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🌱 How Measure V dollars are reshaping roads and transit across Merced County

Merced, California Patch AM: a 5 min read

Hey hey Merced! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Measure V dollars are reshaping roads and transit across Merced County
  • How new blue-light cameras could change safety around Merced’s hotels
  • Who must evacuate as the Fields Fire spreads in Merced County?

Also on today's calendar: Free Confetti Bundtlets at New Nothing Bundt Cakes in Merced and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: What kind of shoes do frogs wear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Merced Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Merced Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Warm with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 97 and low of 62 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and warm, temps: high: 97, low: 61.
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and warm, with a high of 97 and low of 59 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Measure V report highlights transportation upgrades benefiting Gustine and countywide (westsideconnect.com) — Merced residents are seeing millions in Measure V sales tax dollars fund road repairs, sidewalks, and free bus rides across the county, including projects in the city of Merced itself. The latest report details 2024-25 spending on bridges, bike and pedestrian upgrades, and zero‑emission transit, with printed copies available at all Merced County city halls and the county administration building.
   

2. Cameras coming near Merced's hotels in effort to curb thefts (themercedfocus.org) — New blue-light security cameras will be installed near most Merced hotels using tourism tax funds, aiming to reduce thefts in parking lots and around Motel Drive. City police will monitor the cameras, which avoid private residences and store footage briefly, while hotel managers say the added surveillance will help protect guests and support Merced’s image as a safe destination.
   

3. Evacuation Orders Issued As ‘Fields Fire' Burns in Merced County (kmjnow.com) — Evacuation orders are in effect for residents near Merced Falls Road and Hornitos Road as the Fields Fire burns 1,100 acres near Snelling in Merced County. Deputies are going door to door, an emergency shelter is open at First Baptist Church of Snelling, and Merced Falls Road remains closed while more than 100 firefighters work toward containment.
   

4. New bobcat kittens join Merced Applegate Zoo (yourcentralvalley.com) — Merced’s Applegate Zoo has reopened after months of walkway and facility repairs, welcoming visitors back with fresh upgrades and two new bobcat kittens, Bobbie and Boomer. Supported by a $20,000 pledge from UC Merced, the long-time rescue zoo continues its educational mission, with mascot bobcat Rufus symbolizing the university’s close partnership with this hometown attraction.
   

5. Covered California health insurance premiums for San Joaquin Valley enrollees will rise by about 11% or more in 2027 (themercedfocus.org) — Merced County residents on Covered California should expect health insurance premiums to rise about 10.8% on average in 2027, with potential to cut that increase by shopping and switching plans. The story explains how expiring federal tax credits, new federal rules, and California’s limited state subsidies are driving higher costs and what options Valley enrollees still have.
   

📸 Around Merced

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Merced

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📣 Merced Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Cat with blue eyes
    If you are the owner of a cat with blue eyes long haired Siamese looking. Very light coloring Please call or text me 209-777-1466 it’s urgent (Nextdoor Davenport)
  • This sweet boy came up to me for affection.
    I am is the moraga community on the corner of pineda and cortes. He’s very hot and tired. Please message me if he belongs to you. (Nextdoor Valverde Dr)
  • University of California Merced posted a job opening for Learning Assistant/Remedial Tutor in Civil and Environmental Engineering: Academic Year 2026-2027 (Anticipated) in Merced. Apply here.
  • Merced City School District posted a job opening for Middle School Science Teacher in Merced. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merced here.

Ok Merced! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Open-toad (Thank you Harold W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Merced

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Merced

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.