Calling it a dramatic change in policy, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced in a Thursday news conference the end of the city's shelter-in-place order effective 12:01 a.m. Tuesday, May 26. The new COVID-19 rules also ended a requirement that people wear a face mask in public, making it voluntary. Enforcement...
NW Fresno FoodMaxx Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
A Fresno FoodMaxx employee tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday, and the diagnosis forced managers to close the store at 3241 W. Shaw Ave. A Facebook post by FoodMaxx states, "Out of an abundance of caution, the store was temporarily closed Wednesday, May 13, when the company was notified that an employee...
Friday Lunch Bunch Shows Support for Shuttered Fresno Eateries
While dine-in portions of restaurants in Fresno remain closed because of shelter-in-place orders, a group of foodies have created their own table experience. In the nearly-empty parking lot at the Villagio Shopping Center at Blackstone and Nees avenues, nearly 30 people brought their own tables and chairs for a luncheon....
Waffle Shop Owner Says He’s Returning to Takeout Only
Update 5/12/2020: Waffle Shop owner Ammar Ibrahim announced he is reverting to take-out only, starting Wednesday. The Waffle Shop had opened for dine-in service three days, racking up $6,000 in fines from the city. The next citation would carry a $10,000 fine. Below is Ibrahim's full Facebook post. Original story:...
City Warns of ‘Criminal Prosecution’ for Defying COVID Orders. Restaurant Owner Faults Mayor.
Dave Fansler hoped to reopen Pismo's Coastal Grill on Thursday. While the popular seafood restaurant wouldn't be packed — Fansler said seating would be restricted to 38% in the name of physical distancing — it would help the restaurateur get his business reopened. Fansler scrapped those plans when he received...
Fresno Lifts Limits on Dentists and Doctors. But Getting an Appointment Could be Difficult.
The city of Fresno gave the OK for all medical and dental practices to fully reopen this week. But many are not ready to do so. "There's a lot of different factors that make it really hard to start back up," said Dr. Paul Hsiao, a Fresno dentist. "It's hard to...
Brand ‘Surprised’ by County’s Objection to Shelter-in-Place Extension
At his news conference Tuesday evening, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand expressed surprise that Fresno County officials objected to his extension of the city's shelter-in-place through May 31. "This was a complete surprise to me and everybody else. And I simply don't understand it," Brand said. "We have to work as...
Many Fresno Businesses Allowed to Reopen Starting Monday
Fresno will begin to reopen its economy on Monday, May 11, Mayor Lee Brand announced Tuesday. Brand made the announcement at City Hall after telling city council members of his plans in an emergency closed session meeting an hour before. He was joined by members of his Fresno Recovery Advisory...
Fresno Pilot Walks Away From Small Plane Crash on Herndon Ave
A small plane crashed and landed on its roof on Herndon on Saturday morning. But no one on the ground was injured, and the pilot walked away with bumps and scratches, authorities said. Philip Barnett told the Fresno Bee the engine of his Cessna 172 Skyhawk failed after he took off from...
Brand: ‘We Will Be Opening up Businesses We Think Are Low Risk’
Fresno's shelter-in-place order will extend through May 31, Mayor Lee Brand said Friday morning while also revealing plans for the phased reopening of closed businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the mayor said that residents will be required to wear masks while shopping and entering other public places. "We...