The campaign for Fresno Unified's trustee seat representing the McLane High School area appears to be a classic matchup. Incumbent Christopher De La Cerda has served six years on the board: two as the appointed replacement for a trustee who resigned and four more after winning a full term without...
Trustee Race: Islas Says De La Cerda Hasn't Done Enough for Students
Christopher De La Cerda cited boosting Career Technical Education and early learning, upgrading campus safety and expanding health services as accomplishments worthy of another four-year term on the Fresno Unified school board Tuesday night. But Veva Islas, who is challenging De La Cerda for the McLane High area seat, said that much...
Live June 5 Election Results From GV Wire
Here is a look at the election results in the June 5 primary up through 12:26am: City of Fresno Council District 3 94% of precincts reporting (50% plus one vote wins outright. Otherwise, top two advance to Nov. 6 general election.) Miguel Arias — 30.3% Darren Miller — 14% Craig Scharton —...
Democrats Dominate Early Fresno District 7 Voting
Veva Islas, one of three candidates vying for the Fresno City Council District 7 seat, sent out a campaign email Wednesday morning stating that "Democratic mail ballots in District 7 so far are outnumbering those of Republicans by almost 3 to 1!" As the race, which is officially nonpartisan, involves...
One Charter School Fights for Survival. Another Wants to Open.
Two charter schools — one new and one looking for a renewal — hope that the Fresno County Office of Education answers their pleas. After being rejected at the local school board level, the One & Only Academy and Kepler Neighborhood School made their cases to the five-member elected board...
What's in a Name? City Council District 7 Race Gets Down & Dirty
The name of a Fresno City Council candidate is now a campaign issue. Brian Whelan sent a mailer to voters, comparing himself to opponents Nelson Esparza and “Veva Islas-Hooker.” Except, Veva Islas doesn’t go by that name. She made a point to chastise Whelan on Facebook. According to the county...
Temperance Flat Blocked. No Help to Salmon, State Rules.
To say that figuring out the state funding formula for the proposed Temperance Flat dam is complicated is an understatement. But the reason for the state's decision to award just $171 million for the $2.6 billion project is crystal clear. The California Water Commission determined that the dam wouldn't help spring-run Chinook...
District 7 Candidates Press for Advantage at Voter Forum
Comparatively, they are left, right and center. The three candidates for Fresno City Council District 7 faced off in a forum Tuesday (May 1) night at the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno. Veva Islas offered the most politically liberal approach to addressing the city's issues. Brian Whelan took more conservative...
Follow the Money: Whelan Flexes Fundraising Muscle
Financial figures are in for the first 111 days of the year of the Fresno City Council campaign. Candidates have released their Form 460, which lists how much money they raised, plus who made donations greater than $100. Certain political committees can donate more. The period covers Jan. 1 to...
Is Dyer Opening the Door to a Political Future?
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer is not ruling out a future in politics. “I’ve never shut a door on anything. But I do know at the present time, I’m very happy serving as the police chief," Dyer told GV Wire. "There is a lot of work left to do. I...