Fresno could be on track to tying or setting a new record for consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures. Monday's forecast high of 102 degrees would mark the 15th day of 100 degrees or hotter, or about halfway to the all-time record of 30 days set in 2018. But there...
First, the Pandemic. Now, Inflation. Double-Whammy Tests Valley Food Bank.
These days, the cost of everything is up, and the Central California Food Bank — like many across the country — is struggling to keep up with demand as more low-income families turn to them for assistance. Kym Dildine, who is the local food bank's co-CEO, says she expects more...
Is Fresno Facing ‘Tax Overload’? Council Sends Latest Proposed Hike to Voters
Fresno voters will have one more tax increase to consider this November. The Fresno City Council voted Thursday to place a new sales tax increment on the ballot — this one dedicated to supporting military veterans. The proposal passed unanimously, 7-0. It had the support of Councilman Garry Bredefeld,...
Fresno Death Scene Investigator Finds Fame on TikTok by Re-Creating Bloody Crime Scenes
Much like in the television mystery "Dexter," large rolls of blood-splattered paper and plastic tarps line Jeffrey Gentry's garage walls. Gentry is a certified death scene investigator and bloodstain pattern analyst in Fresno. And, on his time off, he shares his knowledge of blood patterns with more than 81,000...
Clovis Councilmember Blasts Road Tax Opponents as Measure Heads Toward Ballot
Fresno County voters are one step away from deciding on the continuation of a sales tax dedicated to transportation and road maintenance projects. One more public agency approved the $7 billion spending plan at a Wednesday morning meeting, but not before critics of the plan came in for a...
Local Tax Hike to Benefit Fresno State Would be a First, Experts Say
Just how much do Fresno County residents love Fresno State? Enough to willingly pay higher sales taxes for the next 20 years? Proponents of a proposed ballot measure, the "California State University, Fresno Facility and Academic Program Improvement Initiative Measure," are betting that there are enough Fresno State graduates,...
Party On! Fresno Takes Another Shot at Keeping Bars, Nightclubs Open Later
Local bar hoppers and nightclubbers may soon be able to party for two hours longer on Friday and Saturday nights. It's a unique opportunity being embraced by government and business. A bill working its way through the Legislature in Sacramento would extend last call to 4 a.m. on weekends and...
What’s in a Stadium Name? Backlash Over $10M Valley Children’s Deal
Valley Children’s Healthcare’s $10 million, 10-year deal for the naming rights to Fresno State’s football stadium has prompted a backlash on social media and across the community that some say will make them think twice before donating to support the children’s hospital. The deal, which was announced in August...
The 8 Local Leaders Set to Vote on How $7 Billion in Transportation Tax Funds Would Be Spent
Measure C faces another procedural step on its way to the November ballot. Voters could decide on the future of $7 billion on spending for transportation, including road maintenance and mass transit. Fresno County's current half-cent sales tax for transportation projects expires in 2027. The Fresno County Transportation Authority...
Fresno Council President Charged with Felony Over Alleged Extortion
Fresno City Council President Nelson Esparza has been charged with a felony count of attempted extortion, the Fresno County District Attorney's office announced Monday. Esparza, 31, is accused of threatening the employment of former City Attorney Douglas Sloan in April. In allegations made by fellow city councilman Garry Bredefeld...