Page 1 - Dinuba Sentinel 2-7-19 E-edition
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Dinuba Sentinel Serving the communities of Dinuba, Cutler-Orosi and Monson-Sultana
Illuminating education
DUSD's Michael Akins named 'Illuminator of the Year'
Community, A9
Established 1909, Dinuba, California Thursday, February 7, 2019 50 Cents
Orosi High teacher up for national award
Playoffs start next week
Dinuba High girls, boys basketball move on Sports, Page B1
Speech and Debate instructor Karson Kalashian among top ve in the nation
By By George M. Villagrana
quality of education in the field of speech and debate.
Kalashian said he’s not only happy for himself
but for the
students as
well.
“I’m happy
for our
school, and
our district
and our
students,”
Kalashian
said. “If I wasn’t here at this school doing the work that I was doing, I’m positive I would not have made that
list. It’s a recognition for the students here that are working hard, and it’s a recognition to the district, who
has really embraced this program.”
Orosi High School principal Roberto Vaca said Mr. Kalashian is
a committed and passionate individual that has worked tirelessly to provide students with a premier speech and
debate program.
“As a result, our students are
competing at high levels by winning Valley titles and earning top places at state competitions,” Vaca said. “Additionally, our students have qualified for the national competition ever since Mr. Kalashian came to OHS. Overall, he is the epitome of what it means to build a program from the ground up. His coaching has made all the difference in ensuring that our students hold their head up high as they continue to win at the highest levels of competition.”
From more than 5,000 member
See Teacher, Page A9
Sports@thedinubasentinel.com
Orosi High School’s Karson Kalashian has been teaching English for the past 15 years. He has worked the last four years at OHS as the Speech and Debate coach.
All the extra hours in and out of the classroom Kalashian put in has been noticed in the form of a being named a finalist for the National Speech & Debate Association National Educator of the year award.
The award is created to honor an individual who has enhanced the
Mayor gives
State of the
City report
Karson Kalashian
“I'm happy for our school, our district and our students."
— OHS teacher Karson Kalashian
Before the blossoms
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
“The state of the city is good,” says Dinuba City Mayor Kuldip Thusu.
Thusu gave his first State of the City address at the Dinuba Chamber Banquet on Jan. 25. In it, he reviewed the city of Dinuba’s progress over the past year while also painting a picture of the city’s direction.
In the area of city finances, Thusu pointed out that city staff was able to close nearly a $2 million shortfall in the general fund, all while increasing the city’s emergency reserves by $1.2 million (Up to $3.5 million). He noted that the city’s utility funds were in the black for the first time in several years.
But the biggest thing on the city’s radar, according to Thusu, is a potential state bill that would restructure the distribution of internet sales taxes – something that could cost the city of Dinuba as much as 40 percent of its general fund.
The bill, SCA 20, would change tax revenue of internet sales taxes from point-of-sale to point-of-destination. This means tax revenue generated by sales from such local distributors as Best Buy, Walmart and Patterson Dental would go to the city of the sale’s shipping destination, rather than into the city of Dinuba.
Though the bill is currently sitting inactive, Thusu stated a recent trip to Sacramento revealed there is still talk of internet tax sales and that the threat still
See City, Page A10
He will also be in the corner of another famous boxer this Sunday, in support of Avenal's WBC Super Lightweight Champion Jose Ramirez.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
And the rain - as this photo was taken last Wednesday south of Dinuba, prior to this past weekend's rainfall. Though there was some reports of actual hail falling in some parts of Dinuba, the actual rain total was quite conservative. Total for this past week's rainfall was just under 1.5 inches, bringing Dinuba's total rainfall for the season to 5.49 inches. That number has already more than doubled last year's rainfall of just 2.2 inches.
The rain is a welcomed sight for many farmers in the area, as soon the Valley will be brought to life with pink and white blossoms throughout the myriad of local orchards. (See recent rain figures on Page A3.)
'Nothing is impossible'
Professional boxer Hector Camacho, Jr. drops by London Community Center, offers encouragement
His appearance was made possible through Alex Diaz, who works for the tech company Bitwise in Fresno. The company also specializes in nutrition programs, something Camacho is currently implementing into his workout program.
At the ripe age of 40, Camacho is currently preparing to enter the ring for the 65th time and is scheduled for a fight at the end of this month. His trip to the Valley is part of his nutrition plan, and while here, Camacho paid a few visits to inspire local teens to dream big and work hard.
“In small communities great things happen,” Camacho told the group inside Diane Hodges Community Center. “In a small community we all got to work together.”
He went on to encourage them to think outside of their small community and to prepare for the future. “You need to dream big and think big,” said Camacho, as he switched back and forth from English to Spanish. “Accomplish your dreams. Nothing is
See Boxer, Page A6
Professional boxer Hector Camacho Jr. stopped by Diane Hodge's Community Center in London last week while in the Central Valley training for his next fight. The 40-year-old fighter will be fighting in his 65th fight at the end of this month and is using a company in Fresno to help him with nutrition as he prepares.
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
It’s not every day that you get to meet a professional boxer, one the likes that has nearly 60 wins under his belt. It’s even less likely that a boxer of such stature visits a small community center somewhere deep in the Central Valley in a town with a population with less than 2,000 people.
But that’s exactly what happened last Wednesday, Jan. 30, when professional boxer Hector Camacho Jr. stopped by the London Community Center to share his story with a group of about 20 teenagers.
According to London Community Center Resource Liaison Connie Huerta, Camacho’s appearance came on short notice.
“We just found out yesterday that he was coming,” said Huerta as she and a small group of teens waited for his arrival on Friday.
But by the time he arrived that small group of teens turned into a large gathering, some parents, all of them anxious to meet the famous boxer.
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
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