Page 1 - Mid Valley Times 7-16-20 E-edition

Thursday, July 16, 2020
Vol. 2, No. 3
Coronavirus Update — More indoor closures in Fresno, Tulare counties
Setback for churches, restaurants, salons
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Businesses and church- es in Reedley, Sanger and Dinuba along with smaller communities in the region were dealt another eco- nomic setback this week in the wake of Gov. Gavin Newsom's guideline man- date preventing indoor dining and indoor wor- ship services because of rising COVID-19 cases in
the state.
On July 13, Newsom
announced the statewide indoor closure for res- taurants, bars and brew- eries, wineries & tasting rooms, movie theaters, family entertainment, zoos and museums, and card rooms. Fresno and Tulare counties earlier had been placed on the state's County Monitoring List, and the July 13 action meant churches and hous-
es of worship, hair salons' barbershops and personal care services — as well as gyms and fitness centers — were mandated to stop indoor activities.
The state has allowed businesses to modify their operations by either mov- ing outside or offering pickup service. And some area small businesses — already battered by the
See COVID-19 on page A15
From left, Nick Cabines, Sean Bautista and
John Slagle sat down for an outdoor lunch outside Willie's Cafe in downtown Reedley on July 14. A day earlier, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the closure of indoor service to restaurants in counties including Fresno and Tulare counties.
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Sanger
closer to
naming
new police
chief
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
The city of Sanger is just weeks away from having a new police chief as this week City Manager Tim Chapa verified that the top candidate is going through the required screening process for the position.
“I expect to receive the background report within three weeks and to make an offer of employment and announce- ment at that time,” said Chapa.
Candidates were screened through two city committees, one made up of community members and the other pub- lic safety officials, last month. After narrowing down the top finalists, Chapa conducted in- terviews with each until a fi- nal interview was done to con- firm the top candidate.
City policy does not allow the release of candidates or agencies for which they work or have worked.
Prior to being hired, the candidate must first go through a rigorous back- ground process through the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
Sanger’s new police chief is expected to take over the roll in early August. The city’s for- mer police chief, Silver Rodri- guez, retired from the force in January after a 40-year career in law enforcement.
To temporarily fill the void, the city brought in Ger- ald Galvin to act as interim Police Chief. Galvin has more than 35 years of experience as a police chief.
One of the new police chief’s first responsibilities will be to find a way to curb a recent surge in gang activ- ity as well as find ways to deal with the city’s ongoing issue with homeless.
50 cents
Blended model for DUSD
Tentative plan of Aug. 11 start to school year is subject to change
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
Board Trustees for the Di- nuba Unified School District unanimously approved a ten- tative plan for a safe return to school on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
At a special meeting held July 9, the board heard the plan as presented by the dis- trict’s Director of Curricu- lum, Vicky Armstrong.
“Our plans may change,” said Armstrong during her presentation. “This is one of the most challenging times in my 31 years of education that I’ve every seen.”
The plan for students to return to classrooms in Di- nuba will involve breaking students into two groups (Groups A & B), with each group attending in-person classes two days a week and on separate days. Each group
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
After a year-long modernization project at Dinuba High School, which renovated the school’s main building, final touches are finally being added. This week, landscapers were out adding new shrubs, rocks and plants as part of the building’s facelift. The project is expected to be complete before the start of this year’s school year. The tentative plan to start the school year is Tuesday, Aug. 11.
will receive online distance learning on the three days they are not in class.
The plan also allows par- ents to enroll their children
in a virtual school indepen- dent study program, after a recent survey by the district showed about 25 percent of parents were not comfort-
able sending their students back to classrooms amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pan-
See DUSD on page A10
Great Western School centennial on July 23
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Great Western Elementary School in Reedley is celebrating its 100th anniver- sary on July 23. Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, school officials are planning to hold an official celebration event sometime next spring.
Official event scheduled to take place next spring
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Great Western School in Reedley officially reach- es centennial status next week, but the school won't have any formal celebration until next spring be- cause of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Present and past staff members along with alumni and the Kings Canyon Unified School Dis- trict have been holding talks to determine just how to celebrate the school's upcoming centennial year. For now, a homecoming-reunion event is scheduled for sometime in spring 2021 — pandemic guidelines permitting, according to Don Enns with the Great Western School Centennial steering committee. Enns taught more than 35 years at the school.
The Great Western Union School District was offi-
See GREAT WESTERN on page A2
Classifieds - A11 Directory - A12 Legals - A13-14 Sports - A9
Lifestyle - A7-8 Lights & Sirens - A3 Obituaries - A2-3 Opinion - A3