Quote of the Week
“If you don’t have a great downtown, it’s hard to claim you have a great city.”
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer, speaking at a news conference celebrating the long-awaited opening of Hotel Fresno
Don’t miss our candidate forum for Fresno County Supervisor, District 3, Monday evening, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – live streamed on CMAC.tv. Submit your questions for the candidates here.
This Week in Fresnoland
Fresno’s record-breaking summer rolls on
Fresno broke another heat record Thursday when temperatures climbed to 105 in the city, beating the old record of 102 set in 1980, Fresnoland’s Danielle Bergstrom reported. The record-breaking day comes on the heels of the city’s hottest-ever July and second-hottest summer since record-keeping began in 1887.
In Fresno, local government climate adaptation efforts have historically focused on other impacts from climate change, from drought-proofing water supplies to improving energy efficiency in city buildings.
When it comes to extreme heat, most efforts are focused on helping residents respond — although some city leaders are ramping up efforts to proactively cool the city.
But City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, who represents eastern Fresno neighborhoods, is hoping to proactively shade the city by increasing Fresno’s tree canopy.
Hotel Fresno finally opens
Hotel Fresno, a historic building located in the city’s downtown, celebrated its opening Thursday as a mixed-use affordable housing project, Fresnoland’s Pablo Orihuela reported.
The project, which has been delayed for years, introduced 81 new affordable housing units in a region desperate for more. The mayor said the project is part of an ambitious plan to get 10,000 people living in downtown Fresno.
The $36 million project has been in the works since 2019 and has seen multiple delays, with previously reported opening dates including 2020 and 2022. The 81-unit building received about 2,000 move-in applications and has, as of this week, reached full occupancy.
Hotel Fresno not only adds affordable housing to a region in need of more, but also represents the city’s hopes to revitalize its downtown.
Clovis school board candidates face questions about LGBTQ+ inclusion
Candidates for Clovis Unified School District’s Area 2 race got an opportunity to talk about their policy platforms with local voters during a candidate forum Wednesday, Fresnoland’s Diego Vargas reported.
The forum, hosted at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, was presented by the ACLU of Northern California and Faith in the Valley. Candidates Wilma Tom Hashimoto and Janet Kardashian answered questions from local residents, who voiced concerns about marginalized student support at CUSD.
Specifically, concerns over support for LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities and students wearing regalia related to their religion or culture were at the forefront during the forum.
“Clovis’ reputation is not good,” said a resident after asking the candidates how they would support LGBTQ+ youth in Clovis Unified, with an emphasis on transgender students.
Hundreds gather for Fresno’s annual Guelaguetza festival
Hundreds of Fresnans gathered for the 24th annual Guelaguetza festival, a celebration of Oaxacan regional culture, Fresnoland’s Gisselle Medina reported.
The Guelaguetza, which means “offering” in Zapotec—an Indigenous language spoken by the Zapotec people of Oaxaca—is an event that showcases the cultural expressions of Indigenous communities from the state of Oaxaca.
This year, The Binational Center for the Development of Oaxacan Indigenous Communities , received a $56,466 Expanded Access to Arts and Culture grant, funded by Measure P and administered by the Fresno Arts Council.
Bird flu deaths among Central Valley dairy cows ‘more serious’ than expected
“As California struggles to contain an increasing number of H5N1 bird flu outbreaks at Central Valley dairy farms, veterinary experts and industry observers are voicing concern that the number of cattle deaths is far higher than anticipated,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
Dairy operators were told to expect a mortality rate below 2%, while the Times says preliminary reports suggest somewhere between 10 and 15% of infected cows in the Central Valley are dying.
“A total of 56 California dairy farms have reported bird flu outbreaks. At the same time, state health officials have reported two suspected cases of H5N1 infections among dairy workers in Tulare County, the largest dairy-producing county in the nation. With more than 600,000 dairy cows, the county accounts for roughly 30% of the state’s milk production,” the Times reported.
Outside the Lines
On this week’s Fresnolandia podcast, Jordan and Dani welcome Clayton Aldern, co-author of Homelessness is a Housing Problem, in a book club discussion with Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias and Fresno-based affordable housing developer Jessica Berzac, co-owner of Upholdings. Listen here
In 1948, a plane carrying 32 passengers, including 28 Mexican farm laborers, crashed in the Los Gatos Canyon, 20 miles west of Coalinga. The laborers were buried in a mass grave in Fresno, their names apparently lost to history – until author Tim Hernandez began piecing together their names. KVPR
Some homeless service providers have scaled back and taken out loans as they wait for late payments from the government. CalMatters
“A deaf Fresno mother who accompanied her teen daughter at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera for emergency surgery said what should have been a two-day stay stretched more than a week because staff left her out of important conversations.” The Fresno Bee
Fresno poet Juan Felipe Herrera captured a fellowship from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, commonly known as a “genius grant.” The Fresno Business Journal
Folic acid is required to be added to cereal and bread because it’s good for infants’ health. This new California law ensures it’ll be in tortillas, too. CalMatters
“Current poor dispersion conditions and a stable atmosphere across the Valley have led to an increase in PM10 (particulate matter 10 microns and smaller) and ozone concentrations throughout the Valley.” Valley Air District
Block Beat
WEST MAYFAIR: The Oy Lao Little Farmer’s Market returns from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1735 N. Fresno St., near the intersection of East University and North Fresno streets. More info
FORT WASHINGTON: Starving Artists Bistro announced the closure of its restaurant near Fort Washington and Friant Road, at the end of September. KSEE
TOWER DISTRICT: Fresno’s annual pop-up literary arts festival returns Saturday, Oct. 12 in the Tower District. The series of short readings at various Tower District spots begins promptly at noon with four readings per hour. Attendees can select shows from a list of topics ranging in theme and genre. LitHop
DOWNTOWN/CHINATOWN: The Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, in partnership with the City of Fresno, is providing a total of $360,000 for façade improvements under the City of Fresno General Fund. More info
Around Town
The Big Fresno Fair kicked off Wednesday, launching 12 days of food, rides and music that includes Walker Hayes, Sugar Ray, Sheila E. & Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, El Flaco y El Mimoso, The Righteous Brothers, Big Daddy Weave, 311, The All-American Rejects, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, G-Eazy, Calibre 50 with Banda Carnaval and Dwight Yoakam. KMPH
The public is invited to the Economic Empowerment forum from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 at Fresno City College’s Old Administration Building, 1101 E. University Ave. The event is free and open to the public. More info
“Current poor dispersion conditions and a stable atmosphere across the Valley have led to an increase in PM10 (particulate matter 10 microns and smaller) and ozone concentrations throughout the Valley.” Valley Air District
“Have a say in how money for future transportation projects is spent in Fresno County. The Fresno Council of Governments is looking for transportation project suggestions that could become part of its 20-year Regional Transportation Plan.” Find the survey here
PFlag Fresno invites the public to its Trans Allyship Panel at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. The panel discussion can be viewed online via Zoom or in person at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E Barstow Ave. Panelists will share personal experiences and information “on how to be better allies specifically to our trans and gender non-binary loved ones.” A peer support and group discussion will follow the panel discussion. PFlag Fresno
