Everyone agrees that the homeless problem in Visalia is getting worse. But what is Visalia doing about it? The answer is, a lot. The City has passed ordinances to reduce the blight caused by the homeless, has organized the SMART team, and has worked with local organizations, such as the Visalia Rescue Mission, (VRM) to […]
Escrow on the Sequoia Mall is set to close November 15th, according to John Dubois, an owner of Core Commercial, the listing broker on the property. “I’m fairly positive the sale will go through” said Dubois, “The buyers have passed through several stages where they have put down significant amounts of non-refundable money. They seem […]
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 […]