A heated debate about a Chinatown cleanup contract led to yelling, arguments, and a need for a break to cool things down at Thursday's Fresno City Council meeting. The council approved an agreement with Olympic Property Services in a no-bid contract by a 6-1 vote. But not before Councilman Garry...
City OKs Alcohol Sale Restrictions After Promising to Aid Grocery Stores
After a 2-hour discussion and public comment from residents from throughout Fresno, the Fresno City Council passed the Responsible Neighborhood Market Act on a 6-1 vote. Council Member Mike Karbassi was the only member to vote no. Listen to this article: "Thank you to the youth of our city and our residents...
Anti-Payne Website Is ‘Opening Act’ of Election Circus, Says Trustee
It's political season, which means attacks come in all forms. A new website has launched against State Center Community College District Trustee Eric Payne and his re-election bid. Aside from the grammatical errors and ALL CAPS, the site mentions the negative aspects of Payne's eight years on the board. It...
Fresno COVID Contract Awarded Despite Objections Over Tweet, Lawsuit
The Fresno City Council approved more contracts to help the COVID-19 effort, but two councilmen objected to awarding $2 million to a community-based organization. The council voted 5-2 to award the contract to Fresno Building Healthy Communities for COVID-19 testing and contact tracing. Councilmen Garry Bredefeld and Paul Caprioglio voted...
Council Rushes to Approve COVID Aid Ahead of Blackout Threat
Trying to beat a potential blackout of the downtown area, the Fresno City Council held a lightning-fast meeting to approve a nearly $13 million spending plan for pandemic relief on Monday afternoon. The city will contract with several community-based organizations to help with food distribution, contact tracing, and testing. The...
Some Still Not Satisfied After Joint City-County COVID Meeting
A Fresno assemblyman said the county isn't spending COVID funds fast enough, nor being transparent about their decisions. Elected officials from Fresno County disagreed. That dynamic was part of the largest question and answer session held locally since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with city and county leaders holding...
Castillo’s in SE Fresno Temporarily Closes After Employee Contracts COVID-19
An employee of Castillo's Mexican Food in southeast Fresno tested positive for COVID-19 the restaurant announced on Facebook. "It is with a heavy heart that we notify our loyal customers of this temporary closure effective 7/21/20," reads part of the post from the restaurant at 3659 E. Ventura Ave. Two Week...
Ampersand Ice Cream Temporarily Closes NW Fresno Shop After COVID-19 Case
Ampersand Ice Cream at Herndon and Marks avenues is temporarily closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The other Fresno shop at 1940 N. Echo Avenue remains open. [covid-19-tracker] A sign on the door at the northwest store states, "Unfortunately, at 7:00 p.m. Monday, July 20th, we were informed...
Chorus Grows Louder to Defund Fresno Police Department
Even before the Fresno City Council discussed the police budget Monday, more than three dozen comments arrived opposed to more spending or calling for reduced funding. Those commenting live during the meeting echoed similar sentiments. Fresno Police Chief Andrew Hall listened in as commenters advocated for defunding — and even...
Brand Rolls Out Plan to Spend $92 Million in COVID-19 Funds
Mayor Lee Brand has laid out his plan to spend $92 million of federal funding from the CARES Act. The city's spending outline is in three different sections — community investment ($27 million), COVID-19 expenditures ($25 million), and reserves ($40 million). Also in Politics 101: City to spend money on...