Dinuba Sentinel 7-5-18 E-edition

Lunch Pass
Dinuba High sophomores will get conditional lunch pass
News, Page A3
All Star Emps
Dinuba High seniors play in All Star basketball game
Sports, Page B1
Established 1909, Dinuba, California
Thursday, July 5, 2018
50 Cents
agreement within the department that it’s not going to cause any difference, but I believe it is. We’re changing the actual PUD to something that’s not going to be that - which is fine, but I think it needs to go through the proper channels. I’m for the development.”
The item was then promptly asked for a motion, which approved 3-1 with Launer voting against. Councilwoman Maribel Reynosa was absent.
Stock Five Holdings had an agreement set to purchase 37 of the 42 lots on the property and requested some concessions to make the project possible. Those included a dedication of the streets, which scrapped the original intention of a gated community, reimbursements for infrastructure improvements installed and development impact fees on the five lots they do not possess, and a waiver from a requirement that made one of the
See Homes, Page A2
Council votes to sell off Marquis Homes
Issue of abandoned model homes on west side becomes contentious at meeting
was happening. Hopefully that didn’t vote down just for the purpose of this developer coming in.”
Launer also said that she felt there was a misunderstanding about the types of homes Self- Help would have built and the concerns that were voiced against the project. Launer said that some of the other concerns still stood for the Stock Five Holdings proposal, such as crowded lots, and that the community should have the opportunity to clarify.
Mayor Scott Harness responded to Launer, after denying a comment from the audience, “You consistently bring your condescending approach to these items as if council doesn’t understand ... Council understands. There was an item brought before us, and it was voted down. Now it’s petty politics. I feel you have your feelings hurt and now you’re going to strike down a great partner with the community because it wasn’t your idea.”
Launer answered, “There was an internal
By Jackson Moore
News@thedinubasentinel.com
A new builder for the burdensome Marquis Homes project was warmly welcomed, but the manner in which their item passed was not - by some.
The outlook on the unfinished development northeast of El Monte Way and Englehart Avenue had been grim until Self-Help Enterprises had an agreement in place with the property owners in 2017, requesting concessions. A review by the Planning Commission and a public hearing eventually led to a 3-2 vote against providing SHE with requested concessions last August.
City scales
back on
bus routes
Lack of demand sited for cuts
By Jackson Moore
News@thedinubasentinel.com
Fewer Dinuba residents are riding busses these days, and in turn, transit services will be decreased going forward.
The trend is not unique to Dinuba. Recently, more people in the state are driving personal vehicles than they are relying public transportation. Ridership of Dinuba Area Regional Transit has dropped 27 percent in all. The two routes that serve within city limits, known as Route 1 and Route 2, have seen a drop in almost 50 percent each. Even the free Jolly Trolley is down 33 percent since 2014.
“We’ve got an expensive transit system and a lot less riders than we’ve had in the last four or five years,” said Dinuba Public Works Superintendent Ismael Hernandez.
Two services that have received consistent ridership, however, are the “Dial-A-Ride” and the Dinuba Connection Route between Dinuba and Reedley. Hernandez said that the Connection route serves about 70 percent Dinuba riders and about 30 percent Reedley riders.
To reduce unused services and costs, the transit program will be dialing back services, including reduced hours and longer headways from every 30 minutes to every hour.
Going forward, Route 1, Route and the
See Routes, Page A2
A young boy marvels as he comes face-to-face with an Albino Burmese Python at the Dinuba Branch Library last Wednesday. The python, whose name is "Sunshine," was part of a reptile exhibit at the library that drew scores of children.
Tomorrow the library will be offering rock painting as part of their summer craft classes.
On June 26, the council was provided with a new request for concessions by Stock Five Holdings to complete 37 lots on the property. This vote given to the council had circumvented Planning Commission review and a public hearing for comments.
Councilwoman Linda Launer questioned the process of the item. She asked for a brief adjournment to speak with the city’s attorney before she said, “Right after the SHE development was voted down ... I had received a message the morning after that individuals have had contact with, I believe this developer, that they already had the means to build this project. I just feel that it was very inappropriate at that time to know this
Keeping reworks safe
The city of Dinuba has a strict zero-tolerance policy on illegal fireworks. To combat the issue, and the growing concern for what seems like more and more illegal fireworks over the years, the city has beefed up their patrolling of the 4th of July holiday. Last night the Dinuba Police Department had several additional officers on patrol. They were also assisted by the use of drones to help pinpoint illegal activity.
Tuesday night's fireworks show, sponsored by the city of Dinuba, also served as a way for the community to enjoy aerial fireworks without having to resort to buying illegal ones. In addition, the city also allowed for the use of Safe and Sane Fireworks that were able to be purchased at several locations throughout town. One person taking advantage of the Safe and Sane Fireworks this year was Enrique Torres, above, who purchased fireworks from the Knights of Columbus fireworks booth over the weekend.
Kids get up-close and personal with reptiles
treated to a creepy crawler by the name of Couscous, an Emperor Scorpion from Africa. Though many were hesitant to get too close to the large black arachnid, a few brave youngsters did have the courage to hold it, briefly of course.
Reptile Ron’s assistant, Hayden, also mentioned that though the scorpion still had its stinger in tact, it was quite docile and would only use its stinger if it felt its life was in danger. Furthermore, he explained the sting was not that venomous.
“I’ve had Couscous for years and he’s never stung me,” said Hayden. “If you’ve ever been stung by a bee, a sting from a bee would hurt more than a sting from this type of scorpion.”
He further warned, however, not to pick up a scorpion you might find in the area, as African scorpions are different from the ones found in North America.
“If you picked up a rock around here and saw a
See Reptiles, Page A8
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Rick Curiel | The Sentinel
Thinking about getting a pet parrot? Think again.
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” said Reptile Ron, who visited the Tulare County Dinuba Branch Library last Wednesday with a slew of exotic animals.
“Parrots need a lot of attention. They’re loud and messy. It would be like having a two-year-old for the rest of your life.”
According to Reptile Ron, parrots can live up to 60 years. On Wednesday a large group of youngsters gathered inside the library to feast their eyes on one member of the parrot family, Reno, a 20-year-old Sulfur Crested Cockatoo.
Reno was among eight exotic animals brought in for the children’s amusement as part of the library’s Summer Reading Program.
The group of nearly 100 children was first
thedinubasentinel.com Inside | Lights and SirensA2 | ObituariesA2 | OpinionA4 | SportsB1 | Classi edsB4
By Rick Curiel
Editor@thedinubasentinel.com