Modesto Headlines: County Honors Employees, School Bids Open, Astronomy Night Draws Crowd

Here’s a quick look at what’s making news around Modesto this weekend.

County Recognizes Longtime Public Servants

Stanislaus County officials recently gathered in downtown Modesto to recognize employees for years of public service during a Board of Supervisors meeting earlier this month.

The ceremony, held at the county chambers on 10th Street, highlighted dozens of workers across departments — from public safety to health services — who reached milestone anniversaries. Leaders praised staff for their steady work during a demanding stretch of growth and infrastructure planning across the region.

Sylvan Union School District Seeks Benefits Proposals

In north Modesto, Sylvan Union School District has opened a formal request for proposals for employee benefits insurance broker and consulting services.

District officials said proposals were due in early March, with interviews following shortly after at the district office on Sylvan Avenue. The move signals long-range planning as the district reviews costs and coverage options ahead of the next school year.

Astronomy Night Fills the Dome

The Great Valley Museum hosted its ‘Infinite Horizons’ astronomy fundraiser on March 13, drawing families and space enthusiasts for telescope viewing, a planetarium show and a laser light display.

The event, held at the museum on Blue Gum Avenue, supported local astronomy education programs. Organizers reported strong community turnout, helped in part by clear skies following earlier March storms.

Community Meetings Continue

Local agencies are also moving through their spring calendars. The Stanislaus County Probation Department’s Community Corrections Partnership confirmed its next public meeting for March 19 in Modesto, continuing discussions on law enforcement coordination and behavioral health updates.

As Modesto heads deeper into spring, civic meetings, school planning and family-friendly events are keeping the city’s calendar full.

Sources

https://www.stancounty.com/news-room/news-releases/news-2026/Press-Release-Employee-Service-Awards-03.03.2026.pdf
https://campussuite-storage.s3.amazonaws.com/prod/1559060/7fb78b4a-77c0-11eb-acb4-0a72cb11b325/3072899/0745d586-0e74-11f1-a7ca-0afff8bfbea1/file/2026%20Sylvan%20USD%20RFP%20for%20H%26W%20Benefits%20Insurance%20Solutions%20FINAL.pdf
https://www.reddit.com/r/Modesto/comments/1rgh76b/2_weeks_out_infinite_horizons_night_with_the/
https://www.stancounty.com/probation/pdf/meetings/ccp/2025/CCP%20Agenda%2011-13-2025.pdf