This Thursday (April 12), the world recognizes Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. For Ephraim Hadjis of Madera, it is a time of horror he will never forget. Hadjis was born in Greece. He thinks it was 1943, making him 75 years old today. But, in truth, he may be a...
Fresno Mayor Brand Endorses Public Safety Tax Ahead of Parks Tax
UPDATE: 5:32 p.m., Thursday, April 5 Fresno Mayor Lee Brand put his shoulder squarely behind a proposed sales-tax increase for public safety today in a statement emailed to GV Wire. "While the City of Fresno has many challenges, including parks and green space, my job as your Mayor is to...
Sen. Berryhill Doesn’t Live in His District. Is That Legal?
State Sen. Tom Berryhill, who represents part of Fresno and all of Clovis, no longer resides in the district he represents. In fact, he’s lived out of the district for nearly two years. But it may not be illegal. Berryhill, a Republican, is a two-term senator, winning in 2010 and...
Cox Talks Immigration Fixes & Clark Shooting in Fresno Stop
Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox dropped in Fresno on Tuesday (April 3), praising cities and counties that have fought back against California’s sanctuary state law (SB 54). “The passage of this sanctuary state — and the enforcement of it — has resulted in Californians feeling less safe,” Cox said. “(The)...
Who Was Kirk Kerkorian? Secrets of Rags-to-Riches Life Unveiled.
No one born in Fresno has been as rich, as charitable or as mysterious as Kirk Kerkorian, the intensely private billionaire who died nearly three years ago at age 98. The Las Vegas wheeler-dealer famously avoided the spotlight. Even while building Sin City's biggest and grandest hotels. Or acquiring movie...
Will 'Pineapple Express' Bring Flooded Streets Again?
As an "atmospheric river" storm from the eastern Pacific moves into the Central Valley today, forecasts are predicting "substantial precipitation" for the area. The storm system, also called a "Pineapple Express," could grow as large as 400 miles across the southern and central parts of California. The National Weather Service...
Central Unified: Sutton Wants to Return, Parents Agree
Mark Sutton wants his job back. An active group of Central Unified School District stakeholders wants the former superintendent back as well. About 50 parents and other community members met at the LoMac Winery, west of Fresno, to discuss their next steps. Sutton made a cameo appearance to greet well-wishers. He...
Avoid the Collision Course. Try a Combined Parks & Public Safety Tax.
Thus far, Mayor Lee Brand and his two-term predecessor, Ashley Swearengin, have been on the same page. From cracking down on slumlords to downtown revitalization to attracting new business, Brand has carried on the Swearengin agenda. But now they're on a collision course. Swearengin very much wants to see Fresno...
Denham: His Plan to Fix Infrastructure and Protect Dreamers
Congressman Jeff Denham hopes President Trump’s infrastructure plan will help expand Highway 99. Speaking one-on-one with GV Wire, Denham talked about water, infrastructure and immigration. He also touched on his plan to help Californians protect special projects they approve. While his district does not represent Fresno County (he has represented...
New Bitwise Building Art Has a Name: Beige Against the Machine
(Update, 3/08/18: This story now includes a quote from the artist.) Motorists headed to downtown Fresno on Highway 41 may have noticed a stunningly painted building at 2600 Ventura Street. The design is a tessellation of black-outlined hexagons. The patterns lie on top of a wash of colors, with each...