Good morning! It’s Friday, Sept. 18. This is Rob.
Pro tax? Some of the strongest backers of a Fresno County transportation sales tax are Republican mayors. KVPR
It’s not great: Here’s where Fresno ranks among the best cities for Hispanic entrepreneurs. The Business Journal
Revive Storyland: The historic theme park near Roeding is hosting an ‘Evening of Enchantment’ fundraiser this Saturday, Sept. 19. Buy your tickets here.
‘Really nasty threats’: The owner of the Madera Speedway receives threats after posting a ‘joke’ about charging California Democrats more to attend the Sept. 26 race. KMPH
The Snip Act: A bill that could help tackle Fresno County’s pet overpopulation problem needs Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature by Sept. 30. YourCentralValley
Investigation: Selma police are searching for additional potential victims after arresting a man accused of sexual assault at an alleged unlicensed chiropractic practice. KMPH
‘Legacy’: Parlier High School breaks ground on a brand new $21.6 million stadium. YourCentralValley
FAT rules! USA TODAY nominates the Fresno Yosemite International Airport as one of the best small airports in the nation. YourCentralValley
Dolly Day: The Fresno City Council declared Sept. 25 “Dolly Parton Day” in celebration of the iconic singer and philanthropist’s dedications to childhood literacy. GV Wire
1. Friant Ranch OK’d by county planning commission
The longstanding Friant Ranch megadevelopment proposal scored a greenlight from the Fresno County Planning Commission on Thursday.
The estimated $1.1 billion plan calls for 2,500 homes, most of them for residents 55 and older, on about 1,000 acres. It would build a new town, roughly the size of Fowler, just south of the town of Friant, centered around property owned by former Madera County Assemblymember Frank Bigelow.
Supporters tout the plan as “the Central Valley’s first master-planned retirement community for Active Adults.”
Fresno County’s environmental review, however, suggests that the brand new city of seniors would have little environmental impact.
Friant Ranch previously was approved by the county in 2011, but was killed in a 2018 California Supreme Court ruling that found the environmental review was flawed.
Read the full Fresnoland story here.
2. ‘What we’re facing’
After enduring more than a decade of declining student enrollment, the fat is in the fire for Fresno Unified schools and historic cuts are inevitable — and coming soon.
That was the grim message during a budget workshop on Wednesday before the Fresno Unified School Board.
Over the next six months at least, Superintendent Misty Her says the district will begin hosting community discussions between residents and the district’s still-to-come budget committee to begin studying the painful plans that will soon result in historic cuts.
And while nothing has been decided, nothing is off the table, either.
Trustees acknowledged that changes are coming, schools are closing and key programs, like the district’s once highly touted dual immersion program are not safe from the chopping block.
Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas: “So I’m just going to say school closure, program elimination, supports eliminations, and really significant cuts, staff cuts; that is what we’re facing.”
Read the full Fresnoland story here.
3. Five Fresno things happening this weekend
Grab a Märzen at Oktoberfest, sip a whiskey (neat!) and watch kilted athletes hurl huge rocks, devour a gyro — a real one — at Fresno’s Greek Fest or just head to Woodward Park to hear a decent story — and don’t let anyone tell you there’s nothing to do in Fresno this weekend.
Here are just a few ideas.
Yamas! Fresno’s Greek Fest kicks off Friday and runs throughout the weekend. All tickets are available for purchase at the gate. $8 for adults, $4 for seniors over 65 and students with ID, free for children under 12 and active military with ID. The Fest itself is cash-free. The map and schedule are online here. Check out the Fresnoland food story for full details!
Proudly plaid: The 49th annual Fresno Scottish Gathering and Games kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19 at Kearney Park, 6725 W Kearney Blvd.Music, food and games, including a whiskey tasting, sampling meat pies and scotch eggs as Fresno celebrates its Scottish community. Tickets start at $20. More information here
Great stories live forever: Story Time is a free community program for visitors to the Clark Bonsai Museum in Woodward Park. Stories are read among living bonsai, with stories inspired by nature, Japanese culture, and the art of bonsai. Story time begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. Admission is included with the Shinzen Garden. Clark Bonsai Museum
Cheers! Oktoberfest lands in Fresno at 2 p.m.Saturday, Sept. 19 for a day of “ice-cold beer, live music, delicious food, and unforgettable Good Times” at Barrel House Brewing at the River Park Shopping Center. Barrel House
‘Gift or no gift’ Celebrate the fifth anniversary of Disney’s Encanto at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 at the Historic Crest Theater in downtown Fresno. Admission is free. The film will be played in English with Spanish subtitles. Reserve your spot here!
Today’s newsletter is edited by Danielle Bergstrom.
