Sierra National Forest officials ordered the close of the forest in the area of the Basin Fire on Sunday morning. The closure order, which will stand through July 30, came as nearly 700 personnel worked to slow the growth of the wildfire northeast of Fresno. Click https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for the forest order and area map....
New AD Garrett Klassy Aims to Brand the Bulldogs as the ‘Work & Grit’ Teams
"We're going to connect deeply with the Valley by embodying its DNA of hard work and grit," said incoming Fresno State Athletic Director Garrett Klassy at a news conference Friday. The marching band, cheerleaders, mascot Victor E. Bulldog, football coach Jeff Tedford, and alumni were among many welcoming Klassy with...
What’s Next as Fresno Looks for 3rd Police Chief in 5 Years?
For the third time in five years, Fresno is searching for a police chief. Paco Balderrama, chief since January 2021, resigned on June 25 after an affair with the wife of an officer under his command. That officer, Jordan Wamhoff, is also an elected member of the Madera County Board...
Fresno Right-Wing Activist Convicted of Two Felonies in US Capitol Riot
A federal jury in Washington, D.C. convicted Madera resident and former Fresno real-estate agent Benjamin Martin, 46, of two felonies and several misdemeanors for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot on Wednesday. The Department of Justice announced Martin's convictions on Thursday morning. Martin was found guilty of...
Newsom’s State of the State Address Looked Like a Presidential Campaign Launch
The California Constitution requires that “the Governor shall report to the Legislature each calendar year on the condition of the State and may make recommendations.” Traditionally, that has meant that the governor would personally address a joint session of the Legislature early each year to lay out a legislative agenda,...
A Million Californians Signed on to Prop 47 Reform. Now Newsom May Counter With His Version.
Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward says admitting failure isn't an easy thing to do. Proposition 47 is the landmark 2014 voter initiative that many say is the reason behind California's high crime and homelessness rates. Ward thinks that for legislators, the fear of admitting Proposition 47's failures is behind...
Dyer, FPOA, Officer’s Attorney Weigh in on Police Chief Paco Balderrama’s Resignation
Paco Balderrama resigned as Fresno police chief after being accused of having an affair with the wife of a police officer under his command. Mayor Jerry Dyer, City Manager Georgeanne White and City Attorney Andrew Janz made the announcement at a Tuesday morning news conference at City Hall. "We do...
Embattled Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama Resigns: ‘Right Time for Me to Step Away’
Fresno City Manger Georgeanne White said at a Tuesday morning news conference that Police Chief Paco Balderrama has resigned. Mayor Jerry Dyer praised Balderrama for his accomplishments in Fresno while also saying that the chief's resignation was in the best interests of the city and the police department. The city...
Builder Says Fresno’s New Home Space Is Vanishing. Where Will Buyers Go?
A major local homebuilder whose company has stressed affordability since its start says space for new homes in the city is dwindling quickly. And, with the demand for homes strong, he fears that homebuyers will turn to Fresno's surrounding cities for places to live — even more than they do...
Fresno Investigation into Police Chief Balderrama Is Finished: Sources
Update: 11:20 a.m., Tuesday, June 25: Fresno City Manger Georgeanne White said at a Tuesday morning news conference that Police Chief Paco Balderrama has resigned. Mayor Jerry Dyer praised Balderrama for his accomplishments in Fresno while also saying that the chief's resignation was in the best interests of the city...