All around Tulare County, the yellow buildings of Dollar General stores have been popping up recently. And with good reason–they are profitable here. But, more importantly to the local residents, they provide a service as well as offer job opportunities, said Michael Washam, assistant director of the county’s Economic Development and Planning Resource Management Agency. […]
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 killed a lot of small hospitals. As its name implies, the law was intended to balance the federal budget by 2002, reducing spending by $160 billion in the process. To achieve its self-imposed fiscal goal, which was forgotten after 9/11, Congress cut $119 billion in health care spending over […]
After a six-year process, the Visalia Walmart on Noble Avenue is only one step away from becoming a newsupercenter. The Visalia City Council voted December 6 to approve the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and the Conditional Use Permit(CUP)for the Walmart expansion.According to Andrew Chamberlain, Visalia city planner, this is the longest permitting process he […]
Recent developments involving Porterville, Tulare County and California’s Office of Emergency Services have left the future of a new well drilled near city limits in question. What seemed to be a breakdown in communication had caused a sudden halt to the joint venture that could provide a permanent solution for some South Valley residents whose […]
Kings County Sheriff Dave Robinson believes building a bigger jail can lead to fewer people ending up behind bars, and the county and state are going to spend $21 million to find out if he’s right. When the US Supreme Court ruled in 2011, that intense overcrowding and a wide lack of health services in […]
The Commission on Judicial Performance has issued a decision and order removing Judge Valeriano Saucedo, of the Tulare County Superior Court, from office. The commission’s determination becomes final in 30 days, subject to discretionary review by the California Supreme Court. The commission ordered Judge Saucedo removed from office for a course of conduct toward his […]
Tulare County Sheriff’s Department held a press a press conference on November 20 to announce that it had broken up a dairy crime ring. The ring is responsible for multiple thefts from dairies in Tulare, Tipton and Hanford over the course of months or maybe a year. “If you are stealing livestock in Tulare County […]
Tensions ran high at the December 1 Hanford City Council meeting as it was standing-room-only in anticipation of a new mayor and vice-mayor being voted into office. According to the city charter a reorganization of the council needs to take place every year at the first meeting in December. After some spirited public comments, and […]
At the November 10 Parks Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting, a presentation was given on the Trap Neuter and Release (TNR) program to deal with the feral cats in Mooney Grove. The presentation was given by Dr. Nanette Kuswa, owner of Companion Animal Medical Center. Kuswa and the Visalia Feral Cat Coalition (VFCC) have been working […]
Congressman Devin Nunes held a fundraiser/movie premier on November 12 at the Visalia Fox Theatre. The movie, “Dead Harvest,” chronicled the effects of years of federal water policy, environmental lawsuits, and the four-year drought on the Central Valley. The event was free for anyone who wanted to attend. The 35-minute documentary was created by filmmaker […]