A dairy cow at a rendering facility in California's Central Valley was found to be infected with mad cow disease, marking the fourth confirmed case of the brain-botching disease in the United States. John Clifford, the USDA's chief veterinarian, told reporters during a Tuesday briefing in Washington that the animal's mad meat did not enter the food chain. more ›

As expected, the California High-Speed Rail Authority board approved a 65-mile section in the Central Valley as the first leg in the state's massive project, according to LA Now. However, the remote location, and the fact that the line would not actually run trains until more segments of the system are built, have some calling this a train to nowhere. more ›

Federal officials today told California that it wants the $4.3 billion it has given to the state for high speed rail to be spent in one of two Central Valley segments -- either the Merced-to-Fresno or the Fresno-to-Bakersfield portion of the $43 billion project. more ›

State Route 99 cuts straight through the Central Valley to Sacramento via Bakersfield and Fresno (see map below). And if you get too lost in your audiobook after the 5 skirts Angeles National Forest and meanders into the middle of nowhere, you might accidentally end up on it as we did yesterday. We didn't realize our mistake until we took note of the multicolored flowering bushes lining the median of the freeway, obscuring a great... more ›

- Mayor Tony says the fire is under control, it burned 800 acres - NYT more ›

Snow-Line Orchard and their apple crops are part of the Oak Glen enclave of farms and stands open to the public northeast of Los Angeles, home to other facilities like Mr. Law's Apple Stand, Moms Country Orchard, and Riley's Log Cabin Farm (which offers a pick-your-own apples service, much like our own childhood experience up in the Great White North). And speaking of things northern, to the north of us in Camino is the Apple Hill collective of growers, boasting dozens of local growers who produce a number of commercial as well as local apple varieties. For example, the Mother Lode Orchard has Paula Red apples from late July to September, McIintosh and Gala in late August, Golden Delicious in mid-September, Red Delicious, Empire, and Granny Smith in late September, as well as Braeburn, Stayman Winesap, Rome, Fuji, and Liberty in mid October. Over at Abel's Apple Acres you'll find crops of the Arkansas Black, Fuji, Gala, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, and Red Rome. All of their apples are ideal for eating raw, the Fuji, Granny Smith, Red Rome and Golden Delicious great for cooking and pies, and the Red Delicious not good for cooking or baking with. more ›