New COVID-19 data out Wednesday was welcome news to Fresno County which stays in the 'red' tier for reopening. This means restaurants, churches and other businesses can continue to offer limited indoor services. Fresno County currently has a 5.1% test positivity rate (up from 5.1% last week), and 6.1 cases per 100,000...
Sheriff’s Office Notes Passing of Retired K-9 ‘Oka’
K-9 Oka, a German Shepherd, started his career with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office in February 2009 and retired in 2016. In a press release, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office says Oka recently developed a tumor, which was causing him extreme pain and discomfort. Oka was laid to rest on...
Merced Cleans Up Homeless Camp as LA Considers Ban on Camping (Again)
Dumpsters, garbage trucks, and teams of people from the city of Merced were out Wednesday cleaning up a homeless encampment along the Union Pacific Railroad tracks near Childs Avenue and Highway 99. The city said they needed to take action after numerous public complaints about garbage and unsanitary conditions. The...
Local Restaurant Joins Legal Claim for Fee Refunds Over COVID Closures
California restaurants have unified to file a claim seeking a refund for state and local fees, including for liquor licenses, health permits, and state tourism assessments. One of those involved is Vino Grille & Spirits in northeast Fresno. What could soon follow is a class action lawsuit involving many more establishments in...
County Stays in ‘Red’ Tier for Reopening According to Fresh State Data
New data out Tuesday morning showed improvements in Fresno County COVID-19 metrics from last week, allowing the county to remain in the state's red tier for reopening. This means restaurants, churches and other businesses can continue to offer limited indoor services. There have been concerns in recent weeks that Fresno...
PG&E Shutoff Leaves Nearly 5,000 Without Power in Fresno, Madera. How Long Will Outage Last?
(Update) Pacific Gas & Electric officials said Monday afternoon that power shutoffs are no longer necessary in Fresno, Madera and Mariposa counties due to improvements in weather conditions. "We have received all clear orders for portions of all local counties and tribal areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoffs,"...
Fresno Again at Risk of Slipping Back to COVID Purple Tier. Madera Sees Improvement.
The roller coaster continues for Fresno County's COVID-19 numbers after the state's weekly Tuesday update to their 'Blueprint for a Safer Economy' dashboard. The county is not meeting one of the metrics for the current red tier, and needs to correct it before next Tuesday's update. This is the same...
Sheriff’s Office Lifts Remaining Creek Fire Evacuation Orders for Fresno County
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has lifted all of its remaining evacuation orders for the Creek Fire as of Tuesday morning. However, all Sierra National Forest lands in Fresno County remain closed through November 1, 2020. Evacuation orders remain in effect for two zones in Madera County. The fire began September 4...
Rapid COVID Tests Promised by Trump Arrive in Fresno. Where Will They be Used?
The Fresno County Department of Public Health is developing a plan to deploy 18,000 rapid COVID-19 tests the Trump administration hoped would be used to quickly reopen schools. They're among about 100 million of the tests the federal government is distributing to states. Interim county health officer Dr. Rais Vohra announced...
Fresno Man Arrested in Rape of Teen Just Months After Being Caught in Sexual Predator Sting
Christopher Contreras of Fresno is under arrest - again. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says the 26 year-old suspect faces charges of rape, child molestation, arranging to meet with a minor to engage in sex and committing a felony while out on bail. Detectives also believe there are other victims...