Latest news with #FresnoCounty
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Court denies Fresno County appeal. Sheriff and DA elections to move election cycles
Fresno County's district attorney and sheriff will serve a six-year term through 2028 after a California appeals court recently declined to hear an appeal on Measure A. The 5th Appellate District Court denied the petition on July 16, meaning the lower court's decision was upheld. The court dealt the loss last month to Fresno County, which sued to keep the elections for Sheriff John Zanoni and District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp on the gubernatorial election cycle and not aligned with the presidential election. Smittcamp brushed off the decision, saying she is focused on the mission of her office. 'I am not surprised by the appellate court's ruling following the well-reasoned opinion issued by Fresno County Superior Court Judge Tharpe,' she said in a statement. 'While the legal process surrounding Measure A created some uncertainty, it never affected our mission.' A Fresno County Superior Court judge ruled June 2 to invalidate Fresno County's Measure A. The 2024 ballot initiative aligned Fresno County District Attorney and Sheriff elections with the off cycle, which has a lower voter turnout than those on the presidential cycle. Fresno County voters passed Measure A with 55% of the vote. State Attorney General Rob Bonta argued Fresno County was running afoul of the law. Assembly Bill 759 aligned those elections statewide with the presidential cycle. The most recent presidential election in Fresno in 2024 saw an almost 60% voter turnout, while the off cycle election two years earlier drew 27% of voters, according to the Fresno County Registrar of Voters. Solve the daily Crossword
Associated Press
10-07-2025
- Associated Press
California schools face billion-dollar sex abuse payouts: ‘It's untenable'
When Samantha Muñoz was a second grader at Fancher Creek Elementary in Clovis, her teacher told her she 'wasn't that bright' and needed extra help with schoolwork. He'd make her stay in the classroom at recess, or tell her to sit on his lap while other students were busy with assignments. During those quiet times in the classroom, she said, he sexually abused her — over and over, for at least a semester, even after the school principal walked in on him. 'No one knew. I just didn't know who to run to. I ran to the school, and they shut me down into silence,' said Muñoz, who's now 28. 'But (now) I've figured, no one should be living like this. It's time to speak your truth and make it OK to talk about. It's a sensitive topic, but it needs awareness and closure.' Muñoz, who lives in Fresno County, is part of a multi-plaintiff lawsuit against the Clovis Unified School District alleging the district knew about Muñoz's teacher but — for at least seven years, from 2005-2012 — did not stop him from abusing students. Clovis Unified had no comment on the case because of the litigation. Muñoz's case is one of at least 1,000 lawsuits against California school districts and counties stemming from AB 218, a sexual abuse reform law that took effect in 2020. It temporarily dropped the statute of limitations, provided a three-year window for victims to file claims and otherwise made it easier for them to sue school districts and counties. The cases span decades, some as early as the 1940s. In many cases the perpetrator is dead, the district staff has turned over, and there's no longer a paper trail of the original complaint, if there ever was one. The new law has resulted in a slew of payouts to abuse survivors, most in the range of $5 million to $10 million but some much higher. In 2023 a jury delivered a $135 million verdict against Moreno Valley Unified in Riverside County. Los Angeles Unified is expecting to pay more than $500 million to settle a portion of its claims. Overall, the claims against schools total nearly $3 billion. Counties also have paid out large sums of money. In April, Los Angeles County paid $4 billion to settle 6,800 abuse claims from victims who were abused in foster care or in probation department facilities. Like many government entities, Los Angeles County is self-insured. The settlements have been so large that they've brought some school districts to the brink of financial insolvency and state takeover. They've also resulted in steep spikes in insurance payments for all school districts, regardless of whether they've been sued. 'Untenable' Carpinteria Unified is among those districts facing financial collapse. The predominantly low-income Latino district near Santa Barbara has been served with four sexual abuse lawsuits, all involving the same perpetrator: a principal who was convicted in 1986 of abusing several boys in the 1970s and early 1980s. 'These suits are settling for $5 million to $10 million each, and we have a $42 million budget. You do the math,' said Superintendent Diana Rigby. 'It's untenable.' The district has already spent $750,000 on legal fees, and has had to lay off staff, increase class sizes and cut field trips, enrichment activities and other programs to pay its legal bills. Although the district had insurance at the time of the abuse, the company has since gone out of business and its current insurance company won't cover old claims. The perpetrator is dead and the district staff has turned over 100% since the incidents occurred. Years ago, the district instituted strict protocols for abuse claims, immediately contacting the police and placing the alleged perpetrator on leave until an investigation is complete. Rigby worries about how her district will survive. If the state takes it over, it'll lose its school board and superintendent, and further cuts will be inevitable. 'We believe all the victims need to be compensated for these heinous crimes,' Rigby said. 'But AB 218 is causing current students and taxpayers to pay for crimes that happened 50 years ago, that they had nothing to do with. There has to be a better solution.' Legislative solution? Several current bills in the Legislature would curb the law, at least somewhat. A bill by Sen. John Laird, SB 577, would bring back a statute of limitations, make it easier for districts to issue bonds to pay off settlements and take other steps to give some relief to school districts and other public agencies. But it doesn't cap attorneys' fees or settlements. The political reality, Laird said, is that there's not enough support in the Legislature to limit legal settlements in abuse cases. 'We're trying to walk between the poles of avoiding billions of dollars in settlements, while not neglecting the rights of victims,' said Laird, a Democrat from Santa Cruz. The bill passed the Senate and is now in the Assembly judiciary committee. Consumer Attorneys of California is neutral on the bill, but several school lobbying groups have opposed it, saying it doesn't go far enough. One group, the Association of California School Administrators, would also like to see school districts share responsibility for paying settlements with the perpetrator or other groups that might be involved, such as sports or after-school organizations. The group also wants the state to study the possibility of a victims' fund that's not entirely monetary; it could also include mental and physical health services. The abuse settlements are the worst financial threat to school districts since the Great Recession of 2008-2009, said Mike Fine, director of the Fiscal Crisis Management and Assistance Team, which advises the state and school districts on financial matters. His group is recommending that the state create a database of abuse claims as well as teachers who have been accused, to prevent perpetrators from bouncing from one district to another. The group also recommends more flexibility on settlement payment plans, and an alternative to state takeover for districts that are out of money. Like Laird, Fine's group is not calling for a cap on settlements or attorney fees. 'We didn't think tort reform was within our scope,' Fine said. They're also not calling for a state-financed victims' fund, something school districts have asked for. Laird said the state lacks the money for such a fund. Fine's group omitted it from its recommendations because a victims' fund could preclude a trial, and Fine said that victims should have a right to go to court and have their voices heard. But schools' top priority, Fine said, should be setting tough protocols to prevent abuse from happening in the first place. Although some districts have instituted safeguards, not all have, and the state doesn't have a uniform policy because it's deemed a local issue. 'Schools have to hold themselves to a higher standard, and we've clearly failed in this regard,' Fine said. 'This simply has to stop.' 'Prime time' for trial attorneys The sexual abuse law has been a windfall for trial attorneys. Billboards seeking clients have cropped up around the state, and lawyers from throughout the country have come to California to file claims. Typically attorneys in abuse lawsuits work for free until there's a resolution, and then collect a portion of the payout if the plaintiff prevails — in some instances up to 40%, depending on the complexity of the case. Dorothy Johnson, legislative advocate for the Association of California School Administrators, called the current scenario 'prime time' for trial attorneys in California, but forcing impossible burdens onto school districts and other agencies. Schools are already contending with financial hardships due to declining enrollment, the end of pandemic relief funds and federal education cuts. These settlements are pushing some districts over the edge — while attorneys are making millions, she said. 'We don't think trial attorneys should be profiting at the expense of current students,' Johnson said. 'We want to make sure victims get resolution but at the same time put some guardrails up. Right now, there are no guardrails.' The trial attorneys' association is not opposed to changes in the law, as long as victims' rights aren't curtailed, said Nancy Peverini, legislative director for California Consumer Attorneys. 'There's an understanding that we need to find a balance, but it's really important that survivors' voices don't get lost,' Peverini said. Hard choices in Montecito Montecito — a scenic enclave near Santa Barbara — is home to Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Oprah Winfrey and other celebrities. With sweeping views of the Pacific and Santa Ynez mountains, it's one of the most affluent and exclusive towns in the country. Its school district, however, is facing financial calamity and a possible state takeover. Montecito Union Elementary District serves about 350 students, mostly children from affluent families but also the children of Montecito's landscapers and housekeepers. Earlier this year, it took in 42 students from Pacific Palisades, which was largely destroyed in a wildfire. In 2023, three former students sued the district over sexual abuse they said they experienced from 1972-76. The district denied the claim, and is negotiating a settlement. The payout and legal costs could swell to $20 million — more than the district's annual budget. Even a state loan wouldn't solve the problem, because the payments would be more than the district can afford, according to Fine's organization. The district's insurance company at the time of the alleged abuse no longer exists, and its current insurer doesn't cover events from that long ago. That means that like Carpinteria Unified, Montecito will have to pay the entire cost — cutting programs, borrowing money and using reserves. 'First of all, there's a whole lot of empathy. We were heartbroken to hear these allegations,' Superintendent Anthony Ranii said. 'But none of us were here then. Many of us weren't even born. The alleged perpetrator and witnesses are dead. We're putting the responsibility for something that might or might not have happened in 1972 100% on the heads of students in 2025. That's not fair.' 'We need awareness' For Muñoz, the abuse she suffered during the 2004-05 school year took more than a decade to come to terms with. Even after the abuse stopped, Muñoz found school difficult, socially and academically. She lost trust in adults and emotionally withdrew. She never talked about what happened, not even to her family. Neng Yang, the teacher whom Muñoz said abused her, was arrested and tried in 2014 on 45 counts of sexual abuse on a child under age 10, based on testimony from numerous victims who were students at Fancher Creek Elementary. He was convicted and is serving a 38-year sentence. Muñoz only started talking about the abuse a few years ago, when she started reading about the impacts of childhood abuse. Earlier this year, she got a call from Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala, a Washington-based law firm, that was investigating claims from another of Yang's victims for a potential suit against Clovis Unified. She decided to share her story with the attorneys and join the lawsuit. 'I just want other victims to know that they're not the only ones,' Muñoz said. 'It's OK to talk about it. We need awareness if there's going to be change.' ___ This story was originally published by CalMatters and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Eight people hospitalized with deadly toxin after eating homemade food at family reunion
Eight people were hospitalized in California after eating a homemade salad that was contaminated with Clostridium botulinum - a deadly neurotoxin that can cause paralysis. A new CDC report detailed that on June 21 and June 22, 2024, about 31 people attended two events in Fresno County where a salad made of uncooked nopales - prickly pear cactus pads - was served. Within hours, a 42-year-old woman began to complain of dizziness, blurry vision, a drooping eyelid, sore throat, gastrointestinal symptoms and difficulty swallowing. Despite initially dismissing her symptoms, doctors began to suspect that she was suffering from botulism - a rare but serious poisoning that attacks the body's nerves and causes difficulty breathing, muscle paralysis and even death. By June 27, 10 attendees - all of whom had eaten the salad - had sought treatment at one of two hospitals in Fresno County (five patients at each hospital) for symptoms resembling those of botulism. As a result, the CDC, the Fresno County Department of Public Health and California Department of Public Health launched an investigation to discover the cause of the widespread illness. After days of lab testing, officials were ultimately able to discover that the uncooked nopales present in the salad - which had been left unrefrigerated in 100 degree Fahrenheit heat and served on both days - was contaminated with C botulinum. Soon after, eight of the 10 patients were diagnosed with the condition - marking it as one of the largest documented foodborne outbreaks of the infection in California. Nopales, a popular food in traditional Mexican dishes also known as prickly pear cactus, has recently gained popularity in dishes as a healthy ingredient. Officials confirmed that one of the eight patients had made the salad using fresh onions, fresh tomatoes and home-preserved nopales stored in reused commercial glass jars. According to the CDC case report, the salad-maker had immersed empty jars into boiling water and then added chopped, uncooked nopales mixed with a small amount of salt. Once stuffed to the brim, she sealed the jars with new metal lids and stored them for six weeks in an outdoor shed behind her house - a technique she said she had been practicing for years. However, she was unaware that she had created the perfect breeding ground for C botulinum spores as they thrive in a low-oxygen, low-acid, canned environment with moderate to high moisture and temperatures between 38F and 113F to grow. Norma Sanchez, communicable disease specialist with Fresno County Department of Public Health, later said they identified the contaminated cactus after sifting through trash cans. Spores of this bacteria are often found on the surfaces of fruits and vegetables and in seafood and, in this case, rapidly grew on the surface of the uncooked and canned nopales. All eight patients diagnosed with botulism had double vision, seven had a hoarse voice, six were experiencing dizziness and six also found it difficult to swallow. The eight patients with clinical botulism were the only attendees who ate the nopales salad; the 42-year-old woman, who experienced the most severe symptoms, ate this item at both events. As a result, all of the patients had to stay at the hospital for between two and 42 days - out of which six were admitted to an intensive care unit and two required invasive mechanical ventilation. The CDC later confirmed in its case report that all the people diagnosed with botulism had survived and recovered. Botulism is a rare but serious infection caused by a bacterial toxin that attacks the nervous system and is mostly commonly a result of food or wound contamination. Common symptoms of botulism include difficulty swallowing, muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, blurry vision, slurred speech, difficulty breathing, and trouble moving the eyes, according to the CDC. In cases of foodborne botulism, these symptoms of typically begin 12 to 36 hours after the toxin enters the body depending on the level of exposure to the toxin. If left untreated, the infection can cause muscle weakness, paralysis and in certain cases, death. Patients who are paralyzed need to relearn how to walk, talk, and perform everyday tasks. The CDC estimates that there are just 25 cases of foodborne botulism in the US each year, making it rare. About five percent of people who develop botulism die, according to the CDC. For others, it can cause lifelong disability and extreme physical therapy. The Fresno health department is urging people to follow proper storing and cooking methods to lower their risk of botulism. Any food at risk of contamination should be heated up to 240–250F, and heated all the way through.
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Yahoo
CHP searching for red pickup truck in deadly hit-and-run in Fresno County
Authorities need help in locating a vehicle believed to be involved in a deadly hit-and-run Saturday night in Fresno County. Officers responded at 9:30 p.m. to Adams and Cove avenues in Orange Cove after a bicyclist was struck. According to the California Highway Patrol, a woman on a bicycle was traveling westbound on Adams Avenue when she was struck from behind by a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 pickup truck, also traveling westbound. The truck dragged the bicycle 120 feet and the driver drove away from the scene without rendering aid or notifying emergency services, CHP said. The bicyclist was pronounced dead at the scene. CHP said the victim was not wearing a helmet but did have a handheld lighting device activated to increase her visibility. Investigators are seeking the public's help in locating the vehicle, believed to be a red Chevrolet Silverado 1500, model year early-to-mid 2000s. The vehicle should have noticeable damage to the right front and likely missing a headlight lens, and may also be missing a black Chevrolet 'bowtie' grille emblem. A smoked-out headlight lens and a black bow tie emblem were recovered at the scene, CHP said. Anyone with information is asked to call CHP at 559-262-0400 or call Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867. Callers may remain anonymous.
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New overpass opens in Fresno as part of California high-speed rail project
A new stretch of West Belmont Avenue has opened near Roeding Park in Fresno as part of the California High-Speed Rail project. The four-lane overpass, or grade separation, takes drivers over the Union Pacific tracks at Weber Avenue and also over the future tracks of the bullet train. The grade separation was built with bike lanes and pedestrian access. There will also be no need for train horns as vehicle traffic will bypass the train crossing. It will also improve the traffic flow on Belmont, said Augie G. Blancas, an information officer for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. As part of the high-speed rail construction project, 55 similar type of railroad crossings will be eliminated. The Belmont Avenue grade separation began in 2022 and is more than 611 feet long and 62 feet wide. Also recently opened is the Central Avenue grade separation in south Fresno between Maple and Cedar avenues. The overpass eliminated the at-grade railroad crossing and will now take traffic and pedestrians over the BNSF railroad and future high-speed rail tracks. Construction progresses every day on the California high-speed rail project. There are currently 171 miles under design and construction from Merced to Bakersfield. More than 60 miles of guideway is completed and of the 93 structures needed, 54 are complete and more than 30 are under construction between Madera, Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties.
