Call Center Company in Modesto, CA

Planning a Memorial Day getaway from Modesto?

Before you hit the road, you might want to fill up your tank.

California drivers routinely pay the highest prices for fuel in the country, with the average cost of regular gasoline reaching $4.87 per gallon as of Thursday, May 22, according to AAA. That’s more than a dollar higher than the national average.

The Golden State tops the list of priciest gas markets in the nation, followed by Hawaii at $4.49 per gallon of regular gas and Washington at $4.38 per gallon, AAA said in a Thursday news release.

“The national average for a gallon of regular remained the same as the previous week at $3.19,” the automobile association said in the release.

Despite California’s high prices, AAA said, “Gas prices haven’t been this low over Memorial Day since 2021 when the national average was $3.04.”

California’s gas prices hit a record high in June 2022, peaking at $6.44 per gallon.

If you’re looking to save at the pump, here’s where you can find cheaper gas around Modesto:

As of Thursday, May 22, the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Modesto was $4.85.

However, according to the price-tracking site GasBuddy, some local stations are offering prices below that average.

As of Thursday, these were 10 of the cheapest gas stations in the Modesto area based on the cash price for a gallon of regular gasoline, according to GasBuddy:

Only one Stanislaus County hospital received a ‘D’ grade in a new report evaluating patient safety at medical care centers across the nation.

The Leapfrog Group issues Hospital Safety Grade reports twice a year for nearly 3,000 general hospitals in the United States.

Grades are based on several critical factors, including rates of preventable errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.

The nonprofit organization’s latest report, released May 1 and searchable as an online database, grades health care facilities across the nation on a scale of A to F — with A being the highest grade and F the lowest.

Out of the four Stanislaus County hospitals ranked by Leapfrog, only one received an “D” grade for spring 2025.

Here’s which one:

Doctors Medical Center of Modesto, 1441 Florida Ave. in Modesto, received the lowest grade of any Stanislaus County hospital evaluated in The Leapfrog Group’s latest report.

According to new data from The Leapfrog Group, the hospital received poor scores for infections, surgical complication, patient safety issues and error-preventative practices, as well as poor performance by doctors, nurses and other staff members.

“Errors are much more common if hospital leaders don’t make patient safety a priority,” The Leapfrog Group said. “Leaders must make sure that all hospital staff knows what they need to work on and that they are held accountable for improvements.”

Some of the safety issues Leapfrog noted included staph bacteria in bed linens, accidental cuts and tears and complications following a surgery.

According to The Leapfrog Group, Doctors Medical Center “declined to report” its efforts to improve safety in certain categories, such as having effective leadership to prevent errors.

However, the Modesto hospital said it is “constantly working to improve patient safety and quality care but these false ratings undermine the doctor-hospital-patient relationship that is essential to positive health outcomes.”

“We stand with our sister hospitals, which have filed a complaint in Florida against The Leapfrog Group’s inaccurate, corrupt and dangerous rankings,” Doctors Medical Center said in a statement responding to The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2025 report. “Leapfrog’s scoring system deceives patients and rewards hospitals that either pay them or supply free data for their flawed survey, while punishing those that do not participate with inaccurate scores based on fabricated data.”

These were The Leapfrog Group’s safety grades for other hospitals in Stanislaus County for spring 2025:

A grade

Kaiser Foundation Hospital, 4601 Dale Road, Modesto

B grade

Memorial Medical Center, 1700 Coffee Road, Modesto

C grade

Emanuel Medical Center, 825 Delbon Ave., Turlock

The Leapfrog Group assigns hospitals a grade from A to F based on their “overall performance in keeping patients safe from preventable harm and medical errors.”

These grades are calculated using up to 30 national performance measures sourced from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, The Leapfrog Hospital Survey and other data.

Under the guidance of a panel of patient safety experts, The Leapfrog Group selected about two dozen evidence-based measures, grouped into five key categories, to create its scoring methodology.

Those categories are:

Brace yourselves, Modesto residents.

Scorching hot temperatures are on the way to Stanislaus County, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat watch for the area.

Valley residents can expect dangerously hot conditions with temperatures ranging from 99 to 109 degrees and widespread major heat risks, the weather agency said on X.

Here’s what to know in the Modesto area:

An Extreme Heat Watch is in effect from 11 AM Friday to 8 PM Sunday for the Valley, Delta, foothills, and northern Coastal Range. Highs will range from 99°-109°. Be sure to have a way to stay cool and hydrated! #cawx pic.twitter.com/eHRyjzHfkh

— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 26, 2025

The excessive heat watch will be in effect from 11 a.m. Friday, May 30, through 11 p.m. Saturday, May 31, according to the National Weather Service.

According to the weather service, affected communities include Modesto and the rest of Stanislaus County, as well as Paradise, Sacramento, Grass Valley, Chico, Oroville, Jackson, Redding, Marysville, Yuba City, Red Bluff and Stockton.

“Heat-related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat events, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities,” the weather agency said.

Much of the Central Valley and northeastern Sierra Nevada foothills are expected to face elevated heat risks from Friday through Saturday, the weather service said, with daytime high temperatures possibly exceeding 100 degrees.

In Modesto, Saturday is shaping up to be the hottest day, with a 90% chance of triple-digit temperatures, according to the National Weather Service.

The weather is expected to stay warm overnight, with low temperatures ranging between the mid-60s and mid-70s.

On Tuesday, Modesto residents can expect clear, sunny skies and a high temperature of 92 degrees, according to the National Weather Service’s latest seven-day weather forecast.

The overnight low temperature will be 60.

Winds could range from 6 to 7 mph.

The high on Wednesday should be near 91, while the low will be approximately 58. Winds are expected to range from 5 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Thursday will see a high near 93 degrees and a low around 63. Winds could range from 3 to 8 mph.

Friday’s forecast calls for a high near 103 degrees and a low around 70.

On Saturday, the high will be approximately 106, with a low around 67.

Sunday will see a high of 94 and a low of 61.

With well above normal temperatures expected this week, Moderate HeatRisk and areas of Major HeatRisk are in the forecast. Widespread triple digits are possible on Friday, with near record to record highs. Practice heat safety! #cawxHeatRisk: https://t.co/9y5AXKpJP2 pic.twitter.com/i2lTgNMO3y

— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 26, 2025

Starting Friday, Modesto’s heat risk will be major, the weather service said.

The heat risk scale provides a forecast that shows the likelihood of heat-related problems occurring.

The scale calculates how hot it is compared to normal, how long the heat lasts, and whether it’s likely to cause health issues based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It ranges from 0, meaning there’s little or no heat risk, to 4, indicating an extreme heat risk.

The heat risk is projected to be 3 on Friday, indicating a major heat risk.

According to the weather service, major heat risk “affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.”

The Modesto area will see moderate heat risk over the weekend, the weather service said.

Moderate heat risk “affects most individuals sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration,” the agency said.

Vulnerable individuals include those who are pregnant, newborns, children, older adults and those with a chronic illness. These groups are more at risk due to age and conditions that make it difficult to regulate high temperatures.

“Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors,” the weather service said in its extreme heat watch. “Do not leave young children and pets in unattended vehicles.”

The National Weather Service recently issued its first fire weather watch of the season for much of Northern California.

That includes the Modesto area.

“Watch for gusty winds and low humidity,” the agency said, explaining that the combination can “cause fire to rapidly grow in size and intensity.”

Here’s what that means for Modesto — and what to expect in the forecast:

The fire weather watch will be in effect from 8 a.m. Sunday, May 18, to 8 p.m. Monday, May 19, the National Weather Service said.

During that time, the weather agency said, the risk of wildfires is expected to be especially high.

Winds in the Modesto area are expected to range from 15 to 25 mph on Sunday and Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind gusts could reach 35 mph.

Daytime humidity will be between 15% and 25%, with evening levels rising to 55%, the weather agency said.

“Outdoor burning is not recommended,” the weather agency said.

“Fire safety precautions should be exercised to prevent fires,” the agency said on X. “Always have an emergency plan for if a fire starts near you.”

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from 8 AM Sunday to 8 PM Monday for the Valley and Delta below 1000 feet. Strongest winds are expected in the northern/central Sacramento Valley along and west of I-5. Remember to practice fire weather safety! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/Y2JB8zHtjE

— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 15, 2025

Wildfire season is approaching in California, and experts warn it could be worse than usual.

Wildfire season typically runs from May to November, with most fires happening during the summer months, according to the Western Fire Chiefs Association.

The National Interagency Fire Center predicts an “above normal” risk for significant wildfires across much of California from June through August, according to its latest seasonal outlook.

“Outlooks for Northern and Southern California both paint a picture of a significant increase — (a) pretty widespread, elevated risk of large fires come August,” John Abatzoglou, a climatologist at UC Merced, previously told The Modesto Bee.

The National Weather Service’s latest seven-day forecast for the Modesto area calls for sunny, clear skies on Friday, May 16, with a high temperature near 87 degrees and a low temperature around 58 degrees.

Expect increasing clouds later in the day, with light winds around 5 to 8 mph in the evening.

Saturday will bring continued winds, reaching speeds of up to 21 mph by the evening.

Modesto will see a high near 76 and a low around 53.

Sunday will be sunny with a high near 83. Winds will range from 5 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph.

Sunday night will be clear, with temperatures dipping to around 60 degrees.

Starting Monday, the forecast shows a warming trend, with daytime highs climbing into the 90s.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.

This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 11:02 AM.

Rite Aid has announced a new wave of store closures nationwide after filing for bankruptcy for a second time on May 5.

According to recent court filings, several locations in California — including two in the Modesto area — are set to close.

Statewide closures will impact locations across the region, including a store in Fresno, a location near Merced and five locations in the Sacramento area.

The Philadelphia-based pharmacy chain initially filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023.

In a news release from May 5, Rite Aid CEO Matt Schroeder said, the company has been facing “financial challenges, intensified by the rapidly evolving retail and health care landscapes.”

“As we move forward, our key priorities are ensuring uninterrupted pharmacy services for our customers and preserving jobs for as many associates as possible,” Schroeder said in the news release.

Here’s which Rite Aid locations will remain open — and which will close — amid bankruptcy filings:

Rite Aid is a national pharmacy chain that began in 1962 as Thrift D Discount Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, according to the company’s website.

Along with in-store pharmacies, Rite Aid locations sell over-the-counter medications, vitamins, beauty products and household essentials.

Rite Aid currently has 347 locations in California, including two stores in Modesto.

Out of the pharmacy chain’s eight locations in the Modesto area, two Rite Aid stores are set to close, according to court documents.

These Rite Aid locations are expected to shut their doors:

1300 West F St., Oakdale

1710 California St., Escalon

In a letter to its customers from May 5, Rite Aid said, “stores will remain open and operating for the next few months where you can continue to access pharmacy services and products in stores and online, including prescriptions and immunizations.”

The timeline of the store closures is still unclear and subject to change, according to court documents.

According to court documents, the following Rite Aid stores will remain open for now:

In an FAQ released by Rite Aid regarding its bankruptcy, the company said it will continue to serve customers.

“We are committed to delivering the leading health care products and services that you expect from us,” the company said. “You can still find what you are looking for at our stores and fill your prescriptions at our pharmacies.”

As of Tuesday, June 3, Rite Aid said that customers can still fill and pick up their prescriptions at the pharmacies scheduled to close.