January 2021 City Beat

A LOOK BACK AND A LOOK AHEAD

This wasn’t the year anyone expected. Many of us hoped that we would be on the other side of COVID-19 by the end of the year. Doctors and nurses have made significant progress in treating symptoms of the virus, and the vaccines provide further hope that there is an end in sight. However, case numbers continue to increase, and people are still losing loved ones. We need to remain vigilant and do our part to slow this spread.

We recognize that this has been a difficult time for many, and encourage you to continue caring for loved ones and yourself as best you can.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, the City has not stopped assisting our community when possible. We allocated resources received from the federal government to help keep residents and businesses afloat, adjusted our budget to maintain fiscal responsibility, and still found a way to tackle blight, homelessness, and public safety.

CONTINUE READING MOST RECENT BLOG POST

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

CITY MANAGER'S BLOG

COVID-19 UPDATES & TESTING

APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF GILLESPIE

Modesto City Manager Joe Lopez recently announced the appointment of Brandon Gillespie as the City of Modesto’s Interim Police Chief, effective December 25. Following Chief Galen Carroll’s retirement, Brandon will continue to lead the department as a formal recruitment for Modesto’s next chief is conducted.

Brandon has nearly 20 years of service with the Modesto Police Department, where he worked his way up through the ranks of officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and since October 2019, Assistant Chief of Police.

Please join Modesto in congratulating Chief Gillespie on his new role and supporting him in his work going forward, and in wishing Chief Carroll our very best in his next chapter.

Altamont Corridor Express Community Assistance Program

SAVE UP TO 50% ON ACE

The Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Community Assistance Program (CAP) discount is a timely initiative to address equity and provide low-income passengers access to the ACE service.

If you commute over the Altamont Pass, consider the train!

Go to acerail.com for more information

We take pride in what we do for our community

ONE WATER MODESTO

"Water is an important part of Modesto's history," says Janell Avalos, Environmental Compliance Inspector I. "I take pride in what I do for our community."

We respect and value our water resources in Modesto. The Utilities Department is dedicated to providing Modesto residents with safe, clean, and reliable drinking water. City of Modesto employees, like Janelle, are passionate about their community and take pride in the work they do for the customers.

HEARD OF THE RAD CARD?

The Relief Across Downtown (RAD) card is a digital gift card that doubles your dollars when patronizing your favorite Stanislaus County downtown restaurants, retailers, and personal care services.

Load your RAD Card with $25, $50, $75 and up to $100 and get matched, dollar-for-dollar, by donated funds from Stanislaus County and local donors. Donor match funds won’t last forever, so get them before they run out!

Learn More

MORE COVID-19 TEST OPTIONS

Saliva-based mobile COVID-19 testing by Curative is coming to Stanislaus County! The Curative testing van will be available in Modesto starting January 9th.

Tests are saliva-based, no nasal swab required, and results are generally available within 24-48 hours. Tests are free to take, even if you do not have insurance, and documentation status is neither required or reported.

Appointments are made available four days before the testing day. Walk-ups are available but limited. If you have insurance, please bring your information with you. Go to cur.tv/Modesto to make an appointment. You can visit www.curative.com to learn more about their self-administered oral PCR test and call 888-702-9042 with questions.