Over the years I've covered my share of community blood drives, but I've never given blood. They are extremely important and save lots of lives every day, but I'm not good with needles and have always shied away from being poked. Updated: Jun. 15, 2013 7:09 PM | Full Story

In a previous column I wrote that my Honda Civic, parked in front of my home, was stolen last month. I also noted that when I called the Los Banos Police Department to report it stolen, the dispatcher told me that they had already located my car. Updated: Jun. 14, 2013 10:00 AM | Full Story

She served as dean of the Los Banos campus of Merced College for 11 years. Then she served as the college's vice president of student personnel in Merced for eight years. Updated: Jun. 8, 2013 5:42 PM | Full Story

Educational attainment, or the lack of it, has long been a problem for Merced and other Northern San Joaquin Valley counties. It's that lack of academic firepower that often gets the blame for the region's inability to attract businesses that co Updated: May. 30, 2013 8:39 PM | Full Story

Reading is So Delicious! That's the theme for this summer's Merced County Library's free Summer Reading Program, which starts June 11 in Los Banos. Updated: May. 30, 2013 8:39 PM | Full Story

Measure A should sunset in January as specified by voters. Updated: May. 23, 2013 7:32 PM | Full Story

One morning earlier this month I opened my front door, ready to jump into my Honda Civic and head for work. Updated: May. 23, 2013 7:32 PM | Full Story

Many in the Central Valley come from humble beginnings and have had the strength, courage and perseverance to achieve success for themselves. Jesse Castillo of Los Banos is one of those people. Updated: May. 16, 2013 11:45 PM | Full Story

Caring for children is one of the most important responsibilities individuals and communities have. Updated: May. 16, 2013 11:45 PM | Full Story

By the sixteenth grandchild it might become routine, but it doesn't. Seeing and holding a new grandchild is mesmerizing. Updated: May. 10, 2013 9:45 AM | Full Story

The night was dark, but not stormy. In fact, it was an excellent night for driving from San Diego to Los Banos, and I was feeling good. Updated: Apr. 18, 2013 7:30 PM | Full Story

Besides writing this column, I keep myself busy by teaching part-time at our local college campus. I enjoy teaching, and the process of teaching and learning has intrigued me since I taught my first course in 1969. Updated: Apr. 12, 2013 6:54 AM | Full Story

Sandy and I were captivated by an exhibit at the M.H. de Young Museum in San Francisco. Updated: Apr. 6, 2013 9:04 AM | Full Story

As we get older, more and more of our mentors die, leaving us not only saddened but a little disoriented. Updated: Apr. 1, 2013 6:52 AM | Full Story

As we get older, more and more of our mentors die, leaving us not only saddened but a little disoriented. Updated: Apr. 1, 2013 6:32 AM | Full Story

Making a difference is a goal many people have. Life seems more fulfilling if a person is doing something that makes a difference, especially in other people's lives. Updated: Mar. 22, 2013 10:13 PM | Full Story

The City Council has known since February that former City Manager Steve Rath was going to retire at the end of October, and still there's no permanent replacement. Updated: Nov. 15, 2012 11:48 PM | Full Story

Forty years is a long time. That's how long Los Banos resident Gene Vierra will have served the Merced Community College District when he retires as a board member on Dec. 5. Updated: Oct. 20, 2012 1:49 AM | Full Story

The Los Banos Chamber of Commerce is compelled to comment in reaction to the series of negative statements made by Council Member Joe Sousa at the recent Enterprise Candidates' Forum. Updated: Oct. 20, 2012 1:49 AM | Full Story

Let's look at voting strategy. There are pros and cons of voting for individual candidates or voting a straight-party ticket. Updated: Oct. 20, 2012 1:49 AM | Full Story

Many in Los Banos take pleasure in reading books and enjoying art. So it seems natural that the next fundraiser by Friends of the Los Banos Library will bring together both of these pleasures. | Full Story

I've been a part of many graduations, beginning more than a half-century ago when I completed grade school. Updated: Jun. 1, 2012 10:48 PM | Full Story

This is in response to the article “Spilling Starbucks Agenda” printed in the April 20 edition. | Full Story

Trees have been discussed frequently in this space. Today I'd like to talk about a tree that does not need to be planted or pruned. It does, though, need to be nurtured -- by the whole community. Updated: Dec. 9, 2011 10:34 AM | Full Story

I hope you will come Saturday and Sunday to the Ted Falasco Arts Center and enjoy the Christmas Market. You will be able to look at the talented results of many vendors offering homemade items and one-of-a-kind gifts, as well as yummy treats, decorations Updated: Dec. 9, 2011 10:34 AM | Full Story

AROUND TOWN WITH DIANA INGRAM | Full Story

In this election season, we need to ask our candidates eye-to-eye what their position is on the proposed Community Center. The bid award to start this essential and long overdue facility is delayed until the first of the year after the new bids are received and IF the City Council gives its approval. For some candidates, their 'yes' response today is the politically correct answer to get through the election. | Full Story

The fund raiser to make an Outdoor Movie Night an annual tradition on the Henry Miller Plaza is coming along! To date, we have received at least $2,200.00!! Generous donations have been received from Ann McCauley, K-Mart, Tacos El Grullense, Coldwell Banker Kaljian & Associates, Kagome Inc., Rick's Auto Body, Steve and Janet Rath, O. Ray Sheets, Dwayne K. Chisam, Los Banos Little League, and as of early this week, Food-4-Less. Food-4-Less gave well in excess of $500.00 and please note we also have our first non-profit organization on the donor list!! Some citizens have indicated their plans to contribute. We need your check or money order to reach the goal! YOU can be the next one publicly thanked!! | Full Story

When I visited the San Joaquin Valley Veterans Cemetery on Memorial Day, it occurred to me how blessed we are to have this facility near us. Updated: Jun. 6, 2008 1:23 AM | Full Story

Most of us are risk takers; we have to be to function in our world. We drive our cars on roads where the only thing that separates us from a head-on collision is a line painted in the street. We regularly eat food that has been prepared by some unknown person in a kitchen we've never seen. And we regularly believe things that others have written or said that "sound right" to us. | Full Story