For the first time ever, Tulare County has a budget over $1 billion. Several factors, including an increase in property taxes, increased state revenues and debt pay-downs, contributed to this–which has allowed the county to give most employees a three percent pay raise, unfreeze some positions and increase the reserve fund by $2 million. Both […]
According to the Fresno Bee, more psyllids than could be counted were discovered on three young citrus trees in the back yard of an eastern Dinuba home, the most ever seen in the Valley. Fortunately, none of the bugs were infected with huanglongbing disease, or HLB. Treatment has begun on all citrus plants within 800 […]
The city council voted at their September 3rd meeting 5-0 to develop plans for a Visalia Emergency Communication Center (VECC) and a public safety building that would include a modernized police department. Because of the urgent need for a new 911 call center, it was recommended that the city proceed with building the VECC even […]
The Visalia City Council approved Riverbend Village, a development on the southeast corner of Dinuba Boulevard and Riggin Avenue. Initially zoned residential, the council voted to rezone the 9.88 acres as commercial on September 3. Riverbend Village is located directly south of the new Target in Orchard Walk and will include a Wendy’s and an […]
After receiving frequent complaints from retailers about aggressive panhandling and the homeless, the Downtown Visalia Alliance and local police officers met to come up with some solutions. Don Sharp, the president of the Downtown Visalia Alliance, said, “It’s a growing problem and we have to try and alleviate it.” The problem is the growing number […]
Anyone interested in running for the Visalia City Council or the Visalia Unified School District Board can file papers until August 9. In the event that an incumbent does not file by 5 p.m. on August 9, the filing period is extended to August 14. As far as the city council is concerned, all three […]
How does a Republican, middle-aged white guy win an election in a majority Hispanic and Democratic district? Quite handily it seems. Andy Vidak won 52.2% of the vote in the 16th Senate District (SD16) Special Election on July 23rd. With Vidak’s victory, Republicans are chipping away at the Democrat’s supermajority in both houses of California’s […]
“It’s funny where life takes you,” responded Assembly Member Connie Conway when asked how she got involved in politics. “I didn’t study political science and I did not have any political background. But local government, that’s what is so great about it. It’s community service.” Conway’s political career really started with her father. Many people […]
The Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP), discussed at some length during Rep. Devin Nunes’ interview, is not your garden-variety disagreement between Republicans and Democrats. In fact, the issue does not cut through party lines, nor is it completely regional. For very different reasons, Rep. Nunes’ opposition to the BDCP has found him in league with […]
Tulare County Supervisors got an earful during their meeting on May 21. More than a dozen food vendors and community event planners expressed their frustration with the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), complaining about a new fee schedule put into effect January 1st. HHSA enacted a new schedule of fees for food vendors and […]