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Sears Store To Close In Hanford

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -Sears to close in Hanford, along with 100 other Kmart & Sears stores.

Sears Holdings Corp. will be closing over 100 more stores as the struggling department store chain tries to turn around its business.

The Hoffman Estates, Illinois-based company says that includes 64 Kmart stores and 39 Sears stores that will be shuttered between early March and early April.

Liquidation sales will begin as soon as next Friday at the stores.


Drug Overdose Cause Of Death At Fresno State Fraternity

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A drug overdose is the cause of death for a man at a Fresno State fraternity.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer held a news conference Thursday afternoon to update the public on the death of 19-year-old Omar Nemeth.

Chief Dyer says it appears Nemeth’s death was an accidental overdose of the prescription drug Xanax.

The incident was called in around 2:30pm Wednesday, January 3rd with crews responded to the Delta Sigma Phi building, from there the 19 year old was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Chief Dyer says Nemeth, his 17-year-old girlfriend and 16-year-old brother had been smoking marijuana and taking Xanax throughout the day Tuesday before going to the fraternity house.

“Omar had been taking Xanax pills throughout the day, starting about 11:00 am. Not sure how many pills he did take but he took them all the way from 11:00am periodically throughout the day, and there was information that he had continued to do that between 3:00am and 5:00am at the fraternity house.” Chief Jerry Dyer.

Chief Dyer says none of the three are members of the fraternity, but had friends there.

Detectives also discovered through interviews that Nemeth was a chronic user of Xanax and Marijuana.

The investigation currently shows his death was from an accidental overdose.

The Fresno County Coroner will have the final toxicology report in about 4 weeks.

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

 

Caught On Camera – 3 Men Stealing TVs At A Fresno Business

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[Photo: KMPH]

FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Police are asking for your help to find three men who broke into a Mountain Mike’s location and stole TVs.

It happened Wednesday in the area of West Shaw and North Brawley Avenue.

[Photo: KMPH]

 

Fresno business break-in

CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Do you know these men? Fresno Police say they broke into a business and stole TVs off the walls. DETAILS: http://bit.ly/2m2MgXf

Posted by FOX26 on Friday, January 5, 2018

 

The video, shows one of the men throwing a rock to break the business’s window.

[Photo: KMPH]

Two men then climb through the window into the store and pass a TV to another man.

If you have any information, please call Detective Irving at 621-6545.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

Gun Store Robbed In East Central Fresno

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A gun store in East Central Fresno is robbed.

Police looking for the robber and the gun.

The gun was stolen around 1:00pm Tuesday, January 2nd from The Armory on Fowler and Clinton Avenues.

The stor posted the video on it’s Facebook page.

 

We had a gun stolen on 1/2/2018 help identify this guy!

Posted by The Armory on Thursday, January 4, 2018

The suspect was wearing a black baseball cap with a Nike logo and a black hoodie.

The robbber grabbed the gun when store employees backs were turned.

Police say he got away in a white Chevy Impala.

If you have any information call Fresno Police.

Fresno Man Charged With Murder In Death Of 14-month-old Jose Espinoza

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ)- A 31 year old Fresno man is charged with murder in the death of a child.

Kenneth Johnson is accused of killing 14-month-old Jose Espinoza back on November 19, 2016.

The child’s mother left him the hands of Johnson’s 20-year-old girlfriend — who had a restraining order against him.

Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer spoke at the time, saying Johnson first denied accusations — but then admitted to detectives that he did in fact; “punch the 14 month-old child in the stomach after becoming frustrated with the baby’s crying.”

Johnson was originally arrested for this crime in 2016.

At that time, the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office declined to file charges based on the need for additional information from medical examinations that were being conducted.

Johnson has been re-arrested on this charge and is currently in custody at the Fresno County Jail.

If convicted of the murder charge Johnson faces up to life in prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Monday, January 8th.

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

 

SF Terror Plot Suspect Everitt Aaron Jameson Pleading Not Guilty

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Terror plot suspect Everitt Aaron Jameson is pleading not guilty to planning a Christmas Day terror attack on San Francisco’s Pier 39.

The 26-year-old Modesto tow truck driver appeared in a Fresno Courtroom, Friday.

A bomb charge was added Thursday in an indictment against Jameson, who told FBI he intended to use pipe bombs to funnel people into an area of San Francisco’s Pier 39 – a popular tourist destination – so he could shoot them.

The indictment was handed down Thursday to replace a criminal complaint. It listed two charges; attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and distribution of information relating to destructive devices.

Each charges carries a penalty of 20 years behind bars and a quarter million dollar fine.

Fresno County Health Department Announces First Flu Death Under 65 – Urges Public To Get Vaccinated

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -A Fresno County resident under the age of 65 has died of the flu.

The Fresno County Department of Public Health made the announcement on Monday, January 8th.

“People most at risk are individuals over the age of 65, young children under the age of 2, and pregnant women and people that have other certain health conditions are at risk for serious health complications.” -Leticia Berber, Health Education Specialist, Fresno County Public Health Department.

The flu has hit California hard this year, the Los Angeles Times reports that 27 people younger than 65 have died of the flu in California since October, compared to three the same time last year.

Nationwide from October 1st through December 9th, there have been 63 flu deaths, leaving emergency rooms packed.

Health Education Specialist Leticia Berber, from the Fresno County Public Health Department, says to help avoid catching the flu get vaccinated, wash your hands frequently and make sure you’re well rested.

“It’s not to late to get your flu vaccine. the flu vaccine is still available at pharmacies, doctors offices and the Department of Public Health is offering the flu vaccine free of charge.” – Leticia Berber, Fresno County Public Health Department.

Additional information regarding flu vaccination opportunities can be found at www.flu.gov.

 

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

 

 

Fresno Homicide Victim Identified As 17 Year Old High School Student

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Police have identified Sunday’s homicide victim as 17 year-old Adalberto Ocampo.

Police say it happened around 7:30 Sunday night at California near Elm in South Fresno.

According to Fresno police, Ocampo was outside of a car talking with 3 or 4 people in a car, when someone inside the car shot the teen.

Ocampo died on the way to the hospital. He was a High School student at Cambridge High and was scheduled to graduate in the summer.

Police are still trying to figure out a motive.

This drive-by was the third shooting that happened on Sunday.

If you have any information, please call Fresno police 559-621-7000.

 

 


Woman Is Victim Of Hit & Run – Family Pleads For Help Finding Driver

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Fresno, CA (KMJ) – The Coroner’s Office has released the name of the woman who was struck by car Thursday night in Fresno.

California Highway Patrol Officers say 49 year old Margarita Grimaldo was found on the road, along Cornelia and Shields.

It was around 7:00 when the accident was reported to police.

The mother of six had gone to the market to buy milk for her nine-year-old son when she was struck by a pickup truck in the middle of the road.

The driver fled the scene and police are still searching for the suspect.

Grimaldo survived the accident, but later died from her injuries on Saturday morning, January 6th.

Now, her family is pleading for help to find the driver– and raise money for her funeral.

They believe she was hit by a white truck.

“One minute she’s there, the next moment she’s gone. This person who did this to her, how can they sleep at night?” -Laura Longhat, Grimaldo’s sister.

If you’d like to help, here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/funeral-fund-hit-and-run-victim

 

 

 

Man Hits Puppy On Video Taped By Fresno School Kids

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) -An investigation by Fresno Police after a man was caught on camera abusing a puppy – witnessed by two students, and now more than 17,000 people on Facebook.

The cell phone video was taken by two kids who saw it happen on Cedar near Floradora Avenue, as they were boarding the bus before school, Tuesday morning.

They sent it to their mom; “When I opened my phone I saw the video.”

 

She posted it on the Facebook page 559 Lost & Found Pets, hoping someone would help.

 

[WARNING: The video may be disturbing to some. You can see a man throw the object at the dog. ]

In the video, you see a man pick up a rock or a stick, and throw hard it at the puppy, stunning the dog. He walks away, the dazed puppy runs towards him down the busy street. Again, he throws another rock, and hit the puppy squarely, yet it recovers and runs after him again down the busy street.

Some people who saw the Facebook video went out to rescue the puppy.

It was found dead in the gutter, apparently hit by a car, but the woman thinks otherwise. “I believe that he tossed the dog on the road.” Her kids are heartbroken, she says.

Fresno Police Lt. Mark Hudson says a police report was filed and officers responded to the Evergreen Apartments.

“They documented this incident in an event report, and later on this report could be used for criminal filings. They did receive information about the possible suspect and it is being followed up on.” – Lt Mark Hudson.

Animal abuse in the neighborhood… a regular occurrence says the woman. “And we have to stop that.”

 

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

 

$10,000 Raised For “Pledge to Stop Trafficking Fund”– Benefiting Victims Of Human Trafficking

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Volunteers lined Fresno’s Blackstone Avenue, raising money to fight human trafficking in the Central Valley.

Seven local non-profits in the Central Valley have formed a coalition and their campaign 2017 Stop Traffic to Stop Trafficking is now in its second year.

It’s a day where volunteers and community leaders take to the streets to raise awareness and money.

Holding signs and rushing to collect money, volunteers lined Blackstone Avenue from Shields Avenue to the Riverpark Shopping Center on Thursday, January 11th.

Former Mayor and current Central Valley Community Foundation President and CEO Ashley Swearengin also presented a $10,000 check from CVCF to the “Pledge to Stop Trafficking Fund” campaign.

Members of the community, including Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp and Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, attended in support of PTST.

District 7 Fresno City Councilman Clint Olivier (seen below) donated $500 to PTST.

Afterwards, Chief Jerry Dyer and DA Lisa Smittcamp grabbed buckets to collect money from motorists on Blackstone.

Money raised will support and critical services for victims of sex trafficking.

Survivors like Jamelia Hinds, (above) pictured with Ryan Townsend, Executive Director of the Central Valley Justice Coalition were present at event.

Hinds has turned her life around thanks to help from the Central Valley Justice Coalition and its partners.

After breaking free from her trafficker in Clovis, she now works as a victim advocate, and is a mother and positive role model to her young daughter.

.

Donations to the Pledge to Stop Trafficking Fund can be made online at bit.ly/PTSTFund or by writing a check to the Central Valley Community Foundation with “Pledge to Stop Trafficking” written on the memo line. Checks can be sent to:
Central Valley Community Foundation
5260 North Palm Avenue, Suite 122
Fresno, CA 93704
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

Huron Man Arrested On Multiple Child Sex Abuse Charges

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A Man from Huron is arrested on multiple charges of child sex abuse.

On January 6th, the Sheriff’s Office received reports that 29 year old Armando Pena had committed sex crimes against a number of children from family he knew well.

Sheriff’s Spokesperson Tony Botti says on January 9th, deputies found Pena near Lassen and 10th Street in Huron and arrested him.

Detectives with the Sheriff’s Sex Crimes Unit booked Pena into the Fresno County Jail on a million dollars bail.

He faces felony charges which include sex acts with a child under 10.

Pena had been released from prison in August on prior convictions for robbery and auto theft.

Botti says they need the public’s help to identify other possible victims.

Call the Sheriff’s Dispatch Center at 559-600-3111 with any information.

 

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

 

 

 

CA Assembly Adjourned In Memory of Sanger’s Wilber Plaugher

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Assemblyman Jim Patterson adjourned the assembly on Friday, January 12th in memory of Sanger resident Wilber Plaugher, who died on January 2nd.

Plaugher lived a colorful life, becoming a rancher, actor, rodeo clown and honoree of the PR Rodeo Hall of Fame, with a career that took him all around the world.

As an actor, he appeared on the Daniel Boone TV Show, and Bus Stop with Marilyn Monroe.

His longtime friend and country-western musician Jack Hannah called him “The Greatest Living Cowboy.”

He died at the age of 95 of natural causes.

 

 

Patient Protests Prompt Lockdown At Coalinga State Hospital

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FRESNO, CA. (KMJ) -Coalinga State Hospital is under lockdown following protests by patients that started over the weekend.

Hospital management at the 1,500-bed psychiatric hospital has brought on additional police officers and more are on standby, if needed.

The hospital’s visitors center is closed until further notice.

Patients inside the hospital tell our news partner KMPH Fox 26, at least 60 windows have been broken – in what are being described as near riot-like conditions.

Patients are reportedly protesting new restrictions on electronic devices intended to prevent contraband from entering the hospital.

 

 

Classes Resuming At 2 Clovis Unified Schools – After Mercury Scare

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Classes will resume Tuesday, January 16th at two schools in the Clovis Unified School District — after last week’s hazmat mercury scare.

The school district released a statement Monday saying that Clovis East High School and Reyburn Intermediate School have been cleared:

Following the weekend clean up by representatives from the Fresno County Department of Health, Environmental Protection Agency and PARC Environmental, the campuses of Clovis East High School and Reyburn Intermediate School have been confirmed ready to re-open after the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend as scheduled.

 

  • Crews have tested every room on the campuses and confirmed that they are clean of mercury.
  • Mitigation work included removing carpeting and room contents from a handful of classrooms and cleaning hard surfaces. Assessments were completed before and after the mitigation efforts to confirm the clean-up job was effective at removing all of the metal from classrooms and a sidewalk on campus.
  • Two classrooms require complete re-carpeting, and classes that meet in these rooms have been relocated for the coming week. One other classroom had carpet patched and will be re-carpeted in the coming weeks.
  • To date, there have been no adverse health effects related to the schools reported to Fresno County Department of Public Health.

The expansive and immediate response by our school site leaders, Fresno County Department of Public Health, and our local law enforcement and public safety personnel is a testament to the priority placed on the safety of our students. The quick response by the Environmental Protection Agency officials, even in the face of the massive public health fire, flood and mud-slide clean-ups the agency is engaged in around the state is especially appreciated by our District leadership. School staff has been in direct communication with any staff members or families of students directly or peripherally impacted by this incident to ensure they are kept well informed of mitigation work throughout the past five days. We are pleased to be able to assure our community with certainty that the campuses are cleared of any remnant of this metal, and look forward to resuming school on schedule Tuesday morning.

Kelly Avants, APR
Chief Communication Officer
Clovis Unified School District

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

 


Targeted For His No Camping Stance – Council Member Brandau Pitches Tent To Combat Fresno Homeless Problem

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FRESNO, CA (KM,J) – Fresno City Council Member Steve Brandau was targeted by an activist – he found an effigy of a homeless person with his face, in his parking space Tuesday morning.

Brandau had championed the No Camping Ordinance in Fresno to combat the homeless problem here, but he says he’s looking for a strategy how to get people off the streets until housing becomes available.

He shared his idea with KMJ’s Broeske & Musson show, Tuesday morning.

“I’m looking at a model that I’ve seen in San Diego where there is a huge industrial tent. It could be 100 yards long and 40 yards wide, and you have bunk beds, and beds inside there and dividers. You have homeless people allowed to stay in that type of environment to get some kind of temporary shelter.” – Fresno City Council Member Steve Brandau.

Brandau thinks that the idea of a tent makes sense, and would place it in downtown Fresno in an area where the social services are already located.

The homeless problem is affecting cities throughout California. Recently, the City of El Cajon in San Diego tried to fight their problem, making it illegal to feed the homeless in wake of a hepatitis a outbreak that has killed 29 people. Twelve people were charged on Monday for defying the ban – which activists there call a draconian measure to criminalize homeless residents.

In the quest to control homelessness here, the City of Fresno has already broken-up 400 encampments.

Brandau says he and key city leaders will be taking a trip to see an example of the tent in San Diego.

 

 

Porterville Woman Booked For Homicide In Death Of 5 Month-old Daughter

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – A Porterville woman is arrested for the death of her 5 month-old baby daughter.

Porterville Police arrived at 9:00 on Monday night to Sierra View Medical Center on report of an infant that arrived for treatment that was not breathing.

The baby was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police say the cause of death was immediately identified as suspicious because the child had major injuries.

Detectives searched the child’s home on the 300 block of South G Street and collected evidence. The parents of the little girl were interviewed at the police department.

As a result of their investigation, the child’s mother, 20 year-old Angelica Castro, was arrested for the child’s death.

She was booked into the custody of the Tulare County Sheriff for homicide and is being held without bail.

 

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

 

 

 

13 Brothers & Sisters Held Captive In Riverside Now Receiving Treatment

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 [Photo: Facebook]

FRESNO , CA (KMJ) – 13 brothers and sisters held captive, some chained to beds in Perris, California are now receiving treatment.

The California couple, 57 year-old David Allen Turpin, and his 49-year-old wife Louise Anna, is being held on nine-million-dollars’ bail after police found the children at the family’s home in Riverside County.

Riverside County officials said six of the children found Sunday are younger than 18-years-old and all were malnourished.

[Photo: Facebook]

Dr. Sophia Grant of Riverside University Health System says they have a long road ahead of them

“The long-term needs of these kids are going to be the psychological and psychiatric needs due to prolonged periods of starvation and maltreatment.” -Dr. Sophia Grant of Riverside University Health System.

Neighbors say the children rarely left the home and when they did, appeared small and pale and acted strangely.

[Photo: Facebook]

Their parents face charges of child endangerment and torture, and a court appearance is set for Thursday morning, on January 18th.

Both are facing a slew of charges as authorities investigate claims the children had been physically and mentally abused for years.

Their Facebook page showing photos of a seemingly happy family.

[Photo: Facebook]

 

Measure Q Funds Transform Bullard High School

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The transformation of Bullard High School is complete.

On Tuesday, January 16th a dedication ceremony was held.

The master plan improvements to the Bullard High School Campus includes two new classroom buildings, a new administration building and library media center.

The improvements were the final projects using Measure Q funds.

 

Fresno Unified School District & Teachers Association Reach Tentative Agreement

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FRESNO, CA (KMJ) — A tentative agreement is reached between the Fresno Unified School District and the Fresno Teachers Association.

It’s been 18 months of bargaining by both sides, but F.U.S.D. and the FTA worked though the night, and Superintendent Bob Nelson told media gathered at Leavenworth Elementary for the press conference, that they finalized the contract at 4:50 a.m. Wednesday morning, just one day before a fact finding report was to be released.

The district says the report will not be released now that they have a deal set to be voted upon.

The agreement promises an 8.5 % salary increase, smaller class sizes, no TK-6 combo classes, $18,000 in health benefits, and improved classroom safety.

SALARY

  • 3.5% pay increase retroactive back to July 1st, 2016
  • 2% pay increase effective July 1st, 2017
  • 1% (min) pay increase to 3% increase (max) based on a contingency formula for the 2018-19 funding under LCFF.

HEALTHCARE

  • $18,000 per-employee per-year for health care
  • 90/10 co-insurance benefit with (max) out of pocket single payer $2,500 & (max) out of pocket for family $5,000.

CLASS SIZES

  • All grades TK-12 will have class sized reductions district-wide effective 2018-2019 school year
    • TK-3 1:24 ratio
    • 4-6 1:29 ratio
    • 7-12 1:29 ratio (core classes only, includes foreign language)
    • TK-6 Eliminate all combo classes

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT ALSO INCLUDES:

Hours: Professional Learning/Accountable Communities reduced 9 hours per year.

Nurses: Increased registered nursing staff to 63 full-time (3 more than originally planned)

Adult Education: reduce duty day by five, then an additional five by July 1, 2019 with no change in salary.

Working Conditions: Fresno Unified & FTA also agreed to create a School climate and Safety Committee to address safety concerns.

Special Education: In February 2018, FTA & District will establish a collaborative committee aimed at addressing shared for improvement.

FTA President Tish Rice says she will be meeting with key leaders on Thursday, January 18th to present the agreement and go over the terms. Rice seemed confident the response by teachers would be positive and gave a timeline of just a few weeks for the FTA vote to be conducted.

Once the FTA has approved the contract, the District Board of Education will then vote to ratify it.

[Photo: FTA]

Mayor Lee Brand released the following statement on the news that the Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) and the Fresno Teachers Association (FTA) have reached a tentative contract agreement and have avoided a possible strike:

“I am extremely happy that Fresno Unified officials and the Fresno Teachers Association have resolved their differences without a strike. This tentative contract is a sensible compromise that honors the district’s fiscal responsibility while also respecting the hard work and dedication of Fresno’s teachers. This is good news for our kids, good news for our families, and good news for our community.”

 

 

Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:

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