The Fresno City Council parted with a troubled asset when it found a buyer for a parking structure and accompanying commercial space on the south end of Fulton Street in downtown Fresno. For years, the structure known as the "spiral garage" for its prominent design, had been falling into a state...
Immigrant Committee Coming to Fresno. Legal Defense Fund Next?
In the first major social policy proposal of the year, the Fresno council will vote on creating an “Immigrant Affairs Committee” at Thursday’s (Feb. 14) meeting. The idea comes from council members Luis Chavez (District 5) and Esmeralda Soria (District 1). All signs point to its passage. Chavez said he...
Did Fresno Parks Tax Pass? Courts Asked to Decide.
The Fresno City Council wants clarity on whether or not Measure P was approved by voters. Despite a 52% favorable vote for the proposed parks tax last November, city attorney Douglas Sloan interpreted state law as requiring a two-thirds majority for passage. By a 4-3 vote in closed session on Thursday...
Money Back Guarantee Gets 7-0 Vote, But Fine-Tuning Ahead
A proposal to guarantee that Fresno delivers planning department services on time received a 7-0 vote from the city council Thursday. But council members also made it clear that important issues must be ironed out before the "money back guarantee" plan is adopted. The bill, introduced by Garry Bredefled (District...
Diversity Debate Erupts as State Center Is Hiring New Leaders
Former trustee Miguel Arias is challenging State Center Community College District's commitment to hiring diverse leaders. In a recent tweet, he accused district leaders of screening out qualified minority candidates in the Reedley College presidential search. Both of the finalists, interim president Donna Berry and Jerry Buckley, the vice president...
MLK Fresno: Day of Marching, Protest and Community Service
Thousands gathered Monday morning in downtown Fresno for the annual march to honor Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Gathering at St. John's Church on Mariposa and R streets, the marchers took R to Tulare Avenue, then to P Street in front of City Hall. Speakers like Rep. Jim Costa (D-Fresno) and...
Cox's First Bill Is Emergency Loans for Federal Workers
Rep. TJ Cox’s first bill in Congress will help provide immediate financial relief for federal workers caught up in the government shutdown. Cox (D-Fresno) spoke to the media Thursday on Capitol Hill, flanked by seven other lawmakers, including Jim Costa (D-Fresno). “I have farm workers in my district that are...
Environmental Win: Caglia Pulls Plug on Mega Industrial Park
A planned south Fresno business park project, touted by City Hall as an economic driver but pilloried by environmentalists, is no more. Caglia Environmental is pulling the plug on a 2-million square foot industrial park project, slated for Central and Orange avenues. The project received unanimous approval from the Fresno...
Arias Will Resign Fresno Unified Post on Friday
Miguel Arias and Nelson Esparza are officially Fresno city councilmen, assuming office Tuesday, as prescribed by the city charter. They will be ceremonially sworn in Thursday (Jan. 10). For Arias, he will focus his time and attention fully on City Hall. He tells GV Wire he is resigning his position as...
Arias, Esparza Win Spots on Fresno Council. Chavez Wins Re-Election
The next Fresno city council will be more left-leaning and majority Latino. Miguel Arias has defeated Tate Hill in the District 3 race, 58%-42%, with 100% precincts reporting. In District 5, Luis Chavez won his case for re-election to represent southeast Fresno, with a 62%-38% win over Paula Yang, with...