Bee in Turlock: Council margins widen a little

Updated results show challenger Matthew Jacob and incumbent Bill DeHart Jr. extending their narrow leads in the race for two seats on the Turlock City Council.

They also suggest that Measure B, a sales tax increase to pay for street repairs in Turlock, will fail to reach the required two-thirds approval.

Jacob had 29.5percent of the votes with 100percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, although the count does not include mail ballots received Tuesday and other outstanding votes. He was at about 28 percent with 70 percent of precincts counted late Tuesday.

DeHart was at 26.2percent in the updated results, while incumbent Forrest White had 24.2percent.

Measure B slipped to 61percent in favor from 63percent.

Gary Soiseth handily won the Turlock mayor’s election over Mike Brem, with 59.9percent of the votes in the updated tally. And 74percent of voters favored a switch to district council elections. They will start in 2016, though the mayor will continue to be elected citywide.

Turlock Gospel Mission will house up to 30 women and children at rotating sites provided by member churches. It is nearing completion of a year-round shelter at 437 S. Broadway, but an opening date has not been set, Executive Director Tim Guerino said.

The We Care Program will start serving up to 49 men per night at its shelter at 219 S. Broadway. It will operate until April 15 if donations are sufficient, Manager Debbie Gutierrez said.

We Care plans an open house for the public from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday. Among the guests will be Boy Scout Alex Estep, whose Eagle project benefited the shelter. He oversaw the planning and installation of linen closet shelving, five bicycle racks and two picnic tables.

More information on We Care is at (209)664-2003 or www.wecareturlock.org.

The mission will hold a fundraiser Friday featuring Jessica Lynch, a former Army private who was captured by Iraqi forces in 2003 and rescued nine days later. She now speaks to groups about overcoming obstacles.

As of Wednesday, $40 tickets were still available for the event, 6:30 p.m. at the Turlock War Memorial building, 247 E. Canal Drive. For more information, contact Guerino at tim@turlockgospelmission.org or (209)409-4642; or Rhonda Boucher at rhonda@turlockgospel mission.org or (209)606-1873.

The parade, set for 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, will have a theme of “A Box Office Christmas” this year. Maybe you want to make a Bedford Falls float. Or walk as Ralphie in his bunny pajamas. Or even set up a Griswold house on wheels. There are several weeks to plan your entry, but today is the last day to return your application to the city. Registration is $70 for a nonprofit or general entry; $90 for a commercial entry.

For more information, call the city of Turlock Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Department, (209)668-5594.

This story was originally published November 5, 2014 at 12:57 PM with the headline "Bee in Turlock: Council margins widen a little."