Oscar Sandoval believes the traditionally conservative northwest Fresno voters will accept his progressive ideas. “We are about community, people power,” Sandoval said in describing his campaign for the area's District 2 seat on the city council. Last week, around 30 people attended an intimate setting at Intimo Cocktail Lounge in...
Costa 'Disappointed' By Soria's Challenge of His House Seat
Esmeralda Soria officially revealed a poorly kept secret — she is running for Congress against fellow Democrat Jim Costa. Soria made the announcement Thursday with a three-minute video on Facebook. “I am humbled by the overwhelming local support, as I stand up and step up for my family and community,"...
Valadao Thinking About 2020 Rematch Vs. TJ Cox
What has David Valadao been doing since leaving office in January? “Milking cows,” said the dairy farm owner and former Hanford congressman. Valadao lost to TJ Cox by 862 votes in the 21st District race, the last to be called nationwide in the 2018 midterm elections. It was one of seven...
What Is Advance Peace? Group's Founder Explains.
On Monday, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand vetoed $200,000 earmarked by the city council in the 2019-20 budget for Advance Peace, an anti-gun violence initiative. Council members now have 30 days to attempt an override of the mayor's veto pen. The Advance Peace proposal has sparked controversy with opponents describing it...
SF Judge's Ruling Offers Hope for Fresno Parks Tax Backers
In a ruling that could have implications for Fresno’s Measure P, a San Francisco judge ruled Friday that tax measures there put on the ballot by citizen initiative only needed majority voter approval. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman ruled that two petition-led measures passed in San Francisco in...
Reported Hate Crimes Doubled in Fresno in 2018, State Says
While the number of reported hate crimes decreased last year in California, the number more than doubled in the city of Fresno, according to data released Tuesday by the state's attorney general. There were 27 hate crimes reported in Fresno in 2018, compared to 13 in 2017. The 27 events...
Fresno Man Pleads Guilty to Illegal Nigerian Arms Deal
Ara Dolarian Jr. of Fresno pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to one count of conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act, according to The Fresno Bee. Dolarian, 58, faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He will be sentenced at a later date....
With New High School, Central Unified Reaches for the Stars
Pick a word. Stunning. Exciting. Expensive. All apply to Central Unified's newest high school, which breaks ground Saturday morning at Ashlan and Grantland avenues and is expected to be ready for students in August 2021. The cost of the school's first phase is about $121 million. There will be three...
Got a Beef With Code Enforcement? A New 'Sheriff' Is in Charge.
Cars parked in the front yard, broken-down RVs seemingly anchored to the street, and junk stockpiled by hoarders have driven residents and Fresno City Council members bonkers for years. On Thursday, the council finally decided to do something about code enforcement's apparent inability to get such complaints — and many...
Bitwise Hits Jackpot With $27M in Venture Capital Funding
Six years after its founding, Fresno-based Bitwise struck the jackpot with $27 million in venture capital funding. It plans to increase its presence in Fresno and expand to Bakersfield. Bitwise’s business model includes teaching computer code writing, software development, and real estate. The company revitalized a number of downtown properties,...