May is upon us, and it is not an exaggeration to say that nearly all of us have spent much of this spring transfixed by the escalating number of COVID-19 cases, as well as keeping a vigilant watch for any possible sign of infection: a new cough, a sore throat,...
Bipartisan Valley Support for Borgeas’ Effort on COVID Lawsuit Immunity
Central Valley lawmakers are making a bipartisan effort to provide immunity for all California businesses and their employees from COVID-19 lawsuits. Thirteen representatives from the Assembly and state Senate are urging Gov. Gavin Newsom to use executive action to provide immunity. "We must protect businesses and their employees, complying with...
Merced Infant Tests Positive for COVID-19 as Infections in Children Rise
A five-month-old child in Merced County has tested positive for COVID-19, health officials said Wednesday. It's the county's first infant-related infection and the health department is expressing concern about an uptick in the number of children contracting the disease. “It is crucial that we protect the vulnerable populations in our...
Arias Has More to Say About Defending His Family From Bergquam
Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias released this statement Wednesday evening about the Tuesday night confrontation at his downtown condominium with conservative activist Ben Bergquam: "Yesterday afternoon, as my two kids slept, the safety of our home was violated by a dozen out-of-town individuals led by Sanger resident Ben Bergquam, a...
CVS Health Subsidiary Settles Opioids Case With $15.3M Penalty
Omnicare Inc., a subsidiary of CVS Health, has agreed to pay a $15.3 million civil penalty to resolve allegations that it violated federal law by allowing opioids and other controlled substances to be dispensed without a valid prescription, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott said Wednesday in Sacramento. “Failure to control access...
He Never Attended Fresno State, but His $4.66M Bequest Will Boost Wine, Irrigation Efforts
Contributed by Fresno State News Donald Emil Gumz was a Valley native, who like many lifelong residents, had a love and passion for the region, including Fresno State. He came from a family of grape farmers but worked with numbers, in an accounting career that started with a local entrepreneur...
Beware of Fake Letter Saying COVID Tests Required for Public Benefits
There's a fake letter, as well as false social media posts, going around targeting Californians receiving public assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interim Fresno County Health Officer Dr. Rais Vohra, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke, and other Central Valley public officials are warning residents that the letter is fake. In...
COVID-19 Test Sites Open in Dinuba, Porterville
The state's new free COVID-19 testing sites at the Dinuba and Porterville memorial buildings have started taking appointments. "The safety of our residents is always our top priority," said Dr. Karen Haught, Tulare County's health officer. "Every precaution is being taken to protect people who are going to be screened...
COVID-19 Outbreaks at Food Plants in Tulare, Kings Counties
More than 100 employees have tested positive for the coronavirus at two food-processing facilities in Tulare County, health officials said. At least 107 employees at two Ruiz Foods facilities in Dinuba and Tulare have tested positive for the virus, the Visalia Times-Delta reported Tuesday. More Than Half of Kings Cases Tied...
Prisons Killing Spree Includes Merced County Murderer
Four California inmates were killed at three state prisons, including two at a facility north of Bakersfield a day apart, corrections department officials said Monday. “They're all unrelated,” said department spokeswoman Terry Thornton. Officials say two inmates fatally stabbed Michael M. Ramadanovic, 65, on Friday at High Desert State Prison in...