Page 2 - Reedley Exponent 2-21-19 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A2 Thursday, February 21, 2019
Annual World Ag Expo in Tulare finishes a rainy 2019 run
Contributed
The 2019 World Ag Expo came to a close on Feb. 14 with busy at- tendee traffic, a visit from NASA and wet weather.
Celebrating its 52nd show, the world’s largest annual agricultural exposition was held at the Interna- tional Agri-Center in south Tulare and featured 1,452 exhibitors on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. The three-day show hosted
102,878 attendees representing 48 states, the District of Columbia and 65 countries.
Wind and rain played a large role in the slight dip in attendance from 2018, but early reports from exhibitors indicate the number of decision makers and quality leads were up from the year before.
“The traffic to our booth was amazing!” said Mitch Malek of Eco Transportation Products. “It was such an honor for Eco Transporta-
tion Products to exhibit at the World Ag Expo and win a Top-10 Award in our first show. We are looking for- ward to following up with all the great contacts we made and we are counting the days to exhibit at World Ag Expo 2020 and beyond.”
Attendees came from all over the world to network and learn about the newest ag equipment, services and technology. More than 50 educational seminars were held over three days and covered a vari-
ety of topics ranging from irrigation to livestock to agribusiness.
“This was a great show,” said Jerry Sinift CEO of the Internation- al Agri-Center. “We had some wet weather, but ag decision makers came out in force to network with exhibitors, research new products and make purchases. World Ag Expo continues to provide a high-quality platform for agriculture education and industry innovation.”
NASA Administrator Jim
Bridenstine was on hand opening day to speak at opening ceremonies on Feb. 12 and held a press confer- ence providing an overview of the ways NASA is supporting agricul- ture. A full video of the press con- ference is available at bit.ly/NASAa- tWAE19. Bridenstine was joined by California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson throughout the morning, and both took a tour of
See AG EXPO on page A3
Police ceremony in Bejar’s honor Feb. 26
Happy 60th to RC’s ‘Clyde’
Staff Report
The Reedley Police De- partment invites the public to watch the annual flag lowering ceremony for fall- en Officer Javier Bejar at 8:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 25, in front of the department at 843 G St.
The ceremony honors Bejar, who died Feb. 25, 2010 during a standoff in Minkler. He was the first officer killed in the line of duty in the 100-year history of Reedley Police Depart- ment.
Bejar and Fresno Coun- ty Sheriff’s homicide detec- tive Joel Wahlenmaier were
Obituaries
Glenn Cowdrey
Glenn R. Cowdrey of Reedley died Feb. 11. He was 77.
Mr. Cowdrey worked for Alta Irrigation before retiring.
He is survived by his wife, one son, two daugh- ters and eight grandchil- dren.
A graveside service was held on Feb. 19 at Reedley Cemetery.
Josefina Ortega
Josefina Ortega of
fatally shot in the 2010 in- cident that began as an at- tempt to serve a search warrant at a residence in Minkler.
As ordered in the proc- lamation passed by the Reedley City Council, the police department will be lowering the American flag in front of the department to half-mast and will remain that way until March 1.
Following the flag-low- ering ceremony, the public is invited to an informal gathering at the Minkler Memorial site for reflection and prayer. The site is lo- cated just off the north side of Highway 180 in Minkler.
Reedley died Feb. 12. She was 82.
Mrs. Ortega worked as a fruit packer.
She is survived by one son, three daughters, eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Visitation and a rosary were held on Feb. 20 at the old St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Reed- ley. A funeral mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21 at the old St. Anthony’s church.
On Feb. 19, Reedley College officials and prominent com- munity members celebrated the 60th birthday of “Clyde,” the Tiger statue located east of the administration build- ing on campus. The ceremony began about 11:20 a.m., the exact time 60 years to the date that the sculpture was unveiled on Feb. 19, 1959. The redwood statue was the brainchild of Ben Kor and Ron Collins, student body president and sophomore class president of the Class
of 1958. It was created by Three Rivers sculptor Carroll Barnes at a price of $2,000. Attendees to the anniversary ceremony ate a special birthday cake and refreshments.
ABOVE: Orange and black balloons in two golden bal- loons signifying the “60” anniversary flanked the Clyde statue at the ceremony.
LEFT: Donna Berry, interim president of Reedley College, addressed attendees at the ceremony. Two paintings by RC art students were on display at the event.
Photos by Jon Earnest / The Exponent
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The Reedley Exponent (USPS 458-860) is published weekly on Thursdays for $20 a year, $24.50 other areas and $26.50 out-of-state by Mid-Valley Publishing Inc., 1130 G St., Reedley, CA 93654. Periodicals postage paid at Sanger, CA 93657. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Reedley Exponent, 1130 G St., Reedley, CA 93654
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Leobardo Rodriguez Renteria
January 10, 1942 - February 13, 2019
Leobardo Rodriguez Renteria, 77 passed away on Wednesday, February 13th, 2019 a er a courageous three year battle with cancer.
Leobardo was born Janu- ary 10, 1942 in Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico. He made Reedley his lifelong home in 1966 at the young age of 24. A strong work ethic allowed him to provide for his family as he worked as a eld labor- er, fruit packer, and proudly as a forkli driver of 34 years for Ballantine Produce Co.
Although he worked six days a week, Leobardo found the time to make his one day o a
family tradition. Menudo for breakfast, a ernoon shopping at swap meets, and an evening BBQ made every Sunday some- thing to remember. Retirement allowed him to cherish time with his grandchildren, bargain hunt at thri stores, reading at the local library, and driving loved ones around.
He is survived by his wife Juana of 52 years, He leaves behind four sons, Leobardo Jr., Sergio, Horacio, (wife Patricia), Josue (wife Marisol), 8 grandchildren, Celest, Fabian, Larissa, Hannah, Lily, Destiny, Josue, Daniel, one great-grandson Zekillah, three sisters and many nieces and nephews. His voice, his laughter, his jokes will be missed by everyone.
Visitation will be ursday, February 21st at Cairns Funeral Home, 940 F St. Reedley from 4-8. Funeral service will be Friday, February 22nd at El-Faro Community Church, 790 E. Evening Glow Reedley at 10 am. Burial to follow at Reedley Cemetery. Menudo Luncheon to follow at El Faro Community Church.
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