Fresno City Attorney-designate Andrew Janz will earn a base salary of $240,000. The contract, revealed on the Fresno City Council agenda, is scheduled to be voted on Thursday. That is a $13,000 bump over the $227,000 base salary received by former City Attorney Douglas Sloan and interim Rina Gonzales. Janz...
Reclamation Tells Farmers to Plan Now for Scant Water in 2023
The Bureau of Reclamation is telling farmers who rely on Central Valley Project water to brace for the worst in 2023. The Bureau released a statement Monday advising farmers and industrial users "to begin planning for potentially extremely limited water supply conditions." "Despite the early storms that California experienced this...
Powerful California Water Influencer Birmingham Resigns Westlands Post
Longtime Westlands Water District General Manager Tom Birmingham announced Wednesday that he will retire as of Dec. 31. “I am retiring with extreme pride in the things Westlands had accomplished over the last two decades,” he wrote in an email announcement. Birmingham had faced the likelihood that a newly-elected majority on...
Dyer’s Youth Jobs Program Delivers Opportunities and New Beginnings
The city's job corps program is providing life-changing opportunities to Fresno youths and young adults. Just ask Julianna Perez and Camery Jones. Or Jordan Sengchanh. They were among the young residents surrounding Mayor Jerry Dyer Tuesday morning at an event celebrating the hiring of more than 100 interns through the...
Dyer Defends New $12,000 a Year Pay Perk for Councilmembers. Unions Unhappy.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said a new retirement perk for elected leaders keeps compensation in line with comparable cities. Union leaders aren't so sure. "Many of the other jurisdictions ... also provided pensions to their elected officials. The city of Fresno has not. And so this was a way to...
Valadao Retains House Seat Despite Vote to Impeach Trump
Republican U.S. Rep. David Valadao has overcome a huge Democratic voter registration edge and his vote to impeach President Donald Trump to keep his seat. The Hanford dairyman edged Democrat Rudy Salas in the 22nd District race. With 98% of the ballots counted Monday night, Valadao had 52% of the...
Bredefeld Puts Patterson on Blast. Is He Dropping Clues About 2024?
Garry Bredefeld says he is evaluating his electoral plans for 2024. But, he seems to have found a target — Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno. Last week on KMJ radio, Patterson — who is termed out of the Legislature in 2024 — said he is considering running for Fresno County supervisor...
Who’s Got the Best Shot at Operating Fresno’s Tower Theatre?
With more than two years of controversy, protests, court cases, a bidding war with a local church, and concerns about its upkeep, Fresno's historic downtown Tower Theatre is set to come under new management. After purchasing the venue for $6.5 million, the city sought proposals from groups interested in managing,...
Quiet Vote Gives Fresno City Council Up to $13,000 More in Compensation
The Fresno City Council has approved perks worth more than $13,000 annually for its members. By a 4-1 vote, the council on Thursday consented to a Dyer administration proposal to participate in receiving money in the city's deferred compensation plan. They also voted to increase reimbursements for expenses for the...
Welcome to Crazy Town AKA Fresno City Hall, Andrew Janz
Rampant distrust, backstabbing, and a commitment to doing the public's business behind closed doors are the distinguishing marks of today's Fresno City Council. Into this mess steps Andrew Janz, a prodigious Democratic Party fundraiser who has eyes on entering the House of Representatives someday with many of the Dems there...