Government Shutdown Closes Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks

Because the shutdown of the federal government caused a lapse in appropriations, the National Park Service (NPS) has closed all 401 national parks, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. All visitor facilities including visitor centers, park hotels, campgrounds and roads are closed. The park will remain closed until the government reopens. Woody Smeck, superintendent […]

Trauma Conference Set for November 7

The Tulare County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) is sponsoring the 8th Annual Cynthia Lockhart Mummery Conference on Thursday, November 7, at the Visalia Holiday Inn. The conference, “Shattered – From Tragedy to Triumph, Creating Trauma-Informed Communities” will feature Dr. Lisa Conradi from Rady Childrens’ Hospital, San Diego, and Sharon and Mia Behrens, formally from […]

Sequoia Mall Escrow to Close on November 15

Escrow on the Sequoia Mall is set to close November 15th, according to John Dubois, an owner of Core Commercial, the listing broker on the property. “I’m fairly positive the sale will go through” said Dubois, “The buyers have passed through several stages where they have put down significant amounts of non-refundable money. They seem […]

Visalia in Need of New 911 Call Center

The city council voted at their September 3rd meeting 5-0 to develop plans for a Visalia Emergency Communication Center (VECC) and a public safety building that would include a modernized police department. Because of the urgent need for a new 911 call center, it was recommended that the city proceed with building the VECC even […]

Visalia Deals with Lawsuits Following VWR Move

With the recent Federal Court signing of a settlement agreement dispensing with the last lingering lawsuit still facing the city of Visalia and co-defendant VWR International, city leaders are looking to put a positive spin to the end of a tumultuous period in our city’s history. The pair of lawsuits filed in both state and […]

Valley Businesses Prepare for ObamaCare

While more than 90 percent of the Valley’s businesses are not mandated to provide health insurance under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), better known as ObamaCare, they are not free from requirements. On October 1st, all employers must notify their employees about the existence of the Health Insurance Marketplace. This little known […]