August 20, 2025 LOS BANOS, CA – With no City Council meeting held this week, the focus in Los Banos has shifted to the upcoming special election in District 1, progress on major infrastructure and housing projects, and preparations for an important veterans support event taking place tomorrow.
Veterans Stand Down Returns August 21
Los Banos will host its first Veterans Stand Down in several years on Thursday, August 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Hall at the Fairgrounds. The one-day event is designed to assist local veterans—particularly those facing homelessness or hardship—with free meals, hygiene kits, clothing, medical and mental health screenings, and access to housing, legal, and benefit services.
The event is modeled after the military “stand down” tradition, offering a temporary refuge for veterans in crisis. Organizers say no proof of military service is required to participate, and all veterans are welcome. The event is being supported by numerous local groups including VFW Post 2487, American Legion Post 166, AMVETS, the Los Banos Elks Lodge, and a wide network of volunteers and medical providers.
County veterans officials say the event is a critical outreach opportunity that could provide a gateway to longer-term support. With Los Banos facing rising housing insecurity and homelessness, the Stand Down is expected to draw significant community involvement.
District 1 Election Nears as Financial Disclosure Questions Resurface
Voter turnout remains low ahead of the August 26 special all-mail election for the District 1 City Council seat. As of midweek, only a fraction of registered voters had returned their ballots. The seat, vacated by Kenneth Lambert earlier this year, is being contested by two candidates: Mitzy Perez, who is focused on managed growth and infrastructure, and Kalid “Virriy” Sanchez, a small business owner running on a platform of community-based services.
The campaign has grown contentious following renewed scrutiny of Sanchez’s financial disclosures. According to reporting from The Enterprise and The Westside Express, Sanchez failed to list two trust deeds connected to a dispute over back rent on a commercial lease—an omission that government ethics experts say should have been disclosed as indebtedness on her Form 700, the state-mandated financial disclosure form required of candidates and public officials.
Sanchez has defended the omission, arguing that the unpaid rent stems from a breach-of-contract issue and is not a reportable debt. Nonetheless, the incident has raised broader questions in Los Banos about transparency and potential conflicts of interest. The race remains close and will likely influence City Council decisions on housing, economic development, and public services in the months ahead. Ballots must be returned or postmarked by Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
City Expands Transitional Housing Efforts for the Unhoused
Los Banos continues to make headway in its approach to homelessness, following the rollout of a managed encampment site near the police station. The temporary “tent city” now includes running water, restrooms, waste disposal, and routine monitoring by code enforcement and police. City officials say the effort has brought order and improved public health conditions in the area.
The city’s longer-term plan includes constructing a modular bridge housing site in the coming months and completing the One Tree Village tiny home project by mid-2026. That project will include 58 small housing units funded through a $12 million state grant awarded in 2024. Local nonprofits and religious organizations continue to provide services on site, and early feedback from residents has been cautiously optimistic.
Mayor Michael Amabile has described the effort as a “stepping stone” toward permanent housing, aimed at stabilizing lives while longer-term solutions are built.
Senior Housing Project Moves Forward
The Merced County Housing Authority released additional details this week about its planned senior housing development in Los Banos. The project will consist of newly constructed, stick-built one-bedroom homes for low-income seniors and is expected to break ground within the next year.
The development is part of a regional push to expand affordable housing options for aging residents. While the specific site has not been finalized, officials say the homes will be designed for independent living and built to modern standards using state and federal housing funds. Local leaders have expressed support for the project, citing the growing need for senior housing as Los Banos’s population continues to rise.
Highway 152 Lane Closures Begin as Reservoir Project Advances
Drivers are already feeling the effects of a long-anticipated infrastructure project along Highway 152. Construction has begun on the expansion of the B.F. Sisk Dam at San Luis Reservoir, requiring intermittent lane closures near Pacheco Pass. Caltrans has implemented one-way traffic controls in some sections and is advising commuters to prepare for delays.
The dam expansion is part of a broader effort to increase California’s water storage capacity in preparation for future droughts. However, local leaders have raised concerns about the impact on traffic, particularly for Los Banos residents who commute west over the pass. There is growing support for additional infrastructure investment, including long-proposed improvements to Pioneer Road and other regional connectors.
Local Business Developments Continue
Construction is now underway at Stonecreek Plaza for a Dutch Bros Coffee and Ono Hawaiian BBQ, both of which are expected to open later this fall. The dual openings mark continued progress at the westside retail center. Meanwhile, new downtown businesses including JAMS@209 and Blue Agave have drawn steady crowds since opening earlier this summer.
Economic development officials report that Los Banos has issued over 500 new business licenses in the past year. While many are small businesses, interest from larger chains and healthcare providers is also growing, with more announcements expected later this year.
