Election fraud does not pay, as 30-year-old April Atilano learned last week in Madera County Superior Court. Judge Michael Jerkovich sentenced Atilano to 364 days in the county jail and three years' probation April 9. She previously pleaded guilty to six counts of election fraud. According to the Madera County...
10 COVID-19 Deaths at Visalia Nursing Home. Will It Be Evacuated?
Ten COVID-19 deaths have now been reported at a Valley nursing home and officials say an evacuation is possible. Redwood Springs Healthcare Center confirmed two additional deaths at the Visalia facility on Thursday. It's the largest publicly reported nursing home outbreak in California Evacuation a 'Worst Case Scenario' Spokesman Dave Oates told...
Fresno Community Leaders Share Tips on Defeating COVID
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, fire chief Kerri Donis, Assemblyman Dr. Joaquin Arambula, and other leaders provide tips on staying safe during the COVID-19 outbreak in a new community service announcement. All of the participants were sheltering in place and utilized teleconferencing to shoot the video. Pastor DJ Criner and Fresno...
Patterson Blasts EDD for Slow Handling of Unemployment Claims
Since mid-March, 2.7 million Californians have filed for unemployment benefits — more than all of the claims California processed in 2019 combined. The state's Employment Development Department has been overwhelmed, causing delays for many people seeking assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. “The people in Sacramento are making promises, and the...
Kern County Jail Aide Arrested for Conspiring With Inmates
The Kern County Sheriff's Office arrested one of its own in connection with an alleged criminal conspiracy at the Lerdo pre-trial jail. The office announced the April 9 arrest of sheriff’s aide Erik Belmontes, 26, on Tuesday. Bail Set at $110,000 Belmontes faces multiple charges. They include bringing illegal drugs and...
Feds Cut Water to Exchange Contractors, Wildlife Refuges
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced a water allocation update Monday and it had disappointing news for some San Joaquin Valley farmers, as well as wildlife refuges. The San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors saw their allocation cut from February's announced 100% to 75%, which is their contract minimum. Wildlife refuges...
Madera County Shooter Agrees to 9 Years in Prison
A Madera man who shot two people in the Fresno River has agreed to a plea deal with a nine-year prison term and will be sentenced May 11. According to the Madera County District Attorney's Office, Salomon Barragon Velez shot one person in the foot and one in the leg on...
Will Today Be California’s COVID-19 Peak?
The University of Washington's coronavirus projection model indicates that California will experience peak demand for critical hospital resources today. The projection is based on the assumption that California keeps its social-distancing orders in place through May. California Has Enough Beds, ICU Units The university's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation project...
Shooting at Bakersfield Party Leaves 6 Hospitalized. Deputies Looking for Four Suspects.
A mass shooting at a Bakersfield party sent six victims to the hospital early Saturday. Four suspects are at large, the Kern County Sheriff's Department said. Deputies responding to the to scene at an apartment complex just after midnight said the party was large. Deputies were alerted to the shooting...
Rabbi Zirkind: This Year, Passover Is Solo but Not Alone
Throughout our Jewish history, Passover was traditionally celebrated, with family and community Seders. This year, we find ourselves in a new predicament. We are fighting an enemy that cannot even be seen. Our world has been brought to a halt with COVID-19. The coronavirus has shut down all schools, houses...