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Typhoon Fundraiser on Fresno City College Campus

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        The food service staff at Fresno City College was serving-up a special lunch for a good cause.

        The Food Services Director, is from the Philippines. She decided to help the typhoon relief efforts with a fundraising lunch. Her staff and members of the their family volunteered to prepare the lunch.

        If you missed today's fundraiser it will continue through next week at the Fresno City College cafeteria.


Family Seeks Justice

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We've learned new details about four former students from Clovis West High School accused in an abduction and torture case. 
     
One of the suspects, 34-year old Hossein Nayeri, was convicted four years ago for a deadly DUI crash in Madera County.

26-year old Ehsan Tousi was the man who died in that car crash back in 2005.  Now that Nayeri's name is back in the news, it's causing the Tousi family to relive that nightmare.

Attorney, Roger Bonakdar, handled the case eight years ago.
 
"The truth of it is, the more they hear about him and of these events, all it does is cause them pain," Roger Bonakdar, attorney.

Bonakdar explains that after Hossein Nayeri posted bail in 2006, he fled the country and was not seen for three and a half years.

"He was located by authorities in Washington D.C. and then brought back to Madera.  At which time he plead no contest and was found guilty," said Bonakdar.
     
In 2009, Nayeri spent 125 days in the Madera County Jail and was then placed on four years felony probation.

In October 2012, Nayeri allegedly carried out a horrendous crime with three of his former high school classmates.  He along with Kyle Handley, Ryan Kevorkian and Naomi Rhodus (Kevorkian) reportedly kidnapped an Orange County medical marijuana dispensary owner.  They allegedly burned him with a blowtorch and sexually mutilated him after the victim could not produce cash the suspects believed he had buried in the Mojave Desert.  He did survive.

Nayeri once again fled; this time to Iran.  The FBI was able to arrest him November 7th in the Czech Republic.  He remains overseas and is awaiting extradition back to the United States.
     
If convicted in this torture case, Nayeri could earn a stiffer punishment due to his criminal past.

"It would constitute a violation of probation of the Madera case and he could face additional consequences for that," said Bonakdar.
     
The Tousi family hopes justice prevails.

"They remain steadfast in their confidence of the judicial system," said Bonakdar.

All of the suspects face charges which could send them to prison for the rest of his lives.




Eyewitness News Investigates Stadium's Price Tag

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Eyewitness News investigates the cost of a new high school football stadium.  Washington Union's John Ventura Stadium cost $12.5 million dollars.  Washington Unified School District spend more that half its recently passed bond money to build it.

The quiet town of Easton is home to about 2,000 people.  It's also the home of one of the most expensive recently built high school football stadiums in the Central Valley.  It was the first project completed with Measure W money.

"A football stadium, athletic facility, is something used by every facet of the community, not just the 9-12 population," said Joey Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of Washington Unified School District. 

The stadium opened in time for the Panthers last home football game of the regular season.  Those in attendance liked what they saw. 

"It's wonderful, it's beautiful.  I love it.  I wish they would have made it when I was here," said one former football player.

But at least one member of the community questions the price tag.

"I wanted to see nice athletic facilities like anyone else.  I didn't expect a palace," said Craig Habib, who lives in the district and voted for the bond measure. 
 
The stadium seats about 4,500 fans, which is double the town's population.  Washington Union's enrollment is about a thousand students.  Kingsburg High School is about the same size.  It built its new stadium in 2008 for $6 million dollars.  Liberty, in Madera Ranchos, has about 600 students and its stadium cost $4.3 million to build in 2010.

Campbell says the school board considered a less expensive option, but chose to go big.

"If we're going to spend multiple millions of dollars on a facility, we should build a facility that will be good for a hundred years and anticipate growth in the community," said Campbell.

The community passed Measure W, a $22 million bond, last November.  The ballot language says money will pay for modernizing old buildings and improving safety, as well as update athletics facilities.  Habib says academics should have come first.

"I think that we all need to access our priorities," said Habib.

The district says construction of classroom updates and fire safety zones will begin next spring.  Academic improvements are budgeted for $6.6 million.  Finally, new baseball and softball fields will be built at a cost of $5 million.  Another $5 million is budgeted for things like architect fees.  The district has a total of $30 million for modernizing the high school campus, and over half the money is being spent on athletics facilities.

The school board made the decisions on the projects with the help of an oversight committee.  All construction should be complete in about three years.

South Valley Church Volunteers to Help With Typhoon Relief

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This is just some of what West Coast Believers Center has collected. Saturday morning, it all goes to the Philippines.

Medicine, bandages, flashlights...

West Coast Believers International is packing items like these, donated from community members and local businesses, to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

The church is sending 10 volunteers, like Tulare sheriff's deputy Marc Terrones, to help with relief efforts.

"Just trying to look on the positive side of things and going in there, showing the love of God, and just trying to help out whoever we can."

But this group is no stranger to the Philippine islands, especially the areas that were hardest hit.

They've been doing missionary work there since 2007, working with kids who have been rescued from sex trafficking.

Pastor Joshua Bulger says "The moment we heard about this storm hitting, we just knew that these kids are already unprotected, and so our hearts were just stirred to go over there and try to recover some of them as well as to work with the local churches and organizations that are there."

Retired CalFire chief Kirk Swartzlander expedited a passport in LA to make the trip.

It's his first mission, but he's ready.

"I was at the Oakland Hills fire in 1991. I've seen widespread devastation, but not with the death that associated with the devastation in the Philippines."

They will be gone Saturday, but volunteers with West Coast Believers International will be leaving for the Philippines.

If you'd like to help the number to call is 732-4791.

Body found near Fresno shopping center

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The Fresno Police and Fire Departments are investigating a death after a body was found in the San Joaquin River.

Witnesses found the body in the river near Palm and Nees early Saturday morning.

How the body came to end up in the river and the cause of death are still unknown.







Fresno Police investigate murder-suicide

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Fresno Police are investigating a murder-suicide on the 6500 block of W. Celeste.

Police say the suspect and victim were a newlywed husband and wife that were reported missing yesterday.

A family member found them dead in a house today. 

It is unclear at this time who is the victim and who is the suspect. 

Newlyweds Found Dead in Apparent Murder-Suicide

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It was a crime no one in this neighborhood saw coming, with two newlyweds dead and the motivation still a mystery.

"The family is devastated. He was the only son."

Loved ones say Harmandeep Singh and his wife were the kind of people you aspire to be: happily married just a few months ago.

The last thing anyone expected coming out their front doors was evidence of a murder-suicide.

Mike Doyle with Fresno Police said, "Investigators so far have recovered evidence that this was a domestic issue."

Fresno Police aren't yet releasing who pulled the trigger but they believe tension between Harmandeep and his wife lead to the shooting.

Investigators have not released the name of the woman found dead but family members say the couple married in India before coming to Fresno.

Family member Sukhbar Bhandal said, "As a couple, they were always happy, laughing and just like regular couples."

According to police Harmandeep's sister found the couple early this afternoon after letting herself into the home.

Near the bodies, detectives also found the pistol they believe was used in the killing.

the last time the two were seen alive was Friday and neighbors say they had no reason to think anything was wrong.

"You never expect these kinds of things to happen especially where you live."

Many we spoke with here in the neighborhood hope as the investigation continues they will be able to better understand what lead up to this violent outburst.

Wife of CHP Officer Receives Special Surprise

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A special surprise for the wife of a CHP officer.

She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Pink Heals fire truck showed up to the annual open house event at CHP headquarters.

The CHP open house showcases new and old equipment for CHP officers, retirees and their families.

Becky Avila was presented with flowers and signed her name along side many others grateful for the support.

High Schools Compete in Fresno State Biz Games

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Students from ten high schools in the Fresno and Clovis area went head to head Saturday in the Biz Games at Fresno State.

The games are sponsored by the Craig School of Business.

The teams have to figure out the best way to market their high school or build something out of recycled items.

The goal is to prepare students for a future in business.

The winning team got a trophy and a cash prize.

Patients at Children's Hospital Receive Special Visit

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Kids at Children's Hospital got some very special visitors on Saturday.

Patients were treated to a parade of Disney characters sponsored by Staged Events.

They also got a special visit from Santa to kick off the holiday season.

City of Fresno Takes Measures to Keep Neighborhood Safe

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A Central Fresno neighborhood has been dealing with crime for many years.  Good news came Friday in the form of a fence, finally bringing a sense of security.  City Council Member, Clint Olivier hired crews to install two chain link gates at both ends of an alley near Tyler and Angus.  Over the years, the alley has become a hot spot for crime and illegal dumping.

So far this year, around five fences have been installed. They run about $1,500 each.  Funding comes from tax revenue.



Homicide Arrest in Madera

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A murder suspect is under arrest in Madera.

Kenneth Sandlin was taken into custody early Saturday morning. He's suspected in a homicide near Yosemite Avenue and Tozer.

Police say the victim died from blunt force trauma.

Fight at Fresno Bar Lands Man in Hospital

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A fight outside a Fresno bar sent one man to the hospital on Saturday night, now police are looking for witnesses.

It happened around 11:00 p.m. at the Elbow Room. Police say two men got into an argument inside the bar then took the fight outside. Witnesses say the one man hit the other, knocking him to the ground. The victim is now in intensive care at the hospital.

An investigation is underway. If you witnessed the fight Fresno police would like to hear from you.

Educator of the Week

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This weeks Educator of the Week takes us to Maple Elementary School in Fresno.

Man Completes Run from Bakersfield to Madera

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Ultra-runner David Thull completed his 130-mile run from Bakersfield to Madera in a charity run for the Ronald McDonald House.

Thull was joined by 4 friends who ran the entire way with him. They began running Saturday morning and reached the finish line on Sunday afternoon.

"About a year and a half ago, we did a fundraiser where the night before my wedding, we actually ran around the Clovis West track for 12 hours. Then the next year, we're trying to figure out what shenanigans to do," said Thull.

He won't take much time to relax from this run. He has another 100 mile trek planned for next week.

Church Targeted in Another Break-in

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A Fresno church is reeling after a string of burglaries over the past week. The Christian Life Assembly was broken into twice over the past week. Paritioners say the burglar made off with computers and electronic equipment while also causing hundreds in damage.

"All the door jam was pulled apart, the hinges were out," says Christian Life Assembly pastor Tim Powell.

The series of break in's that have the Fresno congregation starting to feel targeted.

"Someone entered our sanctuary by breaking a window, broke through the office door, ransacked the office I use," says Powell.

Powell says the Christian Life Assembly first fell victim last Sunday. The burglar made off with expensive computer equipment leaving hundreds of dollars worth of damage. And before they could finish repairs the mysterious thief was back.

"Sometime between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning and in that break in he literally tore one of our doors of its hinges."

For paritioners at this quiet fresno church it was a shock that's still sinking in. Many can't help by wonder why any one would target a church.

"When something like this happens you feel really bad about it plus we are not a church that has a hundred thousand dollars where we can just replace stuff," said parishioner Deanna Gaines.

Can You Help Identify This Burglary Suspect?

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Can you help identify this Clovis burglary suspect?

Police say the person is responsible for the attempted burglary of Postal Etc. in Clovis on Sunday, November 17th.

If you have any information on his identify or the case in general, please contact Crime Stoppers at 559-498-STOP. You can remain anonymous.

Clovis Woman Makes Care Packages for Overseas Soldiers

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One Clovis woman is making a difference in the lives of soldiers serving overseas.

Raegan fast puts together care packages for soldiers in Afghanistan. It started out with a single box for a friend who was serving in that country, that friend mentioned other soldiers weren't getting any packages from home. So Raegan gathered more items and put together more and more boxes.

"I started out at five and as its gotten bigger I've gotten a lot more donations so I've been able to do a lot more'" says Raegan.

Last month she sent out fifteen care packages. Her program, called 'Boxed', is now officially a non-profit.

Free Thanksgiving Dinner for Lemoore Residents

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**PRESS RELEASE - LEMOORE, CA**

The thirteenth annual Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner will once again provide FREE meals on Thanksgiving Day at the Lemoore Senior Center at 789 18th Ave., Lemoore.

Meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are not required.

This event is open to the public; seniors, single folks, military personnel and their dependants and those that have no place to go are welcome.

Take-outs and free home deliveries are available in the Lemoore and Hanford area for anyone who cannot make it to the dinner’s location. For home delivery simply call 633-0666 from 10am until 2pm on Thanksgiving Day and a meal(s) will be delivered to your home. Home deliveries are limited to four meals per household. For take-outs, come to the Senior Center on Thanksgiving Day to order and pick-up meals.

The meal will be a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, dressing, and green beans and of course dessert. This Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner is an event where people from all economic levels and all walks of life, can come together for a special meal.

This free dinner is made possible thanks to the generous donations of many individuals, service organizations, churches and businesses; with special thanks to the Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino.

This is an opportunity to donate to a local charity and help feed people in our area. Last year over 1900 meals were served, 388 of them were home deliveries and over 800 were take-outs. This is all made possible thanks to the many volunteers who donate their time to help make this event a success.

Volunteers and donations are welcome, if you wish to volunteer please contact Margaret Lohry at 585-1034 or send an E-mail to jlohry123@aol.com.

If you wish to make a donation please contact Walt Kendall on 924-1484.

For more information visit our website at: www.thanksgivingcommunitydinner.org

Fire Damages Fresno Furniture Store

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Fresno firefighters were on the scene of a fire at a furniture store early Monday morning.

The fire broke out at the Ideal Furniture Store on Blackstone near Ashlan at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. Fire officials say the fire started on the outside of the building on a loading dock and spread to the inside. The fire was contained to a small area in the building because the sprinkler system kicked on.

Half the furniture in the store suffered water and smoke damage.
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