Central Valley farmers are slowly getting hip to the idea that tilling land before planting seeds may not always be necessary. | Full Story

California regulators issued $61,425 in citations to a Los Banos-based labor contractor last week. | Full Story

What at first looked like a questionable almond season is turning out to be a banner year. | Full Story

California's cotton crop is a little late in developing, according to a federal government report. However, 95 percent of the crop is reported in good or excellent condition. About 30 percent of the crop is setting bolls this week, compared to 36 percent last year at this time. | Full Story

Walnut farmers have prepared for the predicted heat applying white material to reflect light and heat from trees. The nuts are in danger of sunburn even at this early stage of development. But, grower concerns are lessened by the forecast for cool nighttime temperatures. Lows in the 50s and 60s give the trees and nuts a chance to cool down and reduce potential damage. Harvest will begin in September. | Full Story

Discovery of six guava fruit flies in Garden Grove, Orange and Santa Ana has caused the California Department of Food and Agriculture to begin an eradication program in a 10 square mile area of Orange County. Small blotches of a pheromone and pesticide are applied high on trees and utility poles to attract and kill male flies. No agricultural quarantine is being imposed at this time, but residents are urged not to move backyard fruit from their property. The pest can destroy many backyard and farm raised fruits. | Full Story

Farmers and ranchers are working with members of Congress to develop estate tax reform that will allow families to continue farming when the farm passes from one generation to the next. Without Congressional action the tax resumes in 2011 at the much higher 1999 rate. In some cases families can be forced to sell parts of their farms to pay estate taxes. Farm Bureau and other groups ask that farmland not be included in estate value if it remains in the farming business. | Full Story

Robots may soon be harvesting fruit in California citrus orchards. A San Diego firm has already developed two prototypes. One with cameras mounted on multiple arms takes pictures of the fruit. This scout robot makes a map and a plan for picking, which is transmitted to the picking robot. Both robots could be ready for use within the next five years. One advantage is the robots could work both day and night. The Citrus Research Board has been working with the company developing the robots. | Full Story

Turkey production in the Golden State declined about 3 percent in 2008. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says California farmers produced 435 million pounds of turkeys in 2008, compared to 450 million in 2007. The value of production was up about 19 percent, at an average 58 cents per pound. Farmers here do not produce enough to meet demand, so turkeys are imported from other states. | Full Story

(ARA) - When it comes to your home's exterior, color is currency. With millions of homes across the country currently on the market, smart homeowners are differentiating their houses and wowing potential buyers with color - from the roof all the way Updated: Mar. 28, 2008 1:03 AM | Full Story

(ARA) - Whether you have one bathroom or three, the addition of a bathroom to a home offers both value and convenience. The good news is a bathroom addition doesn't have to break the bank. A do-it-yourselfer with moderate experience can complete some Updated: Mar. 28, 2008 1:03 AM | Full Story

Surveys show a diminished snowpack Updated: Mar. 28, 2008 1:03 AM | Full Story

Their names are Monterey, San Andreas and Portola, and they're now available to California strawberry farmers. The names represent three new strawberry varieties released by plant breeders at the University of California, Davis. The California Strawberry Commission says each of the new varieties promises outstanding flavor and high productivity. The commission says plant breeders began working on the new strawberry varieties in 2001. | Full Story

GUSTINE - By mid-April, there will be a new member of the Gustine Police Department, one expected to make a major impact on illegal narcotics in this Westside community. But it won't swell the department's payroll. Updated: Mar. 28, 2008 1:03 AM | Full Story

OBITUARIES Updated: Mar. 28, 2008 1:03 AM | Full Story