A third attempt to increase the penalties on hit-and-run drivers has failed in the state Legislature. "Gavin's Law," championed by Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, failed to advance past the body's appropriations committee, effectively killing it. The bill was placed in the "suspense file," where bills go to die without a...
79% of Tulare County Newsom Recall Signatures Are Valid
Tulare County has finished the first round processing of signatures collected to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom. The county received 36,298, verifying 79% as valid. "Our county has completed all first level verifications and is in the process of conducting a second level review on challenged signatures in accordance with California’s Signature Verification,...
Who Wants to Be Fresno Police Chief? Salazar Applies Again
Mark Salazar still wants to be Fresno's next police chief. As he did last year, the longtime captain applied for the position, Salazar tells Politics 101. Chief Andy Hall faces mandatory retirement next spring. He was the surprise winner in last year's search to replace the retiring (and now mayor-elect)...
Widow’s Testimony Doesn’t Convince Senators to Back ‘Gavin’s Law’
A law championed by Assemblyman Jim Patterson to increase penalties on hit-and-run drivers after a 2018 death of a Clovis Unified educator hit a stumbling block Friday in Sacramento. The Senate Public Safety Committee failed to pass "Gavin's Law," named for Gavin Gladding, killed during a jog on Friant Road...
Why Did These Three Democrats Oppose Gavin's Law?
Gavin's Law, the proposed legislation to enhance penalties for hit-and-run drivers, passed the Assembly floor on Monday, 66-3. Who are the three who voted against AB 582 authored by Assemblyman Jim Patteson (R-Fresno) and named for Gavin Gladding, the Clovis Unified educator killed by a hit-and-run driver who may have...
Gavin's Law, Punishing Hit-and-Run Drivers, Advances in Assembly
A law to toughen criminal penalties on hit-and-run drivers inspired by a Fresno tragedy passed a major legislative hurdle Tuesday. Listen to this article: The Assembly Public Safety Committee approved "Gavin's Law" 5-0 with three members not present. "(This bill closes) a loophole and sort of change this perverse...
Gladding’s Powerful Testimony Changes Minds in Assembly
Gavin’s Law was headed for failure in the Democratically-controlled Assembly Public Safety Committee on Tuesday. The law, authored by Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno), would increase penalties for hit-and-run drivers who flee the scene. Patterson named AB 582 after Gavin Gladding, the Fort Washington Elementary School vice principal who died last...
Will Gavin’s Law, Honoring Killed Educator, Clear First Hurdle?
Hundreds of family and friends of a Clovis Unified educator killed in a hit-and-run accident gathered at a Fresno park on Friday asking Assemblyman Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) one thing: Bring home justice for their beloved Gavin Gladding. “This is a very valid pursuit. We are encouraged. We are poised for...
Hot Dog! Former Intern Franks Buys a Piece of Fresno Grizzlies.
Derek Franks is now part owner of the Fresno Grizzlies. Not bad for a guy who started with the team as an intern in 2004 and dressed as a hot dog. The Pacific Coast League team announced it offered Franks, currently the team president, the opportunity to buy stock in...