The City of Merced posted the Draft EIR for the proposed Wal-Mart Distribution Center just moments ago. Please feel free to download a copy of the report by clicking here.

It would seem that someone is making a big deal out of nothing. You would think that with the economy faltering like it is and the jobless rate rising everyday, a city like Merced would welcome with open arms a big corporation like Walmart that will bring with it 1200 jobs.

It seems like a no brainer to me. Some groups claim that Walmart doesn't care for their employees and that the air pollution will choke Merced. Get with it people. We need jobs and we need them now. We need more money coming into this community so that John Doe who lives here can go to the mall and spend his money, thus paying taxes and giving our city, county, state, and federal government a boost.

If we continue to shun away new ideas, we may as well be living in a ghost town. People will come visit Merced in 20 years and ask why no body lives here. We will have scared away Walmart, Raceway, Mongolian Grill's V Lounge, etc.

We need new leadership that is willing to stand up for jobs and stand up for business. We need to get rid of the real estate hacks that run this county and city.

By EVELYN NIEVES, Associated Press Writer
Thu Apr 3, 1:43 PM ET

MERCED, Calif. - The end came in a blink outside the Merced County courthouse.

Only six people showed up for the foreclosure auction, Janice Pimentel and her son Nick included. By chance, the Pimentels' dairy farm was the first property offered.

The auctioneer, a young man in aviator sunglasses and blue jeans, read their address and paused for bids. When none came, the Joe T and Janice R Pimentel Dairy Farm, 21 years in the life of the family, officially became the property of its main creditor, a local lender.

We talk a lot about progress on this website. MeetMerced.com is always trying to find ways to be on the leading edge of the grassroots movement to make Merced a better place to live, work, and play. This is all good, but Merced seems to be stuck in rut.

That's right, we could be looking at the return of Baseball to Firemen's Memorial Field in Atwater. I remember attending games of the minor league team that was there back in the mid '90s. What fun it was and it was not even that far away. The big water tower in the background just made the entire experience so surreal.

Today is history for Merced County and its residents. Merced County annexed more than 4000 acres of land from Fresno County in the Dos Palos area. The annexation brings with it 400 residents and 6.5 square miles of prime ag land.

This addition is good for Merced and its history because Merced County hasn't grown geographically since 1887. That is 121 years for those that want the math done for them.

I want to congratulate the people involved in this land deal and welcome our new Merced County residents to Merced.

Thanks,
Shady

The Yosemite Valley Rail Road rides again!

Its a shame the city turned down the Mongolian Grill’s permit to operate a 18 and over dance club. For a city that fought for a UC, it is not seeming very UC friendly. In fact this move showed the power Thomas the police chief has over the council. Heaven forbid police would have to do a little more work. Maybe if they spent less time complaining about their pay they could focus on doing their jobs instead of trying to prevent Merced from becoming a college town.

Here is a video reminding us of what our river normally looks like!