Jeff Jardine, The Modesto Bee

Jeff Jardine

The Modesto Bee

Modesto, CA, United States

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • The Modesto Bee
  • The Miami Herald
  • The Tribune
  • Idaho Statesman
  • TriCityHerald
  • The Fresno Bee

Past articles by Jeff:

GI Bill’s 75th anniversary hits home for Valley veterans

Like many who left the military for civilian life, Arthur Matedne wanted to return to college. The Navy veteran from Stockton was aware of the GI Bill and that he should take advantage of his earned benefits, but knew little about them. “Not a lot at all,” said Matedne, a 32-year-old who spent four years as a hospital corpsman. “I didn’t start using them for a long time. I stayed home the first… → Read More

D-Day book cements 5-decade friendship across north Modesto street

Neighbor buys a book for D-Day Navy veteran across the street only to find vet, crew and boat are in it. → Read More

What Jeff Jardine found when he cleaned out his desk for the last time

Jeff Jardine has retired after nearly 29 years at The Modesto Bee – the past 14 as the columnist – and almost 39 as a journalist. What did he find when he cleaned out his desk? → Read More

Memories of library visits past merit renewal of tax for the future

Since 1995, Stanislaus County’s library system has relied on an 1/8-percent sales tax that funds nearly 89 percent of what it costs to keep the main library in downtown Modesto and 12 other branches up and running and expanding services. The tax is comes up for renewal again in November. → Read More

50 years later, truth still matters to USS Liberty crewman who survived attack by Israelis

Modesto’s Ron Grantski was a cryptographer on the super-secret spy ship that was attacked by Israeli planes and torpedo boats in the Mediterranean Sea during the Six Days War of 1967. Israel claimed it hit the wrong ship, and the U.S. government went along despite 34 killed and 174 wounded. But you’ll have a tough time convincing Grantski and others who survived the attack that it wasn’t… → Read More

Duarte hopes Trump’s order will ease harrowing experience against feds in court

Hounded by the feds for the past five years, Hughson nursery owner Duarte hoping Trump’s executive order will lower or erase fines for plowing his wheat fields in Tehama County. → Read More

Cold, wet realities of floating on overflowing, brushy Stanislaus River

Float parties can draw big crowds, but now isn’t the time with river at more than 13 times normal flow for this time of year, and icy cold, too. → Read More

Rules prohibit fallen community service officer from place among sworn at Lakewood

With thedeath of second Stanislaus County Sheriff’s community service officer in five years, how should they be memorialized? While CSOs provide vital work for the department, protocol says peace officers memorials are only for sworn personnel. But there are other ways to remember them. → Read More

Ex-MJC worker said veterans will struggle to get certified, school says they won’t

After being fired, MJC Veterans Services employee sent an email telling veterans their certification safety net went with him. School officials, though, said veterans need not worry: They have certified backup in place until his position is filled. → Read More

This autistic teen, his prom date and a local costume store combined for a magical night

A touching story in so many respects: Girl asks Disney-loving autistic boy to prom, which brings them to Modesto store for costumes. Their story left owner, boy’s mom in tears, and compelled others to make their prom night even better. → Read More

Denham playing victim card? Not the first time, as duly noted

Last fall, the wives of at least three and who knows how many more Republicans running for state or national offices – Rep. Jeff Denham among them – wrote letters decrying political attacks against their husbands by opponents. Same letterhead, typefaces, and all dated the same, and more. But now the vitriol comes not from consultants but from constituents, and that should concern him more. → Read More

Political watchdog group gives Gray an ‘F’ that would translate to an ‘A’ from others

Assemblyman from Merced gets horrible grade from left-wing group, but in Valley that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. → Read More

Denham beatable in 2018? Only if Democrats bet lots of money on right candidate

Two Democrats have announced so far they will challenge Republican incumbent for his 10th Congressional District. Now begins the election within the election, and Dotty Nygard, political newcomer Josh Harder and possibly others vie for major party support to have a chance against him. → Read More

Area Trump supporters give him two thumbs up after first 100 days

They see successes where detractors see failures, and blame Democrats for President’s unfulfilled campaign promises. → Read More

Downtown’s keyboard crosswalks credit strikes chord with creator Griswold

Somewhere along the way, as a piano keyboard crosswalk project moved through the channels, the originator’s name and role were omitted. Artist Griswold will get his due when all is said and done, city official assures. → Read More

Peoples’ loud voices keep killer Maria in prison, hope Gov. Brown nixes Spears parole, too

Gov. Brown overturns murderer Jeffrey Maria’s release and he’ll stay in prison while victims’ family awaits word on whether Brown will nix ringleader Marty Don Spears’ parole as well. → Read More

Health care hotbed for fraud cases like one in which Modesto doctors face charges

Charged with conspiracy to commit medical insurance fraud, filing false and fraudulent claims, taking rebates for patient referrals, and insurance fraud, they remain innocent until proven guilty. The outcomes of fraud cases invariably hinge on whether the paper trails and specifically the money trails are damning and irrefutable. → Read More

Newly created school board map faces same old voter apathy issues

Modesto City Council races in same basic geographic area haven’t created a groundswell of participation. Time will tell whether school board district elections can motivate voters to step up in that part of town. → Read More

Will state bail on bail? AB 42 would eliminate bucks for bonds as judge decides who stays, goes

Tuesday in Sacramento, state legislators likely will take a step toward joining a number of other states in the nation that have eliminated bail altogether. Assembly Bill 42 goes before the State Assembly’s Committee on Public Safety on Tuesday, where it is expected to move on to the appropriations committee toward a possible floor vote in June. If passed, those arrested would no longer have to… → Read More

Held to answer for murder, Carson case outcome will end one career or another

Judge Barbara Zuniga held Modesto defense attorney Frank Carson and two others over for trial for the murder of Korey Kauffman, and the trial’s outcome has huge ramifications. No matter how it ultimately ends, the consequences already are life and career altering. If Carson, Baljit Athwal and Daljit Atwal are convicted, they’ll spend decades or perhaps the rest of their lives in prison.… → Read More