Mid Valley Times 10-7-21 E-edition

Thursday, October 7, 2021
Vol. 3, No. 14
Bad air quality chokes region
50 cents
Coronavirus Update
Spike
in cases
starting
to wane
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
The sharp rise in COV- ID-19 cases during the sum- mer, driven by the Delta vari- ant, appears to be waning this week.
When it comes to daily case rates per 100,000, the numbers are dropping from the peak August-September cases. In Fresno County, new case rates for the week of Sept. 28 to Oct. 5 dropped from 32.3 to 26.2, and hospital- izations dropped from 337 to 284. There were 36 additional deaths in the county, but the overall positive case rate re- mains just above 7 percent.
Actual numbers of positive cases in county cities have not updated for some time, but the 30-day case incidence rate took a drop in many areas and slight climb in others. In the Sanger region, all areas that had reported significant climbs in the 30-day case in- cidence rate showed drops in the most recent county report. The highest 30-day rate — 123 per 10,000 residents — was in the northwest portion of the city but also marked a drop from 136 per 10K a week ago.
The highest rate in the Reedley area — the Lac Jac region west of the city — dropped from 256 to 164 per 10K, and only two portions of the city were above the 100 level.
See VIRUS on page A10
Lofty AQI levels
on Oct. 4-5 lead
to cancellations
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
The eastern San Joaquin Valley, particularly Fresno and Tulare counties, were hard-hit early this week by poor air quality and drifting smoke from the nearby KNP Complex Fire in the Sierra Nevada.
The miserable breathing conditions hit a peak on Oct. 4, when the air quality index (AQI) reached a "very un- healthy" level in the Sanger, Reedley and Dinuba regions. The closer to the mountains, the worst the air was.
Air quality in Orange Cove flirted with the "hazardous" (above 300) level during part of the day on Oct. 4. While lev- els waned slightly a day later, on Oct. 5, the air remained
See BADAIRonpageA2
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
This view east down Avenue 416 toward Dinuba on Oct. 4 told the story of the miserable air quality in Fresno and Tulare counties and throughout Central California earlier this week. Air quality levels were at very unhealthy levels through the region on Oct. 4, even bordering on hazardous in Orange Cove, as smoke from the KNP Complex Fire in the Sierra Nevada nestled over the Valley.
Sanger Chamber tabs Pearson as director
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Karen Pearson has been elevated to the top staff position of the Sanger Dis- trict Chamber of Commerce.
In an Oct. 4 news release, the cham- ber's board of directors announced that Pearson has been appointed president and chief executive officer for the or- ganization's 185-square-mile district. Pearson – who has been serving as inter- im director of the chamber since June — was approved as the new president/ CEO on Sept. 30, when the board held its monthly meeting.The appointment is effective Friday, Oct. 15.
The board noted Pearson's work han- dling the tasks above her normal Cham- ber Administrator position. During her time as interim director, she brought the
organization out
of COVID-19 re-
strictions oversee-
ing events such as
the district's an-
nual meeting, a
combined award
banquet for 2020
and 2021, and the
Farmers Market
events for August
and September.
Most notably, she worked to incorporate the Tom Flores Welcome Home event on Sept. 18 that attracted thousands of people into downtown Sanger.
"These activities were successfully coordinated in addition to conducting day to day Chamber operations," the chamber board stated in the news release.
Pearson’s career with the Chamber
began in 2017, as a volunteer. During her time as a Chamber volunteer, she as- sisted with clerical functions and helped with the Annual Awards Banquet. In September of 2018, she was hired as the Chamber Administrator. This position co- ordinates events, ambassador activities, volunteer efforts and is responsible for financial information, membership and day to day operations of the Chamber.
Pearson was raised in the Sanger community and graduated from Sanger High School, and possesses a degree in Business Management from San Joa- quin Valley College. She has 20 years experience in the medical profession, beginning in a pediatrician’s office. She also serves the 144th Fighter Wing as a volunteer and the Key Unit Mentor.
Pearson resides in Sanger with her family.
Karen Pearson
Reedley Fiesta returns as full live event this weekend
Don Enns, Don Beckenhauer are co-grand marshals for 2021's 'Take Flight' theme
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
The 2021 Reedley Fiesta is returning to its traditional live format this weekend — including the annual Saturday parade — and the theme of "Taking Flight in Reedley" will be represented by two longtime significant aviation notables in the region serving as co- grand marshals.
Don Enns and Don Beckenhauer, dedicat- ed pilots and instructors, will share the hon- or of grand marshal for this year and get the special ride in the Saturday, Oct. 9 parade through downtown Reedley. The live parade returns after a year's absence, although Fi- esta attendees during the 2020 event amid
COVID-19 were able to experience a unique "reverse" parade.
At the annual Korky Kevorkian Fly-in and BBQ on Oct. 2, Enns received a plaque hon- oring him for "50 Years of Dedicated Service in Aviation Safety." The award, called The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, was initially scheduled to be awarded Enns on Nov. 27.
There are some changes from the usual traditional Fiesta. This year, there is no Fiesta King and Queen to be honored, although that's expected to return in 2022. As a result, the Fri- day, Oct. 8, festivities are limited to food, craft and vendor booths in Pioneer Park from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Activities on Saturday are expected to return at traditional times. The morning events begin at 7 a.m. with the Fiesta Run/ Walk (10th and G streets) along with the Fi- esta Pancake Breakfast (6:30-9:30 a.m. at the
SeeFIESTAonpage A2
Don Enns, pictured with Reedley Mayor Mary Fast (right) and Com- munity Services Director Sarah Reid during the annual Korky Kevork- ian Memorial on Oct. 2, will be honored along with Don Beckenhauer as 2021 Grand Marshals for the annual Reedley Fiesta Parade. The Fiesta will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 8-9, in downtown Reedley. The annual parade will begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 9 along G Street.
City of Reedley / Photo Contributed
Classifieds - A7 Directory - A8 Legals - B3-7
Sports - B1-2, B10
Lifestyle - A5-6 Lights & Sirens - A3, A9
Health & Fitness - B8-9
Obituaries - A2-3 Opinion - A4