Mid Valley Times 11-19-20 E-edition

Thursday, November 19, 2020
50 cents
Vol. 2, No. 21
Coronavirus Update — Region Takes A Step Backward
Fresno County reverts to purple tier
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Outdoor weight equipment was unused midday Nov. 17 at Fitness Quest Health Club in downtown Reedley. The club closed to indoor activities because of COVID-19 state directives on Nov. 16.
Restaurants are again closed to indoor dining
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Gov. Gavin Newsom and California health officials lowered the boom on Fresno County on Nov. 16, dropping the county into the purple (widespread tier) as COVID-19 numbers took a significant jump in the county and around the state for the second consecutive week.
Fresno County's new daily COVID posi- tive case rate per 100,000 people for the week jumped from 8.3 to 14.6 percent, well above the 8 percent level. The overall positivity rate
remained on the red fringe at 7 percent, but it still means that Fresno County will need two consecutive weeks below that threshold before thinking of moving back into the red (substan- tial) tier.
The immediate fallout? Restaurants that in recent weeks had welcomed back indoor din- ers again need to switch to all-outdoors seating and can only provide takeout orders. For those Reedley restaurants and cafes that have out- door "parklets" in place, the impact somewhat is lessened.
The return to purple is bad news for gyms in the region, as all indoor workout activities again are prohibited. Fitness Quest Health Club
Iconic Reedley hoops coach Jensen dies
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Chuck Jensen, who coached Reedley High School to a pair of Valley boys bas- ketball
champion-
ships in
1965 and
1966, died
Nov. 17 at
his resi-
dence in
Grand Is-
land, Neb.
from com-
plications
of COVID-19. He was 87.
Suzanne Freet Ratzlaff, a longtime family friend who grew up in Reedley, said
See JENSEN on page A2
Test reminders in Sanger
See PURPLEonpageA16
Contrast in county presidential preference
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
Fresno and Tulare counties are showing contrasting num- bers in their preferred choice for President of the United States.
Nearly 74 percent of reg- istered Fresno County vot- ers voted in the recent gen- eral election on Nov. 3. Of the more than 365,000 votes for president in the county, the numbers indicated 52.87 percent (190,403) voted for
See ELECTIONonpageA15
Chuck Jensen in 2019
As Fresno County re-enters the purple zone in COVID-19 testing, residents face stricter guidelines when it comes to pandemic precautions. Coming into Sanger on Annadale Avenue, city workers have placed reminders in both English and Spanish. The display boards remind citizens of free COVID-19 testing still being held at the Sanger Community Center, to wear face coverings, wash hands and avoid large gatherings.
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
MVT offices will close Nov. 26-27 in observance of Thanksgiving, Black Friday
The Mid Valley Times' business offices in Dinuba, Reedley and Sanger will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, in observance of Thanksgiving Day; and Friday, Nov. 27, because of Black Friday.
There will be early deadlines this week be- cause of the office clo- sure. Classified liner ads and legal notices are due by noon on Thursday, Nov. 19. Regular and classified display ads also are due by noon on Thursday, Nov. 19.
The Times' three of- fices will reopen for busi- ness at 8 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30.
Dinuba council OKs Autumn Gate Phase III
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
The Dinuba City Council approved the subdivision agreement for the Autumn Gate Phase III at its meeting on Nov. 10.
San Joaquin Valley Homes in the fi- nal steps of completing Autumn Gate subdivision, also known as Vista Robles, located on the northside of Nebraska Av- enue between Viscaya Parkway and Eu- clid Avenue. The developer has built the subdivision in three phases with Phase 1 consisting of 59 lots. Phase II was 40 lots and the third and final phase has been subdivided into another 40 lots.
As a condition of approval, the de- veloper must enter into a subdivision agreement with the city. The subdivi- sion agreement details the work to be complete by the developer and provides a schedule for when the work will be completed. In addition is the amount of security for improvements and fees to be paid as part of the subdivision.
The public infrastructure to be com-
pleted includes roads, sewer, water, gas and storm drain and private utility im- provements to serve the subdivision. The agreement also requires the developer to provide bonds and other security instru- ments in an amount necessary to cover the cost of the improvements.
The project estimated cost of improve- ments is $1,825,747. The city may call on
Part of the site for Autumn Gate Phase III — also known as Vista Robles — is pic- tured on Nov. 17. On Nov. 10, the Dinuba City Council approved the subdivision agreement for the final phase, which will be subdivided into
40 lots. The already completed first two phases feature 59 and 40 lots, respectively.
George M. Villagrana /Mid Valley Times
the bonds should the developer fail to complete the improvements in a timely manner.
As part of the agreement, the de- veloper has agreed to install additional street improvements along Nebraska Avenue as requested by the city. The
SeeAUTUMNGATEonpage A16
Classifieds - A6
Directory - A10 Legals - A11-14 Sports - A9
Lifestyle - A7-8 Lights & Sirens - A3 Obituaries - A2 Opinion - A4