Page 2 - Reedley Exponent 1-17-19 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A2 Thursday, January 17, 2019
First two adult influenza deaths of ‘19 confirmed in Fresno County
Contributed
The Fresno County Department of Public Health last week con- firmed the first influenza-related deaths of 2019 in Fresno County.
On Jan. 11, the health depart- ment confirmed that a 62-year-old man and 59-year-old woman were the first fatalities among adults younger than 65 years old during this flu season. The department
didn’t reveal when the two adults died or if they had been vaccinated, but said both had underlying health issues
“This is a somber reminder that we all must do everything we can to assure that influenza does not spread within our county,” said Sara Goldgraben, Fresno County Public Health Officer. “Protect yourself. It is never too late to vac- cinate.”
Goldgraben said that since Octo- ber, six county residents have died from flu-related illness. The other four victims were older than 65, which is when people are more sus- ceptible to contracting the illness.
The department urges the pub- lic to get vaccinated; particular those with asthma, respiratory is- sues, diabetes or other health is- sues. Goldgraben said those people have an increased risk of the flu.
The Los Angeles Times report- ed earlier this month that 42 people have died from flu or flu-related illness since October. California and North Carolina are two states that have seen significant numbers this year, according to Fox News, although the nationwide impact of the flu strain appears to be milder than the winter of 2017-18.
Flu symptoms can include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny
or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache and tiredness. Medical officials say a flu vacci- nation is the best step to prevent contracting the illness.
Winter time is the peak season for influenza, but the public is sus- ceptible to the illness until as late as May. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported that about 80,000 Americans died of flu- related illness in 2017-18.
Sheriff says Fentanyl overdoses on the rise
Royal Valley progress
Jon Earnest / The Exponent
The storage area of the old Royal Valley Packing Shed building is pictured on Jan. 15 in a view from the north. The building, which in recent years served as offices and vehicle/evidence storage for the Reedley Police Department, continues the gradual step toward eventual demoli- tion . Solar panels on the building recently were removed, and soon work to remove asbestos from the site will take place. After demolition, the site will be used for additional parking for city officials and police department officials.
Arambula throws his support behind Newsom’s state budget
Contributed
On Jan. 14, Fresno Coun- ty Sheriff Margaret Mims informed the public to be aware of fentanyl potentially being sold on local streets.
Fresno Police received a 911 call on Jan. 7 regard- ing three people who were unconscious at an apartment complex on the 900 block of Van Ness Avenue in Fresno. Officers and EMS personal responded and arranged for the three men, who were
Obituaries
Harry Bate
Harry Bate of Schaum- burg, Ill. died Jan. 5 in Il- linois. He was 90.
Mr. Bate worked as a pilot for American Air- lines.
He is survived by his wife, three daughters and five grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, at Reedley United Methodist Church. Burial will be at Reedley Cemetery.
Jerry Elder
Gerald “Jerry” Elder of Reedley died Nov. 20 in Reedley. He was 94.
Mr. Elder worked as a linguist for Wycliffe Bible Translators.
He is survived by
in their 20s and 30s, to be transported to Community Regional Medical Center. One person later died and the other two were treated and released.
Toxicology tests were conducted and the results showed all three had ingest- ed fentanyl, the highly-po- tent and often deadly drug. Investigators later spoke with the survivors who overdosed and learned they
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Aurora (Laine) Loukonen
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Aurora (Laine) Lou-
konen passed away
peacefully at home in
Elk, WA on January
6th, 2019 at the age of
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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
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.
his wife, three sons, two daughters, one brother, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will held held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 19, at Fowl- er Presbyterian Church.
Elizabeth Glenn
Elizabeth Jewell Glenn of Dunlap died Jan. 10 in Dunlap. She was 81.
Ms. Glenn worked worked as a truck driver.
She is survived by five daughters, 17 grandchil- dren and 36 great-grand- children.
A Celebration of Life service will be scheduled at a later date. Burial will be in San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in San- ta Nella.
Contributed
California Assembly mem- ber Joaquin Arambula praised the proposed 2019-20 state budget presented on Jan. 10 by new California Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying it showed a commitment to strengthen- ing the economic and medical health of the state.
“Far too many people in our state base their health care on whether they can afford to
pay for it, despite having ac- cess to health insurance,” said Arambula, whose 31st District include Reedley. “Governor Newsom’s proposed invest- ments to California’s health care system share the same principles and mirror many of the budget proposals that the Assembly approved last year.
“I am thrilled that his bud- get recognizes the need to expand coverage for young adults regardless of immigra-
tion status and makes health care more affordable for the middle class.”
Arambula, elected in No- vember to a second term, said he’s optimistic the Legislature can build on Newsom’s propos- als to expand coverage and in- crease access while addressing workforce capacity issues and accountability to make health care more affordable for all.
Newsom’s revealed his proposed $209 billion budget, which includes a $144 billion general fund that reflects a 4 percent increase above outgo- ing Gov. Jerry Brown’s final budget of 2018-19. Newsom
said that includes $13.6 billion in budget resiliency and pay- ing down unfunded pension liabilities.
Arambula said he wants to continue working with New- som to improve disadvantaged Central Valley communities in his district.
“Access to water for agri- cultural, rural, municipal, and environmental uses; invest- ments to our workforce de- velopment and infrastructure; and increased educational op- portunities are some of the challenges that we will contin- ue tackling in the days ahead,” he said.
Aurora was a lifelong gardener and farmer. She graduated from Reedley College in 1969 and attended
Fresno State University where she was working toward a degree in microbiology while raising her children. Aurora married Roy Loukonen, a neighboring farmer, on June 5th, 1960. In addition to managing and working on the farm, she worked at a winery lab and later as a USDA raisin inspector. Aurora was dedicated to her husband’s care a er he su ered a stroke in 1987 and cared for him until his death in 1997. Roy and Aurora moved to Chino Valley, AZ to be nearer to their daughter Karen Skoog shortly before Roy passed away. During her time in Arizona she nurtured a ourishing high dessert garden and raised her grandson omas Cee. Aurora moved to Elk, WA to live with her daughter Karen Skoog and son in law John Skoog in 2007.
Aurora lived in Elk for 11 years where she enjoyed gar- dening, farm life and family activities. She loved cats, and fostered several abandoned kittens, but one cat named Dolly became a special companion. She enjoyed listening to Chris- tian radio and sermons and started attending Peaceful Valley Church in 2014 where she was baptized. Aurora lived a life full of dedication, loyalty, hard work, frugality, and love of family which has served as an example to those around her.
Aurora was preceded in death by her husband Roy Lou- konen, parents Miina (Sonninen) Laine and Karl Laine, her siblings Florence Sinclair, Eugene Laine, Elizabeth Laine and an infant brother.
She is survived by her children; Steven Laine, Diane om- as, and Karen (John) Skoog and her grandchildren; omas (Kimberly Flemming) Cee, Benjamin (Erin) Skoog , Adam (Lindsey) Skoog , Joshua (Ardyn) Skoog , Hanna Skoog & Miina Skoog. ere are seven great grandchildren and she was anticipating the arrival of two more in the spring.
Visitation is Friday, January 18, 2019 from 12:00-5:00 at Sherman-Campbell in Newport, WA. Memorial Service is on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 11:00am at Peaceful Valley Church in Elk, WA.
Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Newport is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancamp- bell.com.
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