Page 12 - Mid Valley Times 2-27-20 E-edition

George M. Villagrana / Mid Valley Times
Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District Superinten- dent Yolanda Valdez highlighted the sports complex site to Orosi High School students Miranda Montemay- or and Miryam Organes.
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had to do four Saturday's and we had three students that completed the training, but it was a start."
Cendejas and Celum along with district personal worked together and the Vocational Edu- cation Center became available, in what Celum said, "was a game- changer".
"We were really able to roll it out on a much bigger scale to our students," Celum said.
Cendejas spoke to the students in the school's AVID program and about 80 students got to hear about not only the VITA program, but other services CSET offers to the community, said Celum.
In all, 41 students showed up the first night, according to Celum. "It was awesome," he said. "It blew us away. It was awesome to see that kind of turnout and interest. Students attended ses- sions from 3:30 to 6 p.m. on Tues- day's and Thursday's for three weeks. This was after they have had a day of school. Food services brought in dinners every night to
feed the students."
Between seven to 12 CSET
staff worked alongside the stu- dents during the training sessions. A total of 15 students earned three certifications upon comple- tion of their training. Cendejas noted a high number of students had completed two certifications that still allows them to volunteer.
"In order to be successful, we needed collaborative efforts like this," Cendejas said. “We couldn’t have done it without it.”
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dress as many needs.” In addition, the com- plex will have picnic tables, a playground, concessions and a splash park. There is a measure on the March 3 ballot, Measure K, with voter approval by residents in Cutler- Orosi will fund for per- sonal to have the area opened for the week-
end and evenings.
“We don’t have a
community pool,” said Valdez. “This will be a place for children to cool off and conducive to the families.
The walk trail will have mile markers as well as exercise equip- ment. Through a part- nership with the Alta
BEJAR
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so we never forget.”
In a statement, read by de-
partment administrative as- sistant, Ruthie Greenwood, the public learned a little more about Bejar’s background.
“Javier served as a patrol
Healthcare District Board, a grant helped paid for the equipment, according to Valdez.
“We don’t have anywhere to exercise, and how can we get healthy? We were able to buy exercise equip- ment and create a fit- ness trail.”
Members of the community are already using the walk trail at the complex. Orosi High students Miran- da Montemayor and Miryam Organes, each agreed the complex is a welcoming site for the community.
“I think it’s going to be nice for the commu- nity to get together,” Organes said. “It will be a great opportunity for families to bring their children out.”
Photo Contributed
Thursday, February 27, 2020 | A12 TAXES
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Mid Valley TiMes
officer, field training officer, a member of the rapid deploy- ment team, and ultimately ob- tained the rank of police cor- poral,” said Greenwood. “On Feb. 25, 2010 at approximately 10 a.m. the Reedley Police De- partment along with other law enforcement agencies heard the words that everyone dreads
to hear, 1199 officer down.” “We later learned that dep- uty sheriff, Joel Wahlenmair had been shot while serving a search warrant in Minkler,” Greenwood said in her address. “Like many other law enforce- ment agencies, Reedley Police did not hesitate to respond and we sent 10 to 15 officers includ-
ing Javier Bejar.”
Bejar was among the many
law enforcement personnel who responded to Minkler after the initial shooting of Wahlenmair.
The suspect, Rick Liles bar- ricaded himself and proceeded to fire hundreds of rounds at of- ficers, fatally wounding Bejar in the process.
Liles then killed himself. His wife who was inside the home with him survived the shooting.
Tuesday's ceremony includ- ed the lowering of the Ameri- can Flag, the State of California flag, and the Marine Corps Flag.
The flags will fly at half staff this week until Sunday, March 1.
Dinuba High School senior Isaiah Gonzalez (blue shirt) and Community Ser- vices Employment Training Assistant Director Albert Cendejas are pictured helping file tax returns at the Dinuba Vocational Educational Center.
Cendejas went on to add that Dinuba High allowed for use of 12 chrome books and CSET add- ed laptops and printers for vol- unteers to have access to, trans- forming a classroom in the build- ing into a fully-functional hub.
One of those students who completed the program to become a certified volunteer income tax preparer is Dinuba High senior Isaiah Gonzalez. Gonzalez said its both an opportunity to learn and provide for the community.
"I know that our community could really really benefit from these services," Gonzalez said.
Kassandra said it was an op- portunity to get volunteer hours for AVID and she enjoys helping.
"I get to do something fun," she said. "I've got to make sure that
I have their information, ID, so- cial security, all their forms. I ask them and make sure everything is correct."
Cendejas said he'd like to see more individuals take advantage of the program being offered at the center.
"We can do it for you for free, just give us the opportunity," Cendejas said. "I get they are stu- dents, but they are all certified. We double check their work to make sure everything is accurate on their tax return."
The two remaining dates are Tuesday, March 3, and Thursday, March5from4to7p.m.atthe Vocational Education Center. For additional information on VITA’s program, go online to cset.org/ vita call (559) 741-4640.
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