Quote of the Week
“I’ve been a proud Democrat for most of my adult life. I believe government has a duty to meet people halfway where possible. However, if folks are unwilling to meet us halfway on a solution, and are unwilling to find a solution outside of government, we must seek other courses of action.”
— Fresno City Councilmember Tyler Maxwell, speaking at a Sept. 23 press conference on the city’s encampment ban enforcement
This Week in Fresnoland
City rolls out vague “treatment first program” as anti-camping enforcement begins
Fresno city leaders are stressing a message of accountability, as one of the state’s most tough anti-encampment ordinances began enforcement Monday, reported Pablo Orihuela for Fresnoland.
At a news conference on Monday, they provided scant details on their policy, emphasizing a “Treatment First Program” as an alternative to sending offenders of the camping ban to a nearly-full jail.
The policy instructs law officers to use their discretion in offering “habitual offenders” the opportunity to skirt by ordinance penalties — which include monetary fines and possible jail time — by voluntarily accepting a treatment program from one of Fresno’s homeless service providers, should a bed be available.
The treatment will vary, depending on the needs of the person detained and which provider accepts them into their care.
“If they choose that approach,” Dyer said, “The police report would be held in advance, and if they completed a program as determined by the treatment provider, that report would be disposed of.”
Interim Police Chief Mindy Casto said police officers will be provided eight hours of training as they implement the new approach.
How Central Valley sexual assault survivors are fighting back against religious sect
A global initiative, with roots in the Central Valley, aims to secure justice for hundreds of sexual assault survivors whose abuse was ignored for decades by a nameless religious sect, reported Gisselle Medina for Fresnoland.
The FBI is currently investigating child sexual abuse within a secretive religious sect that operates globally and is, “urging anyone with information about the sect or knowledge of abuse or criminal behavior to come forward by completing a brief online questionnaire.”
Sheri Autrey, a survivor who was part of the Visalia congregation in the 1980s, is now aiding the FBI in their investigation. She has also hired a PR team to secure media coverage, leading to an investigation by Nightline and ABC in the Bay Area, which later became a Hulu documentary on the sect.
Join us for a debate with candidates for Fresno County Supervisor, District 3
Please join Fresnoland, Valley Public Radio, the League of Women Voters, and the Maddy Institute at Fresno State for a candidate forum on Monday, October 7 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to hear from incumbent Fresno County Supervisor Sal Quintero and his challenger, Fresno City Councilmember Luis Chavez, to hear about their plans for District 3, which encompasses several neighborhoods in south, central, and southeast Fresno.
The forum will be held at CMAC headquarters downtown, located at 1555 Van Ness Avenue – and also live-streamed on CMAC’s website and on social media. There are limited seats for those wanting to join in person, so make sure to RSVP to save your spot soon by clicking here.
Do you have questions for the candidates? Please send them to us by filling out the form at the bottom of the story here.
Federal judge appoints steward over Assemis’ farm operations
A federal judge granted a motion to appoint a receiver to steward over the Assemi family’s 50,000 acres of pistachios and almonds along the westside of the San Joaquin Valley in court Wednesday, citing cash flow issues, reported Danielle Bergstrom for Fresnoland.
The receiver, Lance Miller of Pivot Management Group, LLC, will be responsible for monitoring the remainder of the harvest, through the end of October – including auditing the Assemis’ use of funds during that time, according to an order from U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sheriff.
Prudential Insurance – which filed a lawsuit against the Assemi family’s farming operations on Sept. 16, alleging breach of contract and a default on loans totaling over $700 million – has agreed to advance $32.4 million to the Assemis, administered by the receiver, to complete the pistachio and almond harvest this year.
Miller, in his role as receiver, will be compensated at $50,000 per month, as well as an additional $875 per hour for every hour over 60 hours each month, according to court documents.
Fresno police approved for $7 million in helicopter upgrades
The Fresno Police Department’s Skywatch program got unanimous approval from the Fresno City Council for $7 million in upgrades at Thursday’s meeting, reported Diego Vargas for Fresnoland.
The new helicopter purchase comes after the council recently approved a 3% raise for police officers in August, with an unfunded $3.38 million price tag.
The council also accepted funds for more license plate readers from the company who owns Fashion Fair via the Fresno Police Chief’s Foundation, extended short-term rental tax collection to Vrbo, and shared why the Tower District Specific Plan is facing a few delays.
Outside the Lines
Gov. Newsom spent time in Fresno and East Orosi earlier this week, signing bills that improve access to farmworker housing and help provide clean sewer access. Fresno Business Journal
A Fresno deputy police chief was revealed as a finalist for a Bay Area city’s top cop this week. Open Vallejo via Fresnoland
Fresno business leaders – along with industrial developers – gathered at a press conference this week to urge Gov. Newsom to veto a bill that would increase residential buffers near industrial areas and restrict truck routes to those facilities. Fresno Business Journal
Fresno City College is now offering a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene, with a lottery process to get accepted. ABC30
Block Beat
SOUTHWEST: The annual Sweet Potato Project Harvesting event is happening on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the corner of California and Fair Avenues.
SOUTHEAST: The League of Mexican American Women is celebrating Betty Rodriguez at her namesake library Saturday, Sept. 28 at 12:00 p.m. There will be loteria, folklorico, bilingual storytime, crafts, and more.
RIVERPARK: If you haven’t made it to any of the Oktoberfest celebrations yet, don’t worry – Barrelhouse Brewing and Fresno Street Eats have teamed up with several local breweries to host on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
CLOVIS UNIFIED: The ACLU of Northern California and Faith in the Valley are hosting a forum featuring candidates from Clovis Unified Areas 2 and 4. For more details and registration, click here.
WESTSIDE: The California Highway Patrol seized $1.6 million worth of cocaine during a traffic stop along Interstate 5. | KMPH 26
SOUTHEAST: Butler Avenue, between Chance and Maple, is closed to prepare for horse racing at the Big Fresno Fair, according to a city press release.
MALAGA: Contracted crews cleared out a homeless encampment on North and Willow Avenues Friday, which previously housed about 25 people. ABC30
Around Town
Fresno’s Guelaguetza festival celebrating indigenous Oaxacan culture is this Sunday, Sept. 29 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Calwa Park, with live bands, folklorico, traditional food, and more. Admission is free.
The Fresno Philharmonic’s season kicks off this weekend with Babayan Plays Rachmaninoff, with shows this evening and tomorrow afternoon at the Paul Shaghoian Concert Hall at Clovis Community College. More info here.
LitHop – Fresno’s biggest annual literary event – is almost here! Save the date on your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. across venues in the Tower District.
The Fresno Arts Council is hosting the State of the Arts on Oct. 24 at 6:00 p.m. at The Grand on 10 downtown. Reserve your tickets, for $100/person, here.
I grew up on Nancy Drew mysteries, so I’m definitely excited to do some sleuthing IRL at the Mystery at Kearney Mansion on Oct. 26 at 11:00 a.m., hosted by the Fresno County Historical Society. Get your tickets on their website here.
The Central Valley Community Foundation and Fresno DRIVE present An Evening with Emmy and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Maria Hinojosa on Wednesday, Oct. 30 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Tower Theater. Reserve your free tickets here.
