Oliver Baines hopes to give two of his colleagues and two incoming councilmen a parting gift — a 23% raise. Baines is headed into the last month of his council tenure. He is termed out, with his service concluding Jan. 8, 2019. “It’s long overdue. I’ve had the privilege and...
Lawsuit Filed Over Proposed NW Fresno Animal Shelter
Neighbors of a controversial new animal shelter are taking to the courts in an attempt to stop the project. Shortly after the Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 23 to set in motion a new animal shelter near a northwest Fresno neighborhood, attorney John Kinsey said legal action was...
Patterson: I’m Not Running for Supervisor
Jim Patterson says he is staying put at the state Capitol. On Monday (Nov. 26), GV Wire wrote about the possibility of Patterson running for the soon-to-be-vacant Fresno County supervisor seat, held by state Sen.-elect Andreas Borgeas. Patterson, a Republican Assemblyman from Fresno, quashed all speculation Tuesday. "To clear the rumor...
Councilman Eyes Borgeas' Supervisor Seat. He's Now a Candidate.
The potentially vacant Fresno County supervisorial seat representing north and central Fresno has its first candidate. Fresno City Councilman Steve Brandau tells GV Wire he is "in" for the position held by Andreas Borgeas. “I am going to be a candidate in that race. … Supervisor Borgeas, I’m quite confident...
Animal Shelter Gets Green Light, but Likely Lawsuit Awaits
Overcome with emotion, Derrel Ridenour wiped his eyes with tears of joy and tears of victory. Moments earlier Tuesday, the business magnate and animal lover heard the news he’s fought years to hear — unanimous approval of the animal shelter he wants to build. “When you go to shelters, and...
Temperance Flat Blocked. No Help to Salmon, State Rules.
To say that figuring out the state funding formula for the proposed Temperance Flat dam is complicated is an understatement. But the reason for the state's decision to award just $171 million for the $2.6 billion project is crystal clear. The California Water Commission determined that the dam wouldn't help spring-run Chinook...
‘Clerical Error’ Could Cost Fresno County a Half-Million Dollars
Fresno County could issue a refund to a buyer of a contaminated building purchased at a 2014 tax sale. The Board of Supervisors will discuss the matter Tuesday (May 1). The problem: The county didn’t tell the buyer the 130,000 square-foot building at 2696 South Maple Ave. in Fresno was...
Water-Producing GROW Act Yet to Yield a Trickle in Senate
Remember the ballyhooed “GROW” Act (H.R. 23) passed by the House of Representatives last July? Authored by Valley Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), the bill passed 230-190. It even earned the support of four Democrats, including Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno. The legislation aims to expand water storage and other water infrastructure...
Water-Producing GROW Act Yet to Yield a Trickle in Senate
Remember the ballyhooed “GROW” Act (H.R. 23) passed by the House of Representatives last July? Authored by Valley Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford), the bill passed 230-190. It even earned the support of four Democrats, including Rep. Jim Costa of Fresno. The legislation aims to expand water storage and other water infrastructure...
Supes President sets “A New Day”
At a special ceremony today to swear in two new Fresno County supervisors and one re-elected member, new board president Brian Pacheco outlined his goals for the coming year. They include breaking ground on a new jail, start building a new sheriff's sub-station and district attorney's office as well as...