The Valley Citizen

11/06/2026

The Bryd Rules: Accounting as You Like it

Politics The Bryd Rules: Accounting as You Like it Eric Caine - June 11, 2026 0 Graph shows TruPoint and power records for 2020-24 AB La Grange Ranch For many who attempted it, the 4Creeks’ report resulting from its investigation of the irrigation routines on the AB La Grange Ranch was a challengi...

27/05/2026

The Byrd Rules: Water, Water, Everywhere

Politics The Byrd Rules: Water, Water, Everywhere Eric Caine - May 27, 2026 0 Iron frame by Todd Sill The more you look into Larry Byrd’s irrigation history on the AB La Grange Ranch, the more you understand why he cast the deciding vote to end an investigation into that same history. Byrd’s vot...

16/05/2026

Questions Raised About MID Director Larry Byrd’s Water Rates

Politics Questions Raised About MID Director Larry Byrd’s Water Rates Eric Caine - May 16, 2026 0 In-district boundaries on Rairden property at AB La Grange Ranch For ten months, the controversy about Modesto Irrigation District (MID) Boardmember Larry Byrd centered on Byrd’s suspected use of MI...

08/05/2026

The Irrigation Director’s Very Special Water Rates

Politics The Irrigation Director’s Very Special Water Rates Eric Caine - May 8, 2026 0 Larry Byrd and friends after Byrd voted to discontinue 4Creeks' investigation After a public records request to Modesto Irrigation District (MID), I received a heavily redacted “Master Water Plan” for MID Di...

30/04/2026

Public Users’ Guide to the 4Creeks’ Byrd Investigation

20/04/2026

Conflicts of Interest Abuse the Public Trust at Modesto Irrigation District

Politics Conflicts of Interest Abuse the Public Trust at Modesto Irrigation District Eric Caine - April 20, 2026 0 Larry Byrd, John Boer's brother, Bobby Boers, John Duarte, and Tim Byrd celebrate suspension of 4Creeks' investigation, 16 December, 2025 “No man is allowed to be a judge in his own c...

11/04/2026

Senate Candidates Debate in Downtown Modesto

Politics Senate Candidates Debate in Downtown Modesto Eric Caine - April 11, 2026 0 Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, Supervisor Jaron Brandon, Nick Dokoozlian (Stanislaus County Taxpayer Association) Blake Zante (Maddy Institute) Alexandra Duarte Based on her performance during last Thursday night’s de...

04/04/2026

The Byrd Investigation: Why the State Must Step In

Politics The Byrd Investigation: Why the State Must Step In Eric Caine - April 4, 2026 0 Iron frame by Todd Sill After almost nine months of inquiry and investigation, the Modesto Irrigation District (MID) is still unable (or unwilling) to determine whether or not MID Director Larry Byrd used MID su...

25/03/2026

Remembering Richard Anderson

History Remembering Richard Anderson Eric Caine - March 25, 2026 0 Richard Anderson Richard Anderson left us two weeks ago today. Several years ago, I was reporting on homelessness in Modesto when Richard Anderson asked whether I’d be willing to take him to a homeless camp. I told him they were pr...

18/03/2026

The Byrd Investigation: When Absence is Evidence

Politics The Byrd Investigation: When Absence is Evidence Eric Caine - March 18, 2026 0 "I have nothing to hide," said Modesto Irrigation District Boardmember Larry Byrd One of the most glaring omissions from last year’s 4Creeks investigation into Larry Byrd’s water use on the AB La Grange Ranch...