Fresno City Council President Miguel Arias is urging City Hall staff and officials to self-quarantine if they have recently been in proximity to a county supervisor who has contracted COVID-19. Fresno Supervisor Steve Brandau disclosed he tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday. Arias is concerned about city personnel that have...
‘Corruption’ or ‘Pure Politics’? What’s Behind Heated Charges Over City Trash Contract.
Garry Bredefeld's colleagues didn't think much of his vociferous complaints about a no-bid contract. The Fresno City Council on Thursday approved a contract with Olympic Property Services to clean up the Chinatown section of the city, near downtown. Bredefeld objected on many fronts, namely the no-bid nature of the contract,...
‘You’re Part of the Swamp’: Heated Argument Erupts Over Council Contract Vote
A heated debate about a Chinatown cleanup contract led to yelling, arguments, and a need for a break to cool things down at Thursday's Fresno City Council meeting. The council approved an agreement with Olympic Property Services in a no-bid contract by a 6-1 vote. But not before Councilman Garry...
Will New Booze Sale Limits Chase Away Neighborhood Grocery Stores?
There could be fewer places to purchase alcohol in the city of Fresno in the future, potentially making "convenience stores" a little less convenient. In a longstanding effort to reduce the number of beer, wine and liquor merchants, the Fresno City Council is moving forward to finalize the Responsible Neighborhood...
Why Don’t We Do It in the Road? Tower Eateries Start Today.
Irene Faul hopes setting up tables on Olive Avenue will help reverse her restaurant's fortunes. "I think it's going to help tremendously. I mean, every extra table that we can put out helps us with our bottom line," Faul said. Faul's restaurant will be the first eatery in the Tower...
Free COVID Testing, Groceries Saturday at Roeding Park
Free COVID-19 testing and groceries will be available Saturday at Roeding Park. Sponsored by Fresno councilman Miguel Arias, the event runs from 8 a.m. to noon. The event will take place next to the Chaffee Zoo. Parking is free. Facemasks will also be available for the event billed as both...
Fresno County Spending COVID Funds Faster Than City
In the 1985 movie "Brewster's Millions," Richard Pryor's character had a hard time spending $30 million in 30 days. His reward if he did would be $300 million. The city and county of Fresno are taking a slower approach spending $171 million in federal funds from the CARES Act for COVID-19...
Radio Ad Slams Arambula Over Run-in with Supervisors
Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula's confrontation last week with members of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors has made him the target of conservative activist and campaign consultant Tal Cloud. Also in Politics 101: Will there be a City-County workshop next week? Groups concerned over access to meeting. Two more candidates running...
Will Downtown to River Parkway ‘Protected’ Bike Lane Become Reality?
A bike lane offering riders added protection from motorists stretching nearly 13 miles from downtown Fresno to the San Joaquin River Parkway is coming into focus. But whether it becomes a reality depends on funding, getting county sign-off on a stretch of Palm Avenue between Shields and Shaw avenues, and...
PD Commission’s Celedon Declines to Explain ‘Burn it Down’ Tweet
In its first public meeting Monday, the Fresno Commission on Police Reform's second-in-command, Sandra Celedon, declined to explain a controversial tweet after the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Also in Politics 101: Police Reform commissioners want more time. Another Fresno police committee is still active. County...