Less than a week after a discussion, but no resolution, members of the Fresno City Council met with Pacific Gas and Electric on Monday. More meetings are scheduled for later this week. The main complaint from Mayor Jerry Dyer, other councilmembers, and the development community: delays in electrifying housing and...
Bullard Student Walkout Possible as Cellphone Ban Starts Midweek
Bullard High School's new policy restricting student access to their smart phones during the school day will start Wednesday, the school announced in messages to families, social media posts, and on the school's website. The controversial ban, which school officials say is designed to improve student academic performance by reducing...
Dyer, Council Team up to Start Easing Fresno Housing Crunch
There's good news for veterans and others caught in Fresno's housing crunch. On Thursday, the Fresno City Council unanimously approved three of Mayor Jerry Dyer's housing proposals — including a revised voucher incentive program the mayor says will help up to 400 families or individuals put a roof over their...
‘Yellow Flags’ in Fresno Drive $100M Warehouse Development to Visalia
What does Visalia have over Fresno when it comes to attracting industrial warehouses? "There's too much yellow flags up right now," Freddie Molina, executive officer for YS Buildings said. "I don't want to buy a piece of land and then have to sit on it. We want to buy it,...
Are Fresno Politicians Treating Measure P Like a Slush Fund?
Former Fresno Bee reporter Doug Hoagland did a three-month deep dive into how City Hall is spending Measure P sales tax revenues. Unsurprisingly, he ran "into a mostly wall of silence from City Council members." Still, Hoagland poses legitimate questions about the city's purchase of the Tower Theatre and the...
Buying a Starter Home Is Now a Myth for Most Fresno Renters
The average Fresno renter household would need 52% more in annual income to buy a so-called starter home, according to the real estate website Point2. Fresno renters have an average annual household income of $34,357. To afford a starter home, they would have to earn $72,117 a year. Point2 says...
As Voters Decide on Support Tax, How Does Fresno Rank for Veterans?
Fresno is one of the worst places for military veterans to live, according to a survey released Monday by a personal finance website. WalletHub rated Fresno 92nd for veterans among the 100 largest U.S. cities. The report — which comes as Fresno voters weigh in on the Measure M veterans...
In Power Struggle, Fresno Leaders Threaten to Ditch PG&E
Frustrated with the time it takes PG&E to provide power hookups to new developments, the city of Fresno is considering forming its own public power company. "Enough is enough," Mayor Jerry Dyer said at a Monday morning news conference at Fresno City Hall. "PG&E is single-handedly destroying our local economy....
Board Election Could End Birmingham’s Long, Controversial Reign at Westlands
The makeup of the Westlands Water District board will change this election – shifting power to a coalition of growers with a list of new actions, at the top of which appears to be ousting longtime General Manager Tom Birmingham. “There needs to be a change of leadership, that’s a...
Fresno Councilman Pleads Not Guilty in Extortion Case
Fresno City Councilman Nelson Esparza pleaded not guilty Thursday to two criminal charges related to an ill-fated conversation with the city attorney. Esparza is charged with one felony count of attempted extortion and one misdemeanor count of violating the city charter. Both are related to a conversation with then-city attorney...