Quote of the Week
“I think it sends the wrong message to the community as to what our actual intent is with this item. I don’t want that to dilute the good work that we have done in the city for the unhoused community. I believe the intent was missed.”
— Fresno City Council President Annalisa Perea on the city’s new anti-camping law.
This Week in Fresnoland
More questions than answers
In just about one month, Fresno’s unhoused residents face possible criminal charges for “sitting, lying, sleeping or camping” in many public spaces and local leaders remain unable or unwilling to answer a fundamental question: Where will unhoused residents go?
To be clear, the new laws are aimed at “everyone” who wants to sit, lie, sleep, or camp in public spaces — but even the laws’ staunchest supporters acknowledge it’s designed to eliminate homeless encampments.
Efforts to answer that basic question emerged this week — and immediately fell apart.
In an exclusive Fresnoland story this week, reporter Omar Shaikh Rashad revealed a closed-session discussion at City Hall brought forward by Councilmember Miguel Arias, weighing whether the city could purchase a dilapidated correctional facility outside Caruthers.
The facility, Arias suggested, could be used to hold unhoused residents in connection with the anti-camping laws.
But that idea was a non-starter. Fresno County owns the facility and told Fresnoland they already have plans to convert it into a law enforcement training facility.
County officials also said it was a bad idea. The rural facility is about 15 miles outside Fresno, far away from any relevant services or opportunities.
But Arias suggested the county could change its mind after the fall election, especially if incumbents Steve Brandau and Sal Quintero lose to their respective rivals from the City Council, Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez, respectively.
But the election isn’t until November, about two months after the anti-camping laws go into effect.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Fresno City Council gave final approval to the city’s anti-camping law.
Council President Annalisa Perea was the sole ‘no’ on the ordinance, siding with some critics who have said the new law is vague and overly broad.
Fresno County is expected to approve its ordinance on Tuesday.
How Fresno County’s transportation future got stranded
The Fresno County Transportation Authority’s meeting Wednesday ended with board members walking out in protest and breaking quorum – even though they’re on the hook for Fresno County roads’ $1.7 billion problem, Fresnoland’s Greg Weaver reported.
The eight-member board was created for the purpose of administering Measure C, Fresno County’s transportation sales tax set to expire in June 2027.
After failing to rally support around its renewal plan with voters during the November 2022 election, Fresno County officials and community members have tried to go back to the drawing board.
But talks between Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, Clovis Mayor Lynne Ashbeck, and leaders of the opposition that helped sink Measure C in 2022 are at a “standstill.”
One of the key questions still at stake is how much of the current $1.7 billion road maintenance shortfall residents should shoulder, versus how much businesses should have to pay. County reports point to the expansion of the logistics and agricultural industries as the major culprits of the substantial road damage.
“We’re not charging those who are causing most of the damage to our roads,” said Miguel Arias, a member of Fresno City Council and the FCTA board. “It’s crazy.”
Fresno on its way to cracking down on illegal animal breeders
The Fresno City Council approved a new ordinance that introduces harsher fines and criminal penalties for illegal animal breeding at an Aug. 15 meeting, the first step in a two-part vote to finalize the new law.
Thursday’s vote followed a news conference about the ordinance the day before, where city leaders shared that illegal breeders would face $1,000 fines per pet they’re caught trying to sell, Fresnoland’s Pablo Orihuela reported. The breeders could also face misdemeanor charges for violating the ordinance.
Charges can be dropped if the owner shows “conclusive proof” of spaying or neutering their pets and purchases a breeders license. The licenses cost $2,000 annually.
The ordinance comes at a time when the Fresno Animal Center is chronically overcrowded. City leaders shared that a moratorium on the shelter taking in new healthy animals will remain in place, despite concerns from some members of the public during Thursday’s council meeting.
“People in our city are breeding animals faster than we can save them,” Fresno City Council President Annalisa Perea said at the conference. “It’s time that we hold these illegal breeders accountable.”
The ordinance will return for a second and final vote at the Fresno City Council meeting Aug. 29 and, if approved, will take effect 30 days later.
Fresno’s interim superintendent sets big goals for students
Fresno Unified rolled out new plans for the upcoming school year — which starts next week — including plans to beef up student test schools by at least 30 points on the Smarter Balanced Assessment in two years, Fresnoland’s Charlotte Burks reported.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, FUSD Interim Superintendent Misty Her also said all of the district’s about 70,000 students would be released from school early each Tuesday of regular five-day school weeks.
Her was appointed interim superintendent of Fresno Unified School District, California’s third-largest school district, in May of this year. Her’s appointment followed controversy both in the community and on the Board of Trustees for Fresno Unified School District, as the board voted in April to look outside of the district for candidates — a change of course from the original plan to search for candidates internally.
Her is the first woman ever to lead the district, and the highest-ranking Hmong public school official in the nation.
Fresnoland partners with Climate Central to examine heat in the Valley
It’s not just you – this summer has been hotter than normal. July was the hottest month ever recorded in Fresno, according to the National Weather Service in Hanford.
How are you surviving the heat at home? Do you have an air conditioner? Are utility bills affecting your ability to stay cool? Fresnoland wants to understand how the heat is affecting Fresno County residents’ physical or mental health. We’ll be partnering with nonprofit news organization Climate Central to report out what we hear from you. Fill out Fresnoland’s survey to help us understand the issue better.
Outside the Lines
A farmworker died Monday morning after being crushed by machinery at a Wonderful Company orchard while harvesting almonds. Cal/OSHA has opened an investigation into the incident. The Los Angeles Times
Paco Balderrama, the former Fresno police chief who resigned over the summer amid scandal, has launched a new consulting firm, El Matador Consulting LLC. ABC30
Nelson Esparza, one week into his bid for Sen. Anna Caballero’s seat in the legislature when she terms out in 2026, has already racked up a number of endorsements, including from Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer and the Fresno, Madera, Kings & Tulare Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. The Merced Focus
The Fresno County Department of Public Health released figures as part of Valley Fever Awareness Month last week with at least 540 cases confirmed this year. Western Fresno County, including Firebaugh, Mendota and Kerman, is considered a valley fever «endemic» area — “meaning residents there are at an increased risk for the illness.” KVPR
Apple and Google will be rolling out the option for Californians to add their driver’s licenses or state IDs to their Apple Wallets and Google Wallets on their mobile devices. The mobile IDs will be valid at “select businesses and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) airport security checkpoints,” according to a news release from the governor’s office. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office
Block Beat
Clovis: Fosters Freeze has closed one of its Clovis locations (Clovis and Ninth), marking the third Fosters Freeze location to close in the Fresno area within recent years. Speaking with The Fresno Bee, the owner of Fosters Freeze franchise stated that factors including the rise of minimum wage in the food industry and inflation led to the closure.
Downtown Fresno: The Fresno County Public Library’s Central Branch located in Downtown Fresno will undergo an exterior construction project, reported KSEE/KGPE. Officials say they will aim to minimize disruptions, but that changes to usual hours of operation might be necessary; see the library’s website for latest details on their hours.
Around Town
The Fresno Business Journal reports that Fresno State football tailgaters will have less shade in the parking lot of Valley Children’s Stadium when the Bulldogs’ home opener kicks off next month, thanks to enforcement changes from the state.
Arte Americas hosts Bilingual Storytime and Art Workshop from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at 1630 Van Ness Ave. This storytime will help children learn about the days of the week, months, and important dates, and the following art workshop will help them create their own special calendars. The first 10 families will receive free books, so make sure to show up on time!
Inclusive Collective and Dulce Upfront are partnering to present Community Yoga from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug, 17 at Dulce Upfront, 2026 N. Van Ness Blvd. The beginner yoga flow is free, and is gentle and accessible to beginners. Any donations made should go to Dulce Upfront.
Registration for 2024-2025 Polynesian Dance Classes are still available through Fresno PARCS! The class selection, including Beginning Children’s Hula, Beginning Teen and Adult Hula, and Level 1 Tahitian Drumming and Ukulele have options for all ages. Registration is available online at www.parcs online.fresno.gov, over the phone at (559)621-PLAY (7529), or in person at Dickey Youth Center, 1515 E. Divisadero St., Fresno.
