Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) is known for fighting for issues he strongly believes in, but his efforts are usually greeted in Sacramento with partisan indifference. Whether it's his pro-life stances or water rights issues, Patterson uses his bullhorn, but few Democrats listen. But now Patterson has found an issue Democrats...
Can New Central Superintendent Alvarado Heal the District?
Central Unified didn’t have to look far to fill its superintendent position. The school district announced the hiring of Andy Alvarado, currently the superintendent of Golden Valley Unified in Madera Ranchos. The board approved his hiring on 5-2 votes in closed and open sessions Tuesday night. Board President Cesar Granda...
Nunes Attacks Fresno Bee. Paper Stands By Its Reporting.
Devin Nunes took to YouTube to launch an attack ad on The Fresno Bee. The congressman representing parts of Fresno and Tulare counties is upset over a May 24 story about a winery he invested in, Alpha Omega. According to The Bee, Alpha Omega was subject to a lawsuit over...
The Great Fresno Cop Debate: 1,000 or 900 Officers?
When he campaigned for mayor two years ago, Lee Brand often cited 1,000 sworn officers as the goal for the Fresno Police Department. Listen to any of his recent speeches, like during a recent campaign fundraiser, and his goal remains 1,000 officers. Does Chief Jerry Dyer agree that 1,000 is...
Will New Central Unified Superintendent Be Hired Saturday?
Central Unified could hire a new superintendent as soon as Saturday (June 9). The school board will hold a special morning meeting with a sole item: discussing the superintendent in closed session. A source with knowledge of the situation tells GV Wire that approximately five candidates will be interviewed, and...
What's in a Name? City Council District 7 Race Gets Down & Dirty
The name of a Fresno City Council candidate is now a campaign issue. Brian Whelan sent a mailer to voters, comparing himself to opponents Nelson Esparza and “Veva Islas-Hooker.” Except, Veva Islas doesn’t go by that name. She made a point to chastise Whelan on Facebook. According to the county...
Central Unified Secrets Revealed In Superintendent Firing
The Central Unified School District board, in closed session, voted against offering a one-year contract extension to its superintendent in January. Six weeks later, the trustees fired Mark Sutton. That is just one revelation found in nearly 1,000 pages of documents the district provided in response to a California Public...
Help Us, Trump! No State Gas Tax Aid for Veterans Boulevard
Advocates for building the Veterans Boulevard interchange in northwest Fresno have suffered a $23 million setback. Staff from the California Transportation Commission did not include the project among 27 proposals recommended for a total of $308.8 million in Senate Bill 1 funding Wednesday (April 25). “We are very disappointed. We thought...
Central Wants to Hire New Superintendent by July
Central Unified could hire a new superintendent by July. The school board will vote on a timeline to hire the full-time education chief at its Tuesday (April 24) meeting. The trustees are moving ahead with the process despite calls to wait until after the November election. There is community discontent...
Central Unified Recall Battle Grows. Terry Cox Is New Target.
There are now two separate recall efforts in Central Unified School District. While an advocacy group awaits the OK from the county clerk’s office for a recall of two Central Unified trustees associated with the firing of Superintendent Mark Sutton, a third trustee, Terry Cox, is the target of a...