The rumors were so rampant, that Kings County sent agricultural inspectors into the old Tulare Lake bed to see if the powerful J.G. Boswell Company was holding back flood waters in order to plant tomatoes. “They could not find anything,” Kings County Supervisor Doug Verboon said in a text to...
This Man Has 39 Felony Convictions Since 2014. DAs Point Finger at CA’s ‘Soft-on-Crime’ Policies
Timothy Bethell is 31 years old and has 39 felony convictions in California. His criminal career began nine years ago with a felony drug conviction in Fresno County. Since then, he has been a one-man wrecking crew for theft, burglary, and vandalism — a crime spree greased by the state's...
Valley Dem Pays the Price for Opposing Newsom’s ‘Beat Big Oil’ Law
Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D–Delano) was punished by the chamber's leadership for being the lone Democrat to oppose Gov. Gavin Newsom’s legislation forcing oil companies to turn over earnings data and exposing them to penalties. On Thursday, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D–Paramount) told Baines that he was removing her from...
This Fresno Woman of the Year Balances Marketing Firm, Family
Kina McFadden has found a way to balance caring for her family while taking care of her clients. McFadden, founder and CEO of marketing firm Eye Connect Dots, raised her children, helps with her grandchildren, and now takes care of her blind mother. "I love my city," she said. She...
Extra Pay Could Lure Experienced Teachers to Poor Schools. Why California Won’t Do It.
It’s difficult to exaggerate just how much impact a great teacher can have on a student’s life. Experienced and qualified educators can increase their students’ lifetime earnings and reduce their chances of incarceration. But in California, schools serving more students living in poverty generally have fewer experienced teachers. In the...
Have Outdoor Plans? Fresno Rain Will Relent for a Spell
After showers today and thunderstorms tonight, the Fresno area is primed for a run of dry sunny weather Thursday through Sunday afternoon. However, the chance of rain from Sunday evening to Tuesday is less than 30%, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. More certain for early next week...
Drunk, Defiant Students Won’t Be Suspended or Expelled Under New California Bills
Two bills pending before the California Legislature would bar school officials from suspending or expelling students who are drunk or high, or who engage in what's known as "willful defiance" at school. The goal of Senate Bill 274 and Assembly Bill 599 is to further limit the reasons that students...
This Valley Farmer Stands Tall in Helping Communities and the Aquifer
A field that has long grown tomatoes, peppers, and onions now looks like a wind-whipped ocean as farmer Don Cameron seeks to capture the runoff from a freakishly wet year in California to replenish the groundwater basin that is his only source to water his crops. Taking some tomatoes out...
Local Assemblyman Seeks to Retool Fresno Transportation Board
A Fresno legislator wants to expand the board that controls a large slice of county transportation funding. Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, says the Fresno County Transportation Authority board needs to add four new members representing specific groups. One of the main tasks of FCTA is to manage Measure C, the...
Fresno Police Chief, Critic Continue Public Battle of Words
Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama addressed one of his top critics on Sunday, calling her a liar. On KSEE's "Sunday Morning Matters," Balderrama responded to criticism of his department from Sandra Celedon, CEO of local nonprofit Fresno Building Healthy Communities. Celedon has challenged Balderrama over the implementation of policing reforms,...