Top Merced County stories this week. Here’s what to know

From a razor-thin breakfast poll victory to a unique $2 million home for sale, Merced County made headlines in the past week. Here’s a roundup of the top stories from the Merced Sun-Star.

Here are key takeaways:

• Jantz Cafe & Bakery won the Sun-Star’s Best of Merced County breakfast poll with 18 votes (31%), edging out Granny’s Pantry of Atwater by a single vote. The Jantz family opened its first location in Atwater in 2001, later expanding to Mariposa in 2009 and Merced in 2013, and is especially known for its pies, breads and pastries.
• A two-bedroom, two-bathroom home resembling a Greek temple at 2021 W St. in Merced is listed for sale at $1.95 million, drawing more than 5,000 views on Zillow within five days. At 2,609 square feet, the Greek-style home is priced at $747 per square foot — well above Merced’s median of $254 per square foot, and sits on a lot bordering Bear Creek and lined with Mediterranean cypress trees.
• A popular dessert spot has opened in Merced. After announcing plans to come to the city in March, Nothing Bundt Cakes is now serving up its handcrafted desserts to customers at its new location at 3522 G St. in the Yosemite North shopping center.
• A fire May 13 destroyed many of the Halloween decorations belonging to Harmony and Ken Anderson, a Merced couple whose annual Oregon Drive display draws thousands of trick-or-treaters each year. A GoFundMe page says the Andersons’ insurance was scheduled to take effect just days after the fire, and $1,700 had been raised toward a $15,000 goal as of Tuesday morning.
• The National Weather Service expects highs in Merced to hit the mid-90s starting Monday, with nine consecutive days of 90-degree temperatures forecast. Merced County cooling zones open June 1 and run through Oct. 31, offering air-conditioned indoor spaces, free bottled water and seating, with free transport available via The Bus within its service area.
• Of 20 Merced County businesses inspected from May 19-27, 17 received a “good” rating and three received “satisfactory,” with none receiving an unsatisfactory grade.
• Jonathan Mishael Bays was arrested Wednesday and charged with attempted murder after a samurai-style sword attack at Creekside Apartments in Mariposa that left 32-year-old Andrew Cooper in ICU at UC Davis Health.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.