Quote of the Week
“It’s either that they were incompetent and didn’t read the ordinance the first time and just approved it, or that they were just being lobbied by the (California) Restaurant Association, who was the most vocal in opposition, and then decided to waffle. Which also, to me, speaks volumes about their integrity.
—Cultiva La Salud Executive Director Veva Islas on the Fresno County supervisors who killed a small business pilot program this week
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This Week in Fresnoland
Fresno County’s MEHKO whiplash
Calling in part for more government oversight of would-be small business owners, a conservative majority of the Fresno County Board of Supervisors changed their minds at the last minute and killed a pilot program that would have allowed dozens of home cooks to sell 30 meals a day from their own kitchens.
It was just a month ago that the same proposed pilot received unanimous support from the supervisors. But on Tuesday, supervisors Garry Bredefeld, Buddy Mendes and Nathan Magsig tanked the program, Fresnoland’s Julianna Morano writes, “citing a variety of concerns — from increased traffic surrounding the in-home restaurants to dissatisfaction with the single inspection” of the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations or MEHKOs.
“You have one inspection here with no other inspection at all, unless there’s a complaint,” Bredefeld said. “To me, that poses a great risk to the public. I don’t think there are enough guardrails in place for this.”
Cultiva La Salud Executive Director Veva Islas didn’t hide her frustration with the vote, noting that many people are already selling food made in their own kitchens and nobody is currently inspecting them even once a year.
“There’s no quality control,” Islas said, “MEHKO was the quality control.”
What’s happening at Fresno High?
It’s the city’s oldest school in one of Fresno’s most popular neighborhoods and it’s facing some of the community’s worst enrollment declines.
Fresnoland’s Diego Vargas took a deep dive into the troubles facing Fresno High School, which has the greatest enrollment drop out of any other FUSD high school in recent years, despite its desirable neighborhood and long and storied history.
Fresno High has lost about 20% of its students over the past decade. Districtwide, California’s third-largest school district has lost about 4,000 students over that same timespan and expects to lose another 4,000 in the next three years.
And numbers show that students aren’t necessarily moving. They’re leaving specific schools including Fresno High. And while Fresno Unified talks about program consolidation and the possibility of closing campuses in the near future, Clovis Unified is building new schools.
Political road rage?
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer called it “voter suppression” and “a shame.”
Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez called it “racist.”
And the chairman of the Better Roads, Safer Streets campaign suggested that Tuesday’s controversial vote by the Board of Supervisors had more to do with hardball politics than public-policy deliberations.
Measure C, Fresno County’s decades-old transportation tax expires next summer and there is no other replacement measure in sight.
Calling the Better Roads, Safe Streets overly “prescriptive” with too many restrictions on government spending, the three supervisors — Nathan Magsig, Buddy Mendes and Garry Bredefeld — demanded a 30-day study to further examine a transportation tax extension after nearly a full year of debate.
Supporters of the renewal plan were quick to note that, at least on paper, maybe the fight isn’t over — but it’s most likely that Fresno voters won’t weigh in on the transportation tax extension until March of 2028.
A personal touch in Fresno’s Armenian Town
There’s a cool new establishment on the block, and it’s called Moses McQueen’s!
In case you haven’t yet checked out the colorful mansion in Fresno’s historic Armenian Town yet, Fresnoland’s Vince Mancini gives you a look into not only the inspiration behind it, but also its fancy menu and what makes stepping inside the establishment a unique experience.
“Fresno happens to be one of those places where for some reason once you hit like 35, you just stop going out and you just stay home,” said bar manager Leyva Martinez.” I’m fighting against that. I want our age group to be wide. I want everyone to enjoy coming here.”
Police chief addresses Fresno’s Flock cameras
A day after dozens of community members attended an event about Flock cameras in Fresno, police Chief Mindy Casto held a news conference to address some of the concerns.
And city police plan to host a community meeting on the issue Monday. (More on that below)
The Fresno police told reporters this week that only officers trained in using the Flock system are able to access the cameras, of which there are about 70 across the city located in what she described as “high-crime” areas.
Casto also said the Fresno Police Department hasn’t had any misconduct cases related to Flock cameras.
Outside the Lines
To answer questions or concerns from the public regarding Fresno’s use of Flock cameras, the Fresno Police Department will host a community meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 20, at the Ted C Wills Community Center. YourCentralValley
Fresno: On top of the lawsuits JD Home Rentals has filed against the City of Fresno, the property owner and landlord says the company has been used as a scapegoat for the city’s housing failures. The Fresno Bee
Fresno: Lauren Nikkel, who has led the Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce for less than a year, was named as the new executive director of the troubled organization. Fresno Arts Council
Fresno County: The largest housing bill in years quietly became a law this week but it could be a long time before Fresno County sees any housing relief. YourCentralValley
Downtown: Triple-digit heat did not stop community members from gathering outside the Robert E. Coyle Federal Courthouse in downtown Fresno to demand justice for Lorenzo Salgado Araujo. ABC30
Tower District: An iconic Tower District building went up for sale in February and was purchased by community member David Brodie for the Fresno Music Academy and Arts. Munro Review
FAT: The Fresno Yosemite International Airport plans to roll out a new no-contact parking app on Tuesday. The Business Journal
Fresno City Hall: Join the OCA Civic Academy – Fall 2026 and learn how Fresno’s City government works and how you can be part of the process. Meetings begin Sept. 15. Community Affairs Office
Fresno County: The family of a Fresno man who died by suicide while in custody at the Fresno County Jail is demanding answers and justice. KVPR
Tower District: Fresno’s newest locally-owned bookstore, Judging by the Cover, made its long-awaited move. YourCentralValley reports.
FAT: The city hired Mark Thorpe as the new Director of Aviation at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport. The Business Journal
Central Unified: Students at the Fresno-area school district will not be allowed to use phones in class next school year. ABC30
Tupman Park: The City of Fresno and the Fresno Arts Council are looking for an artist to paint a mural in south Fresno. YourCentralValley
Fresno County: Understanding how school districts benefit from new housing developments is a key factor in understanding why student enrollment growth at Central Unified and Clovis Unified aren’t paralleled by Fresno Unified. EdSource
Central Fresno: Yosemite Falls Cafe reopens one year after an ugly fire. The Business Journal
Fresno: The local historical society is celebrating the people, places, and stories that shaped our nation and our Valley. The process starts at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 22 at The Archive on Kern, 2120 Kern St. Fresno City and County Historical Society.
Manchester Center: Fresno Fiesta Market is back beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, July 31 at the Manchester Center featuring food trucks, shopping and live music by La Diseña Norteña, Banda Revolución and Jornales de California. Instagram
Downtown: But the restaurant is staying in the neighborhood. Instagram
