By Reggie Ellis @Reggie_SGN VISALIA – Emergency medical response times in Visalia should be quicker following a recent change allowing ambulance companies to locate stations in new areas. At its June 18 meeting, the Visalia City Council unanimously voted to add “Ambulance Services/Medical Transport” as an allowed use in the light industrial zone citywide and to […]

City launches web page allowing residents to report illegal fireworks now through July 5  @TheSunGazette VISALIA – Today, families and friends will gather in driveways, along sidewalks, and in the middle of cul-de-sacs to light up the night with July 4th fireworks. But not everything that whistles, pops and crackles is safe.  The Visalia Fire […]

Parolee caught with stolen car, illegal fireworks at his home @TheSunGazette VISALIA – The first day legal fireworks could be purchased in Visalia also marked the first illegal fireworks of this Fourth of July season.  At 5:05 p.m. on June 29, officers with the Visalia Police Department’s anti-gang unit spotted a stolen vehicle in the […]

Board members stress safety improvements at aging Visalia Unified School District campuses By Reggie Ellis @Reggie_SGN VISALIA – Visalia Unified will ask voters to approve a $109 million bond measure this November following a recent vote by the school board.  At its June 26 meeting, the Visalia Unified School District (VUSD) Board of Trustees unanimously voted […]

By Reggie Ellis @Reggie_SGN VISALIA – A plan to transform a dilapidated courthouse into a luxury hotel in downtown Visalia passed its first eye test.  The Visalia Planning Commission approved the conditional use permit for conversion of the historic art deco building into a 34-room hotel called The Darling at its June 11 meeting. Commissioners also […]

Environmental Cleanup Opportunities (ECO) program helps 29 homeless people find jobs in its first year By Reggie Ellis @Reggie_SGN VISALIA – The question most often asked of city officials is: “What are you doing about the homeless problem?” The answer is helping them finds jobs. On June 18, the Visalia City Council voted to continue a […]

Councilmember Steve Nelson is lone voice of opposition for City funding fireworks show, again By Reggie Ellis @Reggie_SGN VISALIA – There were only two projects left to be decided before the City Council could approve its two-year budget: a one-time cost of $10,000 to host the 2019 Cal Ripken World Series and an ongoing cost of […]

@TheSunGazette VISALIA – Fireworks may be fleeting, but the childhood memories of watching with wonder are often fixed in our minds. It is positive experiences like these that CASA of Tulare County hopes to provide for children taken from their homes due to abuse or neglect.  This Fourth of July, CASA of Tulare County will […]

Event brings $30,000 in donations to Visalia Emergency Aid Council’s effort to raise $750,000 By Reggie Ellis @Reggie_SGN VISALIA – One year ago, Visalia’s food pantry kicked off their campaign to raise $750,000 for a new warehouse to store enough food to meet the growing demand of the city. On June 14, the Visalia Emergency Aid […]

Suspects were arrested in Visalia trying to walk away from car stolen out of Exeter @TheSunGazette VISALIA – Two men who stole a car in Exeter were caught trying to walk away from the car in Visalia. At 5:30 p.m. on June 15, officers with the Visalia Police Department’s anti-gang unit located two suspects in […]