In the heat of June, hundreds of community members gathered at Fresno City Hall for the second annual raising of the Pride Flag. "You are loved," Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer told the crowd members, who were waving their own flags late Friday morning. The ceremony included rainbow balloons —...
Dyer Answers Critics With Renewed Call for ‘Sensible’ Gun Control Measures
A CNN appearance this week in which Jerry Dyer advocated for sensible gun violence reduction measures is drawing criticism from gun-rights activists, the Fresno mayor said Thursday. "Boy, have I taken some criticism because I'm trying to promote sensible restrictions on who accesses firearms in our country and to...
How Much Does New Measure C Spend on Fixing Busy Highway 41?
At peak commute times during a given day, more than 15,400 cars clog the McKinley Avenue curve on Fresno's Highway 41. And, about 157,000 motorists use the highway — traversing the heart of the city — each day, according to the Fresno Council of Governments. Depending on conditions and...
State Bans Farmers, Cities From Pumping River Water in San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area
In sweeping water curtailments stretching from Fresno to the Oregon state line, cities and growers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed have been ordered to stop pumping from rivers and streams. The cutbacks, announced today by the State Water Resources Control Board, will affect about 4,500 water rights...
‘Nightmare Scenario’ for GOP in Valley State Senate Shocker
Despite a 3% party registration advantage, a Republican apparently will not advance to the November ballot in a state Senate district that includes the Valley. Voters in state Senate District 4 are poised to choose between two Democrats in the November general election if current results hold up. A...
Perea Political Dynasty Continues, Zanoni Is Fresno County’s New Sheriff
Fresno County will have a new sheriff, and a city council candidate has won her seat outright. And, it appears Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes has won re-election avoiding a runoff. With all precincts reporting in the county, assistant sheriff John Zanoni garnered 57% of the vote, defeating Fresno...
Mayor Dyer Urges US Senate to Close Federal Gun Law Loopholes
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer is among more than 250 leaders of U.S. cities urging the Senate to pass two bills aimed at reducing gun violence. In an appearance on CNN on Tuesday morning, Dyer called for "sensible legislation to be enacted that will restrict firearm access to those who...
Karbassi Files Defamation Suit Over Negative Mailer
A day after blasting a fellow candidate for state Assembly — and fellow colleague on the Fresno City Council — Mike Karbassi filed a defamation lawsuit against Esmeralda Soria. Karbassi said a mailer that Soria sent to voters over the weekend lied about him assaulting a female student. With...
Fat Fresno Budget Could Make Most Everyone’s Park Dreams Come True
Fresno residents are voicing their ideas about what they want to see in their parks. And, thanks to parks sales tax monies swollen by the Amazon distribution center, the city should have enough funding (nearly $75 million this year alone) to make almost every resident’s park dream come true...
California Could See Lowest Voter Turnout Ever on Tuesday
It's never been easier to vote in California, but turnout for Tuesday's mid-term primary election might set a record for the lowest ever. Through Friday morning, only 11% of the state's 22 million registered voters had returned their ballots. Barring a sudden surge of voter interest, the election could...