Quote of the Week
“This moment is so crucial, saying through these stories and murals that we’re also supporting the rebirth of a place in Fresno which has most likely been forgotten and abandoned.”
— Artist Dr. Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana on her “Humanizar Historias” exhibit that opened recently at Arte Américas.
This Week in Fresnoland
Was AI used in a Fresno City Hall lawsuit?
A Fresno judge wants a law firm to explain how nearly a dozen fake, improper, and frivolous citations appeared in legal filings on behalf of the City of Fresno in an ongoing eminent domain lawsuit.
Fresnoland’s Omar S. Rashad, who broke the news earlier this week, examined the complex case that also involves contentious government land seizures to make way for badly needed road safety improvements — and a string of suspicious fires in the neighborhood leaving business owners on edge.
Fresno City Attorney Andrew Janz confirmed that City Hall has cut ties with the specific attorney who signed the legal filing in question.
Fresnoland reached out to attorney Carrie Raven, but received an automatic reply that Raven was “no longer with the Firm” Aleshire & Wynder, LLP, the prominent firm with offices across the state that has worked on numerous cases on behalf of Fresno City Hall over the years.
The outside law firm will need to demonstrate at an April 14 court hearing why its “frivolous contentions” aren’t a violation of California law that should be subject to a $10,000 fine.
Janz confirmed the city will not be billed or held liable for any potential sanctions handed down by the judge next month.
Fresno State Iftar unites communities during Ramadan
It began three years ago as a student response to feeling unheard and has evolved into a Fresno State tradition “built on food and faith and the belief that understanding begins at the table,” Fresnoland’s Gisselle Medina reports.
Organizers say iftar isn’t just a simple meal; it’s an opportunity for learning, for dialogue, and to build bridges between communities that might otherwise remain divided.
Miram Kiran, a 2021 Fresno State alumna, said the night felt like a homecoming. Breaking fast with former professors and introducing her two children to the campus was deeply meaningful.
“It’s about congregation of community. Breaking fast, getting together, praying together, remembering God together. Fresno State feels like home, it’s so culturally diverse, and I feel like I belong here,” Kiran said.
“And students encouraging other Muslim students to come to this event is beautiful and means a lot.”
Six candidates eye the westside Fresno County supervisors seat
Westside voters got their first official look at most of the slate of would-be county supervisors this week during a candidate forum at the city college’s West Fresno Center.
Pablo Orihuela was on campus Thursday night to learn more about the candidates’ positions on everything from homelessness services and environmental regulations to affordable housing and mental health programs.
Five candidates showed up to the forum — Felipe Perez, a Firebaugh city councilmember since 2014; Lupe Flores, a Mendota Unified School District Board of Trustees; Eric Payne, a local businessman and nonprofit executive; Maria Pacheco, mayor of Kerman; and Omar Hernandez, a farmer and member of the West Hills Community College District board of trustees.
Candidate Mike Karbassi, a Fresno city councilmember, skipped Thursday’s public debate.
District 1 of Fresno’s Board of Supervisors represents west Fresno County, including the cities of Firebaugh, Kerman, Mendota and San Joaquin. Supervisor Brian Pacheco has been in the seat since 2014 and is stepping down to pursue election to the state assembly.
‘This moment is so crucial’
A new exhibit at Arte Américas features Dr. Lizbeth De La Cruz Santana highlights four collaborative mural projects that she created alongside undocumented people, Gisselle Medina reported this week for Fresnoland.
Her new exhibition, “Humanizar Historias,” opened recently at Arte Américas.
Through photographs, process documentation, firsthand testimonies, and interactive elements, the exhibit traces how the murals became a response to the instability of immigrant life in the U.S.
“This moment is so crucial,” said De La Cruz Santana, “saying through these stories and murals that we’re also supporting the rebirth of a place in Fresno which has most likely been forgotten and abandoned.”
Year-round Black history
This year marked a century of honoring Black History Month in the United States, but as President Donald Trump and his administration continue to erase it, Fresno leaders are calling for year-round educational focus that connects the past, present, and future Fresnoland’s Gisselle Media reports.
When June Stanfield researched Black history in Fresno while putting together a Black heritage exhibit a few years ago, she uncovered many notable figures in the city’s history.
From Fresno’s first Black fire chief to the region’s first Black judge, Stanfield learned firsthand the importance of tracing those important figures. She was also struck by how little she had been taught about it.
“I was born and raised here in Fresno and it was surprising that some of the stories haven’t been shared, not in school or at community gatherings for every Black History Month,” Stanfield said. “When I was able to find some of that information, I had no idea they even existed. It goes back to, if you don’t know, you can’t tell me.”
Outside the Lines
Fresnoland is hiring: That’s right, we’re hiring for our first-ever Senior Revenue Officer to help lead and execute our fundraising strategy with local donors and sponsors. Share with your fundraising friends! Fresnoland
Dozens gathered as a roar of drums and clashing cymbals celebrated the arrival of lion dancers during Chinese New Year festivities hosted by the Chinatown Fresno Foundation. Fresnoland
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office will continue patrolling the streets of Huron to back up the city’s thin police ranks after inking a $1.68 million contract this week. Fresnoland
Fresnoland’s Diego Vargas breaks down the latest round of proposed layoffs and job cuts at Fresno Unified schools in this interview with newsroom partner Valley Public Radio. KVPR
After the Trump Administration pulled $4 billion away from California’s High-Speed Rail project, agency leaders began trying to come up with cost-saving strategies. The Fresno Bee
More than 20,000 immigrant truck drivers can keep their licenses in California, at least for now, despite efforts by the Trump administration and the state of California to revoke them, according to a tentative ruling last week. CalMatters
Want to give input on a proposed regional rail line in Fresno County? Now’s your opportunity to weigh in on a proposed route that’ll connect Firebaugh and Mendota, as well as Reedley, Dinuba and Selma to Fresno. Share your input by filling out a survey from the Fresno Council of Governments. Fresno COG
While tuberculosis cases decline across California, Fresno County reports significant jumps in the number of local TB cases. KVPR
Block Beat
DOWNTOWN: Tacos El Cabezon is set to open its first brick-and-mortar restaurant on Fulton Street in Fresno, and it could open soon. The Business Journal
DOWNTOWN: A struggling iconic donut shop has customers concerned. The Fresno Bee
KEARNEY PARK: The ‘Heard it through the Grapevine’ 5K run is set for 9 a.m. March 21 at Kearney Park. Highway City Community Development
WOODWARD PARK: Help is on the way at a notorious Fresno intersection where car crashes are so frequent that the street corner has its own YouTube channel, YourCentralValley reports.
PINEDALE: An expanded Accelerated Urgent Care is in the works along one of Fresno’s busiest neighborhoods and could be open as soon as the end of the month, The Business Journal
MURAL DISTRICT: A groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week celebrated the development of nearly 30 new affordable housing apartments that will be built using an innovative “panelized construction system,” Fresno City Hall reported Thursday.
CENTRAL FRESNO: Mi Cafesito, the popular Manchester Center coffee shop, says its closing due to a major electrical issue the business wasn’t able to overcome. YourCentralValley
CHINATOWN: The Central Valley Camera Club invites the public to join them from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8 for the Chinatown Fresno Photo Walk. The free event is open to all ages and experience levels. All cameras, including phones, are encouraged. Central Valley Camera Club
TABLE MOUNTAIN: The Marjaree’s Birthday Soirée, a benefit dinner for the Marjaree Mason Center, is set for Friday, March 20 at Table Mountain Casino Resort. More info
