OCEANSIDE — About a dozen weightlifters wearing face coverings did sets Thursday in front of mirrors at a Southern California gym that was reopened by the owner despite his arrest last weekend for violating local coronavirus health orders that closed gyms. Lou Uridel — wearing a red, white and blue...
Valley Faith-Based Nonprofits Hurt by COVID-19 Get $100K Boost
More than $100,000 has been raised to benefit Valley faith-based nonprofits and community benefit organizations that are facing financial hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Faith-Based Nonprofit Resilience Fund, spearheaded by the Center for Community Transformation at Fresno Pacific University in partnership with nonprofit leaders, was created in April...
Brand ‘Surprised’ by County’s Objection to Shelter-in-Place Extension
At his news conference Tuesday evening, Fresno Mayor Lee Brand expressed surprise that Fresno County officials objected to his extension of the city's shelter-in-place through May 31. "This was a complete surprise to me and everybody else. And I simply don't understand it," Brand said. "We have to work as...
Dyer: Goal Is ‘Hundreds of Businesses’ Back Open by May 7
GV Wire asked Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer and Fresno City Councilmembers for their thoughts on Friday's extension of the shelter-in-place order through May 31. Mayor Lee Brand made the announcement, along with a plan to reopen businesses and require masks for most public activities. Mayor-elect Jerry Dyer "It is my intent...
Smartphone Tracking: Fresno County Residents Tired of Staying Home
Over six weeks ago, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued the stay-at-home order. That was March 19th. By and large, people took the order seriously and stayed home, according to smartphone tracking data by Safegraph. However, it appears "cabin fever" has set in. More people, according to their smartphones, are starting to...
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...
Mayor Brand Will Make Shelter-in-Place Announcement Friday
Mayor Lee Brand will announce news regarding the city's shelter-in-place ordinance Friday morning. The order expires at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6. Also in Politics 101: Could golf and tennis return? Gov. Gavin Newsom says its OK. A look at Fresno crime stats. More federal money coming to...
Councilman Wants Fresno’s Shelter-in-Place Order Extended Through May
Bucking the trend of four of his Fresno City Council colleagues, Nelson Esparza did not make a policy announcement by holding an in-person news conference. Instead, he advocated for extending the city's shelter-in-place order through at least May 31 with a news release and subsequent Zoom interview. Esparza tells GV...
Fresno Starts to Reopen as Pet Groomers Declared Essential
Business prospects for Fresno pet groomers brightened Tuesday as Mayor Lee Brand allowed them to reopen immediately during the city's COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders. "I've been considering this decision and it's time to start the gradual process of economic recovery," Brand said in a news release. Mayor's Recovery Committee Met on...
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...