Quote of the Week
“I’m appalled that it took an outside investigation to bring this issue to light.”
— Councilmember Brandon Vang, commenting on Fresnoland’s recent contracts investigation
This Week in Fresnoland
Fresnoland probe sparks calls for change
Just days after Fresnoland’s major two-part investigation, the Fresno City Council appears to be gearing up to make some big changes.
Within hours of when Fresnoland published part one of the special report Wednesday, two city councilmembers pledged to improve transparency spending policies.
“I’m appalled that it took an outside investigation to bring this issue to light,” Councilmember Brandon Vang said, referring to Fresnoland’s reporting. “Why did this contract not come before City Council’s approval?”
Fresnoland’s Investigative Reporter Omar S. Rashad examined thousands of contracts and found multiple examples of city officials handing out several contracts to the same consultants worth $100,000 or less. Since they don’t go over that threshold, they’re not required to get city council approval, and also aren’t put in front of the public.
However, when those contracts are added up, they’re worth more than $100,000.
Part 2 of Fresnoland’s investigation explored the ways in which city leaders regularly award contracts to consultants that, in total, are greater than the city’s $100,000 contracts threshold.
Fresno’s city contracts database does not list every city contract, so there’s no way for a member of the public to know how many contracts city officials are handing out to consultants.
Prior to Wednesday’s news conference, five of the seven Fresno City Councilmembers — including Richardson and Vang — told Fresnoland they supported beefing up transparency rules for not just these smaller-dollar contracts, but all no-bid contracts city officials enter into with third-party companies.
Fresno rallies after latest ICE killing
Around 200 protesters descended on downtown Fresno on Thursday night, adding their voices to the thousands of angry residents across the nation that came together to condemn the latest killing of a person at the hands of ICE agents.
Fresnoland’s Pablo Orihuela was on-hand outside Fresno’s downtown ICE office as rallygoers began an impromptu march along Van Ness Avenue. A KSEE 24 cameraman suffered minor injuries when he was struck by a car during the march. The driver remained on scene and appeared to be cooperating with traffic investigators late Thursday.
Angry protesters burned an American flag at one point and Fresno police officers had to clear the street, moving protesters back to the sidewalks. Otherwise, the protest remained peaceful throughout the night and organizers called it a big success.
“We will not take these murderous raids anymore,” organizer Princess Rios said. “ICE is not welcome here, immigrants are.”
New rules for sex offenders
Spurred by angry Old Fig Garden homeowners, the Fresno County Supervisors this week added new laws to the books making it more difficult for sex offenders to live in the neighborhood.
Fresnoland’s Pablo Orihuela learned that about three dozen offenders now face homelessness as a result of the new policy aimed at shutting down two homes operated by Centers for Living, a transitional housing and recovery facility that works with convicted sex offenders.
Fresno County has now capped the number of offenders allowed to live together in a single-family home at six.
Program advocates, including former offenders who said the center helped them reform, urged the board to delay its vote to allow people staying in the Old Fig facilities more time to find housing elsewhere, but supervisors pushed ahead, arguing that neighborhood safety was a higher priority.
Hundreds of retired Fresno Unified employees in health care limbo
About 1,500 retired Fresno Unified employees can’t receive routine care at Community Medical Centers after an insurance contract expired Dec. 31, Fresnoland’s Diego Vargas reports.
In a brief statement late Monday, Fresno Unified Superintendent Misty Her tried to calm fears but acknowledged the predicament for hundreds of retirees, which she described as a “very scary time.”
It wasn’t clear Tuesday when the school board could take up the issue again with hundreds of retirees stuck in limbo as the hospital negotiates with the company.
Some retirees might still be able to receive some of their regular treatments if they apply for treatment continuation from the insurance provider, Aetna.
“If a patient in this group is in active treatment with a Community Health Partners physician,” Community’s Aldo De La Torre said, “they can request authorization from Aetna for a ‘continuity of care’ provision.”
‘I can’t breathe’
The family of a 41-year-old Fresno man who died in 2017 after Fresno law enforcement restrained him facedown on the ground expects to get their day in court later this month after nearly nine long years, Fresnoland’s Rob Parsons reported.
Joseph Perez died May 10, 2017, while struggling with police and high on methamphetamine.
Authorities say the officers should be immune from liability in connection with Perez’s death, arguing that Perez placed himself and potentially others in danger by consuming meth and fighting with law enforcement.
Attorneys for the Perez family have countered that officers should be liable because they detained and restrained Perez supposedly for his own safety and protection but ultimately killed him.
While the coroner’s office classified the death as a homicide, they also noted Perez’s methamphetamine intoxication was “10 times” above a typically lethal dose.
Outside the Lines
The Fresno County Department of Public Health received a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of child safety seats and to ensure that all children travel safely. For more information on the Child Passenger Safety Program, call 559-600-3330.
Supervisor Garry Bredefeld was named board chair this week. Fresnoland
Natalie Bonilla, a Selma High student, won the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for District 21 with her Community Support app, which compiles critical hotline numbers and community resources into one centrally located place. The Business Journal
A recent report shows where Fresno has made progress combating concentrated poverty over the last decade. KVPR
Like most major American cities, violent crime fell dramatically in Fresno last year. ABC30
Fresno’s love of the chopped-cheese sandwich is growing, but Eddie Wutangsy was the first to bring the popular sandwich to the city — and it’s been a big hit. The Business Journal
Former Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama is working as a security consultant for a north Fresno nightclub. CBS47
Yes, plans are still in the works for a second Sam’s Deli. The Business Journal
Local leaders weigh in on the capture of Venezuela’s president on federal criminal charges. KVPR
Block Beat
DOWNTOWN: The Fresno Grizzlies announced the return of Tequila Fest. KSEE24
ROEDING PARK: The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is changing its prices. KSEE24
FRESNO STATE: A $1.5 million naming-rights deal between the Fresno State Association and Pepsi is set to expire this year. The Fresno Bee
BULLARD: Sierra Nut House is moving to the former location of High Sierra Grill and Tony Roma’s restaurant at Bullard and West avenues, while Sam’s Italian Deli and Market will take over Sierra Nut House’s old location in the Villagio shopping center. The Fresno Bee
HOOVER: Craft club launches at the Politi Branch Library (5771 N. First) starting Thursday, Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. Supplies will be provided. Fresno Library has details on that and other clubs at other branches this semester. Fresno Library
TOWER: This year’s Mardi Gras parade in the Tower District will be disco-themed — get ready to boogie down Sunday, Feb. 15 on Olive and Palm, rain or shine! TDBA
Today’s newsletter was edited by Fresnoland’s Julianna Morano
