Page 1 - Mid Valley Times 8-6-20 E-edition

Thursday, August 6, 2020
Vol. 2, No. 6
Valley struggles to reduce numbers
Closures continue as positive cases remain high in Fresno, Tulare
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
Sanger, Reedley and Dinuba and sur- rounding communities continued on a California County Monitoring Status as Fresno and Tulare counties remained un- der state scrutiny because of higher-than- desired positive test cases for COVID-19.
That meant that a good portion of city businesses and organizations are affected — many with their doors closed — as the Central Valley counties remain below the acceptable state standard for being able to reopen. As of Aug. 4, Fresno County re- mained barely under 12 percent of positive
See COVID-19 on page A10
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Construction workers smooth out the dirt surface at the under-construction new frontage drop-off road at Reedley High School on Aug. 4. The road surface soon will be poured. A number of construction projects continue at a steady pace at the high school, which will not have students on campus this fall because of continuing high COVID-19 numbers.
Region's schools formalize shift to an online-only format for now
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
The Sanger Unified School District and Kings Canyon Uni- fied School District this week took steps to prepare for online distance learning for the start of the 2020-2021 school year be- ginning later this month.
Sanger Unified began online registration earlier this week, and then schedules were to be released to students. The school
See SCHOOLSonpageA10
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Coronavirus Update — Still On County Monitoring List
Sanger Woman's Club delays 2 main fundraisers
MVT Staff Report
The uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Sanger Woman's Club to delay two of its biggest fundraisers of the year.
The club's board postponed its annual Rummage Sale, which had been scheduled for this past weekend, and also voted to post- pone the Dickens of Christmas Endowment Fundraiser sched- uled for Saturday, Dec. 5. The Rummage Sale has been highly popular with the community in recent years, and has enabled residents and club members to sell off excess items and also purchase gifts.
The board also is discussing how to make a Candidates Forum work by exploring video or online possibilities. This year's event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 10.
New health facility in Dinuba
George M. Villagrana / Mid Valley Times
United Health Centers' new facility at 300 Westgate Way in Dinuba will officially open for busi- ness on Monday, Aug. 10.
Official opening for United Health Centers is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10
By George M. Villagrana
Mid Valley Times
United Health Centers will officially open on Monday, Aug. 10, giving Dinuba one more health facility in town.
Dinuba Mayor Kuldip Thu- su stated the center is much needed.
“Federally qualified health centers provide a much need- ed safety net for our citizens,” he said. “We are a health pro- fessional shortage area with about 1 provider for about 2700 patients. Any entity that creates access to health care to for our citizens is always a welcome development.”
See HEALTHonpageA10
Reedley council extends aid to River City Theatre Co.
City waives rent for rest of 2020 as popular venue has to cancel remainder of season
By Jon Earnest
Mid Valley Times
The Reedley City Council on July 28 unanimously voted to waive the rental fee for the River City Theatre Company for the rest of 2020, since the perform- ing arts company has had to shut down because of the ongoing COVID-19 pan- demic.
The council action will save RCTC $7,100, the cost of renting out operating space in the Reedley Opera House build- ing. It comes on the heels of an initial
$2,000 of rent waiver for April and May. Sarah Reid, Reedley Community Services director, said the city was at a crossroads to make a decision since the- atre company canceled the remainder of their season. Those remaining shows this summer and fall were "Big River" and
"Legends: Grand Ole Opry."
"They see no type of operations the re-
mainder of the calendar year," Reid said of RCTC. She told the council that there are different funding options available to prevent the rent waiver from affecting the city's 2020-2021 budget.
During her remarks, Reid said if the COVID-19 situation improves and busi- nesses can return to a sense of normal,
SeeTHEATREonpage A10
The River City Theatre Company, housed in the Reedley Opera House, won't have to pay rent money for the remain- der of 2020 after the Reedley City Council granted the company a waiver. The action was taken at the council's regular meeting on July 28. River City Theatre Company announced
it would cancel the re- maining 2020 schedule, but the two shows can- celed will be part of the 2021 season.
Jon Earnest / Mid Valley Times
Classifieds - A6 Directory - A11 Legals - A12-14
Sports - A9
Lifestyle - A7-8 Lights & Sirens - A3
Health & Fitness - A15-16
Obituaries - A2-3 Opinion - A4