The U.S. Food and Nutrition Service has announced new maximum payment amounts for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, set to take effect in October 2024. While most states and territories will see a slight increase, the changes are modest. For the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the maximum monthly...
Californians: Your Rent May Go Up Because of Rising Insurance Rates
Like single-family homeowners in California, landlords are facing higher insurance premiums, too. And they're passing along some of those costs to their tenants. Many insurance companies have stopped writing policies in the state because of increased wildfire risks, but that's not the only reason. They say in the case of...
With Patience and Craftsmanship, Ficklin Achieves Port Perfection at Madera Winery
The Ficklin family has been marching to the beat of a different drum — or should I say, stomping to the rhythm of a different grape — for over 75 years perfecting Port. Peter Ficklin is like Doc Brown with a DeLorean, except instead of traveling through time, he's bottling...
California’s Retail Crime Task Force Arrests Surge 106%, $7.2 Million in Stolen Goods Recovered
The California Highway Patrol achieved record progress in combating organized retail theft, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday. In July, the Organized Retail Crime Task Force conducted 128 investigations, resulting in 167 arrests — a 212% increase in investigations and a 106% rise in arrests from the previous month. Since January,...
10 Ex-Fresno Courthouse Workers Have Rare Cancers. Lawsuit Points to Underground Gas Station.
Many may not know, but there's a gas station beneath the Fresno County Courthouse. Now, the safety of that gas station and its underground storage tanks is under question. Fresno attorney Warren Paboojian has sued the county, saying his 10 clients —all of whom once worked at the courthouse —...
Area School Board Races Are Set: Who’s Competing and Who’s a Shoe-In?
About half of the Board of Education races in the Fresno area will be competitive in November's election, with two or more candidates in the field. That doesn't include the Fresno County Board of Education, where two incumbents and a newcomer are winners already, since they are the only candidates....
Swipe Culture vs. Genuine Connection: The Millennial Dilemma in Modern Dating
Millennials are the bridge between two tech eras. We remember the days of dial-up internet and corded phones, and now we’re living with powerful computers in our pockets. We don’t even have to leave our beds to make new friends — just a swipe to the right and we’re chatting...
16-Year-Old Charged in July 6 Homicide of Madera Teen at Quinceañera
A 16-year-old boy was charged this week with the murder of 13-year-old Jacob Munoz, who was fatally stabbed during a fight outside a quinceañera celebration on July 6, the Madera Police Department reported on Thursday. The suspect, identified as a person of interest early in the investigation, was initially taken...
A Rarely Seen Deep Sea Fish Is Found in California, and Scientists Want to Know Why
SAN DIEGO — A rarely seen deep sea fish resembling a serpent was found floating dead on the ocean surface off the San Diego coast and was brought ashore for study, marine experts said. The silvery, 12-foot-long (3.6-meter) oarfish was found last weekend by a group of snorkelers and kayakers...
‘Hollywood Squares’ Host and Broadway Star Peter Marshall Dies at 98
LOS ANGELES — Peter Marshall, the actor and singer turned game show host who played straight man to the stars for 16 years on “The Hollywood Squares,” has died. He was 98. Died Thursday of Kidney Failure He died Thursday of kidney failure at his home in the Encino neighborhood...