Paul Dictos' moral streak is as straight as a ruler and as strong as steel. He doesn't bend. He doesn't capitulate. And, at age 74, he still calls on an inexhaustible reservoir of outrage to right the wrongs of government. All the more unusual: Dictos is the government. He is...
New Bitwise Building Art Has a Name: Beige Against the Machine
(Update, 3/08/18: This story now includes a quote from the artist.) Motorists headed to downtown Fresno on Highway 41 may have noticed a stunningly painted building at 2600 Ventura Street. The design is a tessellation of black-outlined hexagons. The patterns lie on top of a wash of colors, with each...
60 Years Later, a High School Diploma for Fresno's King of the Road
The newest recipient of a Fresno High School diploma has quite a story to tell. He's mowed lawns, delivered newspapers and pumped brands of gas you don't see anymore: at a Signal station on Broadway and a Norwalk on Belmont Avenue. He also served a hitch in the U.S. Army, founded...
Who Do You Love to Hate More, LA or SF? Resentments May Decide Governor's Race.
Which city — San Francisco or Los Angeles — do you love to hate more? This is shaping up to be California’s question for 2018. Each of the top contenders for governor is a former mayor of one of those cities, and each embodies certain grievances about his hometown. And...
2018 Election? Rep. Denham Beams With Confidence.
Congressman Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) serves on three committees perfect for a Valley congressman: transportation, agriculture and natural resources. When Take 5 met Denham recently at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, it was no surprise that those were the topics of discussion. Denham answered questions on: His views on the...
Despite Newsom's Name Recognition, He's Slow to Win Over Voters
In his Tuesday, Feb. 20 column, CALmatters' Dan Walters sizes up California's gubernatorial election as a two-man, "down to the wire" race. The two leading candidates are Democrats, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and they are running neck-and-neck in the most recent Public Policy...
Despite Newsom's Name Recognition, He's Slow to Win Over Voters
In his Tuesday, Feb. 20 column, CALmatters' Dan Walters sizes up California's gubernatorial election as a two-man, "down to the wire" race. The two leading candidates are Democrats, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and they are running neck-and-neck in the most recent Public Policy...
Another Harry Armstrong? If We Could Only Be That Lucky
They teach you right away in the news business to never say "never." But I write with complete confidence that there will never be another politician like William "Harry" Armstrong. Most of that is because of Harry. A little of it is because of changing times. Armstrong took the long...
Another Harry Armstrong? If We Could Only Be That Lucky
They teach you right away in the news business to never say "never." But I write with complete confidence that there will never be another politician like William "Harry" Armstrong. Most of that is because of Harry. A little of it is because of changing times. Armstrong took the long...
Would Delivery Drones Spare the Valley's Dirty Air?
There are more than 1 million drones registered in the U.S. Most of them belong to people flying them for fun, but a growing number are used commercially. Companies including Amazon, UPS, Google and DHL are already exploring ways to deliver packages with drones instead of trucks. Our new research...