Sue Nowicki, The Modesto Bee

Sue Nowicki

The Modesto Bee

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Recent:
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Past:
  • The Modesto Bee

Past articles by Sue:

Wellspring church to move into new home next year

Born out of controversy, the congregation of Wellspring Anglican Church has met in a rented downtown facility for five years. But now the church is months away from having its own home again. → Read More

Bee Investigator: What’s up with intersection, road and Caltrans program?

Two readers ask about the status of improvements to certain Modesto area roads, with one asking about Roselle and Merle avenues and the other about Moffet Road. Another reader wants to know how the “Adopt-a-Highway” program works. → Read More

Deported mom now secure with new papers, feeling of freedom

In 2010, Maria Isabel Chaparro was yanked from her home and deported to her native Honduras. In December, she was allowed to return on probation. In May, she was given her permanent resident green card and now has her California driver’s license and U.S. passport. She says those are the hallmarks of real freedom. → Read More

Highways under construction across the country, in Stanislaus area

An 8,000-mile journey shows highway projects are under way from coast to coast. Locally, readers want to know about blocked lanes and oleander bushes. → Read More

Bee Investigator: Why are Turlock parks’ sprinklers going off in afternoon?

A Turlock resident wants to know why the city was watering its parks in the afternoon, during a time frame when it forbids residents to water their own yards. → Read More

Ceres man travels to Rwanda to give shoe boxes of gifts to needy children

A Ceres resident has been a longtime volunteer with Operation Christmas Child, a yearly drive to fill shoe boxes with toys and small gifts for needy children around the world. In April, he traveled to Rwanda to distribute the boxes and saw the end result -- the delighted response of children to the program. → Read More

Bee Investigator: Ceres’ Whitmore overpass adds landscaping, textures

When the Whitmore Avenue overpass in Ceres was improved and widened a couple of years ago, it was supposed to have landscaping. But the funds dried up, so Ceres worked with Caltrans to find alternate funds. The result: trees, shrubs and rock details that look appealing. → Read More

Bee Investigator: Good water not going to waste down drain on Coffee Road

A Modestan walking down Coffee Road saw a gusher of water going into a huge drain. In these drought days, he asked, why is the city wasting water like this? → Read More

Bee investigator: Big hole near Garrison Elementary part of solution to area flooding

What’s with the giant hole in Garrison Park next to the elementary school on Carver Road? It’s a project to solve flooding by taking rainwater out of the sewer system and sending it to holding tanks, where it will percolate into the aquifer. → Read More

Downey grad safe after a few hours missing near Dardanelles

The safe return of a Modesto pastor’s daughter after a few hours lost in the wilderness highlights the importance of survival tips. → Read More

Bee Investigator: Only a few people are authorized to order U.S. flag to fly at half-staff

Who can call for a U.S. flag to fly at half-staff? Surprisingly, not many people. → Read More

Bee Investigator: On firetrucks, downtown banners and recycling

How far do you have to stay in your vehicle behind a stopped firetruck? Not 343 feet, most of the time. → Read More

Tentative court ruling favors Episcopalians in Valley

After eight years of fighting and litigation, a court has made a tentative ruling, awarding all property and funds to the Episcopal bishop. This means the theologically conservative Anglicans will lose 29 parishes, diocesan headquarters in Fresno and about $7.25 million in frozen assets. → Read More

Stockton Diocese announces deadline for sex abuse claims

People who were sexually abused before Jan. 15 by priests or other employees of the Stockton Catholic Diocese have until Aug. 15 to file a sexual abuse claim with the bankruptcy court overseeing the case, the diocese announced Tuesday afternoon. → Read More

MODESTO: Modesto Bee Investigator: Mini-stands selling flowers, gifts might be legal ... or might not

Here’s a timely issue: We’ve all seen those temporary stands pop up before some holidays such as Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. They’re selling flowers or stuffed animals or other gifts, and they disappear after the holiday ends. → Read More

MODESTO: Bee Investigator: How did Modesto’s Briggsmore Avenue get its name?

A reader wants to know if Briggsmore Avenue was named for her uncle and aunt with the last name Briggs. Indeed, this is one family story that is true. → Read More

Bee Investigator: Apartments for former foster kids ready; why isn’t anyone there?

The Meadow Glen apartments for young adults aging out of foster care have been basically finished since last October. But some problems with smoke alarms delayed its opening. Now, housing officials say, they’re looking for tenants to move in as soon as possible. → Read More

Monday Q&A: Modesto attorney works as a mediator in civil cases

Dave Walker, a Modesto attorney with Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios, Pacher & Silva, also works as a mediator in civil cases. Many of those cases involve automobile accidents, but others center on people wrangling over estate matters, neighbors tussling over boundary disputes or consumers seeking resolution when they believe a company hasn’t lived up to its promises. → Read More

Modesto runner never lost hope of surviving after going missing on trail

Modesto long-distance runner Robert Root is back home after a 56-hour ordeal of being lost in the mountains. He’s amazed by the outpouring of help and support; thankful to rescue volunteers, sheriff’s deputies and hospital staff; and ready to run again – but not in that Placer County area anytime soon. → Read More

Missing Modesto runner, found in Placer County, already released from hospital

Robert Root, a Modesto long-distance runner, went missing in rugged Placer County on Sunday morning while on a 20-mile training run with others. He survived two brutal days and nights, clad only in his lightweight running shorts and windbreaker, and was found Tuesday, “the best news I’ve had all year,” according to a running buddy. → Read More