When Flindt Andersen founded his nonprofit, Parents & Addicts In Need (PAIN), in the early 2000s, his goal was clear: Spread awareness about the growing opioid epidemic. Decades later, the mission remains urgent as addiction continues to affect countless families in Fresno and beyond. Andersen, who is in recovery himself...
Former Judge Appears in Fresno Court as Defendant. Top Defenders Represent Him.
A retired Fresno County judge facing sexual assault charges is now represented by two legal heavy hitters. Adolfo Corona appeared in court Thursday afternoon, entering through the front door used by most court attendees. The Fresno County District Attorney's Office charged Corona in July with a felony count of sexual...
Who With Valley Ties Could Land Spots in the Trump Administration?
With President-elect Donald Trump's intention to nominate John Ratcliffe as CIA director, it appears Devin Nunes will remain heading Trump's media company. The original version of this story published earlier on Tuesday — before Trump's announcement — spoke with GOP insiders about the possibility that the former Central Valley congressmember...
Will Terance Frazier’s Nonprofit Exit Granite Park? ‘Hell No’ He Says
Terance Frazier had a definitive response when asked if his nonprofit will vacate the Granite Park sports complex. "Hell no, I'm not giving it up. I may give up all my real estate and all my investments, but my purpose is to save these kids' lives because that's what God...
Guns, Marijuana, Gambling: Fresno’s Smoke Shop Enforcement Issues $5M in Citations
Fresno code enforcement has issued $5 million in citations, found hundreds of pounds of illegal marijuana, and uncovered gambling operations, weapons, and evidence of human trafficking after a year of inspecting city smoke shops. Also discovered: 11 illegal cannabis cultivation sites and dangerous chemicals seeping into water systems. Staff with...
Fresno County to Open New West Annex Jail, Replacing Aging Facility
The West Annex Jail, a new 300-bed facility in downtown Fresno, is set to open before the end of the year, replacing the aging South Annex Jail built in 1944. Once the West Annex opens, the Fresno County Sheriff's Office plans to transfer inmates from the 500-bed South Annex Jail....
Fresno Unified Reform Is a Must. Force It With a ‘No’ on Measure H.
Voters have backed more than $1 billion in Fresno Unified construction bonds since 1995 in the belief that new and updated facilities would enhance student learning. However, the record shows this investment has not significantly improved student achievement or fulfilled the district’s goal of graduating high percentages of young men...
Ag Recession? Years of Plenty May Be Over, but Reality Isn’t as Bleak as Painted
The threats faced by farmers since 2022 could not be better exemplified than through the collapse of some of the biggest farming names in the Central Valley. The Prima Wawona brand could not escape nearly $700 million of debt and had to go into bankruptcy, selling off its assets. Private...
LGBTQ Supporters Drown Out Westboro Baptists’ Anti-Gay Message in Fresno
The southeast corner of Cedar and Tulare avenues next to Roosevelt High School had been filled with hundreds of rainbow-clad LGBTQ supporters Monday afternoon when a miniscule group of protesters from Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas showed up bearing anti-gay and anti-abortion signs. Up until that moment the busy...
Despite Being Shot Twice, Fresno Police Sgt. Keeps Cool in Deadly Shootout With Gang Member
A veteran Fresno police sergeant was shot and wounded in a dramatic confrontation with a homicide suspect on the 3700 block of East Platt Avenue on Saturday, authorities said. At approximately 5:23 p.m., officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert indicating gunfire in the area. About an hour into the investigation,...