Page 7 - Mid Valley Times 1-30-20 E-edition

The View From Here
I grabbed
the rails of
the stair
climber at
my local
gym and
lifted myself
up onto the
device. As I
began to set
the speed
and decide on which song would accompany my work- out routine, I happened to glance up at the various tele- vision screens that were on.
One of the monitors was programmed to a cable news network, well Fox News.
Underneath the weather report was a big red “Break- ing News” title that grabbed my attention.
I glanced over it quick- ly, “Kobe Bryant and four others killed in helicopter crash,” the title read.
At first, the news on the screen didn’t really process. I continued my workout, then stopped and looked again. “Wait, what am I read- ing?” I thought to myself.
I read the title again, thinking maybe I misunder- stood. Perhaps it was an ac- cident “near” Kobe’s home? I looked for clarity.
Maybe it was someone related to Kobe? Surely it couldn’t be that Kobe Bry- ant, the Kobe Bryant was in a helicopter crash and had died.
I looked up at the screen for a third time and this time I read each word one by one, slowly to make sure what I was reading was correct.
Initially I felt a sense of shock. Then I thought, what if it’s a hoax. I opened my Facebook feed and the first person to post was one of my former managing editors.
He's a well respected journalist and someone I could rely on for informa- tion, also he is a big Kobe fan.
“Is it true? Is Kobe Bry- ant dead?” he wrote in large bold letters on his Facebook post.
I then began to see a flood of “Rest In Peace Ko- be” comments from a num- ber of friends. Not long after someone behind me at the gym yelled out, “No, man, Kobe’s dead!”
A collective sense of shock waved throughout the gym. People stopped their workouts and imme- diately began to check their phones.
I began to look for details on what happened. As the day progressed the devas- tating news continued. His 13-year-old, daughter “Gigi”, her teammates, coaches and parents also perished in the crash.
SEE COLUMN on page A9
Juanita Adame
St. La Salle benefit auction to be held Feb. 1
Juanita Adame / Mid Valley Times
Students from St. La Salle posed for a photo in front of their wooden bench, the item will be included in this year's auction.
By Juanita Adame
MId Valley Times
The 29th annual St. La Salle benefit auction will be held on Feb. 1 at the Reedley Commu- nity Center.
Some of the student made auction items this year include a full size bench, quilts and a large embroidery portrait.
The event will include a
luxury buffet, no host bar, as well as silent auction.
Students from each grade level participate in making their project and having those projects displayed during the auction.
Popular items in the past have included hand made quilts and wood work.
For more information on tickets call (559) 638-2621.
First grade students showed off their friendship quilt, the item is included in this year's auction.
See more auction items on A8
Parlier Police Department welcomes new K-9
Sanger officer leading G.R.E.A.T program
Contributed
The Parlier Police Depart- ment welcomed their newest police K-9, “Koba” on Jan. 21.
According to information from the department, Koba is a dual performance K-9 and his tasks will include ap- prehending violent criminals, tracking missing children or senior citizens and locating firearms or evidence.
Landon Bolding, an offi- cer with the department will be the dog’s handler.
The department was look- ing to raise $80,000 for the purchase of another police dog after their former K-9 “Indy” diedinJan.2017.
Two local businesses, Maxco Supply and Sun West Fruit Company pledged a total of $15,000 to help with funding for the dog.
For more informtion on the K-9 campaign, contact the department at (559-646- 6600
Photo Courtesy Sanger Police Department
Sanger Police officer, Cynthia Trevino will be teaching a pro- gram called the Gang Resistance Education And Training ProgramorG.R.E.A.T. Itisevidencebasedgangandviolence prevention curriculum that is being presented to middle and elementary school students.
Photos Contributed
Parlier Police introduced their new dual performance K-9 named Koba on Jan. 21.
Reedley's Senior Center volunteers recognized at annual luncheon
MVT Staff Report
A total of 23 volunteers were recognized for their service to the Reedley Senior Center, along with five spon- sors who provide donations and funding to senior program, during the annual Senior Vol- unteer Luncheon on Dec. 10 at the Reedley Community Cen- ter.
City dignitaries attending the event included City Manag- er Nicole Zieba, who spoke and
offered words of encourage- ment and appreciation to vol- unteers and sponsors. Also on hand were Mayor Frank Pinon and council members Mary Fast and Anita Betancourt. The audience was served lunch of turkey and stuffing and musi- cal entertainmente was provid- ed by the Reedley High School Madrigals.
The senior program honors 14 volunteer workers who com- bined to contribute 343 hours of service to the center. They
are Liz Angangan Maria De La Cruz, Celia Fellow, Yuri Ito, Grace Lopez, Sheryl Mason, Angie Navarro, Bea Silva, Mar- tha Stucky, Ron Stucky, Pedro Tumaneng, Peter Ulibarri, Dan Ybarra and Rachel Zuniga.
Other volunteers honored for their contributions were John Boldt, Rachel Boldt, Peg- gy Cruz, Jean Cummings, Dolo- res Edwards, Cheri Lawrence Witter, Marie Medcalf, Rita Neinert and Carl Smith. Com- munity sponsors/partners that
were honored were Dycora, Si- erra View Homes, Reedley Se- nior Commission, Inc., Reedley Lions Club and Palm Village.
Jodi Botello, new senior co- ordinator for the city, oversaw the Senior Volunteer Luncheon for the first time.
Sarah Reid, Reedley com- munity services director, thanked all volunteers and agencies supporting senior ser- vices on behalf of the city.