Modesto Daily: Ninth Street Roundabouts, River Road Crash, MJC Hoops

Top local headlines

• Ninth Street roundabouts move from concept to construction. A major corridor project adding multiple roundabouts, fewer stoplights, and clearer bike and pedestrian space is drawing mixed reactions from drivers and nearby residents.
• Serious motorcycle collision reported on River Road. A crash involving a vehicle and a motorcycle near Rushing River Drive was reported Sunday afternoon, with responders treating it as a major-injury incident while investigators sort out what happened.
• Modesto JC men’s basketball: Big 8 implications. A late-season conference game involving Modesto Junior College helped shape the race for the top spot heading into the final stretch.

Transportation: Ninth Street project draws attention

Construction activity tied to the Ninth Street corridor is becoming hard to miss, and so is the public conversation around it. The plan centers on replacing some signalized intersections with roundabouts and improving how people move through the area on foot or by bike. City leaders involved with the project have pointed to safety and smoother traffic flow as key reasons for the shift.

For drivers who haven’t used roundabouts much, the change can feel abrupt. Expect a learning curve as lanes, signage, and new patterns settle in. If you drive that stretch regularly, it’s a good week to build in extra time and watch for temporary closures or shifting traffic control.

Public safety: Crash investigations continue

A major-injury motorcycle crash was reported on River Road near Rushing River Drive, with the initial call coming in Sunday afternoon. Emergency crews responded, and authorities indicated the scene required significant medical response and cleanup. Names and further details were not immediately released.

Separately, north Modesto traffic safety remains in focus after a recent fatal pedestrian collision on Pelandale Avenue near Prescott Road. Police have said early indicators did not point to impairment, and the case has remained under investigation.

Sports: Modesto JC stays in the mix

On the sports side, Modesto Junior College men’s basketball continues to be part of the Big 8 story late in the season. A recent conference matchup involving MJC carried standings weight for teams jockeying for position, a reminder that the postseason picture can shift quickly.

Sources

https://www.kcra.com/article/modesto-roundabout-projects-spark-debate/70485271
https://californiainjuryaccidentlawyer.com/modesto-motorcycle-accident-on-river-road-rushing-river-road/
https://hoodline.com/2026/02/modesto-woman-struck-and-killed-crossing-crowded-pelandale-avenue/
https://www.theoakleafnews.com/a-home-page-slideshow/2026/02/25/srjc-mens-basketball-defeats-modesto-on-sophomore-night-seizes-big-8-conference-lead/