Page 2 - Reedley Exponent 2-28-19 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A2 Thursday, February 28, 2019
Staff Report
About 100 people turned out on a chilly morning Feb. 20 to participate in the ground- breaking for the new United Health Centers facility at the northeast corner of Manning and Buttonwillow avenues.
The 20,000-square-foot health center will replace a smaller UHC health center in town when it’s completed in January 2020. The new facil- ity will provide 15 dental sta- tions as a new service in addi- tion to expansion to 22 exam rooms for medical, six rooms for optometry exams and more room for chiropractic, behavioral health services and an in-house pharmacy.
Colleen Curtis, UHC presi- dent and CEO, thanked those present for coming out and invited the community to an open house when the facility is completed.
“The building itself will be a jewel that I think all of the citizens in Reedley will be proud of,” Curtis said. “It will bring not only economic pros-
Jon Earnest / The Exponent
Business and community leaders turned over dirt during a Feb. 20 groundbreaking ceremony for the new United Health Center at the northeast corner of Manning and Buttonwillow avenues.
TOP: Reedley Police Explor- ers, walked in formation before raising and then lowering the flags during the ceremony.
ABOVE: A close up of the inscription at the memorial garden in Minkler, about 10 miles north of Reedley.
LEFT: The United States flag, California state flag and Ma- rine Corps Flag will remain at half staff until March 1.
Photos by Juanita Adame / The Exponent
BEJAR Continued from page A1
on lockdown. The standoff with police lasted 7 hours.
Both Wahlenmaier and Bejar were killed during the initial shootout.
Police found Liles inside the home dead from a self- inflicted gunshot wound. His wife, Diane, also was found inside and was not harmed during the shooting.
“It’s an unfortunate cer- emony that we have to lead this morning,” said Garza. “It’s a ceremony to honor and to respect the family of Javier Bejar and the sacrifice that he made nine years ago. The ultimate sacrifice that they [Bejar and Wahlenmai- er] have made is heartening and digs deep into the souls of law enforcement because these are men and women that unselfishly put them- selves in harms way to pro- tect others.
“It’s easy to protect your family when it comes to dan- ger, it’s much harder and it’s much more selfless to protect others, even if you don’t know who they are.” Garza contin- ued. “But as this is a memori- al, I’d also like to remind peo- ple, let us not lose ourself in the mourning, but let’s thank God for the opportunity to have known both those men.”
In 2011, the city of Reed-
ley issued a proclamation to remember the life of Bejar. The proclamation dedicat- ed Bejar’s official “End of Watch” as Feb. 25, 2010, and would recognize the anniver- sary every year that followed by flying a United States Ma- rine Corp flag under the Cal- ifornia state flag, half-staff, in front of the police station from Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. until Friday, March 1 at 5 p.m.
Reedley Police Lt. Hector Aleman read the proclama- tion during the ceremony.
Bejar’s brother, Omar Bejar, also spoke during the event and told the audience that the Bejar family is grate- ful for the continued support the community has shown since that day.
“I commend all men and women who wear the badge. On behalf of the Bejar fam- ily, we continue to thank the Reedley police Department, and the city of Reedley for their continuous commit- ment in honoring the loss of my brother, Cpl. Javier Be- jar,” said Omar. “To all law enforcement, thank you, and remember, you ain’t John Wayne, and this ain’t Holly- wood. Be safe, thank you.”
Bejar was the first officer in the Reedley Police Depart- ment’s 100-year history to be killed in the line of duty, he was 28 years old at the time of his death.
Wallin’s Parlier
Funeral Home
Serving our families with integrity and compassion since 1964
7942 S. Mendocino FD 1662
Parlier, CA
Prepayment Plans Available • Se Habla Espanol • We Offer Cremation Services
Parlier Package...........................................$3,774.00
Mendocino Package...................................$4,989.00
NEW! Reedley Special...............................$4,989.00 Casket included in all packages! Does not include cash advances.
(559) 646-6685
info@wallinfuneralhomes.com
perity to the city, it will bring a lot of jobs. Which always is wonderful for a growing com- munity like Reedley.”
Curtis stressed that what’s happening inside the health center that will be the most important factor.
“The health, the happiness and saving people’s lives. Im-
See UHC on page A3
It’s easy to protect your family when it comes to danger, it’s much harder and it’s much more selfless to protect others, even if you don’t know who they are ... But as this is a memo- rial, I’d also like to remind people, let us not lose ourself in the mourning, but let’s thank God for the opportunity to have known both those men.
— Joe Garza, Reedley chief of police, during a Feb. 25 ceremonyhonoring thelivesofReedleyPoliceOfficerJavierBejar and Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier
Obituaries
Patricia Dicochea
Patricia Dicochea of Cutler died Feb. 22 in Cut- ler. She was 59.
Ms. Dicochea worked as a fruit packer.
She is survived by her spouse, five sons, two daughters, five brothers and three sisters.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. with a service at 11 a.m. Friday, March 15, at Cutler Apostolic Church. Burial will be at Smith Mountain Cemetery in Dinuba.
Jesus Gonzalez
Jesus G. Gonzalez of Reedley died Feb. 19 in Reedley. He was 89.
Mr. Gonzalez worked in farm labor.
He is survived by four sons and two daughters.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. with a wake service at 6 p.m. Friday, March 8, at Dopkins Dinu- ba Funeral Chapel. Burial will be at Reedley Cem- etery.
Tomas Rodriguez
Tomas Rodriguez of Reedley died Feb. 7 at the California Armenian Home in Fresno. He was 74.
Mr. Rodriguez worked as a truck driver.
He is survived by two daughters, five grandchil- dren and five great-grand- children.
A memorial service willbeheldfrom6to7 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in the Hall at the Califor- nia Armenian Home in Fresno.
UHC breaks ground for health center
HEADSTONES - MONUMENTS - GRANITE - BRONZE
1314 9th
Street
Sanger (behind Sonic)
641 10th Avenue Kingsburg
Se Habla Espanol • Payment Plans Available
Est. 1946
Sanger: 559-546-5184 • KingSburg: 559-897-2110
website: www.beermonumentworks.com
Private Medical Consultant
You have my full attention.
- Welcoming uncommon, dif cult, and non-resolving problems. - Offering the focused time and attention to detail you need.
- Listening carefully to you without any time limit.
- Con dential in of ce and out of of ce consultation available. - MD from UCLA. Residency trained at Yale and UC Davis.
California Medical Lic G72556 Board Certi ed Paul Atmajian, M.D.
1011 G Street, Suite 2, Reedley, CA 93654 (559) 726-2265
FRED HALL ............................................................................. Publisher JON EARNEST............................................................... Editor / Sports JUANITA ADAME ...................................................Panorama Editor DEBRA LEAK........................................................................Marketing JANIE LUCIO.....................................................................Advertising DUBY TREVINO..............................................................Graphic Artist CLINTON ANTONIO......................................................Graphic Artist TOM MONTIJO..............................................................Graphic Artist KATE ISAAK................................................................ Classified Sales STACY HAWKINS .............................................................Accounting ROSEMARY OCHOA........................................................Accounting
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
The Reedley Exponent is one of Fresno County’s oldest newspapers. It was established in March, 1891, in the Knauer residence on the corner of what now is F and 11th streets. In about 1893, it moved to the building where it is still located. The newspaper’s office is at 1130 G St, Reedley, CA 93654, Phone (559) 638-2244.
Respect ~ Honor ~ Remember
Cairns Funeral
Home
Serving Families for Generations
Complete Funeral Services
• Cremation Services • Preplanning Services • Monument Sales
~ Serving all Faiths ~
On call 24 hours (559) 638-2233
940 F Street • Reedley Lic.#FD626
015704
02997