Fresno County Superior Court fairs poorly when it comes to fulfilling a legal requirement to expunge or reduce marijuana convictions, compared to courts in other California counties. According to research from a state agency and GV Wire℠ inquiries, the Fresno court reported clearing 14.3% of eligible marijuana cases as of...
Sunshine Week: Some Local Governments Keep Info in the Dark
This is Sunshine Week, where the journalism industry and free speech advocates shine the light on access to covering our elected officials. Covering news in Fresno can be a struggle. Most public records from the government are supposed to be open and reviewable — by journalist, scholars or anyone. Several...
Despite 2018 Law, Fresno Courts Slow to Expunge Marijuana Convictions
When California voters passed Proposition 64 in 2016, it not only legalized personal use of marijuana, it also opened a path for past marijuana convictions to be expunged or reduced. A 2018 state law authored by Assemblyman Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, set the timetable. County district attorney offices had to provide...
Court Grants Restraining Order to Brewery Over Tower Theatre Property Sale
A Fresno County judge issued a temporarily restraining order Wednesday, blocking the sale of property connected to the historic Tower Theatre. Judge Rosemary McGuire's ruling is designed to allow time to resolve questions raised over a 'right of first refusal' clause in a lease affecting a single building, but which...
Lawsuit: Counseling Provider Forced Employees To Work While Getting Unemployment During COVID
Two employees of Family Foundations Counseling Services have filed a lawsuit against their former employer and executive director Pearl Heppner after they claim they were forced to work while receiving unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Their attorney, Narek Avetisyan, tells GV Wire℠ his clients felt like they had to work, or...
Eight Busted for Auto Theft in Fresno County Face 18 Years in Prison
Eight people have been charged for their alleged role in ripping off auto dealers in a 72-count indictment, the Fresno County District Attorney's Office announced. Last month, a grand jury indictment accused Hoover Alford, Luis Mojica and Noah Manley along with five other unnamed suspects of using stolen identification to...
Superior Court Closed Through April 3 Except for Emergency Matters
To reduce the coronavirus health risk to court users and staff, Fresno County Superior Court is closed today through April 3 except for limited emergency matters. Jurors in ongoing trials will be required to return to court when the court reopens. These jurors will be notified when and where to...
Fresno County Wants Just 7 Courtrooms Open Amid COVID-19
Fresno County Superior Court is seeking approval to substantially cut operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the court said in a news release Tuesday night. If the emergency request is granted by state Chief Supreme Court Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, there would be a maximum of seven courtrooms used among the county's...
Newsom Appoints Dalesandro to Fresno County Judgeship
Samuel J. Dalesandro Jr. is the newest Fresno County Superior Court judge. Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed him to the bench Monday to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Donald Black. Dalesandro, 43, has served as a Fresno County Superior Court commissioner since 2017. Newsom also appointed three...
Ag Giant Wonderful Sues Fresno County Over Assemi Nut Plant
One of the world's largest pistachio growers is suing Fresno County, alleging that it violated state environmental review regulations. The suit seeks to halt a nut processing plant being built by the Assemi family in the western part of the county. Wonderful Nut Orchards LLC filed the suit Tuesday in...