The Merced FOCUS
Share
We are The Merced FOCUS, a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom covering Merced and the San Joaquin Valley.
Sign up for our newsletter: https://themercedfocus.org/the-merced-focus-newsletter/
06/23/2026
Dead fish, shrinking lakes and a dispute over who controls a shared water system have divided the Greenhills Estates community in Chowchilla and sparked a legal battle that is now moving through Madera County Superior Court.
The Greenhills Master Association (HOA) is suing the Water Resource Council (WRC), Pheasant Run Golf Club and its managing member, Martin Boone, Sierra Golf Management, The Lakes RV Park, The Villas Owners Association and several individuals tied to the council. The homeowners association alleges civil theft, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and mismanagement of a shared water system that residents say has contributed to declining lakes and mass fish die-offs in the upscale, gated community. Read the full story via link in the comments.🔗
This week on Monday in Focus: A Greenhills Estates lawsuit, cooling centers opening across Merced County, and a Fresno program preserving Hmong culture through food and language.
06/19/2026
Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced that enslaved Black Americans were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect.
Recognized as a federal holiday since 2021, Juneteenth honors the end of slavery while acknowledging the nation's ongoing history and continued conversations about freedom, equality, and civil rights.
Source: National Park Service
As communities across the country prepare to celebrate Juneteenth, Bilingual communities Issues Reporter Christian De Jesus Betancourt sat down with Joyce Dale, Merced’s first Poet Laureate, and Linda Griffin, director of the Black Chamber of Commerce.
They shared what the holiday means to them, why its history still matters today, and how its message continues to resonate across generations.
Watch the full conversation to hear their perspectives in their own words.
Merced Pride brought together families, advocates and community members to celebrate LGBTQ+ visibility while reflecting on the challenges that still remain in today’s political climate. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
More than 50 years after he picked up a guitar, his songs with the legendary band Los Kinos have racked up millions upon millions of listens online. Yet few people know his name. Watch the reel to learn more. Full story link in bio.
06/15/2026
Check out what is happening this week in Public Meetings in your community! Sign up for our newsletter today to get updates like these delivered directly to your inbox weekly👀🔗📰
This week: election results, a historic fentanyl murder case, high-speed rail concerns, seniors returning to the classroom, and the story of a Merced County music legend.
06/12/2026
The latest numbers from the Merced County Registrar of Voters have confirmed Richard Lopez will face Ana Boyenga in the race to become the county’s top schools chief. Read the full story to get all the details. Link in the comments. 🔗
06/11/2026
"The secret is movement and consistency. You have to do it all the time."
At 73, Ofelia Cruz is proving that age doesn't have to slow you down. Learn how she's helping local seniors improve their health and confidence through exercise in her “Injury and Fall Prevention” class.
Read more via the link in the comments.🔗
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Contact the business
Website
Address
Merced, CA
95340–95344, 95348