Page 1 - Mid Valley Times 10-22-20 E-edition

Thursday, October 22, 2020
Vol. 2, No. 17
Judge reportedly slaps Reedley school with $50,000 sanction
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Immanuel Schools and Fresno Coun- ty have reached a settlement on the two months-long legal battle with Fresno County and the state of California re- garding the Reedley private Christian schools' reopening against county and state guidelines back in August.
On Oct. 14, Immanuel Schools and the county and state signed a tentative agreement where Immanuel will under- go a reopening plan that was approved by the county's health department. With the exception of four days earlier this
month, the campus has been open for in- person campus instruction of students since Aug. 13.
But while the tentative agreement had the county and state not requesting that the school district be fined, ABC30 reported that Fresno County Superior Court Judge Tyler Tharpe on Oct. 20 used his jurisdiction to slap a $50,000 sanction against the school. Tharpe had issued a ruling in mid-September back- ing the county's preliminary injunction against Immanuel.
In a news statement released on Oct.20, Immanuel officials said its le- gal team had agreed to talk with legal counsel from both the state and county on Sept. 30.
"We felt it was important to enter into a good-faith negotiation to seek a resolution," the news statement read.
SeeIMANUELonpage A6
Julie Torres, Immanuel Schools / Photo Contributed
Immanuel High School students headed off campus after seventh period on Oct. 20. The private school in Reedley came to a legal settlement with Fresno County and the state of California on Oct. 14 regarding a two-month legal standoff.
50 cents
Coronavirus Update — The Latest On Schools
Immanuel settles with county, state
Sanger time capsule revealed
Christian Gonzalez made the discovery during his Eagle Scout project for American Legion Post 23
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
What started off as an Eagle Scout proj- ect at the American Legion Post 23 in Sanger turned into a grand discovery for the commu- nity after a time capsule was discovered this past weekend — dating back nearly a century.
Christian Gonzalez has traveled the world with his parents, both of whom enlisted with the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Sanger High in the early 1990s and then go- ing through the ROTC program at California State University, Fresno. Christian himself was born in England and has seen more parts of the world in his 17 years than many have seen in their entire life.
But it was his latest experience that may have had the most lasting impact.
Since Christian was just a boy, 7 years old to be exact, he’s been participating in the Scout
See TIME CAPSULE on page A16
When Sanger’s Christian Gonzalez chose to enhance Sanger’s American Legion Post 23 for his Eagle Scout project, he did so to honor his community and the Veterans who have fought for our country. He never imagined the project would lead to a historical find, the discovery of a time capsule that dated back to 1923.
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
A brief look
at 6 of 12
California
propositions
for 2020
MVT Staff Report
Here is a brief overview of six of California's 12 ballot measures on the November 2020 ballot. A brief overview of the remaining six proposi- tions will run in the Oct. 29 is- sue of The Times:
Proposition 14:
Stem cell research
In 2004, California voters
approved Proposition 71, is- suing $3 billion in bonds for stem cell research and there- by creating the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine. By October of last year, CIRM had exhausted all but $132 million of the original funding, causing it suspend applications for new projects.
Proposition 14 would issue another $5.5 billion in bonds for CIRM to continue stem cell research. The measure would also dedicate $1.5 bil- lion for Alzheimer’s, Parkin- son’s, stroke, epilepsy, and other brain and central ner- vous system diseases.
The bonds would be paid back over the next 30 years at a cost to the state of nearly $260 million per year.
SeePROPOSITIONSonpage A15
Orosi sports complex officially opens
Ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on Oct. 20
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School Dis- trict Sports Complex in Orosi was held on Tuesday morning as community members, dignitaries and special guests were on hand present to take part in the festivities.
COJUSD Yolanda Valdez welcomed those in attendance.
Valdez said, “we are ready to open this up completely for our community.” Valdez thanked the board of trustees
George M. Villagrana / Mid Valley Times
The Orosi sports complex is approximately 31 acres and features a variety of fields, con- cession stand and a splash park.
and oversight committee members, district facilities director, Raffi Sogo- homonian and Craig Drennen, assistant superintendent, for their efforts and
support of the sports complex.
Tulare County Sheriff Mike Bou- dreaux then introduced the Presenta- tion of Colors/National Anthem by the Vietnam Veterans of America - Chapter 0643, who raised the flag for the com- plex. COJUSD Board of Trustee presi- dent, Rebecca Jimenez and Tulare Coun- ty Board of Supervisor, Eddie Valero, each addressed the audience. The pre- sentation continued with remarks from OHS athletic director, Ken Sawatzky, Jose Del Rio of Cutler-Orosi youth foot- ball, Javier Gomez, Cutler-Orosi AYSO regional commissioner, and Cecil Reed, a Measure E bond oversight committee
See COMPLEX on page A2
Classifieds - A11 Directory - A10
Legals - A12-14 Sports - A9 Lifestyle - A7-8 Lights & Sirens - A3 Obituaries - A2-3 Opinion - A4