Author Garth Stapley Garth Stapley is the accountability reporter for The Modesto Focus, a project of the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Contact Stapley at garth@cvlocaljournalism.org. Garth's Latest Articles Further investigation into Modesto district board member in limbo after caustic meeting By Garth Stapley ● News ● February 19, 2026 State ethics enforcers to look into Modesto Irrigation District’s Larry Byrd for voting on own investigation By Garth Stapley ● News ● February 10, 2026 Modesto Irrigation director, accused of stealing water, blames political conspiracy By Garth Stapley ● News ● September 26, 2025
