A month ago it appeared two Republicans in this heavily Democrat registered state might advance to the November General Election. Now it is more likely that two Democrats will advance, but we won’t know until tomorrow night!

California also has one of the most hotly contested Congressional seats in the country, District 22, held by Representative David Valadao.

But the primary election drama swirling around District 22 doesn’t involve Valadao.

Striking political attack ads have been exchanged between the two Democrats hoping to contest Valadao in the November General election, Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains, from Bakersfield and Randy Villegas, Visalia Unified School District Trustee.

Bains ads claim that Villegas, in his capacity as a VUSD trustee, has covered up the abuse of minors who were sexually assaulted by school district staff over the past several decades. In fact, Villegas was one of five trustees who voted on a VUSD settlement agreement. The minors and their parents have requested to maintain their privacy, as is usual in these cases.

The Villegas campaign claims that AIPAC, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has spent $500,000 on attack ads and that AIPAC is a controversial Republican-backed, pro-Israel super PAC that is quietly intervening in the CA-22 primary. Villegas’ campaign claims the Republican political machine is funding Bains because they believe she would be the weaker candidate against Valadao.

Many other local elections are on the ballot Tuesday night so get out and vote!

The more local the elected office the more your vote counts! Some elections have been decided by two or three votes.

Post Office or Official Drop Off Box?

The California Secretary of State Website informs voters, “Mailed ballots must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received not later than 7 days after Election Day.” But the Secretary of State also says, “To ensure your ballot is postmarked by Election Day make sure to mail it at least five days before Election Day.”

For those who have not yet voted the most secure way to make your vote counts is to put your ballot in one of the many official ballot drop boxes. Official Ballot Drop Boxes will be available 24 hours a day through 8:00 PM on Tuesday, June 2, 2026.

Below is a list of drop box locations in Tulare and Kings Counties. This list is also included with your mail-in ballot

Government Plaza            5951 S Mooney Blvd        Visalia

Visalia Branch Library      200 W Oak Ave  Visalia

Tulare Public Library        475 N M St          Tulare

Tulare Senior Citizen Center          201 N F St            Tulare

City Recycle Drop Off & CNG Fuel Station (Recycling Area)               555 N Prospect St             Porterville

Porterville City Transit Center (Service Drive)          61 W Oak Ave     Porterville

Lindsay City Hall 150 N Mirage Ave             Lindsay

Farmersville City Hall       909 W Visalia Rd               Farmersville

Exeter City hall   137 N F St            Exeter

Woodlake City Hall          350 N Valencia Blvd         Woodlake

Dinuba City Hall 405 E EL Monte Wy          Dinuba

Visalia Courthouse Rose Garden (East Parking Lot)              221 S Mooney Blvd          Visalia

Strathmore Branch Library            19646 Road 230 Strathmore

Ivanhoe Branch Library   15964 Heather Ave          Ivanhoe

Tulare Akers Professional Center 5300 W Tulare Ave           Visalia

Kings County:

Commission on Aging / Senior Center  10953 14th Ave., Armona

Avenal Branch Library  501 E. Kings St., Avenal

Corcoran Area Transit / Amtrak Station  1099 Otis Ave., Corcoran

Hanford High School  120 E. Grangeville Blvd., Hanford

Home Garden Community Services District Office  11677 2nd Pl., Hanford

Kings County Elections Office (Walk-up box) 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford

Kings County Government Center (Drive-up box) 1400 W. Lacey Blvd., Hanford

Central Union Elementary School 15783 18th Ave., Lemoore

Lemoore College – Student Union Building  555 College Ave., Lemoore

Lemoore Masonic Lodge  647 W. Bush St., Lemoore

Lemoore Parks and Rec. Department  721 W. Cinnamon Dr., Lemoore

The post Election Day is Tomorrow!! appeared first on Valley Voice.

The funding, secured through investments made under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, will help improve water reliability, modernize aging infrastructure, strengthen drought resilience, and support long-term water management efforts throughout the Valley.

“Reliable water infrastructure is critical to the future of the San Joaquin Valley, our agricultural economy, and the communities that depend on it,” said Congressman Costa. “The Central Valley depends on a reliable water supply to support our farms, local economy, and growing communities. These investments will help strengthen water delivery systems that families, farmers, and communities across the Valley rely on every day.”

Projects receiving funding include:

• $65.8 million for the Friant-Kern Canal Capacity Correction Project
• $53 million for the O’Neill Pumping Plant Main Transformer Replacement Project
• $11 million for the O’Neill Pumping Plant Unit Upgrades Project
• $2 million for Fresno Irrigation District flow metering improvements expected to conserve approximately 840 acre-feet of water annually

The Friant-Kern Canal serves farms and communities across the eastern San Joaquin Valley and has lost significant carrying capacity due to decades of land subsidence. The O’Neill Pumping Plant projects will modernize critical Central Valley Project infrastructure connected to San Luis Reservoir and improve operational reliability throughout California’s water system.

Congressman Costa has long advocated for federal investments in water storage, conveyance, groundwater recharge, and drought resilience projects across the Central Valley.

Additional information on previously secured federal funding for Central Valley water infrastructure and San Joaquin Valley community projects:

• Costa Statement on $540 Million for Central Valley Water Projects
• Rep. Costa Secures Passage of $11.2 Million in Federal Funding for San Joaquin Valley Communities

The post Costa Announces More Than $131 Million for Central Valley Water Infrastructure Projects appeared first on Valley Voice.

Residents of Goshen and northern Tulare County came to meet and question their potential future Tulare County Supervisor at a forum for those seeking the Tulare County District 4 supervisorial seat.

The forum was hosted by the Tulare County League of Women Voters and took place in the Community Center of the Goshen Village I apartments. For an hour and a half candidates responded to questions from the league and the audience.

District 4 includes the unincorporated communities of Badger, Cutler-Orosi, Elderwood, Goshen, Ivanhoe, London, Monson-Sultana, Seville, Three Rivers, Traver, and Yettem. The cities represented in District 4 include Dinuba, Woodlake, and a small portion in the northwest corner of Visalia.

Candidates Ian Bakke and Rudy Mendoza participated in the forum. Incumbent Eddie Valero, who lives in Orosi, was unable to participate due to a prior commitment.

Bakke is chief operating officer at Bakke Ag Services and a resident of Visalia. Mendoza is the mayor of Woodlake, a small business owner, and CEO of an agricultural company.

The two candidates with the most votes in the June 2 primary will advance to the general election on November 4.

Doors opened at 6:00 p.m. for an informal meet and greet and the forum began at 6:30 p.m.

Sponsors for the evening were the League of Women Voters of Tulare County, the American Association of University Women, the Tulare County League of Mexican American Women, the Valley Voice, and the Sun-Gazette.

The candidates answered questions about animal control, impacts to health coverage and services due to the Big Beautiful Bill, water quality in rural communities, AI’s impact, and bear proof trash cans in Three Rivers – among others.

Bakke told the crowd in response to a question regarding agriculture, farming, and water usage, that “We [Tulare County] are California.” Mendoza concurred, adding that the San Joaquin Valley produces 25% of the food supply in the entire country and that we are the number one dairy producing region in the country.

The two candidates differed though on how they would have handled the Tulare County Supervisors’ vote on bear proof trash cans for Three Rivers.

Mendoza said that he wants to protect the human community and protect wildlife but felt the supervisors had not done their homework on the issue. The new containers will raise Three Rivers’ residents’ garbage bill by 30%. He said he would have voted no on the mandate.

Bakke said that there should have been better communication on why the county was doing what they were doing. He said that the public and supervisors had a heated discussion during the public hearing and that the tourists were taking the blame for the bears. But he said many other counties have successfully used the bear-proof containers and he would have voted yes.

The issue of animal control in both candidates’ hometowns is a daunting issue.

Mendoza said “the answer is eluding us right now.”

Woodlake is being proactive on the issue and is actually holding a spay and neuter clinic this weekend, he said – but he would rather that money go to parks and recreation for the betterment of their residents.

Bakke said the three animal control officers that work for Tulare County do a great job but, “why not add one more?”

They also differed on the question of whether Cutler-Orosi should incorporate and become a city.

Mendoza said it was a difficult process but that the county should give Cutler-Orosi the tools to try. His hometown Woodlake is the smallest incorporated city in the county.

Bakke did not agree that the area should be incorporated, because the costs of taking on fire protection, a police force, and road repair would be prohibitive.

He said that Cutler-Orosi is the largest unincorporated community in California – but he would not encourage it to apply for city status.

For the question “How can supervisors do a better job of keeping county residents informed about county issues?” Bakke responded, “Be one with the people. Show up and talk with the people. This is Tulare County. We are all family.”

Mendoza replied, “I believe in meaningful presence. Be as accessible as you can. He added that it doesn’t matter what race you are or political party you agree with, “My job is to represent everyone.”

The post Candidates tackle the important issues facing District 4 at Tulare County Supervisor Forum appeared first on Valley Voice.

“Our goal is to help our community members access fresh, healthy, locally grown organic foods, and to put our town on the map as an event destination,” shared Ms. Julie Levine, Health and Wellness Committee Chair of the Capineros Community Center group.

A Grassroots Effort Rooted in Community

The farmers market series has been brought to life through the collective efforts of the Capineros Community Center, local volunteers, the community church, and nearby businesses, creating a uniquely local, place-based experience.

 The event will feature:

• Fresh produce, including greens, vegetables, mushrooms, citrus, and berries
• Artisan foods, coffee, and handcrafted goods (including sourdough bread, black bean burgers, and more)
• Free range eggs (duck, goose, and chicken)
• Participation from local artists and makers
• Family-friendly activities and gathering spaces
• Opportunities to connect directly with local growers and producers
• Live Music featuring The Pine Flat Boys

The community also hosts a small-scale Artisan Festival on the first Saturday of the month, and several of those local artists will participate in the farmers market, further strengthening the town’s growing local goods and creative economy. Vendor fees will be waived for the first two months to support small businesses and encourage participation, lowering barriers for farmers and artisans to participate and grow.

A Strategic Location Along a Growing Tourism Corridor

California Hot Springs is ideally situated for travelers looking to explore some of the region’s most celebrated natural attractions. Located approximately 30 minutes from the Giant Sequoias and the Trail of 100 Giants, the community offers easy access to majestic groves and scenic trails while serving as a gateway along key foothill routes into the Sequoias. Its proximity, less than an hour from Porterville and within 1.5 hours of Visalia and Bakersfield, makes it a convenient and appealing stop for both residents and visitors, supporting ongoing efforts to grow tourism and enhance the area’s appeal.

With the anticipated reopening of the local hot springs resort, currently under restoration following the 2023 flood damage, community leaders see this market as part of a broader effort to rebrand and revitalize the area as a destination, expanding offerings for both residents and visitors.

The Tulare County Economic Development Office is supporting the initiative by assisting with marketing, regional outreach, and tourism alignment through the Discover Tulare County program.

“The County’s role is to help amplify what the community is building,” said Alida Verduzco Silva, Economic Development Manager with the County of Tulare. “This is a great example of a locally driven idea that can grow into a meaningful economic and tourism asset for the region.” The County is also working in coordination with the Mighty 190 tourism initiative, a collaborative effort supported by the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, championed in District 5 by Supervisor Dennis Townsend, and advanced in partnership with the City of Porterville, to promote destinations and businesses along State Route 190, from Porterville and Springville through Camp Nelson, Pierpoint Springs, Ponderosa, and the Trail of 100 Giants, positioning California Hot Springs as a key stop along this scenic corridor. At the regional level, both the County’s Discover Tulare County program and the Mighty 190 initiative participate in the Sequoia Tourism Council, a collaborative effort to increase awareness and visitation throughout Tulare County.

About Capineros Community Center

The Capineros Community Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization serving California Hot Springs, bringing together residents, organizations, and local partners through events, programs, and initiatives that enhance quality of life in the region. 

The post Fresh Food, Local Flavor, and Tourism Growth: California Hot Springs Launches New Farmers Market Amid Resort Restoration appeared first on Valley Voice.

Live Theater

Ice House Theatre presents “Rumors,” a comedy by Neil Simon about the disastrous and hilarious 10^th wedding anniversary of the deputy major of New York and his wife. Runs April 24-May 9 at 410 E. Race, Visalia. 559 734-3900 or www.visaliaicehouse.com

The Kings Players stage an original play, “I Shot Jennifer Lopez,” a comedy about Norah who snaps what appears to be a compromising picture of Jennifer Lopez. Could this make Norah rich? Runs May 24-June 7. Adult themes. Temple Theater, 514 Visalia St., Hanford. 559 584-7241 or www.kingsplayers.org

The Barn Theater presents “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” about a patient who challenges the strict systems in a psychiatric hospital. Runs May 29-June 14. 42 S. Plano, Porterville. 559 310-7046 or www.portervillebarntheater.com

Art shows

Arts Visalia exhibits “Evidence of Coveted Chaos” by Amie Rangel about balancing creating art and everyday life obligations, along with oils and study drawings and sketches by Martha Sterling. Open Wednesdays-Saturdays in May, 12-5:30 p.m. 214 E. Oak, 559 739-0905 or www.artsvisalia.org

Arts Consortium displays cultural costumes in “Visalia around the World” in May and June, spotlighting over 23 counties’ attire, culture, dance and music. 340 E. Oak, Visalia. Open Tuesdays-Fridays 10-3. www.artsconsortium.org  

Brandon-Mitchell Gallery is showing “Reaching for Greatness,” Multicultural abstract acrylics and acrylic pours by Eva Nicholson. Open during First Friday Art Walks in Downtown Visalia in May and June, after service at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and by appointment. 117 S. Locust, Visalia. 559 625-2441 or www.brandonmitchellgallery.comCollege of the Sequoias Gallery hosts its Annual Student Exhibition April 7-May 8. Open Tuesdays-Thursdays 10-4 and Fridays by appointment. Kaweah Building, Room 214 (downstairs) at the corner of Meadow Lane and Mooney. Free 20-minute parking in the circle drive. Facebook: College of the Sequoias Art Gallery

College of the Sequoias Learning Resource Center shows the Pathway to Museums Club’s “Collaborative Project” March 3-June 26. Open Mondays-Thursdays 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturdays 10-2. LRC Gallery, Lodgepole Building. Facebook: College of the Sequoias Art Gallery

The Oval Gallery is featuring art by Flores del Valle, a collaboration between Central Valley’s own Kuta One and Irma Ceja that honors our people and the roots we have here in the Valley. 808 N. Court. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 5-8 p.m. and by appointment if requested through Instagram, www.instagram.com/theovalgallery

Tulare City Historical Museum has on display The Spring Art Show by the Tulare Palette Club April 2-May 2.  444 W. Tulare in Tulare. 559 686-2074 or www.tularehistoricalmuseum.org

Tulare City Historical Museum features “Timeless Treasurers: Journey through a Vintage Home” April 9-June 6. See how tulareans lived in the early 1900s. 444 W. Tulare in Tulare. 559 686-2074 or www.tularehistoricalmuseum.org

CACHE (Center for Art, Culture & History Exeter) is showing “California Landscapes” by Betty Berk from April 4-June 28. 125 South B. 559 592-5900 or www.cach-exeter.org

Lindsay Museum & Gallery opens its annual Orange Blossom Festival art show from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, April 17. Open on Fridays after April 17 from 12-4 p.m. 165 N. Gale Hill Ave. www.lindsayarts.com

The Pierpoint Bar & Grill & Gallery is showing “Heaven in the Sierras” by local photographer Trish Logan. Open 10-6 daily. 801 Highway 190, Springville. 559 483-9110 or liz.pierpointgallery@gmail.com

Ongoing events

The Woodlands Spring Food Fest from 5-9 p.m. every Thursday through May 21. Free food, bar, music and vibes. The Woodlands, 4211 W. Goshen Ave., Visalia. Bring picnic blankets and pop-u p chairs. www.visitvisalia.org/calendar

Big L Ranch Blueberry Picking from May 10-June 14. Live music. U-pick Blueberry Farm, 20899 Ave. 322, Woodlake. www.visitvisalia.org/events

 Events by date

Thursday, May 7

• Sleeping Beauty ballet by a cast on international stars at 7 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score, breathtaking choreography and costumes. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
• The League of Women Voters is holding a candidates forum for Tulare County supervisors in District 4 at 6 p.m. at the Goshen Village Community Center, 30940 Road 72 Goshen. facebook.com/lwvtularecounty

Saturday, May 9

• All-female Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea at 8 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. Multi-Grammy winners. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
• Mother’s Day Tea Party at 3 p.m. with hat parade, special music, games and prizes. For men too! Center for Spiritual Living, 117 S. Locust, Visalia. 559 625-2441 or cslvisalia.org
• 71^st Woodlake Lions Rodeo with deep pit BBQ, vendors, pre-show entertainment. Doors open at 11 a.m. Rodeo at 3 p.m. Woodlake Rodeo Grounds, 19400 Ave. 398. visitvisalia.org/calendar

Tuesday, May 12

• Arts Consortium community meeting at 5:30 p.m. Get an update on the arts scene. Arts Consortium in the Lofts at Fort Visalia, 300 E. Oak, Visalia. 559 772-0001 or artsconsortium.org

Saturday, May 16

• 3^rd Annual Books & Brews from 11-4 with music, vinyl record swaps, food, local authors and vendors. Supports the Tulare County Library. 1852 Brewery, 707 W. Murray, Visalia. visitvisalia.org/calendar
• Visalia Breakfast Lions Club hosts their annual car show from 9-3 on Main Street with 350 classic cars. 4a2lions.org/events

Monday, May 18

• “Exeter at War,” a talk about Exeter sons who have served in every major conflict since the Civil War, at 7 p.m. at CACHE (The Center for Art, Culture, and History—Exeter), 125 South B. Part of the Tales of Exeter series. Free. 592-5900 or cach-exeter.org

Wednesday, May 20

• CACHE (The Center for Art, Culture, and History—Exeter) hosts a student art show, “The Future of Exeter,” from 5-7 p.m. 125 South B. 559 592-5900 or cach-exeter.org

Saturday, May 23

• Journey USA show at 8 p.m. features a full production or Journey hits, including synchronized video playback and special effects/ Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
• Go Native: A Native American Cultural Celebration from 10-3 at Kaweah Oaks Preserve, 29989 Road 182, Exeter. Learn about the Yokut tribe, including basket weaving, cradleboards, drumming. Children’s events. Free. visitvisalia.org/calendar
• “Welcome Summer! Gallery Wine & Cheese” from 2-5 p.m. at the Pierpoint Gallery, 801 Highway 190, Springville. Complimentary wine and cheese. 559 483-9110 or pierpointgallery@gmail.com

Monday, May 25

• Memorial Day free entrance to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park for U.S. Residents. visitvisalia.org/calendar

Saturday, May 30

• 5^th Annual Color Run starts at 9 a.m. at Mooney Grove, 27000 S. Mooney Blvd. Visalia. Get splattered with paint during 5 K walk,run. Games, music prizes. Benefits ProYouth after-school program. allevents/in/visalia

The post Donna’s Calendar of Events appeared first on Valley Voice.

The forum will be at the Tulare County Office of Education, 6200 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia. Doors open at 6 p.m. The forum will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The three candidates for SD 12 will be attending;

• Louis Miramontes (Republican), Aviation Mechanic
• William Brown, (Libertarian), Social Worker/Businessman
• Nathan Magsig (Republican), County Supervisor/Businessman

The two candidates with the most votes in the June 2 primary will advance to the general election on November 4. The last date to register for the June 2 primary is May 18. Ballots should be arriving in the mail the first week of May.

State Senate District 12 includes parts of Kern, Fresno and Tulare counties.

The candidates have agreed to address questions directed to them by the sponsoring organizations and accept questions from the audience that have been screened.

Sponsors are:

• League of Women Voters of Tulare County
• American Association of University Women
• Valley Voice online newspaper.
• Tulare County League of Mexican American Women
• Sun-Gazette newspaper

The event will be streamed by the Valley Voice and posted on their facebook.

The post State Senate District 12 Candidates Discuss the Issues at May 12 Forum appeared first on Valley Voice.

The forum will be at the Goshen Village No. 1 Community Room, 309940 Road 72, in Visalia.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The forum will be from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The three candidates running for supervisor District 4 have all been invited:

• Eddie Valero, incumbent;
• Rudy Mendoza, mayor of Woodlake;
• Ian Bakke, chief operating officer of Bakke Ag Services of Tulare.

The two candidates with the most votes in the June 2 primary will advance to the general election on November 4.

District 4 includes the unincorporated communities of Badger, Cutler-Orosi, Elderwood, Goshen, Ivanhoe, London, Monson-Sultana, Seville, Three Rivers, Traver, and Yettem. The cities represented in District 4 include Dinuba, Woodlake, and a small portion in the northwest corner of Visalia.

The candidates have agreed to address questions directed to them by the sponsoring organizations and accept prescreened questions from the audience.

Sponsors are:

• League of Women Voters of Tulare County
• American Association of University Women
• Valley Voice online newspaper.
• Tulare County League of Mexican American Women
• Sun-Gazette newspaper

The event will be simultaneously translated into Spanish for those who request it and streamed on the Valley Voice Facebook.

The post Tulare County Supervisor District 4 Forum to be held on May 7 appeared first on Valley Voice.

“This is a wonderful experience and a big change going from AGUA Youth to advocating as a leader and mother since now my kids keep me motivated. I don’t want them stressing that they can’t drink the water and they should be comfortable where they live,” said Miriam Sanchez, East Orosi AGUA Member. “Communities need to keep speaking up and when one community wins, we are not fighting for just us, we are fighting for all Californians to have clean water.”

In 2005, residents formed the community based organization Vecinos Unidos (Neighbors United) in response to the contamination of their water. This group then engaged in advocating for safe and affordable drinking water solutions and through a Preliminary Engineering Report decided that connecting to Orosi Public Utilities Board (OPUD) was most sustainable. In their efforts to implement that solution they were met with collaboration from Tulare County, and support from the State Water Boards to issue mandatory consolidation orders. In 2024, community oriented leadership in OPUD showed their support for the project marking full support for solutions to be implemented today.

“Today did not start now, it started years ago with trips to Sacramento because East Orosi refused to accept that other communities should have clean water and not theirs, navigating uncertainty year after year,” said Supervisor Eddie Valero with Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “In 2022 Tulare County stepped in to help the East Orosi Water System and alongside strong collaborators we see hope renewed. We need communities to stay engaged and continue holding us accountable to advance the Human Right to Water.”

The State Water Boards were also a critical partner in funding technical assistance for this project through the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund (“The Fund”) established in 2019 when Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 200 (Sen. Monning) into law. Since then, The Fund has provided $2.3 million for technical support that set the groundwork necessary for the success of the consolidation project. The fund has also mobilized $15 million applied to a variety of projects that include hauled and bottled water, technical assistance, and water system repairs responding to community needs, exactly what SAFER was intended to do.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a significant milestone because of how hard and long you, the community of East Orosi, had to fight to make it happen. But you persevered, you advocated, and above all, you built partnerships with the County, Orosi PUD, and the State Water Board. Today, the promise of having safe drinking water in your homes is finally becoming real,” said State Water Board Chair E. Joaquin Esquivel at today’s groundbreaking. “Our commitment to East Orosi is unwavering, because it is in communities like East Orosi, which have gone without safe drinking water the longest, that California keeps its promise to make access to safe, clean, affordable water a human right.”

As a result we are seeing real change take shape for an unincorporated community in an agricultural area of Tulare county. Up to 106 households homes will now be connected to safe drinking water as part of a long term solution, a relief to over 400 residents who have been relying on bottled water. This progress also gives hopes for other communities who are looking towards tools like SAFER to achieve reliable long term solutions.

Today’s success is only possible because of community leadership, political will, regulatory support, and local collaboration. The SAFER Program and Proposition 68 have been critical for communities and local leadership to make progress on the Human Right to Water. We need to keep supporting efforts that make a difference and this means we have to work together for a future where SAFER is fully funded and where we keep breaking ground on infrastructure projects until all Californians have safe water.

The post East Orosi celebrates groundbreaking to achieve safe water appeared first on Valley Voice.

Saturday, March 28 seemed like a good day for a protest. Skies were blue, the sun was out, the temperature was in the low 80’s. The number of angry drivers, flipping protesters off seemed to be at a minimum. “We’ve only had about half the middle fingers we normally get,” said one protester with a laugh.

There was some debate about that. “Actually, I’d say, we’re getting double the number,” said Sarah Schater Welch. “Last time, I got two middle fingers and so far today, it’s been four.”

Among the many things Welch and others were protesting was the war in Iran, the detainment of refugees without due process, rising gas and food prices, and the apparent erosion of constitutional norms under the Trump administration.

Across the country and the world, 8 million people gathered to protest the Trump administration. In Three Rivers, about 175 protestors showed up, close to 10 percent of the town’s population.

“At first, I thought these protests weren’t doing any good,” Welch said, “but what these protests do is show lawmakers how many people are participating. It makes a great visual when you show all the people marching in these protests versus the number of people who attended Trump’s birthday party parade.”

Local resident, Christina Lynch, was attending her third No Kings protest in Three Rivers. “This feels like the least we can do. There’s so much more we need to be doing,” she said, “I think it’s really important to get out here and show people the faces of people who are against these polices. They think that we’re crazy or we’re stupid or we’re uninformed, which is sometimes what we think of them, right?” said Lynch.

Lynch was holding a sign that said, “If you ate today, thank an immigrant.”

The sign was meant to be deliberately anti-inflammatory, said Lynch who spoke amidst a chorus of encouraging honks from passerby. “This sign is inviting people to see a connection between the administration’s policies and the fact that gas prices have gone up enormously and that food prices are rising.”

For Lynch, the most disturbing part of the Trump administration are the “concentration camps” and the plans to build facilities to warehouse 80,000 more detainees long term.

“We’re not talking about violent criminals. These are family members of citizens. These are people who are growing our food, processing the meat, roofers, and builders,” Lynch said.

The whole idea of America was built on the idea that that the United States doesn’t turn away immigrants, said Lynch whose family emigrated from Ireland.

“My family came from starving to death in Ireland to the United States, and they didn’t turn them away. After a couple of generations in poverty, my grandfather had about 20 grandkids and no one is living in poverty. This is the story of immigration in America. We accept people who are escaping poverty and violence. We educate their kids, and that’s America.”

Three Rivers is an interesting microcosm of the United States, where the town is almost evenly divided between republicans and democrats. While this divide has created some friction among neighbors and friends, Jenny Kirk, who helped organize the No Kings protest has heard anecdotal stories of Trump supporters beginning to question federal policy.

“There’s this worry about neighbors seeing neighbors at these protests,” Kirk said. “I have a neighbor who I was worried about giving me a hard time because he’s a Trump supporter. But actually, my neighbor stopped me and said, ‘I just want you to know I’m not down with what’s going on.’”

Bob Davis, a contractor who lives in Visalia who does occasional work in Three Rivers didn’t attend any of the protests on Saturday. He voted for Trump three times and said he would vote for him again if he could.

Immigrants should be detained and deported if they didn’t come to the U.S. legally, Davis said.  “If they break the law, they should suffer the consequences. I think this whole No Kings protest is ridiculous. Kings don’t get elected. I haven’t heard any liberal say why they think he’s a king. No MAGA person calls him a king. As far as I’m concerned, he’s doing great. He just got rid of a dictatorship in Iran,” Davis said.

Davis doesn’t agree with all of Trump’s policies. He doesn’t like the idea of putting boots on the ground in Iran, and he especially doesn’t like the idea of endangering the lives of young American soldiers.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t know what’s happening in the world right now. I really don’t know to be honest with you. I think it’s all more convoluted and complex than everyone thinks,” Davis said.

Tracey Kilmartin, a Visalia resident who’s on a fixed income, said he’s glad he voted for Trump, even though he’s not happy about the soaring gas prices.

“I’m on disability and so this makes it extra hard for me, but you learn to cope.”

Kilmartin said he’s willing to pay higher prices because he believes that Iran is too dangerous if it truly has the makings of a nuclear bomb.

“The Iranian people are executing their own people in the streets, and we just can’t accept that. I would rather pay higher gas prices and food prices than have a nuclear bomb dropping on us,” said Kilman, who believes fuel prices will eventually drop once the hostilities with Iran are over.

Protesters around the country were decrying high food and fuel prices, including the No Kings protest just down the road in Porterville. Over 150 people attended the protest which was hosted by the Porterville Community Action Network (PCAN), established in 2017 to hold the federal as well as the local political administrations accountable, said Diane Wagner, one of the organizers.

“We’ve been having a lot of problems with the local city council these past few years. They are basically a mini version of the Trump administration. They wanted to pass a transgender bathroom ban and they just fired 19 people in the engineering department so they can privatize the whole department with independent contractors,” Wagner said.

The move to privatize a city department is worrying because there will be much less public oversight. Equally worrying is the ongoing public erosion of the division of church and state, Wagner said

“Our mayor just went to a school and was telling the kids that the way to have a good life is to get married, have kids and trust in Jesus. Those are personal things, and if that’s what you believe, go for it. But you don’t go telling that to kids in a public school,” Wagner said.

Karen Anderson, another member of PCAN said that the No Kings protests are encouraging to her because she feels less like a singular “blue dot” in an otherwise conservative town. She knows at least a couple of Trump supporters who are rethinking their support for Trump because of rising prices and the war in Iran.

“I think people are thinking that it’s time to get back to taking care of the United States instead of investing in the goings on in other countries and starting wars, especially when the current president said he would not get us involved in any new wars. It was supposed to be America first. Now it seems like it’s America last.”

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• Springville
• Three Rivers
• Kingsburg
• Earlimart
• Woodville

A detailed view of where work will take place is available for download via a PDF map set on the RMA’s website.

What is Slurry Seal?

Slurry seal is a protective treatment applied to existing roads to seal small cracks, restore the surface, and extend pavement life. It helps maintain roads in good condition and reduces the need for more costly repairs in the future. “For residents and visitors, this means smoother road surfaces, greater durability, and continued reliability of neighborhood streets they use every day to access homes, schools, work, and services,” says Claudia Sanchez, RMA Project Engineer.

Project Delivery, Workforce, and Funding

This project will be delivered by Pavement Coatings Co., an external contractor, with support from Tulare County RMA Construction Management staff, who will provide on-site oversight of work schedules and quality, along with budget management, expenditure tracking to ensure compliance with funding requirements, and coordination of financial reporting to keep the project on schedule and within budget. The 2025 Slurry Seal Program has an estimated cost of $475,916.70 and is funded through Measure R, a half-cent sales tax dedicated to improving transportation infrastructure throughout the county since 2006.

During Construction, Residents Can Expect:

• Construction Signage: Signs posted around the project perimeter during construction
• Temporary Road Closures: Roads shown on the map will be temporarily closed for slurry seal application
• Limited Parking: Vehicles should not be parked on the roadway during construction

Road closures and project updates will be shared as construction approaches. Residents are encouraged to stay informed by following updates on social media and through the RMA’s website.

• Facebook (@TulareCountyResourceManagementAgency | Instagram (@TulareCountyRMA):
• County of Tulare RMA Website (Road Closures Map): www.tularecounty.ca.gov/RMA

Project Contact Information

For questions about this project, please contact Project Engineer Claudia Sanchez by calling (559) 624-7028 or by emailing CSanchez5@tularecounty.ca.gov.

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