Community Corner

🌱 See which Merced County students designed your next “I Voted Early” sticker

You won't want to miss Tuesday Morning Fitness Classes on the Merced Patch calendar

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Hi there, Merced! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • See which Merced County students designed your next “I Voted Early” sticker
  • How one Merced family is turning dual cancer battles into hope
  • How a simple Merced stop-sign violation exposed a hidden firearm

Also on today's calendar: SpinSquad - Youth Pottery Wheel and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Mercedfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Merced? Post it to Merced photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Find out what's happening in Mercedfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Chilly with low clouds, with a high of 49 and low of 43 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, temps: high: 56, low: 47.
  • Thursday: Partial sunshine, with a high of 60 and low of 45 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Winners revealed in ‘I Voted Early' sticker contest (mercedcountytimes.com) — Merced County students have designed new “I Voted Early” stickers that local voters will start seeing in the 2026 elections, with a different winning design for each supervisorial district. The contest drew hundreds of entries from 1st–5th graders, reviewed locally and even by California’s Secretary of State, and winners were honored with prizes and certificates.
   

2. North Valley family battling cancer together (abc30.com) — A Merced-raised videographer receiving cancer treatment at Mercy Medical Center in Merced has been sharing his journey online, only to see his mother later diagnosed with cancer as well. Their story, including an emotional moment with an ER doctor, has gone viral and inspired many. The family remains hopeful as she prepares for surgery and more chemotherapy while he promotes cancer awareness locally.
   

3. Unregistered Firearm Discovered During Merced CHP Traffic Stop (losbanosenterprise.com) — A recent traffic stop in Merced uncovered a loaded, unregistered firearm after CHP officers noticed a spent shell casing inside the vehicle. The gun was found under the driver’s seat, marking the second such Merced County case this month tied to a simple stop-sign violation.
   

4. Merced Family Sues State After Graphic Prison Killing Video Circulates Online (losbanosenterprise.com) — A Merced family is suing the State of California and CDCR after a relative was killed in an inmate attack at Salinas Valley State Prison and video of the assault reportedly circulated online. The suit claims prison staff failed to protect him and mishandled sensitive footage, while officials say they intervened and are still investigating. No court findings on responsibility have been made yet.
   

5. Same product, same store, but on Instacart, prices might differ (texarkanagazette.com) — A Merced retiree who volunteered in a national Instacart pricing study is raising concerns about how apps might quietly tailor grocery prices to individual shoppers. Researchers found that people buying the same items at the same time often saw different prices, highlighting how algorithmic pricing and experiments by retailers could make already high food costs even more unpredictable for Merced families.
   

📸 Around Merced

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Tonight on Santa Fe it was so dark that I didn’t have time to safely swerve around a plastic bucket in the road.
    The only option was to go straight over it, but my Chevy Malibu is low and it got caught underneath. I pulled over, honestly shaken and scared. … (Nextdoor West and Central N Merced)
  • has anyone seen my baby, he’s been gone about a week.
    near merced fairgrounds. if you see him pleaser don’t hesitate to message me! (Nextdoor South Merced)
  • City of Merced California posted a job opening for Temporary Recreation Leader - Zoo in Merced. Apply here.
  • Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Merced. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Merced here.

Ok Merced! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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