Good morning Merced! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Figure Drawing Saturdays — The MAC and 3 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you get when you cross an angry cow with an angry sheep? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. 70-year-old scooter rider killed in collision with medical transport vehicle in Merced (losbanosenterprise.com) — A 70-year-old man riding a scooter died after being struck by a medical transport vehicle near G and 21st streets in Merced, prompting a temporary closure of G Street for investigation. Police say drugs and alcohol are not suspected, and they're still working to understand why the man entered the roadway before the collision.
2. Central Valley cities are complaining about High-Speed Rail (hanfordsentinel.com) — Merced leaders are pushing back against a proposal to move the city's planned high-speed rail station from downtown to a site near Mission Avenue and Highway 99 outside city limits, saying it would undo years of local planning. They're demanding a binding agreement that mitigates the impacts before any law is changed, and want rail officials to explain the plan directly to Merced residents. Other Central Valley cities, including Shafter and Fresno, are also clashing with the rail authority over routes and tax revenue.
3. Boat races return to Lake Yosemite. What makes the event special (fresnobee.com) — Lake Yosemite, just outside Merced, will host the Lao Boat Racing Festival on Saturday, bringing boat races, live music, dance performances, and food vendors from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Organized by the Vatthanatham Lao Foundation, the event aims to share Lao culture with the broader Merced community. Expect vehicle admission fees, walking-in for free, lake closures to boating, and a Floating Lantern Festival on Friday night.
4. CHP Clocks Driver at 112 MPH on Highway 99 Near Plainsburg Road (losbanosenterprise.com) — A driver was pulled over in Merced County after being clocked at 112 mph on southbound Highway 99 near Plainsburg Road, just outside Merced. CHP is using the incident to highlight the FAST program, which can trigger DMV license reviews for anyone cited above 100 mph. Local drivers are urged to slow down and understand the serious consequences of extreme speeding.
5. UC Merced expands guaranteed admissions program (edsource.org) — UC Merced is broadening its guaranteed admissions program, now partnering with Shasta County school districts so eligible students can secure a spot and receive up to $3,000 annually in scholarships. The expansion is part of a wider statewide push, including CSU and Fresno Pacific initiatives, to create clearer college pathways and keep more graduates in the Central Valley.
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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: An animal that's in a baaaaad mooood! (Thank you Lisa A. for sending it in!)
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