Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis has long desired a first-class fire training facility, for more than two decades by her account. Thanks to money supplied from the state budget, she's going to get it. "Finally, after so many years, the call to invest in the Central Valley's fire service was...
Facebook Sales Helping Fuel Illegal Fireworks Problem in Fresno, says Police Chief
Facebook posts selling illegal fireworks are among the latest challenges faced by Fresno officials trying to clamp down on nightly and noisy aerial displays roiling neighborhoods across the city. Police Chief Paco Balderrama says the social media posts are just one part of a network of illegal sales his department...
Worst Night Ever for Illegal Fireworks, Says Fresno Fire Department
One look at the Fresno sky on Saturday night might have told you it was the worst night ever for illegal fireworks. Confirmation came from events on the ground. According to the Fresno Fire Department, it answered 135 calls for fires on the Fourth of July. And, at 10:18 p.m. overwhelmed...
Social Distancing In a Fireworks Stand? That’s What Fresno County Wants
Fireworks stands can officially open for sales in Fresno County at noon Sunday. All firework stand operators need to have a COVID-19 exposure control plan in place and conduct daily screening of all employees and volunteers. That's the new guidance from Fresno County public health officials. Fireworks Stand Guidance All...
After 15 Years, West Fresno Will Get Permanent Fire Station
Firefighter specialist David Woodard Jr. looks forward to a new roomier fire station. That's because the Fresno Fire Department has operated out of a house since 2005 at Ventana and Celeste avenues west of Highway 99. Listen to this article: "I'm very excited for this move to happen. It's long...
Poor Academic Performance Is Kepler Charter School's Undoing
The front page of a Fresno Unified fact-finding report bluntly lays out its recommendation: “Deny the Kepler Neighborhood School Charter Renewal Petition request. The charter school has not met the standards and criteria set forth in Education Code.” Fresno Unified trustees agreed with that finding Wednesday night, voting 5-2 not...