Page 6 - The Reedley 6-20-19 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A6 Thursday, June 20, 2019 New drinking fountain
Alcohol enforcement operations meant to curb underage drinking
Pesticide spill sickens workers in rural orchard south of Reedley
Great Western Elementary School kindergartners and preschool students stood with Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza (back row at left), Denny Mason (back row, center left) with Reedley Rotary, and Principal Lori Botkin during a recent ribbon cutting to dedicate a new drinking water fountain
in the preschool-kindergarten play area at the school. Reedley Rotary had awarded $500 to the school after its float at
the Reedley Fiesta Parade last October was judged the best by a panel of three secret judges. That money was matched by $500 from the Kings Canyon Unified School District.
Photo Contributed
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ond choice. We are the first choice,” he said. “We cost less money, we have high quality education, we have smaller classes. And so students get more personalized atten- tion.” Recalling his own time as a college freshman when he had a biology class of 600 students, he said, “How do you have an identity in a class of 600? They’re not going to know your names, not know who you are.
“I guarantee you that fac- ulty here know every student that sits in those classrooms, and that’s important.”
as of June 18.
The allegations against
Esquivel is the latest accusa- tion that has surfaced in re- cent months against priests in the Diocese of Fresno. Earlier this month, Rev. Eric Swearengin became the sev- enth priest in the diocese to be placed on administrative leave because of sexual abuse allegations.
Contributed
The first weeks of June mark the beginning of sum- mer break for most school districts within Fresno County. With school out of session, minors will have more time to enjoy the long days of summer.
In order to help ensure students and young adults enjoy their summer re- sponsibly, members of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Of- fice Special Investigations Task Force (SITF) have been conducting alcohol enforce- ment operations through- out the County of Fresno as part of “Operation Saved by the Bell”. Detectives are assisted by underage “De- coys” while conducting Mi- nor Decoy and Shoulder Tap Operations. A Minor Decoy Operation is conducted to verify that retail establish- ments are doing their part to prevent alcohol from being
sold to minors. A Shoulder Tap Operation involves the Decoy soliciting citizens to purchase alcohol for them outside of retail liquor store establishments.
Since May 31, SITF de- tectives have visited more than 60 locations in areas such as Reedley, Kingsburg, Fowler, Biola, Kerman, La- ton, Malaga, San Joaquin and Tranquillity.
Detectives also have been working with the Fres- no Police Department to address problem locations within the City of Fresno. Those who sell or purchase alcohol for the decoys are is- sued a misdemeanor citation and could face fines and/or community service.
Funding for these op- erations comes from a grant awarded by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Parlier, Selma and Sanger also have received grant funding.
Staff Report
More than 60 people were treated for pesticide exposure at a rural orchard more than five miles south of Reedley during a late-morning incident on June 18.
The Tulare County Hazmat team was called to the pesticide spill at about 11:30 a.m. at Avenue 408 and Road 56 (Frankwood Ave- nue), west of Dinuba. According to the Visalia Times Delta, the spill affected dozens of field- workers who were pruning and tying grape vines when they noticed a “terrible smell,” according to a field manager.
Crew supervisors called 911 when some
of the workers began vomiting. Tulare County Fire Chief Charlie Norman said the south side of a nearby orchard was being sprayed with Hexythiazox when winds pushed the chemi- cal north toward dozens of field workers.
Workers were being treated for the chem- ical exposure by taking showers and being given decontaminated clothes. Hazmat offi- cials said 63 people had been sprayed with chemicals, with two complaining of “mod- erate” to “severe” injuries, the Times Delta reported.
Paramedics from Tulare County, Dinuba, Kingsburg, Exeter and Visalia responded to the scene.
ESQUIVEL Continued from page A1
she said. The Californian re- ported that Gomez Ray was finally persuaded to come forward with the allegations after recently speaking with the woman she had replaced as church secretary. The ac- cuser said she is not seeking
money from the church or pursuing a civil case over the alleged abuse.
In its news release, the Diocese of Fresno said the allegations against Esquivel had been added to the agenda of the Diocesan Review Board that was scheduled to meet the afternoon of June 17.
“The Most Reverend Jo- seph V. Brennan, Bishop of the
Diocese of Fresno, looks for- ward to receiving the recom- mendations of the Diocesan Review Board that is guided by the Charter for the Protec- tion of Children and Young People, and will fully cooper- ate with law enforcement’s investigation,” the release stated. The diocese had not released information on what was discussed at the meeting
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