Merced County’s top stories this week. Here’s what to know
From a beloved burger joint’s poll victory to a wildfire near San Luis Reservoir, Merced County saw plenty of news over the past week. Federal funding, holiday weather and a housing partnership also made headlines.
Here are key takeaways:
- Butch’s Drive-In in Dos Palos won the Best of Merced County burger poll with 46% of 89 votes, well ahead of second-place In-N-Out Burger at 13%. The Dos Palos restaurant at 2625 Blossom St. has operated since 1966, when it was opened by “Butch” Anderson and his father. It still serves burgers, shakes and sundaes from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
- Merced College received $1.5 million in federal funding to expand its Hawk Regional Training Center for fire training, awarded through HUD’s Community Project Funding program. Phase II of the training center will enhance hands-on training for students and fire professionals, and the college’s fire programs recently earned State Fire Training accreditation.
- High temperatures will peak Saturday for the Fourth of July after mild late-June conditions, with highs staying in the 90s through the following week, the National Weather Service says. Merced County has opened cooling zones at branch libraries, offering air-conditioned spaces and free bottled water to help residents escape the heat.
- The Promise Housing project, a partnership between Merced College and UC Merced, will provide affordable housing to transfer students starting January 2027 with 488 beds at a $100 million budget. Rent at the fully furnished, all-inclusive housing will cover utilities and internet. Merced College students living there won’t be required to transfer to UC Merced.
- The Point Fire near San Luis Reservoir grew to about 650 acres and reached 65% containment by Thursday morning, with 154 Cal Fire personnel responding.
- Liberty Market in Livingston received an unsatisfactory rating of 29 points during a June 29 inspection for excessive flies in the meat department, meat splatter on equipment and improper refrigeration temperatures.