On her Facebook page, Kerri Donis often posts updates about the dream home she is building in Shell Beach. So when Donis — the city of Fresno's fire chief — publicly announced Monday that she is retiring next year, it should have come as no surprise. Shell Beach, after...
Bullard Coach Files Defamation Claim Against Trustee in Racial Slur Allegation
Bullard High football Coach Don Arax has filed a claim for damages in excess of $10,000 against Fresno Unified School District, saying that Trustee Keshia Thomas defamed him when she accused him of using racial slurs to students, including her son. The claim has been added to this week's...
City of Fresno Anticipates Big Fuel Bill Increase
City of Fresno budget hearings started Monday, and the city anticipates feeling the pain just like its citizens — higher fuel costs. Budget documents indicate the city will spend $900,000 more in fuel, but that is just an estimate. The budget also calls for the appropriation of $750,000 as...
Fresno Man Used Labor Union Funds for Escorts, Rent: Federal Indictment
A Fresno man who ran a company that helped farm laborers is in big trouble with the federal government. Instead of helping with workers' compensation needs, Marcus Asay helped himself to escorts and rent, a federal grand jury alleges. Asay, 66, was chairman of American Labor Alliance. A four-count...
Community Celebrates Pride Flag Raising at Fresno City Hall
In the heat of June, hundreds of community members gathered at Fresno City Hall for the second annual raising of the Pride Flag. "You are loved," Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer told the crowd members, who were waving their own flags late Friday morning. The ceremony included rainbow balloons —...
Dyer Answers Critics With Renewed Call for ‘Sensible’ Gun Control Measures
A CNN appearance this week in which Jerry Dyer advocated for sensible gun violence reduction measures is drawing criticism from gun-rights activists, the Fresno mayor said Thursday. "Boy, have I taken some criticism because I'm trying to promote sensible restrictions on who accesses firearms in our country and to...
How Much Does New Measure C Spend on Fixing Busy Highway 41?
At peak commute times during a given day, more than 15,400 cars clog the McKinley Avenue curve on Fresno's Highway 41. And, about 157,000 motorists use the highway — traversing the heart of the city — each day, according to the Fresno Council of Governments. Depending on conditions and...
State Bans Farmers, Cities From Pumping River Water in San Joaquin Valley, Bay Area
In sweeping water curtailments stretching from Fresno to the Oregon state line, cities and growers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed have been ordered to stop pumping from rivers and streams. The cutbacks, announced today by the State Water Resources Control Board, will affect about 4,500 water rights...
‘Nightmare Scenario’ for GOP in Valley State Senate Shocker
Despite a 3% party registration advantage, a Republican apparently will not advance to the November ballot in a state Senate district that includes the Valley. Voters in state Senate District 4 are poised to choose between two Democrats in the November general election if current results hold up. A...
Perea Political Dynasty Continues, Zanoni Is Fresno County’s New Sheriff
Fresno County will have a new sheriff, and a city council candidate has won her seat outright. And, it appears Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes has won re-election avoiding a runoff. With all precincts reporting in the county, assistant sheriff John Zanoni garnered 57% of the vote, defeating Fresno...
