Page 1 - Dinuba Sentinel 12-20-18 E-edition

Small moves, big impact
Dinuba GATE student's article on stop motion lm production
Established 1909, Dinuba, California
Back Page A8
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Santa comes to town
50 Cents
Tackle
football
possible
next year
at WIS
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
If approved, tackle football will be coming to Washington Intermediate School, possibly even to lower grade levels, soon.
Trustees for the Dinuba Unified School District heard a proposal at the Dec. 13 board meeting that would translate to a student-athletic program that would be available for students as early as the fourth grade. The proposal was brought to the board by Greg Garrison of Washington Intermediate School and Martin Tovar, former Athletic Director at Dinuba High School.
Though the new program encompasses both volleyball and football through fourth and eighth grades, the biggest change would be at the junior high level, with the introduction of tackle football. Currently, seventh and eighth graders at Washington Intermediate School can participate in flag football.
Outside of school, seventh and eighth graders also have the opportunity to play in one of three youth football leagues in the city of Dinuba. And though the three leagues provided opportunities for more playing time on the field, it also presented a challenge in preparing the same players for the next level.
Bringing youth football under one umbrella is a move that makes sense on many levels, says Tovar.
At Thursday’s meeting, Tovar reminded the board of previous visions and their outcomes.
“When we renovated the high school football field, two years later we were Valley champs,” said Tovar in presenting the proposal.
“Our high school girls have only won a Valley championship in one sport, softball,” added Tovar. “And that was only after we built the facility.”
He went on to mention the Emperors’ boys’ water polo team that nearly captured a Valley title, also after new facilities were built.
“Today we bring you a new vision,” Tovar expressed.
That vision, according to Tovar, is
See Football, Page A6
The skies were clear for the city of Dinuba's second attempt at this year's annual Christmas Parade, making way for a grand celebration Saturday night in downtown Dinuba.
Top - Santa Claus rides through town atop the laddered firetruck of the Dinuba Fire Department. Riding along side Santa was newly appointed Vice-Mayor Armando Longoria. Mayor Kuldip Thusu was a judge at this year's parade.
Above - The drumline from the Washington Intermediate School Thunder Pride Band got into the festivities by adding Christmas lights to their equipment.
Right - Cheerleaders cheer on the season as they make their way through downtown Dinuba.
Photos by Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Ready... set... bowl!
Revived bowling alley to open soon
his biggest concern is getting everything functional.
“The main thing is the machines, making sure the machines are running good,” said Alvarez. “I know in the past that was one of the main complaints.” To make sure the lanes are operable a technician has been working on them daily.
The other major component for the bowling alley is the soon to be expanded kitchen for the incorporated Pizza Planet. The previous kitchen, according to Alvarez, was too small for a full size Pizza Planet.
He will be adding a walk-in refrigerator, a bigger ventilation hood, and an extended counter. The added restaurant will also feature a full buffet counter.
“We want to keep it family oriented,” said Alvarez.
Though the expanded restaurant will not allow room for pool tables, the arcade will be coming back.
See Bowl, Page A7
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com
After sitting dormant for nearly three years, pins will soon be falling on the lanes of Dinuba’s bowling alley.
Ralph Alvarez, who owns and operates Pizza Planet in Orosi, Orange Cove and Reedley, is currently just a few weeks from opening the newly renovated bowling alley. After receiving the keys to the building on Sept. 30, Alvarez has been busy getting the bowling alley back into shape.
Part of that shape includes incorporating Pizza Planet into the current bowling alley and adding additional dining space in the adjoining space on the building’s south side.
Alvarez has partnered with his father- in-law Jose Trevino, who purchased the building. Alvarez will be leasing and operating the bowling alley.
If all goes according to plan, Alvarez hopes to open the bowling alley by the end of January, possibly sooner. Right now
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
thedinubasentinel.com
Inside | Lights and SirensA2 | ObituariesA2 | OpinionA4 | SportsB1 | Classi edsB3
Undefeated in league
Dinubs boys soccer beat rival Selma 3-2
Sports, Page B1
Since acquiring it from the city of Dinuba in September, Ralph Alvarez has been busy reviving Dinuba's bowling alley. He is currently in the process of expanding the kitchen to allow room for his restaurant, Planet Pizza. This will be the fourth Pizza Planet in the Valley.