Richard Johanson died 96 years young last week. "Young" because the self-made businessman and Fresno philanthropist always focused on what was ahead. Like all of us, he would sometimes talk about the past. Who doesn't enjoy a tale or two about the good old days? But the best use...
Fleeing War in Their Homeland, Ukrainians Find Refuge with Help from Fresno Volunteers
Mykhailo Kozariuk was working as a seasonal mushroom picker in England when war broke out in Ukraine, his homeland. His mother, sister, and two nieces were still in southern Ukraine near Odesa but were preparing to flee across the border into Romania. Half a world away, Boris Nebyshinets and...
Fresno City Attorney Sloan Leaving for New Job
Fresno City Attorney Douglas Sloan is leaving, the president of the city council said Friday. Sloan, the top legal advisor for the city since March 2013 and a city employee for 16 years, is leaving for a new post in southern California. Neither the city nor Sloan has said...
Fresno City College VP Gets Nod for Top Job as President
State Center Community College District Chancellor Carole Goldsmith has made her pick for the new Fresno City College president, and he's already a familiar face at the college. Goldsmith is recommending that the Board of Trustees select Dr. Robert Pimentel, who is currently the college's vice president of educational...
Valley Residents ‘Can’t Wait Any Longer’ for Clean Air: Arambula
The debate about how best to clean the Valley's notoriously unhealthy air is intensifying. Applying the heat: A bill written by Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula requiring the California Air Resources Board to provide technical support, guidance, and oversight to the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District. Arambula's Assembly Bill...
Valley Judge, a Child of Immigrants, Nears Confirmation to Federal Bench
Ana de Alba did not sleep in her own bed until she was 15. The daughter of Central Valley farmworkers, the Fresno County Superior Court judge is just a few votes away from taking a seat on the federal bench. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing Wednesday in...
Dyer Explores Options on City’s Tower Theatre Purchase
Despite being told by the city attorney that his options are limited, Mayor Jerry Dyer is looking into what authority he has over the Fresno City Council's vote to purchase the Tower Theatre. Dyer says will meet with the city attorney and city manager to see if, indeed, he...
Council, Mayor Dyer Face Big Decisions on Fresno Housing Crisis
Mayor Jerry Dyer released his three-year strategic housing plan last week and it will be presented to the city council in a special meeting Wednesday on Fresno's housing crisis. With input from a handful of community organizations and City Hall staff, the mayor's report focuses on the top priorities...
Fired Fresno Police Officer’s Lawsuit Allowed to Continue
Was a tweet by Mayor Jerry Dyer against a fired Fresno police officer libelous? A jury could make that decision after a federal judge denied the city of Fresno's motion to dismiss the count. The city fired Richard Fitzgerald in April 2021 after a video surfaced of him attending...
Musk Reaches $44 Billion Deal to Buy Twitter
Billionaire Elon Musk has reached an agreement to acquire Twitter for approximately $44 billion, the company said Monday afternoon. The outspoken Tesla CEO, the world’s wealthiest person, has said he wants to buy Twitter because he thinks it’s not living up to its potential as a platform for “free...