HSRA Board Approves Alignment of High-Speed Rail Section, CCHSRA Considers Legal Action

On May 7, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) Board of Directors certified the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Fresno-to-Bakersfield project section of the high-speed rail program, and approved a rail alignment within the Fresno-to-Bakersfield project section. The action allows the Authority to take additional steps toward continuing major work on […]

Tulare County District Attorney Candidates Debate at Rotary Club Forum

Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward and Tulare County District Attorney candidate Ralph Kaelble shared their opinions and answered questions at a candidates’ forum at the April 23rd meeting of the Rotary Club of Visalia. Paul Hurley served as moderator and Rotary Club members provided the questions. The candidates started off by introducing themselves and […]

Final Environmental Document for South Valley High-Speed Rail Section Ready for Board Action

The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have announced the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement for the Fresno-to-Bakersfield project section of the California High-Speed Rail project. The Final EIR/EIS represents a comprehensive, project-level review of the section that runs approximately 114 miles from downtown Fresno to downtown […]

‘Six Californias’ Initiative Inspires Local Concern, Optimism… and Some Scoffing

If the current petition drive is successful, “Six Californias,” an initiative to divide California into six states, will soon be on the ballot. The stated goal of the plan is to create states with “more local, responsive, efficient and representative governments.” The initiative reportedly has some grassroots support in each of the proposed states, but […]

Visalia’s New Animal Control Facility to Break Ground in May

To the relief of the Visalia City Council, and Visalia’s animal lovers, a contract has finally been approved to build the new Animal Control Facility. During their April 7th meeting, the Visalia City Council voted 5-0 to accept Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc.’s unexpectedly low bid of $4,550,000. According to the Visalia Times-Delta, Mayor Steve Nelsen said, […]