Page 1 - Mid Valley Times 8-22-19 E-edition

Thursday, August 22, 2019
Vol. 1, No. 8
Crash upends fertilizer trailer
Three people were injured — one with major injuries — after a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Frankwood and Central avenues, just north of the Reedley Municipal Airport on Aug. 19. The crash shortly before 10:30 a.m. caused a trailer carrying 400 gallons of a liquid fertilizer to tip over. Fortunately, none of the fertil- izer leakedfromthetrailerso no hazardous material spilled onto the roadway. The accident scene indicated a Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck traveling north on Frankwood struck an- other pickup truck hauling the trailer of fertilizer as that truck was crossing the intersection while driving east on Central. The force of the impact drove the trucks into a third car that was westbound on Central and stopped at the stop sign. The condition of those injured was unknown as of press time.
Photos by Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
50 cents
A volatile meeting for Sanger's city council
By Dick Sheppard
Mid Valley Times
More than one person who at- tended the Aug. 15 Sanger city council meeting wondered out loud if the full moon had something to do with the volatile nature of the meeting.
There was an upbeat recognition of Initiative Foods for receiving a Small Business Award from state senator Melissa Hurtado. Then it seemed the council had to walk through an emotional minefield for the rest of the meeting.
By a 3-0 vote it approved and sent to the state the council's rec- ommendation for rezoning 54 acres within the city limits for affordable housing. Mayor Frank Gonzalez and councilmember Humberto Garza did not participate in the discussion or vote because of financial inter-
SeeCOUNCILonpage A2
Dinuba discusses internet sales tax, park funding
Artist Rendering Contributed
An artist rendering shows what a new coffee shop at the Dinuba Tran- sit Center may look like when developed. The Dinuba City Council moved to allow the city use surplus grant money to build the coffee shop at the transit center. The coffee shop will then be leased out.
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
The Dinuba City Council received an update on a pro- posed California State inter- net sales tax bill, as well as Proposition 68 funds the city is hoping to get a piece of for the future Viscaya Park at the Aug. 13 meeting.
Updating the council on state legislation was Richard Harmon of Townsend Public Affairs, Inc., whom the city utilizes to stay abreast of cur- rent state laws and to advo- cate on the city’s behalf.
The top concern for the city of Dinuba remains a state bill that has the potential
to eliminate as much as $4.5 million from the city’s annual revenue. Last year a bill was introduced that would have restructured the way internet sales tax revenue is distribut- ed. As it has been for centu- ries, current tax laws call for tax revenue to be distributed to point of sale. However, the current economic shift with regards to internet sales has caused some legislators to re- consider the allotment.
Last year’s bill, SCA 20, written by Senator Steve Glazer, would have changed tax revenue distribution from point of sale to point of deliv- ery. That would have been huge for the city of Dinuba,
who brings in millions of dol- lars by way of the Best Buy Distribution Facility. The dis- tribution facility handles ship- ments for online sales on the west coast.
A coalition of city’s, Dinuba being one of the lead partners, was formed to combat the bill. Together with the advocacy of Townsend Public Affairs, Inc., the coalition was able to per- suade lawmakers to hold off on the bill until it could be ex- amined further.
This year, a new bill has been introduced, SB 531, that looks to do the same tax re- structuring. However, unlike
See INTERNET TAX on page A10
Dinuba detectives seek suspect in Aug. 6 homicide
MVT Staff Report
The Dinuba Police De- partment has indentified the suspect
in the Aug. 6
Reedley's seniors coordinator is retiring
homicide that
left man dead
an another
man with stab
wounds near
the intersec-
tion of Yale
Avenue and
South O Street in Dinuba.
Jose Manuel Lopez, 22, of Dinuba is wanted in connec-
SeeSUSPECTonpage A2
Christina Ontiveros' final day on job will be Aug. 23
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Christina Ontiveros is stepping down after five years as Reedley's senior cen- ter coordinator.
Ontiveros told the city she's retiring from the post because of family obligations. Her last day on the job is Friday, Aug. 23.
"I really am happy to have had the opportunity to have been here for five years. It was wonderful, a blessing," she said. "I feel really good about leaving the center the way it is, because we have great volunteers. But I'm going to miss it, and miss the people."
Sarah Reid, community services di-
rector for the city, said Ontiveros made a huge impact with the seniors program during her time in Reedley.
"From the moment Christina stepped foot into the Senior Room her wheels started turning on ways to make the room feel like a home,"Reid said. "Put- ting paint on the walls and homely décor
Christina Ontiveros is retiring as Reedley Senior coordinator for the city after five years on the job. Ontiveros has served in senior programs for more than 20 years. Her final day on the job is Friday, Aug. 23.
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
transformed this space into the welcom- ing space she hoped."
Reid praised Ontiveros for her hours of work and effort to provide seniors a safe place and multiple activities that they would enjoy. In particular, Reid mentioned
See ONTIVEROSonpageA10
Jose Manuel Lopez
Classifieds - B5 Directory - B4 Legals - B6-9 Sports - B1-2, B10 Lifestyle - A6-8 Lights & Sirens - A3 Obituaries - A2 Opinion - A4