A good idea can quickly become a bad idea if it isn't properly vetted and implemented. This is especially true when dealing with a controversial change that begs for stakeholder buy-in and clear communication with the people affected. And that brings us to Bullard High School principal Armen Torigian,...
Merced’s Top Cop Plans December Retirement After 37 Years in Law Enforcement
Merced Police Chief Thomas Cavallero says he plans to retire in December after 37 years in local law enforcement. "There never seems to be the right time to announce a retirement when you've committed your career to serve a community you believe in," said Cavallero, a former Merced County...
California’s Great Water Experiments Have Failed. It’s Time for Real Solutions.
As California’s prolonged drought continues, the state is at a crossroads. Recent headlines have been dominated by devastating wildfires and a growing number of the state’s poorest communities without water. These catastrophic conditions demand answers and solutions from our leaders. A recent report from the Public Policy Institute of...
Fresno Murderer Who Fled to Indiana Gets 40-Year Sentence
A man who fled to Indiana after committing a murder at a central Fresno apartment complex in 2020 was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison on Monday morning. Abel Echartea, 33, received the sentence for his second-degree shooting murder of Phillip Ozuna, 38, of Fresno on December...
RIP: Jack Hannah, 88, Fresno’s Singing Cowboy, Star Athlete & Coach, TV Pitchman
Valley legend Jack Hannah, a man of many hats, died on Sunday at the age of 88 after a brief illness his family said. Hannah starred in baseball at Fresno State before rising to Triple-A as a pro pitcher. As a coach, he turned Fresno's Hoover High School into...
Newsom Appoints Merced Man to State Lottery Commission
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Anthony Garrison-Engbrecht of Merced to the California State Lottery Commission on Thursday. Garrison-Engbrecht, 37, is the vice president of student life at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. He previously was senior advisor and chief of staff at UC Merced. This position requires Senate confirmation and...
Protesters: Proposed Rate Changes Are ‘Anti-Solar, Anti-Fresno Tax’
Clean energy advocates, solar workers, and community leaders are speaking out against a proposal that would raise solar energy costs. According to opponents, the changes would slow the growth of solar energy by charging households $78 per month to have solar on their roofs. Led by Kevin Hamilton, executive...
Can Infants Learn Math? A Program in Fresno Explores the Possibilities
EdSource reporter Ashleigh Panoo, who covers the Central Valley, has written a story about a state-backed pilot program exploring whether infants can learn math. The demonstration site for the California Early Math Initiative is the Lighthouse Child Development Center in downtown Fresno. As Panoo explains, the Fresno County Office...
UNFILTERED – State Surplus | Council President Responds To Extortion Charge | Measure C Update
Fresno City Councilmember Mike Karbassi hosts this week's show and discusses a number of topics including: the state surplus, City Council President Nelson Esparza, and Measure C. Tune in for “Unfiltered” every Tuesday night at 6 p.m. live on gvwire.com and Facebook. Download the Unfiltered Podcast here or on your favorite mobile app. Full Episode...
UNFILTERED – Roads or Buses? How Should $7 Billion In Local Taxes Be Spent?
In this week's episode, we discuss the proposed renewal of the Measure C transportation tax and where its funds will be spent. Special Guests: Tony Boren, Executive Director, Council of Governments Buddy Mendes, Chairperson, Fresno County Transportation Authority Mike Leonardo, Fresno County Transportation Authority Tune in for “Unfiltered” every Tuesday...