In our search for inspiring new ideas for solving California’s housing crisis, we must dig deeper. How deep? At least to the depths plumbed by Baldassare Forestiere. If you’ve never heard of Forestiere, you’re not alone. He’s never become the household name he should be in California. He deserves far...
Newsom Commutes Sentence of Fresno Inmate Who Killed Two Men
Marcus McJimpson, who was 21 in 1988 when he shot and killed two men during an altercation in Fresno, is among 21 inmates who had their sentences commuted Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The governor's action means that McJimpson, now 52, is eligible for parole. In announcing his decision, Newsom...
Fresno Considers Ambitious Downtown Project. Neighbor Not So Sure.
Developer Terance Frazier's long-envisioned downtown Fresno entertainment and housing venture will be presented to the city's planning commission for approval Wednesday (Sept. 18). Listen to this article: The H Street Development is slated to include restaurants, bars, and other entertainment venues, such as a music stage and a bowling...
State Stalls, Fresno Co. Moves Ahead on Suicide Prevention
State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) wants to help prevent suicide, especially among youth. So she authored SB 331, a bipartisan bill requiring each California county to develop a suicide prevention plan. Listen to this article: But, the bill was stopped in committee, frustrating Hurtado. “This year, the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s leadership...
Keto the Trend, but Beer Rules at California Food Expo
The local Fresno foodie event went big this year. It's no longer the Fresno Food Expo, going with the expansive California Food Expo title instead. Listen to this article: Approximately 1,000 vendors, buyers, and exhibitors lined the floor of the Fresno Convention Center Tuesday. Another 1,200 people were expected...
On a Gorgeous Weekend, Granite Park Is Big Hit With Families
The cooler weather complemented perfectly with two big activities taking place at Granite Park this past weekend — The Big Bounce America and a memorial softball tournament. Both drew sizable, yet manageable crowds, with a $3 cover charge to enter the facility. Each event had its own entry fees as...
Mea Gulpa: Firestone Invites Fresnans to Chill With Brewer
Firestone Walker Brewing Company wants Fresno to know it loves having the city as its neighbor. David Walker — president of the company that crafts such brands as 805 and Firestone DBA — is mortified about a disparaging comment made by his brewery's communication director about Fresno over the weekend....
Fresno Judge Rules Measure P Parks Sales Tax Hike Failed
A Fresno County Superior Court judge has sided with a taxpayers advocate group's contention that a Fresno parks sales tax measure failed. Judge Kimberly Gaab issued the ruling Thursday, agreeing with the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association and against Fresno Building Healthy Communities. Fresno voters backed Measure P in November 2018...
State Center College District Adds $10 Million to 2019-20 Budget
The State Center Community College District board will consider a $10 million boost to the proposed final budget for the 2019-20 school year, raising the unrestricted general fund budget to $224.9 million and the total budget to $366.5 million. District staff are recommending using $5.5 million from reserves funds for...
Lawmakers Tackle a Severe Housing Shortage for Renters Who Have Federal Vouchers
By Manuela Tobias, The Fresno Bee and Jackie Botts, CalMatters As California struggles with a crisis in affordable housing, state lawmakers are trying to improve a severe shortage of housing available to renters who have federal Section 8 vouchers. The vouchers allow tenants to pay only 30% of their income...