FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Governor Jerry Brown signs a package of 15 bills on Friday to tackle the state’s affordable housing crisis.
The bills add billions of dollars for new, affordable housing, more inclusive, mixed-income communities and shelter for the growing number of homeless.
“We want to achieve safety, aesthetics and the right kind of neighborhoods, got a lot of rules and now we gotta figure out a way to streamline and we are doing that with these bills.” – Governor Jerry Brown.
While Governor Brown’s goal is to increase the state’s housing supply and affordability, he acknowledges a contradiction; “I know none of you want to cut the value of people’s homes they struggled to buy, so we’re not talking about lowering the prices in one sense, although we are. So there it is – plenty of paradox.” – Governor Jerry Brown.
The bills include policies to speed up stalled construction and reduce costs by streamlining decision-making and the environmental review process.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Protests Over Joe Arpaio Appearance by 300+ Democrats, Republicans, Antifa?
More than 300 people gathered down the street from where former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio was speaking Friday at the Fresno County Republican Party’s dinner in Fresno.
Arpaio was the guest speaker inside while outside the venue, the line of people filling the sidewalks grew, and there was much shouting back and forth between the factions; “Dump trump, save DACA,” others calling people “communists.”
Tensions began growing, and then Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer arrived and walked the line while more than a dozen officers cleared the middle of Phillips Streets and kept demonstrators from converging.
Chief Dyer, smiling as he walked around talking to people, listened to a man and a woman having a heated exchange, but no violence occurred.
Fresno’s Police Chief said his tactics had been worked out carefully before the event to keep it conflict free.
There were people recognizable from other anti-Republican protests, and alternately pro-Trump rallies, one woman had been detained at a previous Devin Nunes luncheon.
Some people were wearing masks, like the man (seen above) who identified himself only as being from California, and saying he would not lift his mask to speak with KMJ News because; “I will be killed, don’t want that.”
Concerns over possible violence had the Fresno County Republican Party move the event to the Sunnyside Events Center, so that Joe Arpaio wouldn’t have to face a much larger crowd of protesters.
Arpaio’s appearance was criticized by the Fresno County Democratic Party, who said they would peacefully call attention to the senselessness of featuring him at this GOP fund-raiser, their social media hashtags; #flashmob and #jailhouserocksarpaio
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A drive-by shooting in Northwest Fresno leaves a father dead, his wife and son injured.
It was around 1:00pm, Monday afternoon when the shooting took place outside a home on the 5800 block of West Fir Avenue.
Fresno Police Lieutenant Mark Hudson says a 50 year-old father, his wife and 20 year-old son were all struck by gunfire
“One person died from his gunshots wounds, a 50 year old male died from his wounds, the other two are being treated for I’m assuming non-life threatening wounds.” -Lt. Mark Hudson, Fresno PD.
Fresno Police cordoned off the area and were searching for the shooter all afternoon.
Lt. Hudson says they are still looking for clues to his whereabouts.
No word yet why the gunman targeted his victims.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Films of the Big Tell Competition will be screened this month.
From amateurs to seasoned filmmakers, ten people (seen above) were chosen in regional film-making competition to create mini-documentaries telling stories of the six-county Central Valley.
All 10 films will be screened at The Big Tell Showcase on Friday, October 20 at 7pm at Warnors Theatre in downtown Fresno.
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Unified reaffirms their commitment to keeping schools open — should a teacher strike occur.
An overwhelming majority of the Fresno Teachers Association members voted Tuesday night to approve a strike.
Wednesday morning, Fresno Unified Superintendent Bob Nelson tweeted a message, saying the district is committed to keeping schools open should a teacher strike occur.
“Recently, the Fresno Teachers Association voted to strike, potentially impacting students, staff and the entire Fresno Unified community. A vote to strike does not mean a strike is eminent. Fresno Unified and the FTA are still engaged in the bargaining process and the district will continue to bargain in good faith. If despite those efforts a teacher strike eventually occurs, know that Fresno Unified Schools will remain open everyday, focused on providing a safe place for learning.” – Fresno Unified School District Superintendent Bob Nelson.
Fresno Unified had proposed up to $500 per day for substitute teachers if there’s a strike.
The union and the district have been in contract talks for more than a year, now, after a fact finding report is prepared by the FTA, teachers could hit the picket line as early as mid-November.
On Thursday, October 5th, the Fresno Unified District meets with FASTA, the substitute teachers association, to discuss terms for substitutes should teachers strike. On Friday, October 6th, Fresno Unified meets again with FTA to continue negotiations.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
Fresno Unified posted the following FAQ’s on their website: Frequently Asked Questions Regarding a Potential Teacher Strike
1) Q. Will schools be closed in the event of a strike? A. No. Fresno Unified will keep schools open, safe and functional in the event of a work stoppage.
2) Q. While FTA votes to strike on October 3, when would a strike likely occur? A. Unknown. A strike would occur after the completion of fact-finding negotiations. Dates for fact-finding have yet to be determined. After fact-finding, if FTA decides to strike, they are required to give reasonable notice to the District as to the date of their strike. Employees, parents and the community will then be notified.
3) Q. How can the District afford to pay substitutes $500 a day during a strike? A. A teacher’s average salary per day is over $400. On days that teachers strike, they are not paid and cannot take paid leave. Contributions to their STRS retirement is reduced for each day they strike. This offsets the District’s special rate of pay for substitutes in the event of a strike.
4) Q. If a teacher strike occurs, can parents still drop off their child at extended care before and after regular school hours? A. No. In the event of a work stoppage and for the safety of our campus, the district anticipates all before and after school activities, including athletics, clubs, tutoring, arts, civic events and extended day services will be suspended.
5) Q. If FTA votes to strike, is every FTA member required to strike? A. No. Being a member of FTA does not require a teacher, nurse or speech language pathologist to strike. It is up to each individual if he/she chooses to join the strike.
6) Q. If a teacher chooses to strike, are they paid by the district? A. No. If an individual chooses to strike, they will not be paid by the district for any day(s) they strike. A strike is a work stoppage and strikers are not paid. Retirement contributions to STRS are reduced for each day teacher strike.
7) Q. Will FTA pay teachers during a strike? A. Unknown. See your union representative for that answer.
8) Q. For days lost by a strike, won’t we just make them up at the end of the school year? A. No. Fresno Unified will remain open, safe and functional in the event of a work stoppage so there is no reason to extend the school year or make up lost days.
9) Q. If a teacher strikes, will they and their family still receive health care benefits? A. Yes. While strikers will not receive a salary if they choose to strike, they and their family will not have a gap in medical insurance coverage. However, there is a reduction to the District STRS contribution.
10) Q. Can teachers use paid time off or sick time to cover missed salary during a strike? A. No. The District suspends all paid time off and sick time during a strike. The Superintendent or his designee may make exceptions.
11) Q. Can employees, who are not members of FTA take vacation, sick time or paid off time during a strike and be paid? A. No. All vacations, paid time, professional leaves and sick time are suspended during a strike. The Superintendent or his designee may make exceptions.
12) Q. Do I still participate in professional learning, conferences, Accountable Communities, and Buy Back Days in the event of a strike? A. No. They would all be cancelled.
13) Q. Can other union partners join FTA in a strike? A. No. While unions can show their support in a number of ways, Fresno Unified is still negotiating with a handful of our other labor partners. Other bargaining units cannot legally strike until each one has exhausted the negotiations process, which includes mediation and the fact-finding process.
14) Q. As a member of FTA, if I do not strike, what happens to me? A. If you come to work, the District will continue to pay your regular salary.
15) Q. If teachers do not strike, can they be reassigned to another school site or classroom to support students in the absence of teachers or a substitute teacher? A. If a teacher chooses not to strike and remain on campus to support students, they may be asked to take on additional students or tasks. While it is unlikely but possible, a teacher may be reassigned based on the needs of the District.
16) Q. As a student teacher, what does a strike mean to me? A. Student teachers should contact their college advisors. Questions regarding substitute teaching should be directed to Human Resources.
17) Q. How long can a strike last? A. It’s difficult to say, as Fresno Unified hasn’t had one since 1978. That strike lasted eight days. Last year, Yuba City experienced a strike lasting seven days.
18) Q. I’m being told that if I don’t keep my child at home or support the strike, I may be deported based on my citizenship status. Is that true? A. No, Absolutely not. The district is a safe place for all Fresno Unified students and their families. That does not change in the event of a strike. The District’s recent Safe Place Resolutions affirms that. The District will not facilitate or participate in any immigration activities at school sites or district facilities to the fullest extent allowed by law.
19) Q. If a strike occurs, will community events be impacted? A. Yes. In the event of a strike, to ensure safety and security all events in/on district property, outside of regular scheduled school hours, are suspended including community meetings/events, youth athletic tournaments, health center access and Green Space activity.
If you have additional questions, contact Fresno Unified Human Resources at 457-3500
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A recovery operation is planned for early Thursday morning to extract a car that landed in the Kings River back in august.
Fresno Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team (SAR) will work with members of the California Highway Patrol to recover two bodies inside the wreckage of a Ford SUV in the Kings River.
The bodies are believed to be the remains of two Chinese nationals living in San Diego.
31-year old Yinan Wang and his wife 30-year old Jie Song were missing since early August, last seen in Sequoia National Park.
The Sheriff’s Office says their vehicle will stay in the water to be recovered at the same time as the car driven by two Thai students, whose bodies were recovered last month.
It was during last month’s recovery that a SAR deputy saw the white Ford’s license plate in the bushes and later a white vehicle was seen submerged by horseshoe bend, downstream from where the Thai Student’s car had landed.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Search and rescue teams have now pulled two bodies out of a car in the Kings River.
Fresno County Sheriff’s Spokesperson Tony Botti says the license plate on the vehicle in the river matched the car driven by 31-year old Yinan Wang and his wife 30-year old Jie Song. The two Chinese Nationals had disappeared in early August while on vacation after visiting Crystal Caves in Sequoia National Park.
The recovery operation went smoothly according to Botti, who says at 6:00a.m. on Thursday the Sheriff’s SARS Team and CHP began enter the river near Horseshoe Bend.
“We got down there and got some equipment in to make the job easier to get the car out of the water.” -Tony Botti, Fresno County Sheriff’s Spokesperson.
By 1:45p.m. on Thursday they had flown both bodies out.
Sheriff’s Spokesperson Tony Botti says the license plate on the vehicle in the river matched the car driven by 31-year old Yinan Wang and his wife 30-year old Jie Song before they disappeared in early August.
The white Ford Focus remains just downstream from another car that was driven by two Thai students who also perished after plummeting into the river.
“We’ll turn those vehicles over to CHP, they’ll work with likely a towing company to pull them out of the canyon so that they can complete their investigation with the vehicles.” – Tony Botti, Fresno County Sheriff’s Spokesperson.
Botti had said earlier that they believe the car plunged 500 feet over a cliff, into the river.
Winter rains made the river too dangerous to make an earlier attempt, Botii said the water was still moving swiftly but not nearly as dangerous as it was at the time of the crash.
An autopsy will be the final determination that the remains are indeed those of the missing San Diego couple.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The first Central Valley Summit for Animal Welfare taking place Friday, October 6th in Visalia.
The San Francisco Spca and Central Valley Rescue Railroad are partnering to save lives by hosting the summit, taking place at the Wyndham Hotel.
“We are bringing together almost all of the shelters – municipal shelters – in the three county area and then they’re bringing in groups of what we would call receiving or destination agencies all the way from San Diego, Phoenix and Seattle. – BJ Motko, Director CVRR.
CVRR Director BJ Motko says they’re working to strengthen their animal rescue railroad that transfers dogs and cats from rescues and shelters in the Central Valley region to organizations that successfully rehome them.
“What we’re trying to do is increase it even more an ultimately get our network out to tinier shelters that don’t have a strong base or a strong network.” – BJ Motko, Director CVRR.
Building a more robust transfer network will lower euthanasia rates, improve welfare at shelters, and help solve the problem of pet overpopulation.
“It’s already proven to help ease the burden locally by taking them into areas that have fewer animals available for adoption, due to local ordinances spay and neuter laws things like that.” – BJ Motko, CVRR Director.
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Grammy-nominated musician Lou Pardini makes a visit to his hometown of Fresno.
Pardini and the band Chicago are playing at the Paul Paul Theatre on Friday, October 6th at the Big Fresno Fair. He took time out of his schedule on Friday afternoon to meet with KMJ’s Liz Kern at the Doubletree By Hilton Hotel in Downtown Fresno to talk about the band, the upcoming concert and his career.
Congressman Jim Costa, and the City of Fresno and County of Fresno have proclaimed October 6th as “Lou Pardini and Chicago Day.” The proclamation was read on the floor of the State’s House of Representatives.
In this exclusive interview KMJ’s Liz Kern talks with Lou Pardini about his family ties – the Pardini’s of Fresno.
Click below to listen to the EXCLUSIVE reports by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
Gusty winds and wildfire smoke prompts the Valley Air District to issue a health cautionary statement effective Monday, October 9th through the evening for Fresno, Kings, Tulare & Valley air basin of Kern Counties.
“So, the fires that are occurring up north right now – the wind is pushing it out back in the Pacific so we are not seeing anything from that,” says Cassandra Melching from the Valley Air District, however she says the Valley is being affected by the Lion Fire burning in Tulare County.
“So that is the one that we are getting smoke from here in the Valley, and we’re hoping these winds will blow through and then we’ll get a little bit of a reprieve, hopefully by Wednesday we will see an improvement in our conditions and air quality.” — Cassandra Melching, Valley Air District.
The Lion Fire is creating small particulate matter – elevated levels of PM10 and PM2.5, that can be hazardous for peoples’ health, by aggravating lung disease, triggering asthma attacks and bronchitis, and increasing the risk of Valley Fever and respiratory infections.
Older adults and children should avoid prolonged exposure, outdoors.
Residents can check the District’s wildfire page at www.valleyair.org/wildfires for information about any current wildfires and whether they are impacting the Valley.
Residents can also check the nearest air monitor to their location to determine localized air-quality conditions.
Visit the Real-time Air Advisory Network page on the District’s website to subscribe for free: www.valleyair.org/RAAN.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Unified responds to a parent outraged over the district’s policy on kneeling.
Parent “Kevin” is related to someone working in the Fresno Unified School District and says an email was sent out Monday to staff regarding the district’s position on the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance.
“Basically, what they said is ‘this is an educational opportunity to have discussions, it’s essential that everybody has a right to their beliefs and ideologies and expressing them without disrupting the educational environment. if students or adults choose not to stand during the pledge of allegiance that is their right.'” – Kevin, F.U.S.D. Parent.
As the father of two children attending a Fresno Unified School, Kevin says their policy is not right.
“At this age the children need to be taught about respect, and whether it’s the National Anthem or the Pledge of Allegiance or their parents or their teacher – this is taking a step in the wrong direction, as far as respect.” – Kevin, F.U.S.D. Parent.
Fresno Unified School District released the following response:
Our district adheres to the 1943 Supreme Court case law, West Virginia State Board of Education vs. Barnette, which established that schools can not require students to salute the United States flag, recite or stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. However, the pledge of allegiance and flag salute continue to be a weekly part of our schools experiences and we encourage students, staff and parents to participate in it as they feel is appropriate. As such, we have given our schools the necessary guidance to ensure that all students have the right to an environment that is respectful and safe despite our differing beliefs.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Governor Jerry Brown signs legislation Tuesday to increase zero-emission vehicle sales to improve air quality and accelerate the state’s transition away from fossil-fuel-powered engines.
The Governor signed a slew of bills – one requires at least 50% of the state’s light-duty vehicle fleet to be zero-emission vehicles by 2025, up from the current goal of 25 percent by 2020.
AB 188 by Assemblymember Rudy Salas Jr. (D-Bakersfield) – strengthens California’s program to remove the most polluting vehicles from the road by allowing certain light-duty trucks to qualify as a replacement vehicle so long as the truck meets higher vehicle efficiency standards.
Another bill extends California’s program to allow certain clean alternative fuel vehicles to use high-occupancy vehicle (carpool) lanes.
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Police release crime trends over the past 28 days in the city of Fresno.
Overall violent crime is down in Fresno year-to-date, and in the past 28 days by 8%.
Domestic violence was reduced just over 9% over the last 28 days.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says in the last 28 days shootings have increased – 42 compared to 27 the prior month of August.
Fresno Police Lieutenant Marc Salazar says Southwest Fresno is seeing the largest increase with 17 shootings in the last 28 days, many he says by 13, 14 and 15 year-olds.
There is a plan to reduce the rising numbers over the next month.
Lt. Salazar says they just initiated a program on the 6th to pull kids who are on the streets out past curfew and place them in curfew centers where their parents will have to pick them up.
Last weekend, the curfew center was held at the Frank H. Ball Community Center, but Chief Dyer says locations will vary week to week.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer says one growing trend is in pharmacy burglaries where suspects are stealing promethazine, found in prescription cough syrup containing codeine.
What would cost a pharmacy $7 dollars for a bottle of promethazine can be sold for upwards of $600-$800 a bottle on the streets, and mixed with Sprite to create a drug-infused concoction known as “dirty sprite,” “syzzurp” or “lean.”
Chief Dyer says they’ve arrested suspects from as far south as Compton here in Fresno, stealing the drug.
On the Most Wanted list is Zacharias Coria (seen below) who is wanted for firing shots at a woman during a domestic dispute. On April 16, 2017, on the 4000 block of North Bengston Avenue, the victim’s father who told officers that his daughter’s ex-boyfriend came over to visit his grandchild. Coria caused a disturbance, was asked to leave and escorted out of the house. While walking to his car Coria pulled out a handgun and fired several shots at the victim. She was not injured, but was visibly shaken. Police say Zacarias has an extensive criminal record, should be considered armed & dangerous and is believed to be hiding in the Fresno area.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Governor Jerry Brown signs legislation improving services and support for women, children and families.
Legislation signed Thursday protects new parents from losing their jobs and health care benefits.
One bill extends family leave for small business workers –12 weeks of unpaid leave for those in companies with up to 49 employees.
One bill stops employers from asking about an applicant’s salary history, while another makes CalWORKS homeless benefits immediately available to applicant who are victims of domestic violence.
SB 500 – the sextortion bill – expands the crime of extortion to include demands for sex and images of intimate body parts.
New legislation requires middle and high schools with at least 40% of students at the poverty threshhold to supply free female products – such as tampons. Democratic Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia, the measure’s author, was also behind a bill that would have eliminated the sales tax on female products — arguing it punishes women for their biology — but the legislation was vetoed by Governor Jerry Brown.
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Governor Jerry Brown issued an emergency proclamation on Friday, October 13th to increase the state’s supply of hepatitis A vaccines.
There are 576 cases of hepatitis A here in California, 386 cases hospitalized, and 18 people have died.
Dr. Gil Chavez, the California Department of Public Health’s Epidemiologist, says Santa Cruz, San Diego and Los Angeles are the most heavily impacted by the current outbreak but not so here in the Central Valley.
“We have no, ah, at the present time concerns with outbreaks or Hepatitus A in the Central Valley – This is a good time to remind people that Hepatitus A occurs regularly in the state irrespective of outbreaks.” – Dr. Gil Chavez, CDPH Epidemiologist.
Dr. Chavez says this strain of hepatitus A is not known to cause more serious disease.
The viral infection mainly affects the liver with symptoms including an ill feeling, nausea and yellowing of the skin.
Hepatitus A is not airborne it is transmitted by touch from a contaminated environment, and seen mainly in areas where there is a lack of sanitation.
So far, the Department of Public Health has already distributed 81,000 doses of the vaccines.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – How are your lungs doing with all the smoke? KMJ gets some tips from a local medical expert.
Small toxic particles from the fires burning across California are still affecting people all over the Valley.
Dr. Vipul Jain is a Pulmonologist with UCSF Fresno, and says healthy people may see symptoms such as sore throats or stinging eyes.
“Stay indoors, run your A/C, this is not the time to save on your PG&E bill, close your windows, run the A/C, don’t forget your air filters, turn up the windows, turn on the A/C when you are driving. You know, simple measures.” – Dr. Vipul Jain, Pulmonologist UCSF Fresno.
Dr. Vipul says people with compromised health can be affected by inhaling particles that hurt the lungs and heart and should take it seriously, even wearing a mask.
“If you do have symptoms that are getting worse, then use those rescue inhaler or nebulizers and don’t hesitate or avoid calling your doctor.” -Dr. Vipul Jain, UCSF Fresno.
Quick tips from Dr. Vipul Jain:
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Suspects are still at-large in an armed Southeast Fresno robbery that left one man critically injured.
Fresno Police say just before 2:00am on Monday, October 16th, they got a call of a shooting on Kings Canyon just east of Peach.
They arrived to find the victim had already been taken to the CRMC.
Lt. Mark Hudson says they learned that the 27 year-old Hispanic man was crossing the street when two or three other men approached him, took his cell phone, shot him in the upper body then fled.
The victim got help from Good Samaritans after being shot. He walked up to them and they drove him to the hospital.
Lt. Hudson says if you have any information call Fresno Police Department right away or you can call Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Republican gubernatorial candidate John Cox speaks Tuesday at the Maddy Institute Luncheon.
Businessman John Cox is originally from Chicago, but now lives in San Diego, and has family in Fresno.
Cox says he’s running to drain California’s swamp of its corruption and cronyism.
“This state has become unaffordable, its business climate is the worst in the nation, it’s repelling business not encouraging it.” – John Cox, Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Some hot issues for California’s future governor include High Speed Rail; “They’re way behind schedule, way over budget. I’m actually looking at the hyper loop as something that could totally displace this.” – John Cox, Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Cox speaking on the Twin Tunnels; “We do not need to bury huge tunnels 150 feet underground in another big, huge crony project.”
When it comes to water, Cox says we need more storage and reservoirs for the AG industry.
“Ag actually produces way more economic growth for California than Hollywood but what gets the attention…Hollywood.”- John Cox, Republican gubernatorial candidate.
Cox is in second place in the most recent public statewide poll.
He’s up against a candidate pool that includes Gavin Newsome, John Chiang, and Antonio Villaraigosa.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A Fresno activist is arrested for vandalism on the Fulton Mall.
53-year-old Dallas Blanchard is accused of splashing white paint last weekend on new signs just days before the mall is reopening.
Lieutenant David Ramsey says Fresno Police arrested him Wednesday October 18th around 9:00p.m.
“We were able to tie him directly to one of the vandalism’s with the surveillance video, and far as the other five objects that were damaged – the investigation is still ongoing.” – Lt. David Ramsey, Fresno Police.
Blanchard was booked into jail on $2000 dollars bail for one misdemeanor count of vandalism.
Lieutenant Ramsey says as police get an estimate for the dollar amount of damages to the signage the charge may be upped to a felony.
It’s not the first time Blanchard’s been in trouble with Fresno authorities, he was busted back on September 30th for camping outside Fresno City Hall on the night Fresno’s new camping enforcement law took effect.
Blanchard’s Facebook page is rife with Antifa-like sentiment – but Lieutenant Ramsey says, “I don’t have any comment on that.”
Fresno Police say if you know anything more about the case call Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -Big Brothers Big Sisters joins forces with Fresno County Law Enforcement to mentor Valley kids.
The program Bigs in Blue kicked off at Fresno City Council on Wednesday, October 18th, with Congressman Jim Costa in attendance.
Madera was first in the Valley to partner kids with mentors from law agencies, and now The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Fresno Police Department, Fresno County District Attorney’s Office, Fresno County Probation Department, Fresno Unified School District and Central Unified School District will become partners together for the Bigs in Blue program.
Chief Jerry Dyer says the need in Fresno in tremendous with 20,000 gang members there is no shortage of kids ages 6-17 who can benefit from an adult mentor that the Bigs in Blue offers.
Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims said many times it’s the first contact children have with a member of law enforcement.
Executive director Diane Phakonekham says if it turns into a competition of which law agency can have the most volunteers with the program, then that’s OK with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
