Complaints involving social distancing, being open during ordered closure, and price gouging hit Fresno businesses since the city declared a state of emergency on March 18. This list provided by City Hall includes all complaints, notices, and fines: Social Distancing Social distancing complaints: 576 Social distancing noticed/educated: 436 Social distancing...
Suspect Writes an Apology After Fresno Police Track Down Stolen Little League Property
A bit of digital sleuthing by the victim of a Little League building break-in helped police track down a couple of suspects. The ensuing events involved some nifty Facebook work, some boots on the ground police work, an American flag, and a handwritten apology letter from one of the suspects....
Kern Now Joins 4 Other Central Valley Counties in Seeking Delay of Controversial VMT Law
The Kern County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to approve a resolution asking Gov. Gavin Newsom to delay implementation of a controversial state environmental law. The counties of Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Merced have also called for a delay. Starting July 1st, housing construction projects will no longer be assessed a...
Los Angeles Leaders Want Unarmed Agencies Responding to Non-Violent Calls. Fresno Mayor Responds
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously on a new emergency response model to use non-law enforcement agencies to respond to non-violent calls for service. Council Member Herb Wesson writes on Facebook, "We have gone from asking the police to be part of the solution, to being the only solution for...
Over 300 Free COVID-19 Tests Done at NW Fresno Site
This COVID-19 test takes just over five minutes. Results come back in two or three days. Since opening May 13, the drive-up testing site at United Health Centers‘ Fresno location near Herndon and Milburn avenues has performed more than 300 COVID-19 tests. The cost of the test is covered by insurance. If...
Fresno Jobless Rate Doubles as Economy Reopening Accelerates
Unemployment in the city of Fresno more than doubled to 15.5% in April as the full force of COVID-19 business shutdowns took hold around the Valley and across the state. Fresno's unemployment rate exactly matched the statewide rate, while the Clovis unemployment rate to 13.0%. Over 37,000 city of Fresno...
Restaurants Can Reopen Now in Fresno County as State OKs Local Plan
All Fresno County restaurants can fully reopen now. The state Department of Public Health gave the green light to Fresno County's application to move further into reopening businesses under the state's Stage 2 economic roadmap. Hours earlier, the city of Fresno announced its plan to rescind its shelter-in-place ordinance —...
Valley Faith-Based Nonprofits Hurt by COVID-19 Get $100K Boost
More than $100,000 has been raised to benefit Valley faith-based nonprofits and community benefit organizations that are facing financial hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Faith-Based Nonprofit Resilience Fund, spearheaded by the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific University in partnership with nonprofit leaders, was created in April...
Customers Pay $1,000 Fine Levied by City After Fresno Restaurant Reopens
Bacon sizzled. Eggs were cracked. Customers filled up the parking lot and tables of a northwest Fresno restaurant Friday morning. The 'Waffle Shop' is back open for breakfast. The customers'Â cacophony was a throwback to before the pandemic began sweeping across the globe. But there were still reminders of the phantom...
Deal Would Transfer Granite Park to New Foundation, Increase City Subsidy
(UPDATE — 4/23/2020: the City Council postponed a discussion and vote on the Granite Park lease to a future, unspecified date. Councilman Mike Karbassi removed himself as a sponsor. Original story Granite Park, the city-owned central Fresno sports facility operated by the Central Valley Community Sports Foundation, is expected to transfer...