Diego A. Vargas, DonDiario Journalist Profile

Articles

Richard Sloan makes San Joaquin River conservation a mission

1 week ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

Richard Sloan has been all over the world but the San Joaquin River keeps drawing him back home to Fresno. Many a Fresnan has told or heard of the “boomerang” effect Fresno has on its people. In short, some residents will tell you that even if you leave Fresno to live elsewhere, in time, you’ll find yourself back in the best little city in the USA.
'No Kings' protests in Fresno draw thousands

1 week ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

Thousands of Fresnans lined the streets at two “No Kings” protests on Saturday to rally against President Donald Trump and the aggressive mass deportations carried out by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Protesters lined the sidewalks from Cary Park and stretched around Fashion Fair Mall to First Avenue. At a second demonstration, protesters lined both sides of Blackstone Avenue between Nees and El Paso Avenue next to River Park.
Immigration protests draw hundreds to downtown Fresno

2 weeks ago | fresnoland.org | Gisselle Medina |Diego A. Vargas

What's at stake: Advocates gathered in front of Robert E. Coyle Federal Building, joining Southern California and the Bay Area in demonstrations against President Donald Trump’s ongoing ICE deportations.
Fresno’s mobile food vendors will need new city IDs on July 1

3 weeks ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

What happened? The City of Fresno presented the first official mobile vendor identification cards to Luz Barron and Luis Coria of “La Kumbre” as part of a new citywide effort. Luz Barron and her husband Luis Coria became the first mobile food vendors in Fresno to receive their vendor identification cards that allow them to freely sell on city sidewalks and parks.
Fresno ranked seventh most dangerous metro for pedestrian safety

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

According to the city’s Vision Zero page, the city saw around 500 fatal or serious crashes from 2018 through 2022, with 127 pedestrians killed by cars. In late March, Fresno County Supervisor Luis Chavez walked around the block of Calwa Elementary School, examining crosswalks, streets and sidewalks as part of a county effort to improve student pedestrian safety around schools.
Veterans Affairs funding cuts draw frustrated protests in Fresno

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

What’s at stake? Protesters stood in front of the Fresno VA Medical Center on Saturday to rally against planned budget cuts that would cut 17% of the VA’s workforce along with hundreds of contracts that provide veterans with healthcare services. Demonstrations continue in Fresno against the Trump administration’s budget cuts, with veterans and citizens lining the front of the Veterans Affairs hospital on Saturday.
Fresno-area school trustees don’t know enough about transparency laws, grand jury says

1 month ago | kvpr.org | Diego A. Vargas

This story was originally published by Fresnoland. Some local Fresno County elected school leaders have their work cut out for them to make sure they’re legally transparent to the public about their decision-making. In its first report of the year, the Fresno County Civil Grand Jury found that elected board members in Fresno County school districts were unaware of required ethics training and of the consequences of violating the Ralph M.
Grand Jury says Brown Act training needed at Fresno Unified

1 month ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

What's at stake? A report released by the Fresno County Civil Grand Jury found that board members across Fresno County School districts were poorly informed about state-mandated trainings and consequences related to the Brown Act. Some local Fresno County elected school leaders have their work cut out for them to make sure they’re legally transparent to the public about their decision-making.
Bike lane expansions coming to several Fresno neighborhoods

2 months ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

What's at stake? The Fresno City Council approved initial work to begin on three corridors in the city to expand with bike lanes. New bike lane expansions may be coming to Fresno following the city council’s approval to begin preliminary work on three selected corridors.
ArtHop could see food trucks again in downtown Fresno?

2 months ago | fresnoland.org | Diego A. Vargas

Overview: During the State of Downtown event, Mayor Jerry Dyer announced a survey where Fresnans can vote to bring back the street market portion of Art Hop on the first Thursday or first Friday of every month. The hall of The Grand 1401 erupted in cheers when Mayor Jerry Dyer announced the return of the street market portion of ArtHop during Thursday’s “State of Downtown” event.