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,...
More Rain, a Lot More Snow Coming to Valley on Tuesday
If you haven't already mowed your lawn by Monday, you might want to wait a couple of days until the next rainstorm passes through Central California. Unlike recent storms, this one will be pretty mild, with only a quarter to half-inch of rain in the eastern parts of the Valley...
Fresno County Politician Accused of Mowing Down, Murdering Critic
A member of a community services district board in Fresno County is accused of killing a man and hit and run. The Fresno County Sheriff's Office arested Rolando Sanchez, 54 of Del Rey, saying he struck 48-year old Jaime Loza, a pedestrian — also from Del Rey — with his...
Get Ready, Fresno, for Another Rainstorm Next Week
Heaven knows the last thing the flooded San Joaquin Valley needs is more rain. But significant rain is in the forecast starting Monday night, with Fresno and surrounding communities seeing as much as 1.5 inches through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford. Meanwhile, the Climate Prediction Center...
Little Good News as Flooding Wreaks Havoc in San Joaquin Valley
The reports were quick and grim at an all-hands-on-deck flood operations briefing Wednesday morning at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. A bridge over Cross Creek in Kings County had just washed out at Houston Avenue south of Hanford, the CalTrans rep told dozens of emergency workers from fire, roads, rail,...
Move Over Atmospheric River and Make Way for the Fujiwhara Effect
The term "atmospheric river" has become old hat for Californians, who've experienced 12 of them through winter and the start of spring. However, other perhaps unfamiliar meteorological descriptions are being introduced to Golden State residents amid the unrelenting rain and snow. Tuesday produced what is known as the "Fujiwhara effect"...
Arrest Threats Force Hard Choices on Creek That Could Swamp Tulare County Towns
Jack Mitchell’s phone is ringing off the hook these days, but he almost always picks up. The head of the Deer Creek Storm Water District is busy coordinating crews and heavy equipment at multiple sites as he attempts to shepherd flood water from the Poso and Deer Creeks and White...
Backers of Sales Tax for Fresno State Prep for Second Ballot Try
If, at first, you fail at the ballot box, try again. Last year, Fresno County voters said no to a two-tenths of a cent sales tax to support programs at Fresno State. Measure E failed, 53% to 47%. Richard F. Spencer, construction magnate and the sole funder of the 2022...