Two small Sierra schools seeking to reopen for classes on campus might get their wish as early as next week, Fresno County interim health officer Dr. Rais Vohra said Friday. Big Creek Elementary and Hume Lake Charter School officials are asking to be excused from the July state mandate that...
New State Policy Opens Local Schools for A Few Kids
New guidelines from the California Department of Public Health opens the door to allowing small numbers of students back on campuses closed since March 13. A lot of details remain to be hashed out, and Valley officials on Wednesday were studying the Cohorting Guidance to learn how it might apply...
County Seeks Injunction to Halt Immanuel Schools’ In-Person Instruction
Fresno County is seeking a court injunction to force Immanuel Schools of Reedley to close to in-person instruction, contending that the private Christian K-12 schools are violating state and local health orders and are a public nuisance. The complaint seeking a temporary restraining order, permanent restraining order, and an injunction...
Fresno County to Seek Reopen Waivers for Big Creek, Hume Lake Schools
Two tiny Sierra mountain schools in eastern Fresno County might get to open for classes after all. Fresno County Public Health director David Pomaville said Friday that his department next week will ask the California Departments of Public Health and Education to consider allowing in-person instruction for students in kindergarten...
Big Creek Has Essential Workers, a Closed School, and No Child Care Center for Kids
Big Creek, population 188, is in essence a Southern California-Edison company town — one where parents live with their children year-round. The parents run the region's massive hydroelectric project that generates one-sixth of all the hydropower produced in California, or about 4 million megawatt-hours per year. These are the folks...
County OKs Nail Salons, Tattoo Parlors & Game Centers for Reopening
The Fresno County Health Officer approved the reopening of movie theaters and family entertainment centers and expanded personal care services effective today. The health department listed the types of businesses that can reopen by agreeing to follow Fresno County COVID-19 guidelines: Esthetician, Skin Care, and Cosmetology Services Electrology Services Nail...
Football Players Back on the Field at Fresno-Area Schools, But No Tackling Yet
Football practices look considerably different at high schools in the Fresno area this summer as teams adapt to restrictions designed to help protect players from the coronavirus. For now, at least, there's no tackling, no ball-passing, and no contact between players. Coaches are throwing "air passes" — think "air guitar"—...
COVID-19 Spike Puts Fresno County on State’s Radar
The California Department of Public Health is paying extra attention to Fresno County after a spike in coronavirus cases. Fresno County Department of Public Health's Interim Health Officer Rais Vohra announced the development to reporters during a Monday afternoon Zoom call. "We've actually come to the attention of the state because...
West Nile Mosquitoes Found Within Fresno City Limits
Adult mosquitoes collected from an area around portions of the 93704 zip code area within the city of Fresno have tested positive for West Nile virus, according to the Fresno County Department of Public Health. West Nile virus is the leading cause of mosquito-borne disease in the continental United States,...
Getting Tested for COVID-19 in Fresno County Just Got Easier — But It’s No Picnic
A new website that lets Fresno County residents sign up for COVID-19 testing at Fresno City College without a doctor's referral is up and running, interim county health officer Rais Vohra said Monday afternoon. Vohra said he was one of the residents tested earlier Monday at the new test site...