Suicides were up significantly in Fresno County last month — a consequence, a top health official says, of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seventeen suicides were recorded in June. That's the most suicides for a single month in the last two-and-half years, data shows. "We saw a significant increase of completed suicides...
Don’t Risk Your Health by Attending Harvard Block Sale: Soria
Citing concerns about the spread of COVID-19, Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria wants Saturday's Harvard Block Sale postponed by its organizers. The decades-old event that brings bargain hunters and sellers together near Fresno High School is in Soria's council district. In addition, City Hall issued a statement at 4:36 p.m....
Will Downtown to River Parkway ‘Protected’ Bike Lane Become Reality?
A bike lane offering riders added protection from motorists stretching nearly 13 miles from downtown Fresno to the San Joaquin River Parkway is coming into focus. But whether it becomes a reality depends on funding, getting county sign-off on a stretch of Palm Avenue between Shields and Shaw avenues, and...
You Can Get Free Masks Today at Fresno City College
State Center Community College Trustee Annalisa Perea and Fresno City Councilwoman Esmeralda Soria are hosting a free face mask drive-through Monday at Fresno City College. They have about 3,000 masks to protect against spreading and getting infected with the coronavirus. The masks will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis....
Council Dissension? Karbassi Blasts Colleagues for Empty Promises
Councilman Mike Karbassi took to the plaza in front of City Hall on Monday to criticize his colleagues for holding a news conference last week and making false promises about a second round of Save Our Small Businesses funding. "Certain council members just haven't learned to play nice with others...
Fresno Awards 0% Loans to 116 Small Businesses Impacted by COVID
Teri Sanchez will use her Save Our Small Businesses funds to pay the debt on her catering company. Sunny Sehgal will use his funds to help keep his family's restaurant open for take-out and delivery. They own two of the 116 small businesses named as recipients from the city of...
$1,000 in Housing Help for Fresno Residents Passes 1st Hurdle
(UPDATE — 4/23/2020: The Fresno City Council passed the housing assistance resolution by a 4-3 vote asking the city manager and a subcommittee to return with more details on how to execute the plan. Councilmen Garry Bredefeld, Mike Karbassi, and Paul Caprioglio voted no, saying they were concerned about specifics on...
It's Cookingham vs. Costa in November for CA-16 Seat
Republican challenger Kevin Cookingham of Madera County and incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno have grabbed the top two spots in California's 16th District primary. The Secretary of State's office reported that Cookingham was at 38.5% and Costa at 37.5% with all precincts reporting at least partial vote counts...
Cookingham Leads Costa in 16th Congressional District
Republican challenger Kevin Cookingham of Madera County and incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Costa are running 1-2 in early returns from the California 16th District primary Tuesday night. The Secretary of State reported that Cookingham was at 38.4% and Costa at 37.6% with 43% of precincts reporting as of 11:10 p.m....
Dyer: I Hope to 'Win This Election Outright'
Fresno mayoral candidate Jerry Dyer cast his vote on Monday at the central election office downtown with his 4-month-old granddaughter alongside. Of course, he did. While politics famously involves shaking hands and kissing babies, this mayoral race has featured photo ops with gorgeous newborns. This time, Dyer had his wife,...