Having grappled with addiction and overcome hurdles in his journey from Mexico City to Merced, Oscar Torres’ latest life chapter is a story of transformation and reinvention. themercedfocus.org/after-downtown…

While some #Merced leaders aren’t ready to give up on commemorative flags in Bob Hart Square, others say it’s time to just fly government flags. themercedfocus.org/merced-revises…

Offline Comedy does pop-up shows a few times a month at secret locations around the Valley, including this recent event in Merced. themercedfocus.org/from-merced-to…

While Merced has more than 500 new affordable housing units in the pipeline, smaller Merced County cities have none. Recently proposed legislation might help change that. themercedfocus.org/affordable-hou…

Millions in state dollars were allocated to help Planada recover from a flood. More than two years after the disaster, some residents are still waiting for that promised assistance to arrive. themercedfocus.org/im-still-waiti…

“When you have people who feel respected and valued and appreciated in their positions, they do a better job,” said one union member and Merced County employee. themercedfocus.org/merced-county-…

Merced city officials plan to leave some city positions unfilled during the next fiscal year so that it can balance its $438.5 million budget. themercedfocus.org/merceds-propos…

KVPR remembers the life of longtime station voice Marv Allen kvpr.org/inside-kvpr/20…

The life and times of one of the 20th century’s most prolific artists – who was a singer, actor, activist and scholar – will be celebrated in June with a one-man play in Merced. themercedfocus.org/play-celebrati…

The Merced County Board of Supervisors on a split vote approved the closure of Fire Station 75 located at the Dos Palos Wye. It’s one of two fire stations currently serving the city of around 6,000 people and the surrounding unincorporated area. themercedfocus.org/merced-county-…

The red-carpet event will include a light reception and a performance by Laura Porter, principal harpist with the Fresno Philharmonic. themercedfocus.org/merced-poet-la…

The bear is back. themercedfocus.org/merced-install…

About once a month, the inside of the Merced Senior Center transforms into a dark, thumping night club – complete with a DJ, flashing lights and a snack bar that serves mocktails and nonalcoholic beer. themercedfocus.org/this-pop-up-ni…

Considered a hidden gem off the 99, a loyal customer base has sustained Nagame in Merced for many years. Many residents told The Merced FOCUS the restaurant is going to be missed. themercedfocus.org/merceds-oldest…

“One of the things that we know is that LGBTQ+ people are being left behind regarding all the great campaigns there are in the U.S. to bring down smoking rates,” the UC Merced researcher said. themercedfocus.org/new-uc-merced-…

themercedfocus.org/what-the-big-b…

The report, released Tuesday, showed the state lost over 3% of its private workforce in four weeks and described the loss as a sudden and rare drop not seen outside of major economic crises. themercedfocus.org/uc-merced-stud…

Thanks to the The Merced FOCUS for the story. themercedfocus.org/merceds-top-sp…

The demonstration comes as a growing number of Americans question the ongoing military action in Gaza, amid images of children dying from starvation. themercedfocus.org/merced-county-…

Surprise! 🐻 Detectives with the Merced Police Department surprised the City Council with the stolen Applegate Zoo sign during Monday’s council meeting. The sign vanished in February, sparking a swift and very public response. themercedfocus.org/merced-pd-reco…