Page 1 - Dinuba Sentinel 5-23-19 E-edition
P. 1
Dinuba Sentinel Serving the communities of Dinuba, Cutler-Orosi and Monson-Sultana
Cutler-Orosi retirees honored
COJUSD recognizes retiring staff and exceptional employees
Community, A7
Established 1909, Dinuba, California Thursday, May 23, 2019 50 Cents
St. Catherine's priest under investigation for abuse
New Bishop for the Diocese of Fresno addresses Dinuba parishioners
on paid administrative leave effective as of May 17, 2019. This action follows notification that law enforcement here in Dinuba has received a report alleging that Father Diaz has engaged inappropriate behavior, inappropriate physical contact with minors, with children.”
Brennan said the decision to place Father Diaz on administrative leave is a precautionary step and protocol in
the Diocese of Fresno, and all dioceses in the United States, after a report has been filed regarding any abuse.
Clearing his weekend schedule to speak with the parishioners at St. Catherine’s, Brennan said, “Once in a while, we are called to do difficult things. But difficult things and tough choices don’t have to be made in a tough way. You can make tough choices and follow through on them and still do your
best to be kind through it, to somehow be loving through it.”
Father Diaz has been the pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna for nearly ten years now and has also served as a pastor in Bakersfield.
Bishop Brennan called on the parishioners to keep all involved in prayer, including potential victims, those doing the investigation and Father Diaz.
Sentinel staff report
Father Raul Diaz of St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Dinuba has been placed on paid administrative leave by the Diocese of Fresno, this announced to parishioners on Sunday by recently
installed Bishop Joseph V. Brennan. “My dear people of God,” said Brennan in a statement to all five masses. “At this time, it is my responsibility as your bishop to inform you that I have placed Father Raul Diaz, Pastor of St. Catherine of Sienna,
Embracing history
Tyler Alejandro, a fourth grader at Jefferson Elementary School, poses with his history project. He chose Mission San Jose for his project.
City council approves vendor ordinance, completion of Randle extension project
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
Though the days of a California Mission project and field trip are now a thing of the past, many fourth graders in the district are still doing mission projects as part of the curriculum’s history project.
On Monday, May 20, the students at Jefferson Elementary School had their projects on display as part of California History Day.
“Everyone was doing missions and we wanted to expand the parameters,” said Jefferson teacher Mark Newlin. “So we said anything that’s historic to California.”
Along with a myriad of mission projects, some students chose historic things like the Golden Gate Bridge, while others made adobe bread and even adobe bricks – a homage to California’s native population.
Some of the students doing missionary projects went beyond the typical scale model and opted for a display board presentation.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
There are nearly 30 daycare providers in the Dinuba and Cutler-Orosi area. Some have been in business for over 30 years while others are just getting started.
National Child Care Provider Day was May 10, and here in Dinuba one care provider, Hope Trevino of the Tony Lopez Center, wanted to show local providers that they are appreciated.
“This is a way for us to come together to support one another,” said Trevino of why she organized the dinner.
She said there are many of child care providers out there who just want what is best for the children.
“This is not a competition,” Trevino added. “We need to work together to make sure all children who need care can get it.”
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Though missions are still a popular history project for fourth graders, some students, like Magali Villegas, did their project on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Fourth grader Hailie Aguilar used photos and information from a trip she made recently with her family to Mission Santa Clara.
“My favorite part were the gardens,” said Hailie.
AccordingtoJeffersonteacherMichele Hall, Hailie was not the only one making a mission trip.
“More kids have actually visited the missions this year than they have in the past,” said Hall.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Sentinel staff report
At the May 13 Dinuba City Council meeting, an ordinance was voted into city code that will regulate sidewalk vendors within city limits and received a notice of completion on the Randle Avenue extension project.
For the past several months, city staff has been working on an ordinance to address a new California state law that allows for street vendors to operate within the state. The law, though liberal for potential vendors, also allows cities to establish ordinances to regulate such activity.
The new sidewalk vendor ordinance was first introduced to the council back in December. Concerns were brought up at that meeting about the ordinance working in conjunction with county laws. At that time, council directed staff to invite representatives from the Tulare County Environmental Health Department to elaborate on their position.
A representative was made available at the March 26 city council meeting and, after gathering more information from that meeting, staff recommended five changes to the ordinance.
The first change involved adding language to the ordinance that restricts vendors from selling at city sanctioned events and parks. The new ordinance would require vendors to obtain permits from the Dinuba Parks and Recreation Department to set up at city-sanctioned events.
Language was also added to the ordinance that would require food vendors to park their carts at commissaries or other locations approved by the Tulare County Environmental Health Department.
In regards to restrooms, the ordinance also requires that a
commercial restroom be available in close proximity for any vendor who has a stationary cart in place for one hour or more.
The types of foods allowed to be sold by street vendors will also be regulated in compliance with county code. One of the things discovered in the March meeting with a representative from Tulare County Health was that the county does not allow food to be cooked or prepared.
An example used was that of vendors who sell fruit in county intersections. Those vendors, according to the county representative can only sell pre-packaged food items and cannot prepare them on site. Cooking of any sort is also restricted.
When the ordinance was first read in December, vendors were given a restricted hours of operation. However, after looking further into the matter, staff agreed that state law clearly states that street vendors cannot be regulated differently than brick and mortar business when it comes to hours of regulation. The ordinance will now stay silent on the issue.
As a whole, the new street vendor ordinance will require vendors to obtain a business license and city permit for each cart used with the city. The permit must also be displayed on the cart, and all permits and licensing must be renewed on an annual basis. Food carts must also be approved by the Tulare County Health Department.
Stationary carts will be limited to commercial and industrial areas, where non-stationary carts will be in residential areas and must keep moving unless making a sale. No more than two stationary bikes will
See Council, Page A2
Falling short
Lady Emps lose heartbreaker to Templeton in Valley Chamionship Sports, Page B1
Daycare providers unite in solidarity
To put on the event, Trevino approached Mayor Kuldip Thusu and asked if he would be interested in sponsoring a dinner to recognize local childcare providers. Trevino said Thusu jumped at the opportunity and was present at the May 10 dinner to show his own appreciation.
“You are custodians of our children,” said Mayor Thusu. “Those children are our future, so we rely on you.”
Thusu pointed out how his own son was welcomed into a childcare center here in Dinuba, by a woman named Michelle.
“Michelle’s spaghetti is still famous in my house,” Thusu joked. “We have become family, and you guys have become family for so many other families.”
Thusu also used the opportunity to bring up a demand in the community that needs to be
See Daycare, Page A8
Irene Ortega, far right, is congratulated by Hope Trevino after winning a raffle prize at a recent dinner held in honor of daycare providers in the Dinuba and Cutler-Orosi area. The dinner, which was the first of an annual event, was put on by Trevino to bring providers together as a way of networking and showing support for one another.
thedinubasentinel.com Inside | Lights and SirensA2 | ObituariesA2 | OpinionA4 | SportsB1 | Classi edsB2
