Quote of the Week
“Visibility and spreading awareness about all these different issues, where there will be many rights on the line, are crucial. We’re saying, ‘We’re here, we’re standing up for these things,’ and hoping this will spark a movement for others to join.”
—People’s March organizer Amanda Gann, speaking about supporting “not just on women’s rights, but also on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, people of color, and persons of all abilities.”
Editor’s Note: This newsletter was resent on Saturday morning to correct an editorial formatting error that displayed the wrong article under the subhead: “How did your neighborhood vote in the November election? Check out our map.” I apologize for the error. – Rob Parsons, senior editor
This Week in Fresnoland
How did your neighborhood vote in the November election?
Now that the dust from the November 2024 election has settled, Fresnoland’s Danielle Bergstrom compiled a map of precinct data revealing patterns in where Trump or Harris collected the most votes across Fresno County.
The map reveals some not-so-surprising patterns: Clovis was a Republican bastion. Most Fresno neighborhoods south of Herndon were reliably Democratic, with the exceptions of the Van Ness Extension and Sunnyside.
Fresno’s most pro-Trump neighborhoods are along the San Joaquin River bluffs, while the most pro-Harris neighborhoods were in west Fresno.
If you’re curious about your own neighborhood, take a look at the link.
Fresno warming centers stay closed most nights this cold January
Despite near-freezing nights this January, Fresno’s warming centers have only opened on two days so far in 2025, Fresnoland’s Omar S. Rashad reported.
That’s a result of the city’s policy on when to open them, which is only triggered by a forecast of below 35 degrees 72 hours in advance.
If the National Weather Service updates its projections within 72 hours of a specific day, a city spokesperson confirmed the city doesn’t change its warming center plans.
Activists have criticized the policy as too limiting, noting that hypothermia can occur even at temperatures above 40 degrees.
City officials counter that more extensive hours create staffing challenges and scheduling conflicts with regular programming at the community centers that double as the city’s warming and cooling centers.
Visalia care worker denies assaulting resident
About six months after a special Fresnoland investigation, authorities in Tulare County have charged a Visalia home care worker with a misdemeanor count of abusing the 56-year-old resident with disabilities, journalist Lewis Griswold reported for Fresnoland this week.
The worker, Joshua Lee Arden, was not charged in connection with the death of the resident, Marco Corral, after the coroner concluded that the broken ribs allegedly caused by Arden did not contribute to Corral’s death. In interviews with police investigators, Arden denied any wrongdoing.
He has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor abuse charge and is due back in court Feb. 5.
The four-bed group home — People’s Care Damsen — where Corral lived is located in a residential neighborhood in west Visalia. The company did not respond to Fresnoland’s request for comment.
Hundreds march for women’s rights in Fresno
Shortly before President Donald Trump formally returned to office this week, hundreds gathered outside the Save Mart Center for the People’s March in Fresno.
The local rally was part of a coordinated effort by the Women’s March organization across the U.S. on Jan. 18 to advocate for human rights, Fresnoland’s Gisselle Medina reported.
Women’s March is known for the worldwide protest that happened on Jan. 21, 2017, in response to Trump’s misogynistic rhetoric and promises to end abortion rights through judicial appointments — a promise he kept.
The ACLU says that 14 states have outright banned abortion and others have put up enough new roadblocks to make it “practically unavailable.”
During the march, various groups chanted slogans supporting LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, Palestine, and human rights.
Fresno police stopped Black residents at disproportionately high rates in 2023
A recent analysis of police data in 2023 showed that residents perceived by Fresno police to be Black were stopped at disproportionately high rates and detained for longer periods of time than other races, The Fresno Bee’s Thaddeus Miller reported this week.
The data released under the Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015 says residents officers perceived to be Black accounted for 11% of police traffic stops in 2023, though the city’s Black population was 6.7%.
“While Black drivers and pedestrians were stopped at nearly twice the rate as their population in town, white and Asian residents were less likely to be stopped,” The Bee reported. “White residents made up 24% of stops and Asian individuals made up 4%, though they make up 38% and 14% of the population in Fresno.”
Outside the Lines
“Airport officials announced Friday that Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, a Fresno staple for more than 30 years, will operate a 2,000 square foot mariachi-and-folklorico themed restaurant at FAT’s new terminal expansion concourse opening this fall.” The Fresno Business Journal
“Seventeen years after voters approved a $10 billion bond measure to help pay for the project and a decade since construction began in the Central Valley, California high-speed rail faces a pivotal year that could make or break the ambitious yet controversial project.” The Fresno Bee
A Madera man surrendered to authorities on a firearms conviction this week, shortly after receiving a pardon from President Donald J. Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Benjamin Martin disputes the charges and says he plans to continue fighting. KMPH
Block Beat
CALWA: The Bizare Art Festival returns to Calwa Park for its 12th iteration this Saturday, Jan. 25. The event, hosted in memory of graffiti artist Salvador “Bizare” Lujan, will feature live painting, live music, BBoy and BGirl breaking battles, raffles and more. Instagram
FRESNO HIGH: Dulce Upfront is hosting an info session on how to apply for the next round of the Measure P arts and culture grants Monday, Feb. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at its location on Van Ness off of Weldon. Instagram
FRESNO HIGH: Local band Phantom Fruit will be celebrating the release of its EP, “Diamonded, Bloodied, Jesus,” at Dulce Upfront near Fresno High Friday, Feb. 7, from 6 to 10 p.m. The event will also feature art from Stephanie Ayon, Mike Adame, Joseph Rios, Claire Evans and A is A. Instagram
VALLEYWIDE: CMAC is helping Central Valley residents preserve their oral histories. Just sign up for a time slot on their website and staff will help you and/or a loved one record tales of your treasured memories in video format at the CMAC building downtown Saturday, Feb. 8 – they’ll collect donate-as-you-can contributions to help fund future recordings. Participants get to take home the recording on a “fancy CMAC USB drive!” CMAC
CHINATOWN: Fresno indie bookstore Judging by the Cover is looking to expand to a bigger location near their current place in Chinatown. They’ve launched a $20,000 fundraiser over the next month to help double their inventory, renovate the new space and budget for events. Donors can get perks ranging from a tote bag to a shelf sponsorship, depending on the size of their contribution. Instagram
TOWER DISTRICT: The Central California Psychedelic Summit will return to the Tower Theatre Feb. 15 and 16 for its two-day event focused on “evidence-based and community-focused education, dialogue, and networking opportunities centered around psychedelics,” a news release from the organizations says. CCPS
