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 […]

Visalia Showcases Native/Low-Water Plants in Demonstration Gardens

Posted on May 1, 2014May 2, 2014 by Catherine Doe

Two years before the drought compelled Governor Brown to declare a state emergency, Visalia was already ahead of the game, planning demonstration gardens to educate its residents about drought-resistant landscaping. Now the first of four of these gardens is ready to be part of the May 3rd Earth Day celebrations. Nathan Garza, Natural Resource Conservation […]

California Women for Agriculture Annual Stampede Fundraiser Set for May 16th

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

The Tulare-Kings Chapter of the California Women for Agriculture’s annual Stampede Fundraiser will be held on Friday, May 16 at the Historic Seven Sycamores Ranch in Ivanhoe. A hosted wine tasting and cheese social will begin at 6pm, followed by a barbecue dinner at 7pm, with special guest speaker Assembly Member Connie Conway and live […]

Events to Mark Mental Health Month

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

May has been designated as Mental Health Month in Tulare County. “We know that mental health is integral to overall health,” said Phil Cox, chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “People need to care for their mental health so they can respond to the stress of daily life and the challenges it presents.” […]

WATCH: DA, Sheriff Candidates Answer Questions at COS

Posted on May 1, 2014May 2, 2014 by Tony Maldonado Jr

Candidates for Tulare County District Attorney and Tulare County Sheriff came together on Thursday, April 24 to take part in a forum at College of the Sequoias. The forum, sponsored by the ACLU of Northern California and the College of the Sequoias Young Democrats, drew approximately 150 people, filling the college’s large Ponderosa Lecture Hall. […]

Visalians Can Water Twice a Week in May

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

The Visalia City Council’s water conservation ordinance that implemented Stage 4 – Water Emergency, allows watering two days a week in May, and three days a week from June through September. In total, the changes will bring an estimated 25% annual reduction in landscape irrigation, which is responsible for about 60% of total water usage […]

‘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 […]

Visalia’s New Animal Control Facility to Break Ground in May

Posted on April 17, 2014April 19, 2014 by Catherine Doe

To the relief of the Visalia City Council, and Visalia’s animal lovers, a contract has finally been approved to build the new Animal Control Facility. During their April 7th meeting, the Visalia City Council voted 5-0 to accept Forcum/Mackey Construction, Inc.’s unexpectedly low bid of $4,550,000. According to the Visalia Times-Delta, Mayor Steve Nelsen said, […]

Help Save Visalia’s Water Now

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

Visalians, it’s time to adopt a new habit. One of our most important resources is in trouble, and we need to do everything we can to protect it today and into the future. Governor Brown declared a statewide drought emergency in response to our third drought year, and calls upon all citizens to reduce their […]

Farmersville Business Owners Plan to Create or Revive City’s Chamber of Commerce

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

Members of Farmersville’s business community plan to either create or revive a chamber of commerce in the city. Their next move depends on what members of the board of directors of the Farmersville Chamber of Commerce, which ceased operation in 2011, decide to do. “The simple path is working with the past board,” said Raymond […]