The reports were quick and grim at an all-hands-on-deck flood operations briefing Wednesday morning at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. A bridge over Cross Creek in Kings County had just washed out at Houston Avenue south of Hanford, the CalTrans rep told dozens of emergency workers from fire, roads, rail,...
Move Over Atmospheric River and Make Way for the Fujiwhara Effect
The term "atmospheric river" has become old hat for Californians, who've experienced 12 of them through winter and the start of spring. However, other perhaps unfamiliar meteorological descriptions are being introduced to Golden State residents amid the unrelenting rain and snow. Tuesday produced what is known as the "Fujiwhara effect"...
Arrest Threats Force Hard Choices on Creek That Could Swamp Tulare County Towns
Jack Mitchell’s phone is ringing off the hook these days, but he almost always picks up. The head of the Deer Creek Storm Water District is busy coordinating crews and heavy equipment at multiple sites as he attempts to shepherd flood water from the Poso and Deer Creeks and White...
Backers of Sales Tax for Fresno State Prep for Second Ballot Try
If, at first, you fail at the ballot box, try again. Last year, Fresno County voters said no to a two-tenths of a cent sales tax to support programs at Fresno State. Measure E failed, 53% to 47%. Richard F. Spencer, construction magnate and the sole funder of the 2022...
Clovis Unified Hall of Famer Named New Superintendent
Corrine Folmer is Clovis Unified School District's next superintendent. Trustees voted 7-0 to promote Folmer, currently a Clovis Unified associate superintendent, at a special meeting Monday night. She replaces outgoing superintendent Eimear O'Brien, who will leave by June 30. Folmer, 44, officially starts on July 1. After the announcement, Folmer...
Ugly Deeds, Politics, High Drama Swirl in Flood Waters of Tulare Lake
The drama was high on the Tulare Lake bed Saturday as flood waters pushed some landowners to resort to heavy-handed and, in one instance, illegal tactics, to try and keep their farm ground dry — even at the expense of other farmers and some small communities. Someone illegally cut the...
After Court Ruling, California’s Gig Worker Battle Takes New Turn
The seemingly perpetual political and legal battle over whether gig workers for Uber, Lyft, Doordash and services are contractors or employees took another turn last week and may go full circle – back to the state Supreme Court and possibly a second trip through the Legislature. A state appellate court upheld all...
California Grandma’s Literacy Crusade Is Finally Paying Off for Children
Sometimes – not often, but sometimes – one person can have a life-changing impact on the wellbeing of millions of people. Marion Joseph, who died nearly a year ago at age 95, was one of those people. She impacted millions of California schoolchildren present and future who struggle with reading...
RIP, Dr. Gene Kallsen, Fresno’s ‘Father’ of Emergency Medicine
Fresno lost a giant with the death of Dr. Gene Kallsen, often described and celebrated as the "father" of emergency medical services. Dr. Kallsen died unexpectedly in his sleep on Saturday, March 4, friends of his family said. Up until his passing, he led a busy life and often could...
Noted Clovis Athlete and Educator is Naming Choice for District’s Newest School
Clovis Unified's newest elementary school will honor Satoshi "Fibber" Hirayama, a standout athlete at Fresno State, professional baseball player, and longtime district employee who was the first principal of Gateway High School. The board voted unanimously Wednesday night to name the new school at Fowler and McKinley avenues for Hirayama,...