We send our thoughts and prayers to our dear friend, Laura Burghardt for a speedy recovery. Laura wrote the Valley Home News for 38 years before retiring. She has an amazing talent for sharing the news and stories of life in Valley Home! Laura and her husband Glenn have always been deeply involved in almost all events here in Valley Home. They truly love their community, and this community loves and appreciates both of these wonderful people, Laura and Glenn Burghardt.

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It was good news to hear that our Valley Home Fire Station will remain open on a shared basis with Knights Ferry! We all wish each community could be fully staffed seven days a week. The most realistic answer to this would probably be a small increase in our taxes. I know most folks do not want even a small increase, but believe me a tax increase to ensure our fire is able to provide 24 hours, 7 days a week service is priceless! As of last week, Oakdale leaders and Oakdale Rural Fire voted to have Modesto Fire take over our fire service. We would like to send a huge thank you to the firefighters of Stanislaus Consolidated, you have been and always will be deeply appreciated by our Valley Home community! Although the agreement between Oakdale City, Oakdale Rural Fire Protection District and Modesto Fire still needs approval, the Modesto City Council could vote for approval on June 11th. We are thankful to have our fire service!

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Our Valley Home Community Park will be having a fundraiser planning meeting this month, more information to come!

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We offer a huge thank you to Don Taro for mowing the park and keeping it looking so nice! If anyone has the time and would be willing to help Don with the mowing, please let us know! Remember our community park is for all of us to use and enjoy, there is no charge, but please it would be greatly appreciated if you would carry out your own garbage. Many hands make light work!

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As always you may reach me by email at winniemullins51@gmail.com. Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”