Catherine Doe

Writer at Valley Voice

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Articles

Three Tulare Public Cemetery District board members resign

1 week ago | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

Five days after a widely-viewed and contentious Tulare Public Cemetery District meeting on Thursday May 22, three district board trustees handed in their resignation. On Tuesday May 27, Vice Chairperson Charlie Ramos, Secretary Patricia Hitin, and Treasurer Michelle Lima submitted notices of resignation. Only trustees Xavier Avila and Steve Present remain on the board. Ramos’ term ended in January of 2026, while Hitlin and Lima’s terms ended in January of 2028.
Tulare Public Cemetery District holds ten-second meeting

2 weeks ago | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

Tulare Public Cemetery District Board Chair Steve Presant opened the board’s May 22 meeting at 5:33pm – and adjourned it in the same sentence, leaving the meeting room with vice-chair Charlie Ramos shortly thereafter. “It’s 5:33, and the meeting is called to order – and, I’m adjourning the meeting,” Presant said. The meeting-that-wasn’t came after new restrictions were placed on the amount of people able to attend.
Former Tulare hospital CEO faces medical board case, could have license suspended or revoked

3 weeks ago | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

Dr. Yorai ‘Benny’ Benzeevi could face a suspension or revocation of his medical license in a case filed by the Medical Board of California in April. The case was filed after his no contest plea to multiple felonies related to his time managing the Tulare Regional Medical Center and the Southern Inyo Hospital. An “accusation” filing dated April 24 by Reji Varghese, Executive Director of the Medical Board of California, sought to have Benzeevi’s medical license suspended or revoked.
Visalia Police captain arrested for alleged embezzlement has history of collections cases

1 month ago | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

Visalia Police Captain Luma Fahoum was recently arrested and charged with embezzlement from the department – but court records show she faced financial trouble for more than two decades.
Radio silence: Visalia Police fully encrypt radio channels

2 months ago | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

The Visalia Police Department has encrypted its transmissions as of March 20 – marking the end of real-time reporting for media outlets focusing on Visalia, including the city’s popular online outlets like Visalia Stringer and Visalia Watchdog. The encryption conversion also means that regular citizens with radio scanners or listening through online platforms like Broadcastify will hear nothing – or garbled noise.
Porterville Mayor proposes "Protect Women's Safe Spaces" ordinance

Feb 21, 2025 | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

The Porterville City Council could soon consider a “Protect Women’s Safe Spaces” ordinance proposed by Porterville Mayor Greg Meister. The proposal has drawn the attention of LGBT advocates in Porterville and Tulare County who say that it’s discriminatory.
Immigrants living in fear - spark protests in Visalia over detentions

Feb 2, 2025 | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

A raucous demonstration that started around noon today was still going strong at 5:00pm on the corner of Mooney and Caldwell. The demonstrators were protesting border patrol raids and the detention of immigrants up and down the Central Valley. About 200 demonstrators lined Mooney Boulevard in Visalia waving Mexican flags, holding signs condemning Elon Musk, and affirming their contribution to the American economy.
Former Assemblymember Devon Mathis opens a new chapter: public relations

Jan 17, 2025 | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

What do you do after serving in the California Assembly for 10 years? In Devon Mathis’ case, it’s open a public relations agency. Mathis’ new business, Azimuth PR, leads a network of public relations professionals with him at the helm. “We are a dedicated team of public relations professionals driven by a shared commitment to help organizations achieve meaningful change,” the firm’s website states.
Political Fix: 2024, a wild ride

Jan 2, 2025 | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

The year 2024 ended with President Donald Trump getting elected for a second term and President Jimmy Carter’s passing at 100 years old. Now that’s a study in contrast. And pat yourself on the back for surviving the longest election season in history, or at least it felt that way. All the friends you have who don’t read or watch the news? Well, now you know why. Internationally, the biggest surprise of 2024 was the fall of the Syrian regime.
Multiple nonpayment suits against Toor Farming dropped by plaintiffs

Dec 19, 2024 | ourvalleyvoice.com | Catherine Doe

Five nonpayment lawsuits were filed against Toor Farming this year, and since The Valley Voice broke the story on November 6, three of them were dropped by the companies who sued Toor Farming – presumably because the farming company paid its debts or set up arrangements to do so. Beekeeper Robby Robinson told the Voice in November that he had traveled from Texas all the way to Tulare County to protest outside the Toors’ residence. He told the Voice that he’s been paid in full now.