Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 7-1-21 E-edition.pdf

Thursday, July 1, 2021
Reedley Police connecting with youth
The View From Here
I was driving back from Fresno on the after- noon of June 27 and as I drove south on Lac Jac
Juanita Adame
Officers visit local Boys and Girls club in Reedley
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Hoping to connect with Reedley’s youth while giving local officers an opportunity to better know their commu- nity, several members of the Reedley Police Department participated in the Boys and Girls Club’s “Fear Factor Edi- tion" summer camp event on the afternoon of June 24.
The event was part of the club’s “teen night” summer series which will take place once a month throughout the summer.
“The kids did various ac- tivities," said John Arenas, a Reedley Police officer.
"We showed them some of the gear we use at work, also the inside of our patrol car.
“They asked us a lot of questions and were genuinely interested in what we had to say," Arenas continued.
"We were asked how much we carry, how much our gear weighs, what we do, they weren’t familiar with the Spe- cial Response Team so we explained that part of it, and even our high priority calls.”
Avenue, I decided to take the scenic route home.
This was, South on Lac Jac to Dinuba and then east on Olson Avenue.
The path took me direct- ly across the Olson Avenue Bridge. Earlier that day on my way out to Fresno I drove over the Olson Bridge and checked the river for water levels. They were still very low.
Now, 8 hours later, I did another one of my “quick peeks” over the bridge to see the water levels. I had to do a double take. The water was higher than when I saw it that morning.
I made a quick right turn on Reed Avenue and promptly made a (legal U turn) to head back down to Cricket Hollow.
As I pulled into the park- inglotIsawthatalineof cars with trailers attached had filled up most of the stalls near the boat launch.
Walking down to the dock, there it was, my eyes were not deceiving me. Wa- ter levels were up signifi- cantly. I stood and looked out at the Kings River almost entranced by the sound of the flowing wa- ter, however my gaze was quickly interrupted by the sounds of some children playing nearby.
Their laughter and splashing promptly snapped me out of my trance. Watch- ing the kids nearby also trig- gered a memory I wasn’t expecting.
Immediately, my mind flashed back to August 5, 2020. The weather was about the same on that day. It was also about the same time too, dusk. Mosquitoes were running rampant and looking for victims to bite. Lucky for me, I’d sprayed myself with repellent just like I had back on that day.
I stopped for a moment. Looked straight ahead and remembered the location where she had been pulled from the water.
Last summer as temper- atures rose and COVID-19 was in full swing, lots of people were visiting the Kings River.
It was early evening on August 5. A report of a “child drowning," was trans- mitted over the radio. She had been "pulled from the water but unresponsive.”
SEE COLUMN on page A8
Contributed
John Arenas, Reedley Police Officer along with Cyndee Trimble Friesen (not pictured) Reedley Police Liaison Officer, visited with kids at the Boys and Girls Club in Reedley on the afternoon of June 24.
RHS freshman heads to Europe for Spain's Villarreal Cup
Contributed
Esteban Baca will participate in this year's Villareal Cup in Valencia, Spain.
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
A Reedley High School freshman has traveled to Europe to participate in this years 2021 Villarreal Cup in Valencia, Spain.
Esteban Baca completed his first year at Reedley High and played as a starter for the varsity boys soccer team.
"He has been a pleasure to work with and to coach over the last year," said Eric Velarde, RHS Varsity Soccer
Coach. "His tenacity, energy, and enthusiasm for the game have been on display from the very first time he stepped onto the field during his first practice as a freshman."
Coaches with Reedley High School also said they are looking forward to see how well Esteban does dur- ing his next three years.
"Having him travel and see the level of soccer in Eu- rope is an experience that will allow him to learn and grow from," said Velarde.
Contributed
A display of freedom. This photo of several American flags waving in the wind at the Reedley Cemetery was sent in by Stella Regier. Have a photo you'd like featured? Email juanita@midvalleypub- lishing.com.
Arenas said with the neg- ativity surrounding law en- forcement, they are hoping to develop trust from the com- munity.
“We wanted to get involved, meeting with these kids build- ing relationships, community trust, that’s important to us,” Arenas said. “Negative talk about cops on television, or hearing from friends and fam- ily about the negativity going on with law enforcement, we hope to change all of that."
The Boys and Girls Club summer program continues through July 30.
For more information, or to enroll, visit bgcfresno.org/ membership.
Contributed
Arenas participated in an "Ice Bucket Challenge" during the visit.
SUSD Board honors retirees
Photo Courtesy / SUSD Facebook Page
Adela Jones, Sanger Unified School District superintendent posed for a photo with Jennifer Smith, assistant to the super- intendent and Dan Grossnicklaus, (not pictured) Information Systems Manager during the June 22 school board meeting on their retirement.
Photo of the week