A proposed apartment complex that was denied in March received new life from the Clovis City Council. The city council denied a 12-unit market-rate apartment complex on Alluvial Avenue, east of Sunnyside Avenue on March 6. During the vote, the city council asked city staff and the builders to come...
Newsom’s Latest Gun Restriction Ploy Likely to Be Shot Down in Court
Early explorers believed California to be an island, and while its physical attachment to the rest of North America eventually became evident, it nevertheless has sought to forge an island-like cultural and political identity – a “nation-state” in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s description. There are, however, limits. Legally, California is still...
Mortgage Fees Increase Today. Are They as Bad as Reported?
Starting today, fees on certain types of mortgages could increase — especially for those with better credit scores. But, the practical impact may not be as bad as is being publicly reported. "I can't tell you if that was the right thing or the wrong thing to do. It's the...
Freeway 41 Improvements Underway Between Ashlan and Shaw
Caltrans has started a $13.4 million project to make a stretch of Freeway 41 in Fresno less congested and much safer than it is now. The plan calls for the addition of an auxiliary lane on northbound 41 from the Ashlan Avenue on-ramp to the Shaw Avenue off-ramp. In addition,...
Democrats Pushed to Keep Spending as California’s Budget Deficit Grows
California’s tax revenues continue to fall short of expectations, its deficit continues to grow and with the June 15 deadline for enacting a new budget, there’s a three-way split among the Capitol’s top Democrats. In January, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared that the state had a $22.5 billion deficit, just months after bragging about...
Council Bends Its Rules to Bail Big Fresno Developer Out With $2.7 Million
In what some members called a reluctant vote, the Fresno City Council voted 7-0 on Thursday to change its due diligence law to subsidize a southeast affordable housing project. "We know that affordable housing is going to be a priority for this council. I think we've put our money where...
State Supreme Court Rules Against FUSD, Harris Construction on School Building Contract
The nearly 11-year-old case involving Fresno Unified's use of a "lease-leaseback" agreement with Harris Construction to build Gaston Middle School might be nearing the finish line after the California Supreme Court unanimously ruled against the school district and Harris on Thursday. The court upheld a November 2020 Fifth District Court...
Chavez Boulevard Opponents Say Lawsuit Is an Option
A new community group wants the Fresno City Council to reconsider its decision to rename 10 miles of roads in honor of late labor leader Cesar Chavez. But their request drew a sharp rebuke from Councilmember Miguel Arias, who said the city engaged in robust outreach before voting to honor...
Fresno Lawmaker’s Remake of Valley Air Board is Dead, Road Tax Proposal in Jeopardy
An attempt by Joaquin Arambula to reform the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District failed to advance out of state Assembly committee on Wednesday. Arambula, D-Fresno, proposed AB 650, which would add four members to the board to represent specific constituencies. But he could not convince any of colleagues...
Motion to DQ Judge Based on His ‘White Power’ Question
A judge's question about whether a defendant made a "White Power" gesture led to a motion to disqualify him from the Fresno County trial. However, the judge — Judge Alvin Harrell III — says he can remain fair and impartial. Brian Turner is on trial in Superior Court for a...