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Raising awareness about PTSD and signs to look for
June marks PTSD Awareness Month, and we're raising awareness about the sometimes hidden epidemic.We caught up with licensed therapist, Octavia Neal, to hear about the condition.For news updates, follow Vanessa Vasconcelos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
90-year-old dies after being assaulted and stabbed by daughter in Visalia, police say
A 90-year-old man has died after police say he was assaulted by his daughter in Visalia.It happened just before 9:30 pm Tuesday in a neighborhood located off Atwood near Grove Avenue.EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above is from a previous broadcast and will be updated.Police say Don Weerasinghe was assaulted by his daughter, 64-year-old Victoria Roberts, with a vase and other objects before being stabbed.When police arrived, they found Weerasinghe unconscious while bleeding from his head.He was taken to Kaweah Health Medical Center, where he later died.Robers was arrested at the scene and booked into the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility.She is now facing homicide charges.
New Fresno State Athletic Director Garrett Klassy shares goals for the program
Garrett Klassy has officially been introduced as the new Athletic Director (AD) at Fresno State."This is honestly the greatest day of my professional career," Klassy said. "I know there's been past success here but there's more to work on and being back here having an agricultural background, my wife being from the area, it just checks so many boxes."He's originally from Wisconsin-where he grew up on a dairy farm and learned to appreciate agriculture.He says he's looking to put roots down in the Central Valley-bringing his wife -- who hails from Walnut Creek-- back to California along with their two...
Bear destroys family's car during trip to Bass Lake
A family's trip to Bass Lake got messy after a bear broke into their car and left it destroyed.The Edens from Northern California were on their annual anniversary trip to Madera County with their family.A hungry bear snuck into their car but then got trapped inside. It tore up the seats and the inside of the doors.One family member caught the culprit in action."I think he spent most of his time licking up syrup and then trying to get out, and he was trapped in there and probably started freaking out, started tearing the place apart," Irik Edens said.Law enforcement was called and broke a window to let the bear out.The family says the animal also went to the bathroom inside their car, and the minivan is a total loss.They maintained a positive attitude, saying the incident made their trip memorable.
Man found guilty of 3 Fresno murders sentenced
A Coarsegold man will be spending the rest of his life behind bars for the shooting deaths of three men in Fresno.On Thursday, a judge sentenced 28-year-old Andrew Hammond to three consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.A jury found Hammond guilty for the deaths of Fernando Gonzales, Steven Rice and Brandon Munoz.The three men died in separate shootings in Fresno between 2020 and 2022.In addition to the three life sentences, a judge also ordered Hammond to serve an indeterminate term of 75 years to life in state prison for three counts of first-degree murder and three personal use of firearm enhancements.One of the victims, Fernando Gonzales, was shot and killed during a rosary ceremony back in September 2020.
Plan for housing for Clovis Medical School moving forward
A controversial plan to build housing for the Clovis Medical School is moving forward after a vote by the city's Planning Commission.The location includes about 333 acres of land, adjacent to the north side of Highway 168 from Armstrong Avenue to Owens Mountain Parkway.The area is also known as the City of Clovis "Research and Technology Park."The proposed development by the Assemi Group and the Assemi family's Granville Homes was pitched as student and faculty housing to support the nearby California Health and Sciences University, a for-profit medical school owned by the Assemi's.Thursday night, residents voiced their concerns about privacy because of the potential height of the buildings.The commission approved a general plan to designate the area and rezone nearby properties.They also signed off on an amendment for the cleanup action and modifications.
Former Fresno Anglican priest accused of sex crimes sentenced
A former Fresno priest accused of sex crimes will spend time in the Fresno County Jail.Jesus Serna was sentenced to 365 days behind bars and five years probation.Serna, known to his followers as "Father Antonio," served from 2007 to 2017 at Our Lady Guadalupe Church in Fresno.He was arrested in early 2019 following a more than year-long investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct with at least three adult parishioners.In February, the 56-year-old pleaded no contest to nine counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempting to prevent a witness from testifying.Twelve other counts were dropped.Under the conditions of his sentence, Serna will not be allowed to lead any religious ceremonies.The victims are under a 10-year protective order, and Serna was ordered to pay them restitution.
Dunlap organizations impacted by June Lightning Complex Fire
The playground remained empty Thursday afternoon at Dunlap School as the the June Lightning Complex fire continues to burn in eastern Fresno County."When our power goes out, we of course lose power and water to the facilities," said Kristen Welton, learning director at Dunlap School.Welton says after being without power for days it was finally restored, but safety is the main priority."We've also had many of our families who were displaced in the lower mountain areas due to the fire, so we did close down our program," said Welton.Welton adds the Highway 180 closure also makes it difficult for the...
Firefighters increase containment on June Lightning Complex Fire
CAL FIRE said it's made good progress on the fire.It's been a long hot day for firefighters, but they are really looking to take advantage of the cooler temperatures at night.Fire crews on the ground and sky continue to increase containment lines on the June Lightning Complex fire.The fire scorching thousands of acres and threatening hundreds of homes."They worked aggressively to mop this fire up and put those containment lines in," said Capt. Brent Pascau with CAL FIRE.Wind, heat, and rough terrain has been an ongoing challenge for firefighters. But crews are looking to take advantage of cooler temperatures at...
Parking spaces causing friction between Granite Park, neighboring businesses
Concern over parking spaces shared between Granite Park and businesses in the area is causing controversy that's turned into an online war of words.Club One Casino in Central Fresno is sounding the alarm regarding an ongoing issue with its neighbor, Granite Park."We became the lead tenants of the private property owners. We were put in the position where we need to enforcing parking agreements and enforcing the safety of the public," said Club One Casino President Kyle Kirkland.Kirkland says the issue is the lack of communication when the lease holder, Terence Frazier, hosts events that garner thousands of people to...
Officials urging safety as firework sales kick off Friday in Central California
Firework sales across the Central Valley mean 4th of July is almost here.This Friday at noon, firework booths will open up for customers.Most are organized by local non-profits and can help fundraise thousands of dollars in less than two weeks.Tulare City Mayor, Terry Sayre, used to volunteer at one.Although these sparks are fun, she's urging her community to make safety a priority."Be really careful, because even with the legal fireworks. There are a lot of things that happen where children get burned. And so I think about it. Just think it could happen," said Mayor Sayre.This is why CAL FIRE...
Fresno City residential garbage service rates increasing by 114%
The cost of trash collection in the City of Fresno is going up. In just days, people in Fresno will be paying from 5 to nearly 9 dollars more a month for solid waste services.That includes curbside garbage, recycling and organic waste pickup, along with free dump and shred days.An on-call bulk pick-up service will also be added for residents to call to schedule bulky item removal.This is the first time the rate has been increased since 2009."If we had seen more political courage from City Hall throughout the last 15 years, you would have seen a more reasonable kind...
Dine and Dish: The Sawmill in Shaver Lake
At The Sawmill in Shaver Lake, it can feel like you're having a meal inside a museum with all the old photos and artifacts."I think it's important to keep the history of Shaver going," says Manager Sophia Elming."We call it the cookhouse and the saloon, and it's about the old logging camps that used to function," says Owner Steve Fleming."Elmo's chili" represents that time when workers would gather for meals."It's a beanless chili," Steve said. "We use top-grade meat.""Elmo" is Steve's nickname."Very spicy, filling and we can put it over fries for chili fries, if you like," he said.Head chef...
June Lightning Complex Fire: Impact on air quality from wildfires
Dry heat and wildfires are nothing new for Central California.A local doctor says residents still need to be aware of the harmful effects."Now, we're talking about multiple opportunities to breathe in pollutants that can affect our lungs," says UCSF Fresno's Dr. Hovig Artinian. "You've got heat combining with pollution, creating ozone. You've got the wildfire creating particle pollution that is smaller than the strands of your hair that can lodge deep into your lungs."Children, older adults and anyone with asthma or other lung diseases are at high risk of inflaming their airways or worsening a respiratory disorder.For those not at...
1,500 firefighters battle June Lightning Complex Fire as Fresno County declares emergency
Fresno County officials declared a local state of emergency Thursday as crews battle a wildfire near Yokuts Valley.The June Lightning Complex Fire has burned about 9,000 acres in Eastern Fresno County. It is 29% contained."It's a complex fire because we had three large fires at the same time in the same area, CAL FIRE Captain Brent Pascua said.They started earlier this week, sparked by an intense thunderstorm that rolled through the Valley and caused a thousand lightning strikes.Pascua says at least two of the fires met in the middle and combined."Instead of having to cut those two separate fire lines...
Tulare City School District paying $45,000 to settle federal discrimination charge
The Tulare City School District will be paying tens of thousands of dollars to settle a federal discrimination charge.According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, TCSD failed to promote a Hispanic vice principal.The agency says the district did not promote an employee because of his Hispanic national origin, regardless of his qualifications and ability to do the job.Following an investigation into the allegations, the EEOC says it found reasonable cause that Title VII was violated of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.The Tulare City School District has not admitted liability, but has agreed to pay $45,000 to the involved employee and provide training.We're told the district will notify all employees about the resolution and their rights under federal anti-discrimination law.The commission will then be checking in to make sure the district complies with the agreement.The district says they have a history of "no findings" with the EEOC and cannot discuss this issue because it is a personnel matter.
Will Central California actually reach 120 degrees? ABC30 meteorologists weigh in
If you've checked the Weather app on your phone recently, you might have noticed that Central California is forecasted to reach over 120 degrees on Saturday, July 6.According to ABC30 Meteorologists Kevin Musso, Christine Gregory and National Weather Service Hanford, that is unlikely to happen.As of 12:40 pm on Thursday, the forecasted high for July 6 on iPhone dropped to 112 degrees.Data shows that the highest recorded temperature in Fresno was 115 degrees on July 8, 1905.The closest it got to breaking that record was 114 degrees on July 11, 2021.According to NWS Hanford, all parts of the Valley have...
90-year-old man assaulted in Visalia, police say
Visalia police have arrested a woman for allegedly attacking a 90-year-old man, leaving him unconscious.It happened just before 9:30 pm Tuesday in a neighborhood located off Atwood near Grove Avenue in Visalia.When officers arrived, they found the man unconscious and suffering from severe head trauma.Paramedics rushed him to Kaweah Health for treatment.Investigators arrested a 64-year-old woman.Neither the suspect nor the victim have been identified, and it's not known what led to the alleged assault.
New Welcome Center at Fresno City College
Fresno City College celebrated the opening of a brand new Welcome Center.The college held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday for the building, which is aimed at helping new students navigate the enrollment process.The welcome center will help students who want to attend college for the first time by providing a one-stop hub for information, support and guidance.The new services include financial aid, class registration, applications to the college and campus tours.
Fresno County health officials investigating suspected botulism outbreak
The Fresno County Department of Public Health is investigating a suspected botulism outbreak involving several people.These cases are related to contaminated food consumed at a family event Friday, June 21, in Caruthers and Saturday, June 22, in Clovis.Officials say botulism is a rare but serious illness related to bacteria that can attack the body's nerves, cause difficulty breathing, and even death.It cannot be spread person to person.Typically, botulism can be spread through the consumption of improperly home-canned, preserved, or fermented foods.Health officials say this serves as a reminder to maintain safe food handling, especially during home-canning preparation
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