There could be two plans to fully reopen Fresno presented at this week's city council meeting. As he promised a week ago, Councilman Garry Bredefeld is proposing a resolution to immediately repeal all 16 emergency orders made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also in Politics 101: Will any councilmember second Bredefeld's...
Arias Cited After Tussle With Conservative Activist Bergquam Caught on Camera
Facebook video posted at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday shows Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias in a shouting match with conservative activist Ben Bergquam. The video also shows Arias pushing a man accompanying Bergquam, who is attempting to question Arias about COVID-19 business restrictions on the stairs outside his downtown Fresno...
Chavez Proposes Warning, Fines for Not Sheltering in Place
Fresno City Councilman Luis Chavez plans to introduce an ordinance at Thursday's meeting to warn, then fine people not complying with social distancing guidelines. It's all in the name of public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. "The whole purpose of this ... is to minimize person-to-person contact and reduce the...
Latino Wave Is Changing Fresno's Small-Town Political Culture
Looking for California’s biggest wave? Try Fresno. As Fresno emerges as the Golden State’s next great city, it’s also experiencing an opening up of its small-town political culture. At this transformation’s heart is the so-called “Brown Wave” — the emergence of local elected officials, who, like half of Fresno’s residents,...
Revisiting Fresno's Sputtering Growth Plan Is a Must
Only a newspaper editorial board and others who don't operate in the real world would advocate sticking with a growth plan that isn't working. Listen to this article: Thus Fresno City Councilmembers Luis Chavez, Miguel Arias, and Mike Karbassi are to be commended for sticking their necks out and...
State Stalls, Fresno Co. Moves Ahead on Suicide Prevention
State Sen. Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) wants to help prevent suicide, especially among youth. So she authored SB 331, a bipartisan bill requiring each California county to develop a suicide prevention plan. Listen to this article: But, the bill was stopped in committee, frustrating Hurtado. “This year, the Assembly Appropriations Committee’s leadership...
Dyer is Money Leader in 2020 Fresno Mayoral Race
Fresno police chief Jerry Dyer has amassed more money for his 2020 mayoral run than the rest of the field combined. In numbers released Wednesday that cover the first six months of 2019, Dyer raised $262,834. His closest fundraising competitor, Fresno County prosecutor Andrew Janz, collected $70,109. Elliott Balch, the...
Mayor Brand: Amazon 'Put Fresno on Corporate Map'
The opening of the Amazon Fulfillment Center in southwest Fresno last year has meant much more to the city of Fresno than the addition of thousands of new jobs, Mayor Lee Brand said Wednesday at a grand opening ceremony heralding the facility. Amazon built an 850,000-square-foot, $200 million facility that...
Dyer Plans Leave of Absence as Police Chief to Run for Mayor
Police Chief Jerry Dyer says he'll take a leave of absence from his law enforcement to focus on his campaign for Fresno mayor. Dyer announced his candidacy Wednesday at Manchester Center. He had announced months ago his intention to retire as chief, effective Oct. 15. He said he would step...
Police Chief Jerry Dyer Jumps Into Fresno Mayoral Race
Jerry Dyer, who often has cut a larger-than-life figure in 18 years as Fresno's police chief, is aiming for an even bigger stage as the city's next mayor. Amid chants of "Jerry! Jerry!" Dyer announced his candidacy at a news conference Wednesday morning at Manchester Center, briefly outlining an approach...