Over the last decade, 9-1-1 calls in Visalia have risen dramatically, with police responding to 145,000 calls last year alone. Firefighter equipment has aged and both police and fire staffing levels have stayed the same despite increased demands from a growing population. City streets and roads are deteriorating due to lack of funding for ongoing […]
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence today unanimously voted to adopt an investigative report on Edward Snowden, the former National Security Agency contractor who fled to China and then Russia after stealing 1.5 million classified documents. The result of a two-year inquiry, the report describes Snowden’s background, likely motivations, and methods of theft, as […]
Sheriff Mike Boudreaux held a press conference on August 11, revealing that an ongoing undercover investigation, called Operation Baby Face, had culminated with multiple arrests that morning involving human trafficking. The investigation began in May and more than 70 deputies served 15 search and arrest warrants early on the morning of the eleventh. Boudreaux described […]
The air was charged with athletic energy as pickleball enthusiasts made their case for more pickleball courts in Visalia. Approximately 60 pickle ball players and their friends attended the August 15 Visalia City Council public hearing concerning resurfacing two of the eight Plaza Park tennis courts into pickle ball courts. After an hour of lively […]
The Visalia City Council voted at its August 15 meeting to approve a special zone in east downtown for micro-breweries and micro-wineries. The zone creates a business friendly atmosphere for such enterprises in East Visalia. The new zone eliminates many of the restrictions imposed on establishments serving alcohol. The zone eliminates the need for a […]
The Visalia City Council at its August 1 meeting gave final approval to put a half-cent sales tax measure on the November ballot. The vote was 5-0. The increased revenue will be earmarked for public safety and a small percent will go to youth services and parks. Because it is a General Revenue Measure, the […]
Visalia City Council will have its last meeting August 1 concerning the tax ballot measure. Whereas a tax measure will be on the ballot, the council still needs to discuss the language and the content of the resolution or background text. The city council began discussing in earnest putting a measure on the November ballot […]
It took a special meeting ending in a 4-1 split vote, but the Visalia City Council passed the city’s annual budget just ahead of the June 30 deadline. “Because of snafus getting the item on the agenda, we had to hold a special meeting just for the budget,” said Visalia Mayor Steve Nelsen. The Council […]
The battle between Visalia and Fresno over which city will win the anticipated Nordstrom distribution center came to an anti-climatic end as Nordstrom put off its decision until 2020. A letter from Nordstrom to Visalia Mayor Steve Nelson and Visalia City Manager Mike Olmos said: “I want to thank you for working so closely with Nordstrom […]
Thousands filed into the Gropetti Automotive Stadium on Sunday, braving a 91 degree high temperature to hear Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders speak Sunday afternoon. Sanders, a contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, found himself with a friendly crowd. Most of the rally’s attendees hope he will make history by being elected the next president. He […]