The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency reports two people have confirmed cases of West Nile Virus, and three cases are probable. In addition, the agency said samples indicate that St. Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV) may also be present, posing a risk to the public. Urging Precautions Public health officials...
Longshot Against Devin Nunes? Arballo Will Take Those Chances
Phil Arballo may have at least one thing in common with Devin Nunes, the nine-term Republican he hopes to defeat for Congress — they've both experienced chanting protesters. For the last two years, demonstrators have targeted Nunes on several issues — from the congressman's close ties to President Donald Trump...
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...
Tulare’s Kraft Cheese Plant Among Those Sold Off to French Dairy Company
Kraft Heinz said Tuesday that it is selling its natural cheese business — including its Cracker Barrel and Breakstone’s brands — to French dairy company Lactalis Group as part of a larger restructuring. The $3.2 billion sale includes the Kraft Heinz production facility adjacent to Highway 99 in Tulare, as...
World Ag Expo Canceled for First Time Because of COVID-19
For the first time in its 52-year history, the World Ag Expo will not have an event next February in Tulare. To provide plenty of time for exhibitors, attendees, volunteers, concessionaires, contractors, and local businesses time to adjust their plans, the International Agri-Center Board of Directors decided to cancel the 2021 event...
Election Challenge: Safe, Accurate Voting in Pandemic Era
Despite skeptics in high places — President Donald Trump, for example — of mailing a ballot to every active registered voter in California, local election officials are answering with their own message: All votes will be accurately counted, and rigorous safeguards are in place to prevent election fraud. In fact,...
Taxpayers Helped Make it, So Why Does Remdesivir Cost $3,200 a Patient?
Valley hospitals can barely keep the potential life-saving COVID-19 drug remdevisir in stock. And, when they can get it, the cost is $3,200 per patient. Fresno-based Community Medical Centers was completely out of remdevisir for 24 hours a few weeks ago. Visalia-based Kaweah Delta Medical Center — which is in...
Tulare Child Killer Dies of COVID-Related Illness on Death Row
Tulare County child killer John M. Beames died Tuesday while awaiting execution for the 1994 torture and murder of 15-month old Cassie McMains. Beames, 67, was sentenced to death row in San Quentin State Prison following his conviction in 1995. He died at a hospital outside the prison, officials said....
Tulare County Launches $7.5M Fund for Small Businesses
Small businesses can receive grants up to $5,000 to help with COVID-19 operating expenses, Tulare County officials announced Wednesday. As many as 300 businesses per district could benefit from a $7.5 million fund that will be distributed evenly among the county's five supervisorial districts. “We are happy to be able...
3 Counties Join Fresno in Backing Delay of Controversial VMT Law
Supervisors in Kings, Tulare, and Merced counties voted to align themselves with Fresno County on Tuesday. The boards in Fresno's neighboring counties agreed to back a two-year delay on implementing a controversial law — SB 743 — scheduled to take effect next month. Fresno County did the same on May...