Mayors from California's largest cities are asking the state Legislature for a $20 billion, five-year commitment to addressing homelessness. Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer appeared with the Big City Mayors group at a Thursday virtual new conference for the big ask. Despite being introduced as "Jerry Dryer" by San Francisco Mayor...
Fresno Leaders Call for Justice, Peace With Chauvin Verdict
Hours before the news broke that Derek Chauvin was found guilty in the death of George Floyd, a group of Fresno pastors and city leaders encouraged a peaceful response from the community. Chauvin was convicted on three criminal counts of second degree murder, third degree murder, and second degree manslaughter...
Tensions Rising, Fresno Police to Keep Proud Boys, Tower Protesters Separated
Opposing sides of the increasingly tense protests at Tower Theatre will be separated by barriers, city of Fresno and police officials said. Police Chief Paco Balderrama said the sides will be kept separate at the every-Sunday protest over the potential sale of the iconic Tower District venue. "We are there...
More Than Symbolic: Fresno To Create Office to Combat Asian Hate
Update, 4/08/2021, 5 p.m. The Fresno City Council approved the anti-Asian hate resolution with a 7-0 vote. Original story: When members of the Fresno City Council discuss a resolution condemning anti-Asian hate in Fresno and throughout the country, they hope it is more than just words. "I didn't want a...
Fresno Offers Landlords 80% of Past Due Rents to Prevent Evictions
The city of Fresno is now taking applications to distribute $31 million in federal and state aid to residents who need help with rent or utilities. "We know that our community is hurting. It's been a very, very tough year. As many of you know, 2020 can be categorized as...
How Will Fresno Spend New Round of Federal COVID Funds? Council Counts the Ways.
The $1.9 trillion federal American Rescue Plan is so big, it could fund Fresno's $1 billion a year budget for approximately 1,900 years. Fresno's current share, city officials say, is $155 million. The city council discussed the item at Thursday's meeting, and several members had plans how to spend the...
Dyer Looks to Fill Planning Board Vacancy. Sodhi-Layne Leaves with India on Her Mind.
An opening at the Fresno Planning Commission means Mayor Jerry Dyer will make his first pick on the body that sorts out land use issues. Raj Sodhi-Layne resigned on Jan. 1 to concentrate on her business and family. She was appointed to the planning commission in 2017 by then-mayor Lee...
City Unveils Newly Renovated Motel to House the Homeless
More residents will start moving into the renovated Welcome Inn — once part of Fresno's notorious "Motel Drive"— starting today. "We are here because we took advantage of the pandemic crisis that brought some resources to tackle this equally tragic crisis, the crisis that our most poor and our homeless have...
Dyer Warns of Public Safety Cuts Without Biden Aid
Jerry Dyer is worried that without another round of federal relief money, the city could be facing a severe budget shortfall. This week, the Fresno mayor warned of a potential $30 million deficit in comments to the Washington Post. At a news conference at the Welcome Inn on Wednesday, Dyer...
Nation’s First High-Speed Rail Station Could Be in Fresno, Mayor Says
Mayor Jerry Dyer wants to expand the city's business office to include speakers of languages beyond English and Spanish. That could include hanging out the "Pab Hmoob Rov Qab Qhib Lag Luam" sign — Hmong for "Helping Hmong Businesses Open." "I've asked our city manager to expand our hiring of...