Valley Solutions

CPUC gets earful in Fresno

Fresnoland. ‘Out of control’: Fresno industries, residents divided over PG&E’s latest rate-hike plan. 
Synopsis: The CA Public Utilities Commission came to Fresno on Friday to conduct a hearing into PG&E’s latest rate hike plan. The company isn’t asking for a single rate hike, but approval for a series of annual increases “overseen” by the PUC through 2030. As usual, PG&E provided an estimate of the cost increase for a “typical residential customer” instead of an actual percentage. Using this metric, the increase will be $34 a month – or about 15%. While 15% might result in $34 a month on the coast where most of PG&E’s customers live, in the Central Valley 15% is roughly $75 a month. And that’s on top of the increases of 60% that Valley residents have been paying since 2022. In 2024 alone, PG&E was granted 6 rate hikes. Roger Isom of the Western Tree Nut Association told the PUC “CA consumers, including ag processing facilities, can simply no longer afford this.” The Centro La Familia told the PUC that utility assistance has overtaken rent assistance as the No. 1 request from families. Nasreen Johnson, who serves on the State Center Community College board, said increases are necessary to maintain safe infrastructure. Darren Rose of the Building Industry Association agreed, saying it was needed to facilitate plans for 45,000 new homes in southeast Fresno.

Restoration project near Caswell

River Partners. Public-private partners lead critical riverway habitat expansion in SJ Valley. 
Synopsis: The US Fish & Wildlife Service and PG&E are working with River Partners to restore 106 acres of floodplain about 1 mile southwest of Caswell State Park. The currently irrigated cropland will become a self-sustaining ecosystem for imperiled wildlife such as riparian brush rabbits, elderberry longhorn beetles, monarch butterflies, salmon and sandhill cranes. It will help create a contiguous riparian corridor along the San Joaquin River. After three years, River Partners will turn the site over to the USFWS.

Tending God’s backyard

Fresnoland. ‘Our mission is to meet needs’: Fresno join ‘Yes in God’s backyard’ movement. 
Synopsis: Bishop Paul Binion says southwest Fresno has been overlooked by every mayor, city council and major business for the past 50 years. “That’s got to change.” His Westside Church of God is working with the Southwest Fresno Development Corp. to build 21 small cottages for seniors on a 1-acre parcel on West California Avenue. He calls it the “YIGBY movement – Yes in God’s Back Yard.” SB4, the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act of 2023, is helping. It streamlines, or eliminates, environmental and zoning rules on land owned by churches and developed for low-income housing. Binion says the key is home ownership, not just charity. His group has secured a $2 million in interest-free loan from Mechanics Bank.

City Ministry helps students

Modesto Bee. Young Latinos in Central Valley get career boosts with $150,000 program.
Synopsis: City Ministry Network has been awarded $150,000 by the Federal Home Loan Bank of SF to expand opportunities for Latino youth. It will be used to create career-readiness curriculum in schools featuring job-shadowing. Stan State and MJC will offer Latino Leadership Circles. Oak Valley Bank authored the grant app.

From Nuts to tiny scooters

Modesto Bee. Modesto’s new baseball team name a celebration of car culture.
Synopsis: The Valley’s newest semi-pro baseball team will be called “The Modesto Glow Riders.” It was announced Monday morning at a grocery store in Ceres. Modesto lost its 70-year-old California League team, the Nuts, after last season ended. The new team will play at John Thurman Field in the Pioneer League games against teams from California, Montana and Idaho.
MAD Take: Don’t confuse “glow riders” with flow riders, which is indoor surfing. Or a “row glider,” which is hydraulic rowing machine guaranteed to tone your abs. The team insists “Glow Riders” is a nod to Modesto’s car culture as exemplified in “American Graffiti,” but some of us are not quite getting it. What, exactly, is a “Glow Rider”? The name has been used for 40 years to describe a sit-down plastic scooter that 3- and 4-year-olds power by, well, wiggling their butts. Rejected names included the Graffiti, Bombers, Harvesters, Monster Trucks and 99ers. The wonderful Golden Goats – with its double meaning and nod to a century of Modesto history -- was also rejected. Too bad. I’d rather yell “Go Goats” than “Go Glow.”

Hyacinth invaders here to stay

Stocktonia. Stockton waterfront faces annual invasion of fast-growing hyacinth. 
Synopsis: When they bloom, water hyacinth is lovely. But that is the only redeeming feature to this incredibly fast-growing invasive plant that clogs water ways, creates oxygen shortages that kill fish and ruins boat props and intakes. The invasive species is impossible to kill without “massive ecological damage,” say scientists. Last year, the Bureau of Boating and Waterways destroyed 3,500 acres of floating vegetation. Hyacinth can foul a ship’s radar, making channels appear solid. The city of Stockton purchased a boat to clear the channel and McLeod Lake, but there was so much of it that the boat couldn’t be operated safely and the city just gave up.

Central Valley’s ‘top high schools’

Modesto Bee / Money Inc. 3 Stanislaus schools listed on Money Inc’s top 30 schools in Central Valley. 
Synopsis: Central Valley of Ceres was ranked No. 1 on the list of The Top 100 high schools in the Central Valley as compiled by Money Inc. CV offers students a raft of AP courses and access to Project Lead the Way curriculum focused on science and tech. Deputy superintendent Dan Pangrazio is “incredibly proud of CV students, staff and families.” Clovis High was No. 2, Edison High of Fresno was No. 3 on the Fresno-heavy list. Among others: Madera High was No. 10, Turlock High No. 17, Mountain View of Merced No. 20, Atwater No. 21, and Riverbank No. 27. Click here to see the original story in Money Inc.

Accused cop has ‘right’ to city help

Fresno Bee. DOJ says Fresno cop stole cash from evidence; city is defending him in 3 lawsuits.
Synopsis: Former police officer Rey Medeles has pleaded “not guilty” to four charges of grand theft and preparing false evidence. Business owners accuse him and two other officers of using excessive force to essentially steal from them in a shake-down scheme. The FPD requested the FBI to investigate, resulting in the charges. While the Fresno DA is prosecuting Medeles and the others, the city has been required to hire a lawyer to defend him in three civil cases brought by his alleged victims. The city has no choice, under the Police Officers Bill of Rights.

Waterford has best-in-USA Angus

Morning Ag Clips. Roll of Victory winners awarded at 2025 Angus Convention.
Synopsis: The American Angus Association created the Roll of Victory in 1984 to recognize both ranchers and their cattle. It’s based on a points system compiled at 16 shows across the Midwest, South and West. Most of the winners were from the Midwest, but the top Dam was Colburn Sara Dream 7027, raised and shown by the Rocking W Ranch of Waterford. The ranch was also selected as the Reserve Breeder of the Year. The Reserve Champion Intermediate Heifer belongs to Cailee Flood of Oakdale.

Fresno’s top tacos are chosen

Fresnoland. Two Fresno heavyweights get new titles at 14^th Taco Truck Throwdown. 
Synopsis: The big-time taco tangle took centerstage on Saturday night as 10,000 people came to Chukchansi Park. There were 20+ trucks on hand, mostly serving tacos. The party included everything from lucha libra wrestling to DJ Smiley to Connie & The SOS Band, along with Baby Bash and E-40. Judges chose Taco Pinto as the best truck, a four-time winner since 2019. Taco Pinto belongs to Luciano and Maritza Morfin, who arrived in Fresno just 11 years ago. Their fish tacos were the judges’ favorites. The People’s Choice was Tacos La Vaporera – another four-time winner. Diego Alvarado’s family runs the truck. Their winning dish was Cabeza al Vapor – a steamed beef-head taco with ox lip. Lots of other winners, including Micheladas winner ProMix 559, which is based in the 209.