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šŸŒ± What this new $3.5 billion contract means for Mercedā€™s rail future

Merced, California Patch AM: a 5 min read

Coffee in hand, Merced? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ā˜•ļøļø

In today's newsletter:

  • What this new $3.5 billion contract means for Mercedā€™s rail future
  • What the new vote tally means for Merced County schools leadership
  • How a 19thā€‘century land gamble created Mercedā€™s Lake Yosemite

Also on today's calendar: Journey USA and 4 more events.

Today's riddle: What do sweet potatoes wear to bed? šŸ¤” (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. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Merced Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Merced. Advertisement

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Sunshine; near-record heat, with a high of 103 and low of 66 degrees. šŸŒ¶ Hot!
  • Saturday: Record-tying heat, temps: high: 102, low: 64.
  • Sunday: Sunny and toasty conditions, with a high of 99 and low of 63 degrees.

šŸ“° News we're reading

1. California High-Speed Rail Authority Approves $3.5 Billion Track and Systems Contract (losbanosenterprise.com) ā€” Highā€‘speed rail officials have approved a $3.5 billion contract that moves construction toward laying track and systems needed for future Mercedā€“Bakersfield service. Work on the Central Valley segment is ramping up, with track installation expected to start in late 2026 and fare service between Merced and Bakersfield targeted for 2033.
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2. Richard Lopez and Ana Boyenga to compete in November for Merced County superintendent of schools (themercedfocus.org) ā€” Merced County voters have set up a November runoff for superintendent of schools between Richard Lopez and Ana Boyenga, after new counts confirmed Boyengaā€™s second-place finish. With turnout higher than recent primaries, candidates and supporters are already pivoting toward a countywide general election that will shape leadership over local school districts and student programs.
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3. The origins of Merced's Lake Yosemite (kvpr.org) ā€” Lake Yosemite, just northeast of Merced and beside the UC Merced campus, is a manā€‘made reservoir thatā€™s now a favorite recreation spot. This story traces how 19thā€‘century irrigation schemes, canals, and land companies shaped the lake and ultimately led to the creation of todayā€™s Merced Irrigation District.
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4. CHP Merced Graveyard Shift Leads to Stolen Vehicle Recovery, DUI Arrest and Stolen Handgun Seizure (losbanosenterprise.com) ā€” Over a single overnight shift in Merced County, CHP Merced officers recovered a stolen vehicle, arrested a fleeing suspect, pulled over a suspected DUI driver, and seized a stolen handgun. The agency says the busy graveyard patrol shows how proactive traffic enforcement can remove impaired drivers, stolen property, and illegal firearms from local roads and neighborhoods.
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5. Update: Stone Fire in Merced County remains fully contained by noon Thursday (fresnobee.com) ā€” Fire crews have fully contained the 23ā€‘acre Stone Fire near West Stone Road and North Creek Road by Los Banos in Merced County as of Thursday noon. Officials explain what 100% containment really means, stressing that hot spots can still burn inside the lines while crews work toward full control.
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šŸ“ø Around Merced

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šŸ—“ Upcoming Events in Merced

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ā˜… Featured events ā˜…

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Other local events

šŸ“£ Merced Shout Outs!

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šŸ—“ Events Nearby

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šŸŖ§ Patch Classifieds

  • Wanted Radio Tubes
    Wanted Radio Tubes, Ham Radio & Antique Radio EquitmentĀ  Call 503-999-2157 or Text (More info)

šŸ’¬ Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Just moved to Beachwood area and my cat escaped and is now lost.
    Please be on the lookout and contact me if seen. Heā€™s a tuxedo kitty, no collar but has a chip. Heā€™s skittish but sweet. His name is Pepe and heā€™sā€¦ (Nextdoor Beachwood)
  • My daughter found a black and white bunny.
    It's superskinnybeen feeding freshstuffthat it says to do online. Does anyone have a missing bunny. This is second one she found. I can't keep itā€¦ (Nextdoor McNamara)
  • Sizzler USA Restaurants, Inc. posted a job opening for Cook in Merced. Apply here.
  • University of California Merced posted a job opening for Assistant Professor of Teaching in Aerospace Engineering 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: Yammies! (Thank you Lynda S. 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.