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

Posted on May 15, 2014May 15, 2014 by Steve Pastis

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 […]

Q&A: Devon Mathis

Posted on May 1, 2014May 3, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

Why are you running? I am running because I believe in a better California for us and our children, a California that is great. I have seen what has happened to our once great state and it is a shame. I did not enter this race until the last day. I looked at who was […]

Four Campgrounds’ Fees Rise at Sequoia National Park

Posted on May 1, 2014May 3, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

Today, fees for campsites in four campgrounds – Lodgepole, Dorst Creek, Buckeye Flat, and Potwisha – at Sequoia National Park increase to $22. This is the first fee increase since 2003. The fee increase will provide for better customer service in several ways: by covering the cost of the reservation system – Recreation.gov – and […]

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

Posted on May 1, 2014May 2, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

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

Posted on April 17, 2014April 19, 2014 by Steve Pastis

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 […]

California Food Banks Have Crucial Need for More Milk

Posted on April 17, 2014April 19, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

That gallon of milk you consider a staple in your refrigerator is missing in many of California’s food banks. According to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet it is rarely donated. That will soon change with the launch of The […]

National Park Service Announces Campaign as Centerpiece of 2016 Centennial

Posted on April 17, 2014April 19, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

The National Park Service (NPS) announced that the centerpiece of its 2016 centennial will be a broad public engagement campaign to reintroduce the national parks and the work of the NPS to a new generation of Americans, inviting them to visit and get involved. The two-year effort will begin in 2015 and run throughout the […]

Carlton Jones

Posted on April 17, 2014April 19, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

With over twenty years and counting of public service — including work with the Tulare and Fresno City Fire Departments and over six years serving on the Tulare City Council — Carlton Jones is running for State Assembly District 26. He wants to take a common sense approach for finding solutions to the state level. […]

Q&A: Ruben Macareno, Candidate for AD26

Posted on March 20, 2014March 20, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

Raised in Farmersville, Ruben Macareno earned an AA degree from Los Angeles City College after attending Exeter Union High School. He went on to California State University, Los Angeles, before working in the news media, fundraising and political spheres. The founder of Latino Democrats of Tulare County, Ruben, self-employed, is currently chairman of the Tulare […]

State Water Resource Control Board Plans to Cut Back Delta Water for Ag

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Valley Voice Contributor

On March 14, Kings County Farm Bureau (KCFB) sent a letter to Tom Howard, executive director of the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) demanding that he reconsider the board’s proposal to seize century-long water rights from farmers. “This decision will have grave consequences on Central Valley communities,” reads the letter signed by KCFB […]