Quote of the Week
““People are tired of fighting for their rights. People are tired of starving. They’re tired of freezing, tired of not having shelter. We can’t blame individuals that are on the streets with their children because the cost of living is too high.”
— Dez Martinez, unhoused advocate in Fresno, in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling that opens the door for cities and counties to penalize people sleeping in public spaces.
This Week in Fresnoland
Shockingly, air quality on the Fourth wasn’t as bad as expected, given near-record heat
San Joaquin Valley cities saw a surprising decline in fireworks-related air pollution this Fourth of July from recent years, despite record heat and dry grasses fueling concerns about secondary fires, reported Gregory Weaver for Fresnoland.
The valley’s air benefitted from “thermally driven northwesterly winds,” according to Valley Air chief spokesperson Jaime Holt, in an email.
This comes after the Air District strongly encouraged residents to forego at-home fireworks and attend the many publicly-available fireworks shows across the valley.
The Fresno Fire Department kept busy on the Fourth, halting calls for medical aid at one point due to the sheer number of fire-related incidents.
Mayor Dyer calls Supreme Court decision about the homeless a “game-changer”
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 28 that the small town of Grants Pass, Oregon was acting within their constitutional powers when they issued penalties to people sleeping in public spaces.
The 6-3 ruling — which was split among ideological lines between the justices — is seen by some as the first step in local governments passing their own legislation to criminalize homelessness, reported Pablo Orihuela for Fresnoland.
“We will now have the opportunity to once again enforce the city of Fresno’s no camping ordinance in public places,” Dyer said in a statement to Fresnoland. “However, the true long term solution is increased shelter capacity, services and permanent housing for those on our streets so they can become gainfully employed and self-sustaining.”
Reaction to the ruling did not fall neatly along ideological lines in California, with Gov. Gavin Newsom praising the decision.
“Today’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court provides state and local officials the definitive authority to implement and enforce policies to clear unsafe encampments from our street,” Newsom said in a statement posted on X.
New exhibit at Arte Americas provides immersion into the streets of Mexico City
Librería Donceles, a social engagement art piece by Mexican artist Pablo Helguera, simulates a used book store (librería) inspired by Calle Donceles, a Mexico City street famously lined with bookstores serving the local university students and academics.
For many Spanish speakers in Fresno, the experience offered by Libreria Donceles is typically impossible to find in the Central Valley, reports Charlotte Burks for Fresnoland.
“[Librería Donceles] is always in a place with a large population of Spanish speaking individuals and no Spanish language used bookshops,” said Paz Chavez.
Over half of Fresno residents are of latinx/hispanic descent, and over one-third of residents speak Spanish at home. Yet the temporary Librería Donceles is the only Spanish bookstore in Fresno – permanent or temporary.
“The requirement inside the librería is that everything has to be in Spanish,” said Paz Chavez. “The goal is to transport people into a space that looks and feels like a used bookshop in Mexico City.”
Helguera said he wanted Librería Donceles to capture an authentic used book store experience in communities that otherwise don’t have that option.
Librería Donceles will be on display at Arte Americas until Dec. 22. The piece can be seen Thursday from noon-8 pm, and Friday through Sunday 10 am – 4 pm.
Bitwise co-founders on track to plea deal
Court documents acquired by ABC30 have confirmed that disgraced Bitwise Industries co-founders, Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin, Jr., are set to change their plea from not guilty to guilty, paving the way for a plea deal in the coming weeks.
Federal prosecutors say that Soberal and Olguin, Jr. have wrongfully taken more than $100 million and have been charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
The company’s downfall began playing out publicly during Memorial Day of 2023, when over 900 employees received furlough notices and were eventually laid off.
Fresno Unified tests ‘community schools’ approach to combat absenteeism
A new ‘community schools’ approach being tested at five Fresno Unified elementary schools is making administrators hopeful they can reduce chronic absenteeism, reports Lexi Zhong for The Fresno Bee.
The designation allows schools to access state resources to fund services that have been prioritized by parents, from washer/dryer access, to mental health services, food access, or transportation support.
Outside the Lines
The Bee highlights seven new restaurants to try around Fresno this summer, from ice cream to boba to Armenian food. The Fresno Bee
A garlic glut has caused a shutdown of an Olam spice plant in Firebaugh, shuttering 275 jobs by August 30. The Firebaugh City Manager says the losses may not be permanent. Fresno Business Journal
Researchers at Fresno State released a new study that shows residents in south central Fresno neighborhoods were not necessarily getting jobs even as warehouses sprouted around them in the past decade. KVPR
Fresno State has released their latest ‘Top Dog’ list, honoring community members with significant contributions to the region. Fresno Business Journal
Block Beat
Romain Park: Adrian’s, a 44-year old institution on Belmont Avenue, shares their secrets behind the tortillas that keep customers coming back for decades. The Fresno Bee
Woodward: The Fort Washington Farmers Market, featuring different food, fruit, and craft vendors, will occur from 10 am to 2 pm on July 7.
Downtown: Business owners near Mariposa Plaza are concerned that construction activities are discouraging customers from stopping by. The Fresno Bee
Fresno High/Old Fig: Check the weather before heading to most places these days, including Gazebo Gardens who said that their beer garden won’t be open on days where temps hit 110 degrees or higher. Gazebo Instagram
Manchester: In case you thought we needed another chicken shop, you’re in luck: The Red Chickz, a Nashville-style hot chicken spot, has plans to open at Manchester Center, according to a press release.
Southwest: City leaders cut the ribbon on the newest splash pad at Fink White Park this week, just in time for the latest heat wave. Your Central Valley
Clovis: The Fresno Public Library’s Clovis branch is holding Crochet Together on July 8, from 11 am to 12 pm. Make sure to bring your own materials– the event itself is free to participate in, and intended for adults (but open to all).
Fig Garden: The Fig Garden branch of the Fresno Public Library is hosting Family Film time on July 8, from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The event is free to participate in, but registration is required on the library’s website.
Department of New Construction
Downtown: On July 9, from 6 to 7:30 pm, Fresno Housing is hosting a community meeting to discuss the design plans for the first phase of development plans at Fulton and Tuolumne Streets. The event is free to attend.
Around Town
On Saturday, July 6, the flower market will be hosted at Sun Stereo Warehouse. Peruse some blooms while sipping on some coffee! Entrance is free, and the market lasts from 8 am to 12 pm.
On Wednesday, July 10, Downtown Fresno will be hosting Market on Kern! This event will occur weather permitting (the Market on Kern on July 3 was canceled due to heat). The event is free to enter, and features vendors and farmers’ market shopping.
On Sunday, July 14, Arte Americas will be hosting its papermaking workshop! There is a $15 materials fee, and registration is required. This event will occur from 1-3 pm, and will teach participants how to make their own paper!
Beat the heat this summer on Friday nights with Island After Dark, a collaboration between Fresno Street Eats and the Island Water Park. $29 admission, 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
