Former Hanford finance director Paula Lofgren’s explosive discrimination, sexual harassment and wrongful termination lawsuit pulls back the curtain on what she describes as a toxic workplace where a moody and autocratic city manager Mario Cifuentez made sexual advances toward her and describes Community Development Director Darlene Mata as a “nasty” and “rude” person. Lofgren also […]
Although the city of Hanford’s attempts to silence an outspoken planning commission member may be interpreted as a violation of his free speech, the city attorney Ty Mizote said Jason Kemp Van Ee was reprimanded for inaccurate and possibly biased statements on social media. Jason Kemp Van Ee decided to resign without taking legal action. […]
The City of Hanford will celebrate its 130th birthday over a three-day event on July 29th, 30th and 31st. The celebration will take place in and around the historic Civic Park. A Storied History In 1877, when the Southern Pacific Railway laid lines from Goshen to Coalinga, their path crossed through a Chinese sheepherder’s simple […]
The appointment on June 3 of political neophyte Amanda Saltray to the Hanford City Council generated positive buzz about the infusion of new blood into the council and having a majority of women on the board. But the honeymoon was short lived as accusations of impropriety swirled around the city council’s selection process. Three independent […]
The Hanford Fire Department and Kings County Fire Department responded to a fire at Hanford’s China Alley Wednesday night, May 12, around 10:30. Security cameras caught the start of the fire at the Taoist Temple and recorded the event until they melted. The fire started at the temple’s main door which is wood with a […]
The city is seeking candidates who live in Northwest Hanford (District A) to apply for the council seat held by departing Councilmember John Draxler. So far two candidates have emerged for the District A seat—former long-term Council Member David Ayers who was defeated by Draxler in the last election and Todd Cotta, a retired sheriff, […]
Mayor Francisco Ramirez announced at Tuesday’s May 4 Hanford City Council meeting that he will add an agenda item for the May 18 meeting to rezone the Hidden Valley Park extension property from low density residential back to public facilities. The move, long-sought by advocates of an expanded Hidden Valley Park, was endorsed by Council […]
Hanford City Council Member John Draxler announced at the April 20 meeting his intentions to resign. Draxler was elected in 2018 beating out incumbent David Ayers by four points. At the beginning of the pandemic Draxler said that he and his wife bought a second home in Sacramento near his daughters and grand children. Because […]
More than 65 family and friends remembered “easy going and stubborn” James ‘Skip’ Athey at a memorial service at the Hanford Fraternal Hall. The long-time local activist died at age 74 on March 2. His memorial was April 7. “He was a great friend, hardheaded,” said Bob Ramos, another Hanford activist. Athey would often host […]
Sporting a red MAGA hat, candidate Chris Mathys set the tone for the 21st District Congressional race as he spoke on the steps of Hanford’s Civic Auditorium. “Has David Valadao represented you the way he should?” “No,” replied the small crowd attending the town hall. Mathys lauded President Donald Trump’s tenure in office and asked […]