The Valley Home News column emailed to the Oakdale Leader office late Sunday evening was the wrong one, an error not made by your reporter but by her computer assistant. He sends his apologies to the readers. The information thought to still be noteworthy is included in this week’s column. Let the News begin!

We are thankful for our alert Valley Home residents who were quick to report the presence of a suspicious man seen roaming in our community on Monday, March 12th. Word quickly spread that there had been a tall man in camouflage, in his late forties walking around Valley Home and hiding out on properties, etc. It was also reported that the man had a very large hunting knife and was seen at Valley Home School, the Valley Home store and walking up Valley Home and later on Pleasant Valley Road. Several residents passed a word of warning on to neighbors and friends. Nancy Osmundson, Chairman of our Valley Home Municipal Advisory Council, shares the following information with us from Sheriff Adam Christianson, who contacted the man at his home on Orange Blossom Road and found the individual would be a danger to himself, others and unable to care for himself. At that time he was taken into custody and transported for a mental health evaluation/hold. Sheriff Christianson stated that “We’ll continue to monitor the situation, but for now, the residents in Valley Home are safe.”

We offer a big thank you to all those alert Valley Home residents who contacted their neighbors and friends to warn them on what was going on in our community!
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On a more pleasant note, Nancy Osmundson shares the news that she and her family enjoyed a visit from Nancy’s brother and sister-in-law from Iowa who were vacationing here in our area for a week of sightseeing. The Osmundsons took the couple on a tour of Calaveras Big Trees, Columbia State Park and spent a day in San Francisco, while enjoying the great weather we were having.
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We have just received word that our Valley Home friend and neighbor, John Quillen has just had his first book published. The title is “Get the Gold” and it is filled with great information on how to increase your profits in raising California Corn. John, who is an egronomist, filled the book with the most interesting facts and data. Along with friend and fellow writer, Pat Aherns skills, the book comes alive with the true excitement of raising corn and making a tremendous profit. John and his wife, Barb have a ranch on Valley Home Road where she also has her hair studio. Thanks John and Barb for being such a wonderful part of our Valley Home community.
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Our Valley Home 4-H Vice President, Jordan McCain took charge of this month’s Club meeting and did an outstanding job. Jordan is currently a junior at Oakdale High School and raises beef in his spare time. He has also raised hogs for the County Fair. For the past three years Jordan has also played Mustang football, he is truly a young man with many talents!
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Let’s hear it for Cody and Cooper Bartholomew who had a great time and returned home winners from the Stanislaus County Youth Poultry Show! They both had a wonderful time showing their poultry and at the end of the show they purchased 2 Black Lanechums and two beautiful Coronation Sussex. This occasion was the Bartholomew brother’s first time showing together and they had a great day.
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Valley Home’s Jenna Heaton traveled to the Spring Break Northern Exposure two weekends ago and took home Overall Reserve Champion honors with her meat goat, Betty. Jenna was also the Senior Showmanship Champion. It was freezing cold, but a great weekend.
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Just a reminder that word has been received that things are going to be really “Hopping” in our community in the coming month. Word is going around that we will enjoy a visit from “Hoppi B, the long lost Valley Home Easter Bunny” on Saturday, April 7th. To catch a glimpse of “Hoppi B” hop on down to the old school campus on the above date and watch for his special appearance!