Fresno County Supervisor Nathan Magsig stood toe to toe with Assembly member Joaquin Arambula Friday and didn't mince words. The topic was COVID-19 — including Arambula's concerns over the county's plans for spending pandemic funds and what he considers a lack of transparency. "Go back to Sacramento," Magsig said. "Empower...
Salons Want to Take Their Stalled Businesses Outside. Patterson Joins Push.
This is an update. The original story continues below. Their voices are unified. Their voices are unwavering. Sometimes, their voices cracked with emotions pent up after months of turmoil in their industry. Beauty and barbering professionals from across the state joined Fresno Assembly member Jim Patterson on a video call...
Owner Says She Will ‘Take a Stand’ After State Agency Hits Clovis Restaurant for Violation.
The owners of a popular Clovis restaurant say they will fight a citation they received from the state last week for serving customers in their indoor dining room. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered the shut down of indoor operations at restaurants as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise across the state....
Defiant Restaurant Owner Hires Top Attorney to Challenge Closure Orders
Dave Fansler says he's called the dining space at his Pismo's Coastal Grill restaurant a patio for well over a decade now. The Fresno County Health Department says it falls under the definition of indoor dining, which is prohibited under the state's COVID-19 emergency order. Fansler has continued to serve...
Ashley Swearengin Joins Caltrans for Virtual Town Hall on VMT Plan
The first words on the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR) virtual town hall announcement tell the story. "Taking full effect this summer, SB 743 will ensure that new development projects are built in a way that allows Californians to drive less." OPR and Caltrans will host the town...
VMT Opponents Say Plan Is Tax on Car-Driving Commuters
A coalition of 30 business and industry associations have asked Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay a controversial plan affecting new development for one year. Among the groups: the Southern California Leadership Council, LA County Economic Development Corp., California Business Roundtable, Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, and California Building Industry Association....
Bay Area Supervisor: ‘If You Don’t Wear a Face Mask, You Should Be Fined’
One Bay Area County Supervisor is so fed up with people not wearing face masks he thinks fines are now appropriate. San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa wrote a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom asking for guidance on how to enforce face mask requirements. Newsom announced the face mask order...
Mims Won’t Ask Deputies to Enforce Newsom Face Mask Order
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims says her deputies will not enforce Gov. Gavin Newsom's face covering requirement. "Not only do we not have the resources, I don't think that's appropriate," Mims told GV Wire℠ by phone on Monday morning. 6,000 Square Miles to Cover Mims says she has 20 deputies...
Fresno County Pushes Pause on Reopening Nail Salons, Tattoo Parlors
Nail salons, body waxing salons, and tattoo parlors can open soon in California, but in Fresno County, they'll have to wait two weeks. Late Thursday night, the state issued this guidance to county health directors: "Counties that are approved to progress further into the Resilience Roadmap can decide to open the...
Powerhouse SoCal Agency Urges Newsom: Delay VMT Law
A powerful Southern California government agency is asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay the controversial VMT law. The Southern California Association of Governments — which represents six counties and more than 19 million people — spoke of housing shortage concerns and immediate negative impacts on minorities. Making separate requests of...