: Some races still too tight to call, Measles detected in Merced County's wastewater, officials say, California High-Speed Rail board approves business plan that suggests moving downtown Merced station, Opinion: Merced needs growth that actually works for residents, Merced County Primary 2026 | The Latest Updates and Coverage - The Merced FOCUS, Early Merced County superintendent results show tight race, Newcomer and incumbent take early leads in Merced County supervisor races, Shooter in 2023 Los Banos killing sentenced to 11 years in prison, Here’s how voting went for Merced County in the primary election, Merced County Superintendent of Schools candidate’s district under financial review before election, Downtown Merced gets five new murals., Merced artist Eddie Garcia never stopped making things, Primary Election 2026 | Merced Focus Video Debates and Coverage - The Merced FOCUS, Merced city budget faces constraints as firefighting grants expire, Have you been affected by animal bites in Merced County? / ¿Ha sido afectado por mordeduras de animales en el condado de Merced?, Dos Palos leaders to consider financialstate of emergency, Alleged fentanyl dealer charged with murder for trio of fatal Los Banos overdoses - The Merced FOCUS, Summer agriculture, end of school may bring upswing in Valley Fever cases - The Merced FOCUS, UC Merced graduates celebrate 2026 commencement, Opinion: Unsafe housing should not be the cost of living in Merced, Dos Palos misspent $2.2M in transportation tax money, Task force returns to Merced Sheriff’s Office after being disbanded, Merced County has slightly more homeless people, Hundreds of late Merced County ballots were rejected in 2025, data analysis finds - The Merced FOCUS, UC professor shares musical path, as “Soundscapes of Merced” exhibit opens at Courthouse Museum, McDaniel, Lara debate who should lead Merced County BOS District 3, Atwater, Merced County will rezone to avoid state lawsuit, Top CA court denies Cary Stayner’s death penalty appeal, Merced County Superintendent candidates lean on experience in forum, Watch Mike Murphy and Japjeet Singh Uppal in 27th Assembly District debate, Merced County Sheriff's Office will switch to online ticketing, How Mexican American workers built Merced’s vibrant Grupero music scene - The Merced FOCUS, Young Brains, Huge Stakes: How transitional kindergarten is shaping young children in the San Joaquin Valley - The Merced FOCUS, Merced school district rescinds discipline for some students who walked out for anti-ICE protests - The Merced FOCUS, Victims of violent crimes remembered in Merced County ceremony, Silveira leans on record, Alejandre pushes for change at Merced County District 5 supervisor forum - The Merced FOCUS, Merced revisits code enforcement protocols after AG warning letter, UC Merced researchers sound the alarm on how dust affects health, Merced City Council hits pause on street closure permits, Modesto, Merced donors seek refunds from Swalwell campaign, UC Merced’s smart farm researches climate questions, 'Dual language immersion coordinator’ proposed for California. Here's how bilingual programs at Valley schools could benefit - The Merced FOCUS, Are Chowchilla's underground tunnels part of history or just legend?, Loss of tax credits drive Covered California insurance premiums higher for middle-income Valley residents - The Merced FOCUS, South Dos Palos celebrates "first stop" on the road to safer neighborhoods, Why aren't more faiths represented in prayers at Merced public meetings?, UC Merced event calls on students to prevent sexual violence, High-end apartment complex opens in north Merced, Support your local journalists - The Merced FOCUS, Jury acquits driver in Atwater crash that killed two sisters, Merced’s CBOs should rehabilitate local youth, not the GEO Group, Merced Mercado night market dates blocked under city ordinance, Events, resources for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Merced, Merced College claims news outlets cost them thousands, Young Brains, Huge Stakes: How transitional kindergarten is shaping young children in the San Joaquin Valley - The Merced FOCUS, CA governor candidates clash on San Joaquin Valley issues, Merced County officials launch campaign to boost childcare and early education access - The Merced FOCUS, Mother of Sophia Mason, 8, won’t face murder charge, New database by UC tracks Africans roots in Latin America, Complaints paint troubling picture of ‘fixes’ made to flood-ravaged homes in Merced County, Proposed Merced anti-slumlord ordinance will ‘have teeth’ to protect tenants, put problem landlords on notice, leaders say - The Merced FOCUS, Merced County could see a $10 million impact from ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’  - The Merced FOCUS, ‘I believe the victims.’ Shock and sadness spreads in Merced, Valley over Cesar Chavez sex abuse allegations - The Merced FOCUS, A proposed anti-slumlord policy is gaining momentum in Merced, 'This is not about one dean.' Merced College leaders respond to reporting of workplace conflict - The Merced FOCUS, Opinion: Medi-Cal cuts are hitting Valley healthcare centers hard. Legislators must take action - The Merced FOCUS, Sutter Health opens new health clinic in Los Banos, ‘Our classrooms reflect the languages of the world.’ Group calls for expanded multilingualism education in California - The Merced FOCUS, Valley hospitals, clinics brace for financial ‘tsunami’ threatening health care access - The Merced FOCUS, The June 2026 primary election is on the horizon. See who has filed to run in Merced County - The Merced FOCUS, Valley hospitals, clinics brace for financial ‘tsunami’ threatening health care access - The Merced FOCUS, Questions surround a Merced College dean, Mercy Medical Center Merced to seek trauma center designation, A Merced College workplace conflict left students scrambling for classes, Multiple employees filed complaints against a Merced College dean, Register Your Community Event!, Submit Your Opinion Piece!, How long does a visit to a hospital emergency department take? Here’s how Valley hospitals rate - The Merced FOCUS, Merced police are writing more traffic tickets, but crashes are down., Latino-owned businesses are reshaping downtown Merced, Enrollments falling as final deadline approaches for Covered California, Merced Gardens tenants retain affordable housing for another year, Speed limits at Merced intersections will change later this month, Mexican Consulate comes to Merced to help residents get vital documents - The Merced FOCUS, Merced parents upset as dual language program shutdown looms, Planada residents hear flood relief progress, Merced leaders support 'collaborative review' of proposal to relocate bullet train station - The Merced FOCUS, ‘It takes a village.’ Playhouse Merced leadership is bringing back shows – and a familiar face – after board turnover, Merced leaders support 'collaborative review' of proposal to relocate bullet train station - The Merced FOCUS, Proposed southeast Merced bullet train station coming back before City Council for discussion - The Merced FOCUS, 'Sweeps' targeting unlicensed vendors underway in Merced County, New Merced ordinance encourages safer street crossing, Proposed California budget cuts Medi-Cal, CalFresh benefits for undocumented people amid federal pressure, rising costs - The Merced FOCUS, Rail Authority proposes new Merced bullet train station outside city limits, says it could save $1 billion - The Merced FOCUS, Merced County police chiefs share public safety goals for 2026, Sheriff says arrest operation in Merced was not ICE, Merced unites for the 29th annual MLK unity march and celebration, New California laws that will impact the Valley in 2026 - The Merced FOCUS, UC Merced is 20 years old. Has it fulfilled its purpose?, Merced residents respond to sheriff's dismissal of sanctuary laws, 50 years in the Valley: The Hmong journey from war to home - The Merced FOCUS, Dos Palos and Livingston libraries to expand hours in January after vote by Merced County supervisors - The Merced FOCUS, Advocates honor Merced's unhoused who died in 2025, ‘We do have this deep power within us.’ After 50 years of struggle, Valley’s Hmong community charts a new path forward - The Merced FOCUS, For the Valley’s Hmong, assimilation didn’t come without scars, ‘We’ve come such a long way.’ The Valley’s Hmong community at 50: From ashes of war to seeds of hope - The Merced FOCUS, The story of Our Lady of Guadalupe endures, from a hill in Mexico 1531 to Merced County today - The Merced FOCUS, City Council approves location for new fire station in north Merced, Resources for Merced domestic violence survivors, Merced County fills 2025 Christmas calendar with family events, Newly-appointed councilmember ‘ready to serve’ southwest Merced - The Merced FOCUS, Livingston councilman acknowledges helping police officer complete online degree, after letter sparks questions - The Merced FOCUS, Case against former Merced County sheriff sergeant delayed again, Merced’s red-light cameras have been up for months. How many tickets have been issued?, Merced councilmember who resigned grew up along growing city, Merced council revisits code of conduct amid councilman’s posts, Covered California enrollment's open. But without a tax credits extension, will thousands in the Valley be unable to pay? - The Merced FOCUS, State Ag leader meets with Merced groups about farmworker needs, Was Rep. Adam Gray’s vote to end the shutdown a show of courage or betrayal? Valley leaders weigh in - The Merced FOCUS, Big Beautiful Bill fallout could devastate Valley healthcare, Merced councilmember responds to ‘defamatory’ KKK meme shared by council colleague - The Merced FOCUS, 2025 Merced County Veterans Day Parade in photos, Prop. 50 could nudge Merced and Stanislaus counties to the political left, experts say - The Merced FOCUS, Merced City Council District 2 is vacant. How to apply, Merced remembers loved ones during Dia de los Muertos procession, Residents at this Merced apartment complex are banding together to preserve affordable housing - The Merced FOCUS, Valley organizations step up to help vulnerable families, as uncertainty looms over SNAP benefits - The Merced FOCUS, Valley Latinos face higher obesity rates than non-Latinos, Merced College adds law mentorship program, Merced's first Diwali Night brings entertainment to Main Street, After series of fires, Merced plans new rules for vacant properties, Merced artist publishes children's book on Día de los Muertos, Submit Your Community Events, Some Valley students rethinking college plans amid increased immigration enforcement, UC Merced celebrates 20 years open, New Valley-based children’s book celebrates Latino heritage, Merced postal worker turned councilman resigns, thanks residents, No Kings protests in Merced, Modesto draw thousands, Matt Gaetz expected to make Merced CA appearance, California promotes firefighters to work year-round, Opinion: Single-payer would solve Merced County health care costs, Merced’s first Black chamber of commerce takes root, Commemorative flags won't fly in Merced's downtown, leaders say, Mexican-themed supermarket joins Merced mall, Merced County chooses AMR as new ambulance service, This new Merced photo exhibit evolved from a research project, Murder charge dropped against man accused of killing Sophia Mason, 8. The case drew nationwide outrage - The Merced FOCUS, Riggs fights to keep Merced County ambulance contract, Merced leaders to discuss which flags will fly in Bob Hart Square, UC Merced gains ground on 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges report, Merced County supervisors pass $1.12B budget and commit to public budget workshops - The Merced FOCUS, School trustee called to resign after Playhouse Merced meeting, Playhouse Merced staff quit, programs on hold, Valley English learners are making significant progress amid state, federal challenges, says study - The Merced FOCUS, CA bill seeks police training on foreign threats, Canceled shows, explosive meeting at Playhouse Merced, Merced recommends a new passenger airline for its regional airport. Here’s the top choice - The Merced FOCUS, UC Merced students protest layoffs at campus DEI centers, Opinion: Merced calls for certainty on High-Speed Rail funding, UC Merced gets birthday gift of $5 million to build new track and field facility - The Merced FOCUS, This Merced cafe’s internship teaches mastery of specialty coffee, High-Speed Rail Authority holds private meet with Merced leaders, Merced will get $9M for Ag technology job training, Illegal camping tickets surge in Merced under new rules. Is it helping or hurting the unhoused?, ‘We felt blindsided.’ Merced officials confront California High-Speed Rail Authority over controversial report, Who gets to sell in Merced? City eyes new rules for street vendors, New report highlights nearly $10 billion the ag industry contributes to Merced County economy, Merced might be removed from initial California bullet train route to cut costs, report suggests, Clean energy company powers up in south Merced, plans to hire over 1,000 employees, See the proposed congressional map as California asks voters to counter Texas redistricting effort, How the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will cut Merced County health and social service programs, GEO Group job fair in Merced canceled following backlash, Upcoming job fair draws backlash, planned protest in Merced over private detention company, ‘Food heals.’ Merced’s Sweet Roots Kitchen brings leftover crops from farm to fork, "La comida cura": Sweet Roots Kitchen transforma excedentes agrícolas del campo a la mesa, Merced PD recovers Applegate Zoo sign following community tip, Merced County residents protest mass starvation in Gaza. ‘Stop funding genocide’, Questions linger after beloved superintendent quietly steps down at a Merced County school district, ‘Beer is like music.’ Merced brothers to open downtown taproom that caters to families, themercedfocus.org, Board chosen for newly-formed Merced Tourism Business Improvement District, themercedfocus.org, Vendedores dicen que la represión migratoria está afectando sus ventas en los tianguis del área de Merced, What the Big Beautiful Bill could mean for some hospitals in the San Joaquin Valley, Immigration crackdown is hurting business at Merced-area swap meets, vendors say, Merced County’s new CEO aims to become CA’s 'highest-performing county.' How will he make it happen?, ‘This mini storage does not belong.’ North Merced residents stall proposed development – for now, Merced County supervisors poised to make Hendrickson next CEO. ‘He’s one of us’, New UC Merced study would help LGBTQ adults quit smoking. How federal policies are affecting progress, Valley districts ‘deeply outraged’ as U.S. Department of Education aims to freeze funds supporting English learners, Mariposa County is a maternity care desert. Doulas are bridging the gap, Merced’s oldest Japanese restaurant saying ‘sayonara’ after four decades in business, ‘We're trying to create differently for ourselves.’ Merced’s LGBTQ+ community looks ahead, while remembering its past, Suicide is among the leading causes of Valley deaths. What’s being done about it?, Mass deportations could cost California over $275 billion, UC Merced report warns, Update: Dos Palos Fire Station 75 to remain open for at least 18 months, Photo Gallery: 'No Kings' rallies held in Merced, Modesto and the Valley, Merced and Modesto areas see massive turnout at ‘No Kings’ protests, Changing directions: Merced set to switch traffic flow on downtown’s Main Street, Does Merced County need an independent commission to draw Board of Supervisors districts?, Merced County’s unhoused population dips nearly 15% in 2025, latest data reveals, This pop-up nightclub is a place of ‘pure happiness’ for Merced’s disabled adults, Merced County will close a third fire station, despite passage of Dos Palos sales tax, Play celebrating the life of civil rights icon and actor Paul Robeson coming to Merced, Merced’s proposed budget ‘maintains status quo’ as labor costs rise, Congressman Adam Gray to Merced College 2025 graduates: ‘The change the Valley needs starts here’, University of California President Michael V. Drake bids farewell to UC Merced’s largest graduating class yet, Merced County employees get big raises one year after near strike. ‘They wanted to make it right', 'I'm still waiting.' Some Planada families frustrated by slow flood recovery, themercedfocus.org, Valley senior population growth is outpacing available medical specialists, as federal cuts loom, Merced makes it official and appoints Joyce Dale as the city’s first poet laureate, Affordable housing is bustling in Merced, but smaller cities face barriers. ‘It’s not for lack of trying’, Merced animal rescue group New Beginnings featured in upcoming documetary, A Merced City Council member approved a multi-million dollar contract for his in-law’s company. Why isn’t it a conflict of interest?, 'Education is transformational.' South Asian women lead these Merced school boards. See their perspectives on leadership, Merced's own super bloom is here. How this grassland reserve protects endangered species, Trump’s immigration tactics obstruct efforts to avert bird flu pandemic, researchers say, From Merced to Sacramento, this pop-up comedy show is stirring up laughs across generations, No guarantees, no protection: Valley undocumented families face an uncertain future, Merced revises flag policy after debate. ‘I just don’t see that as the role of government’, After downtown Merced’s J&R Tacos closed, this former restaurateur found healing through art, Merced residents join national ‘Hands Off!’ protests against President Trump’s policies, More than half of San Joaquin Valley residents could face ‘devastating’ cuts to health coverage, Costa, Gray propose congressional bill to address critical physician shortage in rural areas, Merced County leaders respond in overdrive after library privatization buzz goes viral, Merced police chief says cost of medical exams for sexual assault survivors 'worth it', Merced receives Satanic flag request for Bob Hart Square amid flag policy debate, Saddled with debt, some Valley families fear they’ll ‘never pay off’ student loans, 'It's muddy, it's fun.' Cyclists get down and dirty at Merced Gran Fondo Hincapie 2025, For Valley trans, LGBTQ+ residents, the fear is real but so is the resilience, New subdivision in Hilmar approved despite opposition. ‘I can’t, in good faith, vote against this project’, 'We’re extremely excited.' Merced kicks off $3.5 million Bob Hart Square downtown renovation, Invisible Yet Essential: Working, paying taxes, and powering the Valley’s economy from the shadows, Sales tax measure to support Dos Palos fire services on track to pass, following special election, Bird flu cases continue to rise across the San Joaquin Valley, along with egg prices, ‘It is a labor of love.’ New K-12 curriculum on Hmong culture takes center stage at UC Merced conference, Proposed Merced County solar and battery project faces resistance amid environmental concerns, ‘Anti-immigrant climate’ pushes populations at high risk for bird flu exposure away from prevention, education, Merced re-examining its flag policy amid questions of free expression, Some Merced City Council members offering cash reward for return of stolen zoo sign, From cartel violence to border walls: One couple’s journey to a new life in the Valley, A pile of dirt sat on a parking lot. These Valley residents made it famous, Merced City Schools board fires top administrator. District provides few details, Black History Month kicks off in Merced. Here are some ways to celebrate in the Valley, Cats displaced in Los Angeles wildfires are being cared for in Merced, UC Merced will begin new semester with fewer lecturers. Here’s what we know.