Whether it be housing or commercial real estate, economic slowdowns stifled growth in Fresno County in 2024. But after years of declines, experts expect a turnaround soon. The Fresno County Economic Development Corporation brought out a panel of experts to discuss housing construction and sales, major commercial real estate purchases,...
First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close
California's effort to have no new gas-powered vehicles sold in the state by 2035 is beginning, and it requires 35% of all 2026 models sold this year to be zero-emission. Dealers say they aren't close to fulfilling the mandate for zero-emission vehicles and are nervously wondering what the future holds...
Madera County Deputies Search for Person Reported With Firearm
Deputies responded Friday afternoon to reports of a person walking with a firearm near Lanes Bridge Drive and Avenue 10, according to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office. The individual was described as wearing a dark shirt, khaki pants and boots. Deputies conducted an extensive search of the area but were...
Fresno Council Calls for Clarity on Sprawl Tax, Delays Decision
With a few questions still unanswered, Fresno City Council decided Thursday to put off a decision on a tax controlling outward growth until Oct. 30. The council got its first public look at a plan three years in the making that's intended to reduce how much people need to drive....
Dinuba Man Sentenced to 24 Years in Prison for Serial Sexual Assaults
A 61-year-old Dinuba man was sentenced Friday to 24 years in prison after pleading no contest to multiple sexual assaults involving more than 30 victims over nearly a decade, prosecutors said. Tomas Jimenez, a popular masseuse and self-described “healer,” assaulted more than 30 women and two men between 2015 and...
Trump Commutes Prison Sentence of Former Lawmaker George Santos, Orders Him Released
President Donald Trump on Friday commuted the more than seven-year prison sentence of former U.S. Representative George Santos for fraud and identity theft, ordering his immediate release. Santos, who was expelled from Congress after a brief, scandal-plagued tenure, had pleaded guilty to inflating fundraising figures and falsifying donor names to...
Lawmakers Demand Release of Firebaugh Woman Detained by ICE in Fresno
Maria Francisca Villanueva Caballero was attempting to take the path to become a legal resident of the United States. But when Caballero, 49, a Firebaugh resident, was attending a meeting at the downtown Fresno federal immigration office on Oct. 8, ICE agents arrested her, advocates say. She is being held...
Fresno Police Arrest Man in Father’s Death
Fresno police have arrested a man in connection with the death of his 90-year-old father after a reported physical altercation at their northeast Fresno home. Officers were dispatched Thursday at approximately 8:10 p.m. to a residence near Barton and Quincy avenues following a 911 call from Perry Michael Huffman, 69,...
California Takes Action Against Plastic Bag Makers Over Recycling Claims
The state of California announced a lawsuit against three major plastic bag producers and reached a settlement with four other manufacturers on Friday after concluding an investigation into their false claims that these bags were recyclable. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against Novolex Holdings LLC, Inteplast Group...
Prince Andrew: The British Royal Brought Down by Scandal
Once widely reputed to be Queen Elizabeth's favorite son and feted as a dashing young military officer, Britain's Prince Andrew will now always be seen in the public eye as the royal who was accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl. Andrew, 65, said on Friday he would give up...
Fresno Police Seek Public’s Help Locating Missing 75-Year-Old Man
Fresno police are asking for the public’s help locating Leland Hubbard, 75, who was last seen on Oct. 12 around 2 p.m. near Barstow and Brawley avenues. His intended destination is unknown. Hubbard is described as 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds. He was last seen wearing...
Fresno’s Police and Fire Chaplains: Comfort in Dire Times
The Fresno City Council on Thursday recognized the volunteer group of chaplains who ride alongside the city's police and fire departments staffers, offering comfort and prayer to both citizens and first responders. Fresno City Council President Mike Karbassi said the roughly 50 volunteers who accompany the Fresno Police and Fire...