Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer is not ruling out a future in politics. “I’ve never shut a door on anything. But I do know at the present time, I’m very happy serving as the police chief," Dyer told GV Wire. "There is a lot of work left to do. I...
Fresno Unified Has Attendance Problem … On Bond Oversight Committee
Voters in Fresno Unified have entrusted the school board with more than a half-billion dollars in bond money. Measure Q passed in 2010 for $280 million. Measure X passed in 2016 for $225 million. Both bonds have an oversight board to make sure the construction funds are spent appropriately. The...
The 2020 Mayoral Race Is On. Brand Cashes First Campaign Check.
The Fresno City Council changed the city’s campaign finance law March 8, removing time limits for candidates to start collecting contributions. While it was moot for the 2018 race, it impacts future races. Technically, the law begins April 8. But that hasn’t stopped Mayor Lee Brand from accepting his first donation for...
National Dems Vow to 'Retire' Congressmen Valadao and Nunes
In the wake of a tight special election for an open congressional seat in Pennsylvania, the Democrats are targeting David Valadao (R-Hanford) and Devin Nunes (R-Tulare). The Pennsylvania race between Democrat Conor Lamb, a former Marine, and Republican candidate Rick Saccone showed Lamb leading by 641 votes, with some absentee ballots...
School Shooting Protests Planned, But Students Discouraged from Skipping Class
The three largest school districts serving Fresno say they support the First Amendment, but warn students there are consequences if they skip class in protest. Wednesday is the scheduled National Walkout Day to remember the 17 victims killed in the school shooting Feb. 14 in Parkland, Florida. According to Fresno...
Fired Superintendent Sutton Thanks His Central Unified Supporters
In a meeting to decide Central Unified's interim leader, about 80 parents, teachers and students made it clear that they wanted Mark Sutton reinstated as superintendent. Eight spoke during 20 minutes of public comment, and all had a similar message: Bring back Sutton. But they also had a fallback position....
Central Unified Parents Ramp Up Support for Deposed Sutton
The support for deposed Central Unified Superintendent Mark Sutton appears strong. A private Facebook group called “Central United” consists of more than 1,200 members, mainly those from the Central Unified community. Some of the posts discuss the most recent boys' basketball championship. Most deal with the Sutton aftermath. Some are...
Anger & Surprise Over Sutton's Firing at Central
Central High School experienced the polarity of emotions on campus Tuesday (Feb. 27) night. At the gym, the boys’ basketball team experienced a thrilling playoff victory over Sunnyside. About an hour before that final buzzer, anger and sadness cast upon the auditorium on the other side of campus. The school...
Central Unified Fires Superintendent Sutton
Amid an angry group of parents, the Central Unified school board voted 4-3 to dismiss Superintendent Mark Sutton at its meeting Tuesday (Feb. 27) night. It is a case of déjà vu for Sutton. Prior to taking over as Central's superintendent in August 2015, he was dismissed by the Selma...
Janz Wins State Dems Endorsement in Nunes Battle
For the second time, Andrew Janz is the Democrats' choice for Congress. The Fresno County Deputy District Attorney initially won his party’s recommendation during the pre-endorsement conference in January. Others objected to that result, forcing the final decision at this past weekend’s party convention in San Diego. The Los Angeles...