Pro-Fong PAC promoting his Democratic rival

Central Valley Values PAC, a Political Action Committee to elect Vince Fong, is mailing out what appears to be flyers against Fong’s Democratic challenger Marisa Wood – but they’re sending those mailers to a demographic that might see the flyers’ claims that she’s a “threat to Republicans in Congress” as a positive trait. Wood is […]

Mudslinging and dirty politics – including accusations of racial bias – descend on South Valley’s politics

This article has been updated to reflect comments made at the Tulare County Board of Supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, February 27. No one can escape the negative campaign detritus landing in our mailboxes, being sent to our cell phones, floating through social media, and arriving through the radio waves. And it’s getting ugly. Through insinuation […]

Kern County leaders, including State Sen. Shannon Grove, line up behind Boudreaux

In a major shift of support, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux won the endorsement of State Sen. Shannon Grove (R–Bakersfield), Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood, the Kern Law Enforcement Association, and Bakersfield Police Officers Association. Grove, Youngblood, and KLEA President Tim Caughron announced their respective endorsements at a press conference at the World Ag Expo here. Sen. […]

Former Tulare hospital CEO pleads no contest to felonies, misdemeanors, will pay $2.4m and likely avoid jail

Dr. Yorai ”Benny” Benzeevi is now a felon. On Friday, the 61-year-old pleaded no contest to six felony and two misdemeanor charges stemming from crimes committed while acting as CEO of the Tulare Local Healthcare District from 2014 to 2017. Tulare County Superior Court Judge Michael Sheltzer accepted the plea agreement during a hearing on […]

Tulare County supervisorial candidates Larry Micari and Joe Soria face off on the issues

 It was standing room only at the Tulare County Board of Supervisors candidates’ forum on Wednesday night. About 70 people were in attendance at the Exeter Veterans Memorial Building to listen to incumbent Larry Micari and his challenger Joe Soria discuss the issues facing District 1, which includes Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Poplar, Strathmore, Woodville […]