Page 9 - Mid Valley Times 11-21-19 E-edition

The View From Here
My plans for the week- end of Nov. 16 were sim- ple. They included catching up on laundry, doing some cleaning around the
Juanita Adame
By Juanita Adame
Mid Valley Times
Just outside the city limits of Reedley and a few miles down the quiet county "Road 44" is a place called Teen Chal- lenge.
Inside, the campus bustled with activity as program mem- bers walk to and from their ap- pointed classes or to the cha- pel.
“This is an on campus pro- gram, they’re not allowed to leave,” said Dan Goetz, a vol- unteer and vocational coach at Teen Challenge. “It’s also a voluntary program, if they want to walk away, they can walk away, but if they do that, they’re gone,”
The faith based program is targeted at helping teens,
adults, and families battling substance abuse.
Goetz said the program is international and houses males from ages 18 to 60 years old.
“There are also some of our guys who are prison appointed here,” he said. “Where they have ankle monitors, we have connections with the Fresno County courts and the judges there.”
Jonathan Reese, a 34 year old from Clovis has been with the program over six months.
“My problems have been struggling with rejection, I have a lot of issues not having a biological father so that’s been my biggest struggle, that no one wanted me, but to
SeeCHALLENGE onpageA12
house and taking my dog for a walk.
When I found myself walking up a dirt road at Balch Camp helping to search for a missing grand- mother, I thought to myself, ok not exactly what I had in mind for how I'd spend my weekend, but it’s the nature of the job, and more impor- tantly, there was a family who needed help.
I woke up the morn- ing of Nov. 16 to a frantic Facebook message. A young woman asked us to please share a "missing persons" flyer.
I read over the flyer and saw the name; Presentacion Quinday, 69-years-old, miss- ing since Nov. 14. Next to the name, a photo of what appeared to be a sweet wom- an, smiling and dressed in a pretty floral top.
I asked the young woman who sent us the email if she could give me a call. I want- ed to meet with the family to see how we could help spread the word.
Not long after that, I re- ceived a call from a young man named Glenn. Glenn is the nephew of Presentacion whom he affectionately calls “auntie Precing.”
“We are searching the ar- eas for my auntie Precing,” Glenn said. “I know she’s a fighter and I know she’s go- ing to be okay.”
The story was that Prec- ing had gone to the Depart- ment of Motor Vehicles in Reedley to take a vision test. She forgot her glasses and did not pass her test. Prec- ing decided to drive to Dinu- ba to have her eyes checked so she could return to the DMV and retake the test. She never made it to Dinuba, and almost two days later all we knew at that point was that her phone pinged some- where near Pine Flat Dam.
Let me start off by say- ing that when someone goes missing, the first few hours are crucial in finding them alive.
As I looked down at the photo of auntie Precing, I felt a sense of sadness. I felt she would not be found in time. I mean, it had been two days, not to mention, Thurs- day night and Friday night.
We can assume that in the colder months like now, as well a person's age and
See COLUMN on page A13
Photo by Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Publishing
Dan Goetz, a volunteer and vocational coach at Teen Challenge, pointed at a photograph inside one of the buildings at the center on the afternoon of Nov. 8. The photo shows the founders of Teen Challenge.
'Teen Challenge' program in Reedley brings hope
Cutler-Orosi horse ranch helping local children thrive
Rick Curiel / Mid Valley Times
Coming fully prepared for his first visit to a horse ranch was Gold- en Valley Elementary School student Isaiah Calaustro, who came dressed for the part in hat, plaid shirt, jeans and boots – even a bandana scarf.
Sanger High's FFA members honored at board meeting
By Rick Curiel
Mid Valley Times
Over the past few years, many children have passed through the Mending Fenc- es & Changing Minds ranch just west of the Cutler-Orosi area. The horse ranch on the corner of Road 120 and Avenue 392 has hosted chil- dren from throughout the area. Many of them have enjoyed magic shows, water slides, bounce-houses and, of course, horse rides.
For many visitors, it’s their first experience on a horse ranch.
This was true for many of the ranch’s recent visitors, the 4th and 5th grade Lead- ership Class from Golden Valley Elementary School in Cutler. But, unlike many of the past visitors, the group who visited the ranch on Sat-
urday morning came looking to do something different.
“These kids came to work,” said Mike Alvarez, who runs the organization.
Making the trip with about 20 students was 5th grade teacher Jaymar Bi- tanga and school counselor Carlos Quevedo, who runs the leadership program at Golden Valley.
“In Leadership the kids learn that you’ve got to put in the work first,” said Que- vedo of the group. “And then they get to have the fun.”
One of the things the Golden Valley Leadership group does is welcome new students by giving them tours of the school. They al- so participate in any school function with set up. A few of them actually get to dress
SEE HORSES on page A10
Photo by Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Publishing
A Sanger High School's FFA members shook hands with Adela Jones, the district superintendent following their presentation attheNov.12boardmeeting. MorephotosonA13.
Staff Report
A local woman celebrat- ed her 17th annual bike ride through Fresno County on Nov. 16.
Karen Wiebe of Reedley completed a 66 mile ride and simply said “thank you” to
each of her continued sup- porters throughout the years. The ride is intended at raising monty for Commu-
nity Youth Ministries. Wiebe began the ride at
6:30 a.m. and finished at 2 p.m.
Karen Wiebe posed for a photo in front of the start line.
Local woman's 66 mile bike ride
Contributed