Investigators are asking for the public's help to determine what led up to a head-on crash that killed seven children and two adults on New Year's Day between Avenal and Coalinga. The California Highway Patrol says everyone who reported Friday's fiery crash on rural State Route 33 came upon the...
Local Cities Now Getting Share of COVID Relief Funds. How Will They Spend It?
Fresno County is sharing the wealth of its federal stimulus CARES Act dollars with the 14 other incorporated cities in the county. The city of Fresno directly received $92 million in federal relief money. The Board of Supervisors decided that the other cities needed their own funds, too. This week,...
Valley Petroleum Distributor Questions Governor’s Plan To Phase Out Gas Powered Cars
Governor Newsom announced Wednesday that California will phase out the sale of gasoline powered cars by 2035. “This is the most impactful step our state can take to fight climate change,” said Governor Newsom. "Californians shouldn’t have to worry if our cars are giving our kids asthma." West Hills Oil...
Pilot Killed Fighting Coalinga Wildfire Leaves Grieving Family
The helicopter pilot who died fighting one of the hundreds of wildfires raging across California was making water drops over hilly, rugged terrain when his aircraft suddenly plunged to the ground, leaving behind a grieving family as authorities begin a painstaking effort to try to determine what caused the tragedy....
Sheriff IDs Dead Helicopter Pilot in Hills Fire Crash
UPDATE: 11:15 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 20: The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says the helicopter pilot who died in a crash near Coalinga is Michael John Fournier, 52, of Rancho Cucamonga. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. Fournier was identified by his grief-stricken family in Rancho Cucamonga, where...
Helicopter Pilot Dies in Crash While Fighting Wildfire Near Coalinga
A pilot battling the Hills Fire about nine miles south of Coalinga died when a helicopter crashed Wednesday morning. The Bell UH-1H helicopter was on a water-dropping mission on the Hills Fire, Cal Fire officials said. The pilot was the only one on board. A pilot has died after his...
State Withholds COVID-19 Relief Funds for ‘Sanctuary City’ Atwater
The state is cracking down on Atwater, which attracted national attention when it declared itself a "sanctuary city" for businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-May. On Thursday night, the state notified Atwater officials that the city is ineligible for $389,000 in state assistance to deal with the coronavirus. Atwater's...
Mineral Fire Containment Grows to 68%
The week-old Mineral Fire is now 68% contained after scorching 44.5 square miles and destroying seven structures in the Diablo Range west of Coalinga, Cal Fire officials said Tuesday morning. In addition, all road closures in Fresno and Monterey counties stemming from the vegetation fire were lifted Monday afternoon. About 1,400...
All Mineral Fire Road Closures Are Lifted
Cal Fire announced Monday afternoon that all road closures in Fresno and Monterey counties for the Mineral Fire have been lifted. All Evacuations & Road Closures for the #MineralFire Have Been Lifted@FresnoCoFire Firefighters & equipment will continue working along the roadsides, please proceed with caution while driving through the area.https://t.co/QsQIogtNvt...
Mineral Fire West of Coalinga Is 49% Contained
Firefighters battling the Mineral Fire west of Coalinga have increased containment, but the fire grew larger over the weekend, authorities said. The eight-day-old Mineral Fire now covers more than 28,000 acres and was 49% contained as of 7:05 a.m. Monday morning. Four structures have been destroyed, three structures have been...