Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

3 days ago

Trump Says He’s Willing to Let Migrant Farm Laborers Stay in US

3 days ago

US Electric Vehicle Tax Breaks Will Expire on Sept. 30

3 days ago

Eyeing Arctic Dominance, Trump Bill Earmarks $8.6 Billion for US Coast Guard Icebreakers

4 days ago

Trump’s Sweeping Tax-Cut and Spending Bill Wins Congressional Approval

4 days ago

Americans Celebrate Their Independence With Record-Breaking Travel Numbers

4 days ago

US Supreme Court to Decide Legality of Transgender School Sports Bans

4 days ago

Nvidia Set to Become the World’s Most Valuable Company in History

4 days ago

Poll: 41% in US ‘Extremely Proud’ to Be American, Near Historic Low

4 days ago
Gov. Newsom Appoints New Judges in Fresno, Madera Counties
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 2 years ago on
March 30, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Fresno court commissioner has received a promotion.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Commissioner Amythest Freeman as a full judge, his office announced Thursday.

David Taub

Politics 101

Freeman, a Democrat, served as a commissioner since last year. While a judge and commissioner essentially have the same authority, a judge is appointed by the governor and/or elected, while a commissioner is hired by the court to help out with caseloads.

She will serve in a new judicial seat created last year, increasing the Fresno County bench to 46 positions. There is at least one vacancy after Rosemary McGuire retired in January. Another open position is expected soon, when Judge Jon Kapetan’s retirement becomes official.

This is the 11th Newsom appointment for a vacant Fresno County position.

Prior to joining the bench, Freeman served as a senior deputy district attorney in Fresno County from 2003-2022. She prosecuted domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

She earned a Juris Doctor degree from San Joaquin College of Law. A bio on the SJCL website says she was the first in her family to attend college. Setting an example for her two young sons inspired her to attend law school.

All California Superior Court judges earn a $231,174 base salary. She will be up for election in 2024.

Enos Appointed to Madera County Judgeship

Brian Enos Portrait
Brian Enos

Newsom also announced the appointment of Brian Enos to the Madera County Superior Court. He comes from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Fresno, where he has served since 2005.

He was a senior associate attorney at Sagaser, Franson & Jones from 2000 to 2005 and an associate at Kimble, MacMichael & Upton from 1998 to 2000. Enos earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Enos fills a new position created on July 1, 2022. He is a Democrat.

 

Also in Politics 101 …

  • Fresno dispatchers win big raises.
  • New Coca-Cola plant approved.

Dispatchers Get a Raise

Fresno police dispatchers will receive a 14%-19% raise.

The Fresno City Council approved the new compensation with a 6-0 vote on Thursday. Mayor Jerry Dyer said that Fresno dispatchers will be the highest paid in the Central Valley.

“This will change the future of our dispatch center,” Dyer said.

The raises have several goals, including retaining and recruiting new dispatchers. More dispatchers will mean fewer unanswered 911 calls, Dyer said.

At full strength, there are 114 dispatchers and supervisors. Dyer said there are currently 14 vacancies.

Dyer hopes that giving raises to dispatchers replicates what happened last year when the city council made police officers the highest paid in the Central Valley — a nearly full-staffed department.

The raises will cost taxpayers $1.2 million a year.

“I don’t see it as a cost. I see it as an investment,” Dyer said.

Coca-Cola Plant Approved

The Fresno City Council approved a proposed Coca-Cola distribution plant in south Fresno after Councilman Miguel Arias won assurances of environmental improvements.

After winning approval from the planning commission in February, Arias appealed the decision — as is the right of councilmembers. He wanted the builder to work out issues with concerned neighbors represented by environmental groups.

The facility will include solar, electric vehicles, and an area within the plant for vehicles to wait while picking up and dropping off workers.

There are still some things that Arias wants hammered out, including a dedicated truck route in and out of the plant, and a maximum of two minutes for trucks to idle.

The city council approved the plant, 7-0.

A rendering of a proposed Coca-Cola distribution plant in south Fresno. (City of Fresno)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

DON'T MISS

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

DON'T MISS

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

DON'T MISS

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

DON'T MISS

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

DON'T MISS

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

DON'T MISS

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

DON'T MISS

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

DON'T MISS

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

UP NEXT

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

UP NEXT

Trump to Sign Tax-Cut and Spending Bill in July 4 Ceremony

UP NEXT

Madre Fire Spurs Evacuations Across 3 Counties, Grows to More Than 70,000 Acres

UP NEXT

Clovis, Sanger, Madera, and Bass Lake Will Light the Sky With Fireworks Shows Tonight

UP NEXT

Oil Dips Ahead of Expected OPEC+ Output Increase

UP NEXT

613 Killed at Gaza Aid Distribution Sites, Near Humanitarian Covoys, Says UN

UP NEXT

Fresno County Authorities Investigating Suspicious Death of Transient Man

UP NEXT

West Bank Town Becomes ‘Big Prison’ as Israel Fences It In

UP NEXT

Israeli Military Kills 20 in Gaza as Trump Awaits Hamas Reply to Truce Proposal

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Rachelle Maria Blanco

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing

10 hours ago

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

16 hours ago

Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

16 hours ago

Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US

16 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

16 hours ago

Musk Announces Forming of ‘America Party’ in Further Break From Trump

16 hours ago

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 59, Including 21 Children

16 hours ago

California’s Politics Drifts Right While New York’s Leans Left

17 hours ago

How Trump’s ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ Will Make China Great Again

2 days ago

What’s Caitlin Clark Worth to the WNBA? A Lot More Than Her $78,066 Salary.

2 days ago

TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected US Sale, the Information Reports

TikTok is building a new version of its app for users in the United States ahead of a planned sale of the app to a group of investors, The I...

9 hours ago

A logo is displayed over a door at the U.S. headquarters of the social media company TikTok in Culver City, California, U.S. January 17, 2025. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected US Sale, the Information Reports

Boxes of aid are stacked as Gaza Humanitarian Foundation said it has commenced operations to begin distribution of aid, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, May 26, 2025. (Reuters File)
9 hours ago

Hamas Government Office Rejects US Accusation of Involvement in Gaza Aid Site Attack

A volunteer searches for flood victims after deadly flooding in Kerr County, Texas, U.S., July 6, 2025. REUTERS/Sergio Flores
10 hours ago

Death Toll From Texas Floods Reaches 78, Trump Plans Visit

Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as US President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, DC, U.S. on November 13, 2024. (Reuters File)
10 hours ago

Trump Calls Musk’s Formation of New Party “Ridiculous” and Confusing

A 22-year-old suspected DUI driver crashed into a parked CHP motorcycle and tow truck on Highway 99 near Fresno, narrowly missing an officer and bystanders, CHP said Saturday, July 5, 2025. (CHP)
16 hours ago

Fresno DUI Driver Slams Into CHP Motorcycle, Tow Truck on Highway 99

A service member of a drone unit of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo of the Ukrainian Armed Forces controls a heavy combat drone while it flies over positions of Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Donetsk Region, Ukraine June 12, 2025. (Reuters File)
16 hours ago

Russia Downs 120 Ukrainian Drones Overnight, Defense Ministry Says

An Israeli tank maneuvers in Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, July 6, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
16 hours ago

Israel Sends Delegation to Qatar for Gaza Talks Ahead of Netanyahu Trip to US

The Madre Fire near New Cuyama has burned nearly 80,000 acres as of Sunday, July 6, 2025, morning, prompting widespread evacuation orders and warnings across three counties. (CalFire)
16 hours ago

San Luis Obispo’s Madre Fire Grows to Nearly 80,000 Acres, 30% Contained

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend