When Fresno County moved into the "red tier" of California's COVID-19 containment blueprint on Tuesday, it allowed many shuttered businesses to reopen. But not all. The loosening of restrictions comes on the heels of a rally last Thursday at Fresno City Hall, where a number of business owners gathered to...
Police Reform Panel Struggles to Keep Everyone on the Same Page as Deadline Nears
A virtual meeting of the Fresno Commission for Police Reform turned into more than 5 hours of back and forth bickering about rules Monday night that ultimately led to the tabling of many recommendations up for discussion. For example, the panel's subcommittee on police oversight produced 29 recommendations, but the full...
Fresno Asks Governor to Let Restaurants Open Indoors
Members of the Fresno City Council listened to impassioned pleas from the business community Thursday before voting to pass a resolution asking Governor Gavin Newsom to allow restaurants to reopen indoors "as soon as possible." The resolution, which takes effect immediately (Garry Bredefeld & Nelson Esparza voted no), contained three...
At Least 8 City Employees Have Tested Positive for COVID, Records Show
At least eight Fresno city employees have contracted COVID-19, according to mandatory notices sent by the city's personnel department. GV Wire viewed eight notices sent between Aug. 7 and Aug. 27. The city would not confirm whether the notices represent the total number of employees who have tested positive for...
‘I Have to Fight’: Fresno Salon Owner Opens Doors in Defiance of State
After weeks of waiting, stress, and lots of anxiety, Tanya Alvarado opened her Tower District salon Tuesday. Nestled into a small space near Olive Avenue and North Van Ness Ave., 'Salon Posh' had its lights on, and people walking by were taking notice. Alvarado's first client arrived around 10 a.m....
Donations Help Local Hospital Workers With Childcare, Other Urgent Needs
The last several weeks have been exceptionally hard on Community Medical Centers staff as COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the Central Valley. At one point last week, over 200 employees either had the virus or were in precautionary self-isolation. That number is now down to 116 but the demands...
Fresno Demolished Its Historic Library. Will Clovis Follow Suit?
The 106-year-old Carnegie Library building in Clovis could be demolished to make way for new offices for the city's Chamber of Commerce. It is the last remaining library building in Fresno County out of four originally built with grants from industrialist and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie at the turn of the...
Arambula Uses Facebook Live Town Hall to Battle Fresno County Supervisors
A battle of approaches is playing out in Fresno County over how COVID-19 money is used. And, the fight is being waged in hallways of public buildings and through mainstream and social media while lives hang in the balance at crowded hospitals and ICU units. On one side, the Fresno...
Owner Relents on Indoor Dining, Erects Tent Outside Restaurant’s Front Door
After hitting an impasse with city and county officials over the operation of his northwest Fresno restaurant, the owner of Pismo's Coastal Grill confirmed he's stopped offering indoor dining and will focus on getting folks outside. "We're starting tent patio dining tomorrow (Friday)," Dave Fansler said in a text message. Multiple...
Fresno City Council Adopts VMT Plan Despite Unknown Costs, Impacts
The prospect of the state mandating how Fresno decides future growth prompted council members to choose their own path to implement a controversial law Thursday. "I think everybody knows that Sacramento develops laws and tries to (push) a one size fits all (approach)," said Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez. "But...