The city of Fresno has strengthened and extended its shelter-in-place emergency ordinance through May 6 to combat the coronavirus. The previous shelter-in-place order was set to expire at the end of Sunday. At a Friday morning teleconference, Mayor Lee Brand announced new measures that include requiring employees at essential businesses...
No Fresno Social-Distancing Fines for Right Now
The Fresno City Council did not discuss councilman Luis Chavez's plan to institute a warning then fines for not practicing social distancing at its Thursday meeting. But, something could still be in the works. There is a tentative City Hall news conference (through Zoom) Friday. While no one is officially...
Mayor Orders Fresno Parks Closed Easter Weekend
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced Wednesday that all city parks will be closed Easter weekend, April 11-12, in the name of COVID-19 safety. Brand called it "an extremely difficult decision." Traditionally, Roeding Park and Woodward Park, two city-operated regional parks, draw huge crowds of families and friends celebrating the holiday....
Fresno Approves Emergency Declaration in City; Will Enforce Bar Closures.
The city of Fresno has declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Measures include the closure of bars in the city and prohibiting gatherings and events of 50 or more people. The Fresno City Council voted on the emergency measure in a special meeting Monday...
Does Brand Think Dyer Is the Man? Checkbook Says So.
While Fresno Mayor Lee Brand won't come out and directly say he is endorsing Jerry Dyer as his successor, his dollars may do the talking for him. Brand contributed $20,000 from his campaign account to the independent expenditure effort run by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce to elect Dyer for...
Over Bredefeld's Vociferous Objection, Guns Barred at City Hall
Only active duty peace officers and a few others will be allowed to carry weapons inside Fresno City Hall, the council decided Thursday. Listen to this article: Enacting a new policy at the behest of Fresno Mayor Lee Brand, the council voted 6-1 to limit guns to law enforcement officers,...
Newsom Pledges $11.5 Million to Fresno for Homeless Needs
Continuing a statewide tour, Gov. Gavin Newsom visited a mental health crisis center in Fresno on Wednesday, announcing that $11.5 million in help is coming to the area. Listen to this article: The funding will be in the form of emergency grants for the city and Fresno County. "Enough is...
Mayor Brand Vetoes Cannabis Business Regulations
Mayor Lee Brand vetoed the Fresno City Council's plan for recreational cannabis business regulations on Monday. The council long debated the plan, which included several social equity components, for stores to conduct business in Fresno. The final vote took place on Dec. 12, passing 4-3. A veto needs five council...
City Hall Proposal Would Leave Guns to the Cops
Update, 12/12/19:Â The city council voted 7-0 to table the introduction of this bill until later. The next meeting is Jan. 16. The final vote to approve would be at the second meeting the item appears on. It would then go into effect 31 days later if passed. Also, City...
Who Besides the Obvious Are Running for Fresno Mayor?
The Fresno mayor's race is less than 90 days away. And although things have been somewhat quiet among the two frontrunners, the campaigns of Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz and former police chief Jerry Dyer are about to rev up. But at least three other candidates will be on the March...