David Taub

6 days ago | gvwire.com | David Taub

A state appeal court ruled that Fresno County does not have standing when challenging a lawsuit over a state law banning derogatory place names. And one county supervisor sys the fight is over. A 3-0 ruling from the Fifth Appellate District found in favor of the state and ordered the county to pay undetermined court costs. Fresno County sued the state in 2023 over AB 2022, which banned the use of “squaw” for geographic place names. The law went into effect Jan. 1, 2025.

6 days ago | gvwire.com | David Taub

A 10-year recycling contract is once again under consideration in Clovis. The city council on Monday will consider awarding the $5.5 million contract to Mid Valley Disposal, after months of back and forth over the nature of services. In February, the city council delayed any vote, to consider additional proposals from Republic Services — which currently has the recycling contract expiring July 31 — and Caglia Environmental.

1 week ago | gvwire.com | David Taub

The Fresno Unified school board is purposely keeping its superintendent search secret. All board members signed a nondisclosure agreement with a search firm assisting them in finding a new leader for the state’s third-largest school district. “Some candidates may not want to apply because they don’t want their name out there. They’re currently employed, so it might limit the pool of candidates. … So therefore, confidentiality was to be respected.

1 week ago | gvwire.com | David Taub

The city of Selma fired its city manager Fernando Santillan with cause at its meeting last night. By a 4-1 vote in closed session, Santillan — who had a rocky relationship with Mayor Scott Robertson — will be officially relieved when he receives his final paycheck next week. He served as city manager since 2021. The growing Fresno County community with a population of 25,000 — a 6% increase in 10 years — is 17 miles southeast of Fresno along Highway 99.

1 week ago | gvwire.com | David Taub

A local political consultant who recently had a $100,000 contract with the city canceled is behind the dark money group that sent an attack mailer in the recent Fresno City Council special election. In an amended filing with the city clerk last week, Fresno Future Forward now lists Alex Tavlian as its principal officer and treasurer. The independent expenditure group sent mailers to District 5 voters accusing candidate Brandon Vang of statutory rape in the 1990s.