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The Kerman News Firebaugh - Mendota Journal San Joaquin - Tranquillity West Side Advance (Kerwest Newspapers) Serving Northwest Fresno County Since 1906 |
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Special ceremonies were held Thursday afternoon to commemorate the loan/grant. Officials met in the Firebaugh Middle School multipurpose room for a meal, mariachi music and speeches. Shown above, from the left: Firebaugh Mayor Craig Knight, USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins, Firebaugh City Manager Jose Ramirez, US Congressman Jim Costa. Firebaugh Receives $10 Million for Infrastructure Work USDA Rural Development State Director Ben Higgins was in Firebaugh Thursday, May 31, to announce an unprecedented investment of over $10 million in loans and grants to the City of Firebaugh. With funding in place, Firebaugh can now begin urgent reconstruction to both their water and wastewater systems. "This is a significant investment by USDA Rural Development in the future of Firebaugh," said Higgins. "It’s also a testament to the leadership found right here in this community, which not only makes our investment possible, but allows Firebaugh to tackle serious challenges, including the need for clean drinking water and safe sanitation services." Firebaugh has struggled to provide adequate water and sewer services to its residents while grappling with soaring construction costs. The city’s current domestic water system fails to sufficiently treat the water, storage tanks are corroding and filter equipment is deteriorating. A $4.3 million loan and $1 million grant will be used to construct new storage tanks and emergency generators, and the filtration system will be replaced. Additional problems exist with Firebaugh’s wastewater system which suffers from corrosion and deterioration of the pump stations and non operational submersible pumps. $3.8 million in loans and $1 million in grants will be used to construct a new pump station as well as rehabilitate and upgrade equipment to bring the facility into compliance with current standards. "The problems Firebaugh faces are common to many rural towns across the nation," said Higgins. "Investments such as these are a crucial component of USDA Rural Development efforts to give rural residents the same opportunities their urban counterparts have long taken for granted."
St. Joseph Night at the Races St. Joseph School will host "A Nite at the Races" Friday, May 11. The event will feature video horse races at Firebaugh Downs (aka the Firebaugh Rodeo Grounds). Doors open at 6 p.m. with a prize drawing at 10:30 p.m. For more information call the school at 659-2841.
Ignacio Valdovinos NDC Troupe Celebrates Cesar Chavez Birthday A traveling troupe from West Hills College Coalinga’s North District Center performed regional folklore dances from Mexico and a play called "American Dream" at the Palmdale Playhouse Theatre in honor of Cesar Chavez’s birthday on March 31. Ignacio Valdovinos, a North District student, was awarded a $2,000 community service scholarship by the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said Eliseo Gamino, a WHCC instructor and sponsor for the troupe. "West Hills College TRIO/Student Support Services students participating in the community service event volunteer their time and energy for a good cause," Gamino added, "just as Cesar spent many hours in the Community Service Organization helping others. "Ignacio is one of many students who work part-time and weekends to cover his college expenses," Gamino said. "On top of these challenges, Ignacio volunteers and makes time to be involved in the folklore and drama group. He is an example to other students working very hard to keep his dream alive. He is on the right path to becoming a professional." "I want you to know the group surpassed my expectations," said Helen Acosta, co-chair of the Cesar Chavez committee in Palmdale. "The play was great and I loved the dancing. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed it." The production was presented in both English and Spanish. Valdovinos was given the award for his work as a dancer, sound specialist and stage manager. He lives in Mendota.
Sheriff' Sponsors Mendota Easter Egg Hunt An Easter Egg hunt, sponsored by the The Sheriff’s Department, along with the Fresno County Youth Foundation, sponsored Easter Egg hunts the past few weeks at five west side schools as a reward for students who participated in the Elementary School Safety Program, (ESSP). The ESSP is taught to students, kindergarten through fourth grade, by Community Service Officers from the Sheriff’s Department. The program teaches students a variety of safety related issues which include, anti-gangs, drug awareness and bicycle safety among others. The Sheriff’s Foundation purchased a total of approximately 3300 eggs that were divided among the schools based on the amount of students at each school. Students picked 3-4 eggs each. Students that picked eggs that contained a Sheriff’s star inside received donated prizes. Prizes included toys, dolls, and stuffed animals. The grand prize at each hunt was a bicycle and helmet. Grand prize winners included a student in Tranquility who had never had a bicycle before, and another student from Biola whose bicycle had been stolen. The event scheduled for Mendota’s is expected to draw 500-1000 children. Anyone needing information can contact the
Burglary, ADW Suspect Arrested in Mendota. MENDOTA, Mar. 29 - Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims today announced the arrest of 42 year old Olen Maxwell after an Assault With A Deadly Weapon call. On Mar. 28, at approximately 7:35 pm, deputies responded to the Mendota Market, located at 1191 E. Seventh St. in Mendota. Investigation revealed that Maxwell had entered the store an attempted to steal an item. When he was confronted by the store clerk, Maxwell produced a knife and threatened to stab the clerk before fleeing. Deputies located Maxwell a short distance away and took him into custody without incident. Maxwell, a resident of Mendota, was charged with Burglary, Assault With A Deadly Weapon, and Parole violations. He was later booked into the Fresno County Jail.
Firebaugh Thrift Store Closing It has been reported that Firebaugh’s St Vincent de Paul thrift store is closing. Hinds Hospice thrift stores in Hinds Hospice thrift stores are located in: Sanger: 929 Academy Sanger, CA 93657. (559)-875-8500 Chowchilla:
SETS FRESHMAN RECORD
Firebaugh High School Freshman wrestler Christ Martinez (shown above with parents Ana and Rick) went 1 for 2 at the California State High School Wrestling Championships recently in Bakersfield. Chris ends the season at 41-8, an FHS record for the most wins and most matches for a freshman. He broke the previous record held by George Moreno Jr. of 39-6. George currently coaches for the Eagle wrestling teams.
Mendota Man Killed by Fullerton Police A Mendota man was killed and a second wounded by Fullerton Police last month. Fullerton Police report the incident began at about 2:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 29. Police found two men in their 20s, passed out in a vehicle and with weapons lying across their laps. Police surrounded the vehicle and used a bullhorn to wake the men, telling them to get out. Instead the driver rammed the car into the police blocade, while the passenger began shooting. The police returned fire, killing the driver and wounding the passenger. No officers were injured. The dead man has been identified as Edmundo Francisco Gomez, 21, of Mendota. He was on parole for possession of a stolen vehicle. The wounded man was identified as Arthur Gallardo, 28, of Mendota. He was wanted in connection with armed robbers in Fresno and Madera. Gallardo was treated for eight gunshot wounds, none of them life-threatening. He is being held in Orange County on charges stemming from a Fresno carjacking, and faces a charge of attempted murder of a police officer.
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