The Selma City Council unanimously approved putting Measure L before voters to approve the establishment of a licensed cardroom. The threshold for passage? 50%+1. (Late Tuesday night the measure was trailing with 43.62% of the vote reported: 2,820 no votes (63.17%) 1,644 yes votes (36.83%) Supporters say the additional money generated...
Local Restaurant Joins Legal Claim for Fee Refunds Over COVID Closures
California restaurants have unified to file a claim seeking a refund for state and local fees, including for liquor licenses, health permits, and state tourism assessments. One of those involved is Vino Grille & Spirits in northeast Fresno. What could soon follow is a class action lawsuit involving many more establishments in...
Merced Residents Urged to Get Frequent COVID-19 Tests as County Fears Fallback
Merced County officials are concerned about falling back to the most restrictive tier on California's COVID-19 roadmap. So all residents are being urged to get tested frequently. “We are asking all County residents to assist by getting tested every 14 days if possible. Increasing our county’s surveillance testing will allow...
Fresno’s Top Doc: Chance of Fresno County Sliding Back Into the Purple Tier This Week is ‘High’
The business community is paying very close attention to the latest COVID-19 numbers because Fresno county is on the verge of slipping back into the most restrictive purple tier in the state's 'Blueprint for a Safer Economy'. During a Friday afternoon Zoom call with reporters, Fresno county interim Health Officer...
Businesses Vowed to Open October 1. Strip Club and Indoor Mini-Golf Center Still Plan To.
When Fresno County moved into the "red tier" of California's COVID-19 containment blueprint on Tuesday, it allowed many shuttered businesses to reopen. But not all. The loosening of restrictions comes on the heels of a rally last Thursday at Fresno City Hall, where a number of business owners gathered to...
Movie Theaters, Dining Rooms and Gyms Quickly Begin Reopening
Within hours of Fresno County being moved into California's 'red' tier for reopening, local businesses are wasting no time opening up. Movie theaters, shut down since the beginning of the pandemic can now open indoors with modifications at a maximum 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer. Regal Cinemas'...
State Moves County Into Next Reopening Tier. Theatres Can Open, Indoor Dining OK.
The California website 'Blueprint for a Safer Economy' just updated Tuesday morning showing Fresno County has met the metrics to move into the 'red' tier from the more restrictive 'purple" tier. Additionally, the state announced that all children’s playgrounds across the state have been reopened. Under state guidelines, restaurants can...
Hotels, Motels in Mariposa and Tulare Counties Being Turned Into Homeless Housing
Governor Gavin Newsom announced another round of 'Project Homekey' funds Monday afternoon. Mariposa and Tulare Counties were among the counties awarded. The governor also announced he has asked the Joint Legislative Budget Committee to approve his request for an additional $200 million in coronavirus relief funding for Project Homekey. Building...
Soaring Lumber Costs Push New Home Prices Up. Local Sellers Play Guessing Game.
Lumber prices have skyrocketed since mid-April, rising 130% and increasing the cost of a single-family home by more than $16,000 according to the National Association of Homebuilders. Jeff Klearman, portfolio manager at GraniteShares, a New York-based exchange-traded fund provider, told International Business Times that lumber prices have been rising primarily due...
Ecologist Says the USFS Needs To Get Out of the Way in Wake of Massive Fires
After nearly three weeks the Creek Fire continues to burn and is now the largest single wildfire in recorded California history at 291,426 Acres according to CAL FIRE. The USFS is still estimating full containment won't be reached until October 15th. Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler says he knows why the...