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Baby found dead in backyard of southeast Fresno home, police say
Crime scene tape blocked off several southeast Fresno streets Tuesday.Detectives walked door to door, speaking with neighbors and laying down crime scene markers.They stopped several times to look into an empty lot that backs up to homes along Backer Avenue.One of those backyards is where Fresno Police say a baby's body was found.That call came in around 6:30 am Tuesday.Police and medical personnel arrived at the home to find a baby, believed to be a newborn, already dead.The news disturbed neighbors."Poor thing, man, cruel people," says Enrique Barrera. "Why do people do things like that, man? That's an angel, a little angel."How the baby died and ended up at a home they didn't live in is still unclear, so investigators are calling this a death investigation.Investigators spent the morning talking to neighbors and the family who lives in the home."Currently, the family is being very cooperative with the investigation," says Fresno Police Lt. Mike Gebhart.If you know anything that could help in this investigation, you're asked to call police.For news updates, follow Kate Nemarich on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Central Valley to see stretch of excessive heat to begin July
The Central Valley is going to see an extended stretch of excessive heat to kick off July.An Excessive Heat Warning will be in effect across the Valley from 11 am Tuesday until 8 AM on Tuesday, July 9.Temperatures are forecasted to reach as high as 114 degrees across parts of the Valley on Saturday.POSSIBLE RECORD-BREAKING HEATOn Saturday, parts of the Central Valley could see as high as 114 degrees.Initially, there were concerns from those around the Valley who saw a forecasted high of 121 degrees for Saturday on their iPhones.If you've checked your phone recently, you might have noticed that...
Porterville Transit to be free for 90 days
Residents can now use the Porterville Transit for free.The city council has implemented a 90-day no-cost program.That means the Porterville Transit's fixed route and ADA Paratransit Services are free now through September 29.The city council hopes the free services help ease potential service disruptions to passengers, as the transit system relaunches this month.
Family of man shot and killed by Atwater Police files complaint
The family of a man shot and killed by Atwater Police in 2023 has filed a complaint, accusing the city and officers involved of wrongful death and excessive force.The complaint comes months after police released body cam footage of the incident.In August 2023, police tried to pull over 36-year-old Korey Unti, who was driving an SUV connected to a stolen property case.RELATED: Atwater police release body camera footage of officer fatally shooting manPolice say Unti refused to stop for officers and led them on a chase while shooting at their vehicles.As police chased him through an apartment complex near Crest and Bellevue Roads, investigators say he pointed a gun at an officer.Unti was shot and did not survive.The complaint, however, accuses the officer of firing multiple shots, even after Unti was disarmed.It goes on to say officers did not follow proper procedures, handcuffing Unti while he suffered from critical wounds.Unti's family is now seeking $20 million in damages.So far, there is no lawsuit filed.
How to monitor Central Valley air quality as fires burn
The sky above Fresno was obscured by haze Monday afternoon.And in Reedley, the mountains are barely visible behind this curtain of smog.The thick smoke from the June Lightning Complex Fire and the Basin Fire, which continues to rage in the Sierra National Forest, is visible across the valley."The smoke is very bad. I mean you wake up coughing and you can smell it all night long," Darlene Frady said.This interactive map from Air Now shows the air quality in our area over the past 24 hours. Lots of yellow, which is moderate.But overnight you see the explosion of red near...
Fresno Chaffee Zoo Giraffe ''Baba'' celebrates 30th birthday
A celebration is in store for a very special giraffe at Fresno's Chaffee Zoo."Baba," the reticulated giraffe, is celebrating her 30th birthday.The gentle giant was born in 1994 and arrived at the zoo a year later.Since that time, she has given birth to seven calves.And one of them, 15-year-old "Jabari," lives with Baba in the herd at the Zoo.Caretakers say this mother's charisma and stature has drawn countless admirers.And over the years, she's learned how to use her charm to get more lettuce from people who visit her on the deck at the Zoo.Baba is also one of five of the oldest giraffes in the United States.
Interim Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto gets candid on career and goals
Fresno's new interim police chief is taking over during a time of turmoil, but she has a wealth of experience to guide her.Deputy Chief Mindy Casto was appointed to lead the department of nearly 900 officers on June 13. That's the same day former Chief Paco Balderrama was put on leave - during an investigation into an inappropriate off-duty relationship he had with an officer's wife.Less than two weeks later on July 25, Balderrama stepped down.The mayor and city manager are sitting down this week to set their expectations in their search for a new leader, but Mayor Jerry Dyer...
Triple-digit temperatures creates concerning scenario for firefighters battling Basin Fire
Fire crews are aggressively battling the Basin Fire, burning in the Sierra National Forest.Officials say the blaze grew overnight and started moving to the west and northwest."Today, we are working on stopping that movement. It has run up against our dozer lines, and now we are going to clean that up and make sure it doesn't spread any further to the west," said Basin Fire, public information officer, Mike Lindbery.Nearly 900 firefighters have been called in from across the state and they are using dozers to prepare for the worst as they work to gain containment."We don't want it to...
Excessive heat in Valley could impact sweetening process for fruit
US flags fly proudly at the intersection of American and Fruit in Fresno County, where grapes are rapidly developing.Grower George Matoian and his brother, Richard, put the flags up.The grapes are getting extra irrigation because excessive heat serves as a red flag."If they're not properly hydrated or have got nutrition, then they tend to shut down," George said.Matoian says that happens when temperatures top 95-100 degrees."The vine will go in a shutdown mode, and it will just kind of hold the crop and hopefully, when the weather cools off, then they'll start the photosynthesis again and I'll be able to...
A4 leads six summer programs for pre-K through 12th grade African American and Black students
Students are spending their summer surrounded by students and staff who look just like them.While they're building their academic skills, they're also building confidence in who they are.Nyah Ritter worked on her writing skills while sharing with classmates what she enjoys eating for breakfast on Saturday mornings."English muffins with a sausage patty and cheese on it," Nyah said.The soon-to-be second grader is taking part in the summer reading program.It's offered and led by the Fresno Unified African American Academic Acceleration program, known as A4.This is Nyah's third summer in the program, and she's doing so well that she'll be heading...
Special program at Fresno County Library amid excessive heat
Excessive heat is in the forecast this week and if you're looking for some relief, consider heading to your local library.We sat down with Teresa Vargas with the Fresno County Library to talk about a special program happening now.For news updates, follow Vanessa Vasconcelos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
United Cerebral Palsy Central California getting re-brand
As United Cerebral Palsy Central California continues renovations to move its programs to the new campus on Maple and Nees, you'll notice a new name: UCP+."Most people think we're just about cerebral palsy, but plus represents all of the different disabilities we provide services for," says UCP+ Executive Director Roger Slingerman.Since its inception, the nonprofit has reached families with adult classes, early intervention, baby clinic programs and "First Five."UCP+'s new site is bigger and will lead to more services and opportunities for students with disabilities, including an online shop, bringing the opportunity to earn a paycheck."They are able to do...
Clovis' first food hall holds grand opening
The first food hall in Clovis is now open.Third Place Global Eatery held its grand opening Saturday on 8th and Pollasky.The food court is where fine dining meets fast casual.There are three menus that each feature a different style of cuisine.The grand opening party included delicious foods from Fresno Street Eats, some shopping, and a DJ.
Road closures in central Fresno due to high-speed rail work
The California High-Speed Rail Authority will put several closures into place in Central Fresno starting Monday morning.Utility work near multiple avenues including Belmont, Thorne, Franklin, and Wesley Avenues is the reason for the closures.This work is part of the first 32-mile stretch of high-speed rail between Avenue 19 in Madera County and East American Avenue in Fresno County.There will be flaggers and signage in place to help direct traffic, and all homes and businesses in that area will be accessible.The closures will be in place from 9 am to 4 pm through Monday, September 30.
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux suspends campaign for Congress, endorses Vince Fong
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux has officially suspended his campaign for California's 20th Congressional District ahead of the November general election.Boudreaux recently lost the special election against Republican Vince Fong for the 20th District to fill the vacated seat for the remainder of the year.Fong was officially sworn into his new role on June 3.EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above is from a previous broadcast and will be updated.The seat had been vacant since Kevin McCarthy stepped down in December after being ousted as Speaker of the House.In a video, Boudreaux said that he is now endorsing Fong for the full-term position that will be voted on in November."While we were on opposite sides of this campaign, at the end of the day, we're Republicans, we're family men, and fighters who are committed to protecting individual liberty, reducing the cost of living, and maintaining safe communities for our neighbors," Boudreaux said.Boudreaux said that he will now be launching Golden State Justice, a "new grassroots movement to elect common sense, public safety-focused candidates across our region."District 20 includes parts of Kern, Tulare, Kings and Fresno counties.
2 arrested in deadly shooting at Fresno County Halloween party in 2022
Arrests have been made hours after the Fresno County Sheriff's Office named a suspect in the 2022 shooting death of 19-year-old Angel Zuniga.The Sheriff's Office announced 20-year-old Joshua Garcia of Fresno as the suspect at a news conference Monday.Hours later, detectives arrested Garcia as well as 20-year-old Jace Ramirez of Fresno, who they accuse of being an accessory to the murder.The arrests come just a month after detectives released a photo of a car believed to be used in the crime.The Fresno County Sheriff's Office has named a suspect in the 2022 shooting death of 19-year-old Angel Zuniga.On October 29, 2022, 19-year-old Angel Zuniga was shot and killed at a large Halloween party.It happened at about 1:30 am at a home on Hedges and DeWolf.Garcia has been booked into the Fresno County Jail for murder and is not eligible for bail.Ramirez posted bond and bailed out of jail.For news updates, follow Vince Ybarra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Home destroyed by fire in southwest Fresno, officials say
A home has been destroyed by a fire in southwest Fresno.The flames were reported before 3 am Monday at a home on Bardell and Lorena, near King Elementary School.When crews arrived, the house was already engulfed in flames. Officials say the residents were able to safely escape.No firefighters were hurt while battling the blaze.Crews had Bardell closed between Lorena and Atchison while they took on the fire.
1 house destroyed following large fire in Central Fresno
A two-alarm fire destroyed a home in central Fresno.The Fresno Fire Department was called out to a home on North Vagedes Avenue, near Fruit and Olive, around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.When crews arrived, they found one home engulfed in flames and a home next door with some fire damage.The extent of the fire and the warm temperatures prompted a second alarm response. At least 50 firefighters were called to fight the flames.Officials say a dog and a cat were rescued from the home, and no one was injured.The cause of the fire remains under investigation.Stay with ABC30 for the latest details on this developing story.
New evacuation warnings in effect for Basin Fire in Fresno County
New evacuation warnings are in effect for the Basin Fire burning in the Fresno County mountains.The areas impacted include Zones K61 and K76, according to the Fresno County Sheriff's Office.For a full list of evacuation orders and warnings, click here.The blaze burning in the Sierra National Forest is north of Pine Flat Lake and south of Shaver Lake and Wishon Reservoir.The blaze has charred nearly 12,000 acres, with no containment.That containment is expected to improve in the coming days with nearly 700 firefighters helping from across the country, and 100 more expected to make their way to the area."We need...
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