We are happy to share some more news on the activities of our Valley Home 4-H'ers at the Stanislaus County Fair. Our 4-H members here in Valley Home always put on a good showing at the Fair and this year was no exception. Our community was well represented in all areas of the livestock entries. After much hard work, long hours and doing a wonderful job of demonstrating their skills at showing their animals were: Justina and Marrisa Hicks in the Sheep Barn and paying a visit to the Dairy Barn, we find that Jenny and Heidi Schaeffle did an awesome job with their animals. Luke Pouncey, as usual, did a great job with his Meat Goat. We discovered that the Dairy Goat group led by Ann Brisi had a wonderful showing with Aislinn Finn and Gunter Brisi.

Time now to take a stroll through the Swine Barn where we discover that Garrett Bryhni and Austin Dickens enjoyed a busy Fair week. We are told that Garrett had a great time and really enjoyed sale day! Also showing pigs this year and doing a great job were Laci Blount, John Personeri and Marissa Campbell.

Let’s take a trip over to visit the Poultry Barn and take time to view some of the fancy feathered entries on display. Here we discover that Jessica Hatfield and Kinsey Ollis proved their excellence in raising and showing their meat birds. Jessica had also showed a meat goat for the first time! We discovered that MaryBeth Carpenter once again did a great job showing in the meat goat group. Other 4-H members in the meat goat group putting in long hours and hard work were Chad and Nikki Truhett and Jesse and Madeline Frietas. Showing both her market meat goats and winning numerous awards for her breeding goats was Sierra Haynes. We received word that Katie and Sophia Schwandt were a sight to watch in the show ring! We received word that the girls had a special guest watching them show this year, Bruce. Word is that Brendan Finn did a great job with his Duroc hog. Brothers, Nico and Geno Sarale made Valley Home proud with their showing in the Beef ring. Also offering a helping hand in the Farmyard Experience we spotted Patrick Rocha.

We offer a big round of applause to every one of our Valley Home 4-H members and Leaders! You make our community so very proud with your efforts both at the Fair and at home.

We offer special plaudits to Ashely Barretto who was kept busy at the 4-H Milk Bar Serving up delicious milkshakes. They were great!

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We received the following item of criminal activity occurring here in our area on Sunday evening, July 29, a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe (brownish-pewter) was stolen from a driveway next to a residence at Lone Tree and Henry. The vehicle was locked at the time and no broken glass to show forced entry. A few days prior to the theft, individuals in a blue truck and white SUV were observed as suspicious persons/vehicles in the neighbor's driveway. No further description is available. If you have any information that may be pertinent to this investigation, please contact the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department, the California Highway Patrol and/or Jesse@H-HATANDAIR.COM.

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Happy Anniversary wishes go this week to Kelly and Jessica Rinna, who celebrated their special day on August 6.