Celebrating the opening of a new facility which will serve our homeless population. The Emergency Shelter & Access Center is in downtown Modesto and is a partnership between StanCounty, the City of Modesto, and the Salvation Army. The facility will have more than 180 beds and will offer invaluable wrap-around services.
Congratulations to the Castle Air Museum who won the 209 Magazine’s readers’ choice “Best of 209: Best Museum” award.
Assemblymember Monique Limón and Assemblymember Adam Gray co-chaired an oversight hearing to discuss the integral role that nonprofits and community-based organizations play in emergency management and disaster response. Recent large-scale disasters underscore the importance of neighbors helping neighbors. These organizations fill critical unmet needs, and working with them is important to leverage all of the resources that they can provide before, during, and after disasters.
The Merced County Nut Festival was held for all almond, pistachio, walnut, and pecan lovers . Local farmers employ thousands of local workers and produce enough almonds, pistachios, walnuts and pecans to supply the world – employing thousands of local workers. There was something for everyone to celebrate the heart of our economy at the Merced County Fairgrounds.
The SR-132 project broke ground. The planned highway has been in the works since 1956. The project will provide environmental, economic, and safety improvements to all who live and work here.
Assemblyman Heath Flora and Assemblyman Adam Gray championed $1 million in this year’s budget to keep the doors open and lights on at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County and Boys & Girls Club of Merced County. The assemblymembers got to meet some of the children who will benefit from the funding.
The Merced NAACP Branch invited Assemblymember Adam Gray to join the Freedom Fund Banquet. For over a century, NAACP has fought for justice for all Americans and has made tremendous progress on important issues including voting rights, public education, and economic inequality. Thank you for all that you do for our community and for our country.
The Latino Community Roundtable invited Aseemblymember Adam Gray to speak at their monthly luncheon. They discussed the state of water in the Central Valley, addressing homelessness issues in our neighborhoods, and Governor Newsom’s commitment to the Valley.
Planning and executing the amazing Merced County Spring Fair (aka May Day Fair) that we enjoy each year takes more planning than many of us realize The 2020 Spring Fair will be here before we know it!
Assemblymembers Phil Ting, Reggie Jones-Sawyer and Adam Gray traveled to Stanislaus and Merced Counties for a tour and discussion with the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority about two issues at the heart of the Central Valley economy: #water and #agriculture.
| Friday, October 25, 2019 at 6 PM – 9 PM Social at 6PM, Dinner at 7PM |
7326 E CA-140,
Merced, CA 95340
RSVP online here: http://bit.ly/2nrZjWc
or Call (209) 526-2131
Please join Assemblymember Adam Gray for his Annual Night at the Vista Ranch and Cellars! There will be good food, good music, and fun for the entire family!
$25 – Individual Ticket
$500 – Table
$1000 – Silver Sponsor
$2500 – Gold Sponsor
$4700 – Host
RSVP online here: http://bit.ly/2nrZjWc
or Call (209) 526-2131
Paid For by Gray for Assembly 2020,
FPPC ID# 1414307
PO Box 911 Merced, CA 95341
Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Individuals, labor unions, businesses and political action committees can contribute a maximum of $4,700 per election. Qualified small committees can contribute a maximum of $9,300 per election. Contributions of $100 or more made in cash, by cashier’s check, or money order are prohibited. Contributions from foreign nationals not admitted for permanent residency or contributions made in the name of another person are prohibited.
The Merced County Office of Education recognized all of the educators, teachers, staff, and administrators for all of their hard work this year. Thanking them for their commitment to their students!
Assemblymember Adam Gray secured $1 million in the California State Budget to give the VOLT Institute and Modesto Junior College a shot at leveraging another $1 million in federal monies. The U.S. Economic Development Agency awarded VOLT and MJC that $1 million grant — the largest EDA grant ever to be awarded to the Central Valley! The funds are expected to save 453 local jobs and to create at least 20 new positions.
READ MORE HERE: https://voltinstitute.com/about-us…
For 35 years, the “Salute to Seniors” luncheon has acknowledged the work that local seniors contribute to growing and bettering our community. Congratulations to all volunteers honored at this year’s luncheon. Pictured here is Beverly Brown, who wrote a very moving tribute to the attendees.
Assemblymember Heath Flora and Assemblymember Adam Gray secured $500,000 in the State Budget for each the Boys & Girls Club of Merced County and Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County — a total of $1 million for our community. The Boys & Girls Clubs came to the assembly earlier this year with an urgent plea to help them keep their doors open so that they continue serving kids in a quality, safe environment.
Read the press release here: https://bit.ly/2LNh1Ne
36-year-old Fire Captain Paul Rotondaro was one of the victims in a fatal crash on Highway 140 in Gustine. Captain Rotondaro was with the CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced unit.
Firefighter Andrew Maloney was honored by naming a stretch of Highway 165 the Andrew Maloney Memorial Highway.
Andrew was a firefighter for thirteen years, starting as a paid-call firefighter for Merced County before signing on with CAL FIRE. Many attended the ceremony, including the Maloney Family, Mayor Mike Villalta, Scott Silveira Merced County Supervisor District 5, the CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced unit, and many elected officials.
CAL-FIRE Local 2881 Honor Guard — Presentation of Colors at the Andrew Maloney Memorial Highway Dedication Ceremony on September 30, 2019 at the Merced County Fire Department – Station 71 in Los Banos, California.
Peter “Scotty” Burns was recognized as the 2019 Veteran of the Year at Assemblymember Adam Gray’s Veteran Advisory Committee meeting. Scotty flew 448 missions over Vietnam as a B-52 tailgunner, logging 2,600 combat hours and more than 7,000 flight hours, and later trained pilots at Castle Air Force Base until the base was decommissioned in 1995. The lunch was held under the wings of a magnificent B-52 to honor Scotty.
Great things are happening in our community with StanCounty and the Stanislaus Regional Housing Authority for the completion and opening of the Glendale Annex Phase 3. Their project will provide housing and other forms of assistance to local Veterans who are in need. After giving so much for our country, it is our responsibility to help give back.
UC Merced hosted a fantastic event featuring Secretary of State Alex Padilla and the Latino Community Foundation to highlight the importance of voter registration, representation, and #Census2020. You can always register to vote today!
A fantastic turnout for the 54th Annual Greek Food Festival in Modesto. Serving up authentic and homemade Greek food, dancing and music!
Merced College, California Women for Agriculture, the Merced DNA – Downtown Neighborhood Association, Merced Main Street Association, “The Original” Merced County Certified Farmers’ Market and others sponsored of this year’s Merced FEAST. Each year, the event connects Merced County neighbors with our local farms and the businesses and families that fuel our regional economy.
In 2015, then-Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, -Senator Anthony Cannella, Senator Cathleen Galgiani, and Assemblymember Adam Gray fought to expand the number of slots in the San Joaquin Valley PRIME Program. Their thinking was that, if doctors from the community are trained in the community, they will stay in the community. Today, that vision is coming together, as UC Merced is playing a growing role in the program.
READ MORE HERE: https://news.ucmerced.edu/…/uc-merced-playing-bigger-role-n…
Assemblymember Adam Gray dropped by the Dos Palos City Council and spent some time speaking with Dos Palos neighbors.
Gray dropped in to the Dos Palos City Council meeting to say hello and to give an end-of-session legislative update.
Then dropped by Mikalinos Pizza and Pasta for a Community Conversation, including Scott Silveira Merced County Supervisor District 5 and retired County Supervisor Jerry O’Banion.
I appreciated everyone’s company — and the pizza, too!
Assemblymember Adam Gray
Assemblymember Adam Gray and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond at Atwater High School went for a tour of the phenomenal Career Technical Education (CTE) program that Merced Union High School District recently implemented. State Board of Education Board Member Ting Sun, Senator Anna Caballero, and all of the local elected officials were also at the tour. The district currently boasts more than 30 different CTE pathways throughout the district, which ensures that students graduate ready to begin college or enter the workforce — whichever the student chooses.
The screening of The Providers documentary at UC Merced attracted a large crowd. The #CentralValley has only 157 physicians per 100,000 residents — compare that to an average of 237 per 100,000 in California state-wide, and 411 in the Bay Area. #HealthCare matters.
The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) expands access to and encourages stewardship of our treasured Yosemite National Park. It has served over one million riders and celebrated the twentieth anniversary of their formation.
If prolonged periods of drought followed by record wet years are to become a new normal, we must rely on wet year supplies for longer periods of time. AB 638, Assemblymember Adam Gray’s legislation forcing DWR to examine all forms of water storage and their potential roles in mitigating the impacts of the next drought, passed the Legislature by a 79-0 vote. AB 638 is now on its way to the Governor.
The Merced County Historical Society had their 29th Annual Bill Kirby Western BBQ and Auction.
One step closer to ensuring quality #healthcare for all. AB 848, Assemblymember Adam Gray’s bill to require Medi-Cal to provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors, passed the Legislature by a vote of 79-0 and is on its way to the Governor. The law has the support of the American Diabetes Association, Western Center on Law & Poverty, CLSA – California Life Sciences Association, and many other organizations.
Monday, September 16, Assemblymember Adam Gray is partnering with the UC Merced Department of Public Health and the UC Merced Center for Medical Education to host a FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING of the award-winning The Providers documentary. The film follows three healthcare providers who offer care to all who walk through the doors and illustrates the transformative power of health care in rural communities.
UC Merced is getting the recognition it deserves from the U.S. News and World Report. UC Merced is recognized as the fastest-rising university in nation. The school is only fourteen years young — imagine what it will be up to with another ten, twenty, or even fifty years behind it! #Bobcats
The Merced Sun-Star wrote a story about a pair of twins who have the honor of playing together at Golden Valley High School (Merced, California). What an awesome experience!
READ THE STORY HERE: https://www.mercedsunstar.com/sports/article234730922.html
The California Department of Food and Agriculture reported that seven horses have tested positive in recent weeks for Equine West Nile Virus — six of which were in the #CentralValley, including Stanislaus County. Read the release linked to below and familiar yourself with the signs, symptoms, and prevention methods. The diseases can be transmitted to humans, horses, birds, and other animals.
Click Here to Read More https://bit.ly/2kvofug
September is #CaliforniaWineMonth! California is America’s number one wine state and the fourth largest producer in the world. California’s wineries and vineyards provide quality jobs and are anchors for our local, state, and national economies. Our community and the greater Central Valley are lucky enough to high-quality wines and wineries.
If you were planning on relaxing outdoors and enjoying water at the San Luis Reservoir, you may want to think again! San Luis Reservoir is still experiencing a harmful algal bloom. Please protect yourself, children, pets, and livestock. You can look for an alternative spot to visit and cool down here: https://mywaterquality.ca.gov/habs/data_viewer/
Representatives from the Golden Valley Health Centers visited Sacramento. They were advocating for both improving the quality of and lowering the cost of healthcare in our community.
On September 17, at the Los Banos Community Center, stop by to get more information about the REAL ID. Department of Motor Vehicles officials will be there to speak about REAL ID driver licenses and identification cards and the necessary documents to apply — mandatory to board a flight in the United States after October 1, 2020. Assembleymember Adam Gray’s team will also be hosting mobile office hours, should you need assistance with any state or local agency.
“As universities around the country struggle to diversify their faculty, the youngest University of California campus is racking up an impressive record of preparing its students — many of them low-income, first-generation students of color — for academic careers. Its undergraduates are more likely to assist faculty with original research—a boon to graduate school applications—than those at any other UC campus, according to university surveys.”
Read more of the CalMatters article written by Felicia Mello here: https://bit.ly/2kkWfto
