Fed up with the way Mayor Lee Brand announced his shelter-in-place extension, restaurateur Mike Shirinian resigned from Brand's advisory committee in dramatic fashion on Friday — live on Ray Appleton's show on KMJ radio. Shirinian, owner of The Elbow Room in Fresno and Riley's Brew Pub in Clovis, was one of...
Brand: ‘We Will Be Opening up Businesses We Think Are Low Risk’
Fresno's shelter-in-place order will extend through May 31, Mayor Lee Brand said Friday morning while also revealing plans for the phased reopening of closed businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the mayor said that residents will be required to wear masks while shopping and entering other public places. "We...
Rural Northern California Counties Seek to Reopen Economy
SACRAMENTO — Officials from six rural Northern California counties and 14 small cities in them have urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to let them reopen their economies, marking the most significant pushback yet from local leaders against a mandatory stay-at-home order in its second month that has left 3 million people...
Harder Than Shutting Down: How Does Newsom Reopen California?
Restless Californians are letting Gov. Gavin Newsom know they’re over his statewide order to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. At noisy street demonstrations and in polite letters from government officials, they’re saying: Let us start getting back to normal. Other local leaders — still concerned about...
Social Distancing Costly, but Effective. USA Rebound, Cultural Changes Next.
The human race is on pause. Our planet is changing. I wonder what cultural and moral transformations might emerge as a result of this pandemic. From my vantage point, we are becoming more aware of our own humanity, kinder, and more empathetic to those who are less fortunate. Is that how...
Health Officer: 'I Think We Will Be on Track' for Fresno Reopening May 7
The city of Fresno's shelter-in-place order goes until the first Wednesday in May. Mayor Lee Brand extended the shelter-in-place order to May 6 based on modeling that indicated COVID-19 cases will peak in late April. Fresno County's Health Officer, in response to a question Friday from GV Wire said: "I...
Good News for Fulton as Downtown Street Gets Ready to Party
Fresno Mayor Lee Brand delivered good news Friday about Fulton's $20 million makeover —a day before the Fulton Street Party celebrating its 2017 reopening. According to city records, businesses along the downtown street grossed $43.6 million in revenue for fiscal year 2019. That compares to $2.9 million in 2015, which was...
Cars Packed With Visitors Line Up to See Yosemite Valley
Hikers and nature lovers returned to Yosemite National Park's scenic valley Tuesday after a rare 20-day closure because of smoke from wildfires. Some said they didn't mind the hazy air that obscured scenic vistas; others came prepared with eye drops and face masks. Park officials also advised visitors to expect...
Yosemite Valley Closure Costs $50M in Lost Tourism. It Is Now Open.
The reopening of iconic Yosemite Valley, a favorite destination of tourists worldwide, is finally here for Douglas Shaw. A 20-day closure during peak tourist season at one of the busiest parks in the U.S. cost Shaw $200,000 in lost revenue at his hotel just outside Yosemite National Park. Most of...