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Mexican Consulate Donates Generous Gift to Fresno Unified

November 19, 2013, 2:30 pm
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**PRESS RELEASE, Fresno Unified School District**

With the purpose of promoting adult education in the Spanish language, the Consulate of Mexico will donate more than 5,000 textbooks, ranging from literature, history, math, science, geography, and art, to the Fresno Unified School District. These are the same free Spanish textbooks that the Secretaría de Educación Pública, the Ministry of Public Education, use in Mexican public schools, and this initiative was created by the Instituto de Mexicanos en el Exterior, the Institute of Mexicans Abroad. The generous gift of books will be shared across the district, and will be utilized in classrooms, in addition to making them available in libraries.

There is a large number of immigrant parents who did not finish school, whether elementary or intermediate, and this contribution will serve as a way, not only for them to further their education, but also their involvement in their children’s academic endeavors. 
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Repair Project on Darkened City Lights Complete

November 19, 2013, 2:40 pm
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**PRESS RELEASE - CITY OF FRESNO**

Saying that “the dark days are over” for city streetlights that had been damaged by copper wires theft, mayor Ashley Swearengin today joined three councilmembers to celebrate the completion of the repair project.

“This is a significant day for the City of Fresno,” mayor Swearengin said. “We turn the corner on what literally has been a dark time. The lights are coming back on for the streetlights that were impacted by copper wire theft. We will now be able to conduct routine service on our streetlights, so this is an occasion to celebrate.”

Mayor Swearengin was joined at the event by council members Lee Brand, Steve Brandau and Paul Caprioglio. Councilmember Brand offered legislation that dedicated resources to accelerating the repair of the lights, and councilmembers Brandau and Caprioglio personally worked to fix a total of almost 500 streetlights in their respective districts.

Of the city’s 42,000 streetlights, more than 5,000 were darkened because of copper wire theft. That number would have been higher, but the city took decision action to stop theft by “hardening the targets” through a low-cost, highly-effective method of theft detection.

“We realize there are still many lights out due to normal outages because bulbs or sensors have reached the end of their useful life,” mayor Swearengin said. “We know many citizens have been waiting patiently to get their lights re-lit. We ask the community's continued patience as we now set out over the next three months to get those regular outages repaired, and to return to our normal response time of 2-4 weeks for repair.”
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Elbow Room Releases Statement on Fight, Victim Critical

November 19, 2013, 3:19 pm
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The owner of a Fresno restaurant in which a fight in the parking lot landed a man in the hospital released a statement on Tuesday regarding the incident.

The statement by Mike Shirinian, owner of the Elbow Room located in Fig Garden Village, reads as follows:

“I want to offer my sincerest thoughts and prayers for Nick Burriel and his family. The
management and staff continue to fully cooperate with the police on this investigation.
On behalf of the Elbow Room, we hope for a rapid recovery for Nick.”

A fight outside the restaurant on Sunday night sent 23 year old Nick Burriel to the hospital. He is currently listed as being in critical condition.

Police are still investigating the incident. Witnesses are asked to contact the Fresno Police Department.

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Clovis Teacher and Student Witness NASA Launch to Mars

November 19, 2013, 3:39 pm
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A local teacher and student are flown to Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as VIP guests for NASA's voyage to Mars.

CBS47's Lemor Abrams shows us their incredible experience.

The teacher and student spoke to us from their hotel in Florida.

They're now fast asleep after what they describe as a surreal day.

As Nasa's Maven Spacecraft blasted off into Mars Monday morning, a Clovis
Science teacher and top science student were there for the lift off.

But they felt like they were out of this world.

"It's really surreal...I can't believe I was there to see it...and talk to
the engineers who built it," said Callie.

"We're about four miles away from it...the only thing between us and the
launch is water," said Kendia.

Kendia Herrington is a teacher at Alta Sierra Intermediate and one of a few
teachers in California trained as a Maven Educator Ambassador.

She picked Callie Carbajal...her former student...as her VIP guest.

"My mind was just blown I went and asked my mom...we were just invited to the
Maven launch!," Callie described her reaction to Kendia's request.

Callie is a junior at Buchanan High School....on the robotics team, and she's an "nspire" student for Nasa.

"I really wish they could all just be here...I have so many
friends...especially on the robotics team," she says.

Maven will orbit Mars for a year to test climate change on the red planet.

But Callie and Kendia are coming back to the Valley at the end of the week,
to share their love of earth and space with their community. 

"I to classrooms...go talk with other teachers just to show them what's out
there..what's outside of the classroom," said Kendia.


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Trial Begins for Fresno Paralegal Charged with Murder, Chopping up Man's Body

November 19, 2013, 5:29 pm
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A murder trail is underway against a former Fresno paralegal accused of killing a man, chopping up his body, and burying him in a shallow grave in the mountains about two hours from Fresno.  Tuesday, 55 year old Brian Waldron stood in front of a jury.  The details of this case are pretty much undisputed. No one is denying he killed 21 year old Jonathan Taylor and dismembered his body, but what's in question is if it was murder or self defense.

The taped confession played out inside the courtroom.

Brian Waldron said, "I cut off his head, I cut off his arms, I cut off his feet, I cut off his legs."

Jurors listened to the gruesome details, as 55 year old Brian Waldron admitted to killing 21 year Jonathan Taylor, chopping up his body with a kitchen knife and hack saw, and then burying him in the Fresno foothills.

The prosecution is trying to prove Waldron murdered Taylor in cold blood, but the defense says it was all in self defense.

Waldron's attorney, Jim Lambe says, "He finds himself being attacked in his own living room."

The incident happened in 2008.  Waldron claims Taylor was a bulldog gang member who walked into his apartment uninvited.  He says they started fighting, and says Taylor tried to hit him over the head with a metal flashlight, but instead Waldron grabbed the flashlight.

Prosecutor Robert Romanacce says, "The defendant beat him to death with a pipe or tire iron.  I'm not sure."

Legal analyst Carl Faller says self defense might be difficult to prove, considering Waldron cut up and buried Taylor's body, before calling police.  Waldron, a former paralegal for Fresno defense attorney David Mugridge, claims his acts were only due to fear of retaliation from other bulldog gang members.

Legal analyst Carl Faller says, "In this kind of situation where steps are taken to cover up the even, that can raise grave questions in the minds of the jurors."


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Father of 7-year-old Killed by Drunk Driver Speaks to Students

November 19, 2013, 6:52 pm
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The father of a 7-year-old boy who was killed last year by a drunk driver spoke to Clovis West High School students Tuesday about the dangers of drinking and driving.

Jesse Maldonado's son Donovan was killed in July of 2012 when a drunk driver struck the family while they crossed Shepherd Avenue between Milbrook and Perrin Avenues in a pedestrian walkway in northeast Fresno.

"I can move forward by trying to help others hopefully not have to be in my situation, and have to live the pain that I live on a daily basis and that my family lives on a daily basis," Maldonado said.

Donovan was one of the more than 10,000 people in the U.S. who died last year because someone chose to drive drunk, according to the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving.

That message hit close to home for Clovis West students, as they participated in the Every 15 Minutes program.

"Donovan was part of our community-- went to Liberty elementary that feeds into our school. A lot of these kids are his neighbors; they're the family and friends. So it was extremely emotional for them to hear that story," said Danny Munester, activities director at Clovis West.

The program is put on by state and federal funds and is a community effort that includes local law enforcement and emergency workers.

They hope to instill in teens a sense of responsibility and appreciation for life.

"These things are something that you can't take back. You don't get a do-over. Everybody does have a choice, and hopefully people make the right choices," Maldonado said.

The crash that took Donovan's life happened up the street from Clovis West.

The City of Fresno has since constructed an underpass so that pedestrians no longer have to intersect the roadway to cross the street. The underpass project had been planned before the July 2012 DUI crash, said Fresno City Councilman Lee Brand, whose district includes the area where crash happened.
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Fresno Farmer Dedicates Soul Tower to Inerned Japanese-Americans

November 19, 2013, 7:40 pm
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From a distance, the 26-ft tower looks like a religious structure.

But it's a proud symbol of healing and cleansing for the souls of Japanese Americans.

"I would only hope I made them proud," said Dennis Simonian of Simonian Farms.

A tearful Dennis Simonian dedicated the tower to 5 Japanese American Families of our community.

Moms and dads who taught him to value hard work and family, despite their hardships during WWII.

"I owe my heart and soul to these families ....they were my third arm," said Simonian.

The tower towers over fruits and vegetables Dennis grows at Simonian Farms.

"Every family that I ever went to...every family member was working...they worked as a family to get ahead," he said.

Their sons and daughters are honored.

Arthur Hayashi remembers Dennis at his tiny fruit stand in Fresno.

"I do remember him as quite a go getter and my parents did comment on that," said Hayashi.

Our very own George Takata was reminded of his grandfather, an interpreter for Japanese prisoners of war.

"The appreciation that I have and that the families have is truly first class and we thank you," said Takata.

The soul consoling tower is built from the wooden barracks of the internment camps in Posen Arizona...which Dennis' guests remember all too well.

"That's history...that our children should know...people should know because we don't want to do this again," said Franklin Abe.

But the tower is designed with an opening for a reason.

A symbol of light at the end of the tunnel...
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Eyewitness News Investigates: DUI Trends

November 19, 2013, 10:59 pm
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The traffic unit of the Fresno Police Department has received national awards for nabbing drunk drivers and reducing the number of fatal accidents.  That effort is ongoing, but until more officers are hired, fewer traffic officers are actively looking for intoxicated drivers. 

13 suspects were arrested at a checkpoint over the weekend for reportedly driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  So far this year, over 2,300 suspects have been cited for D.U.I.

"These officers amaze me.  Many will come in with over a hundred D.U.I.'s every year.  They have a knack for spotting the littlest things," said Captain Andy Hall of the Fresno Police Department.

But numbers this year are down about 30% from a peak year in 2008, when over 3,200 drivers were cited for D.U.I.  Hall says this year isn't over yet, so numbers will still go up, but not as much as officers would like.  Since October, traffic officers have been filling in on regular patrol, sometimes diverting half of the dozen nightly traffic officers. 

"Everyday we're seeing shortages in the traffic unit to assist in patrol in answering calls for service, and quite frankly, I think 9-1-1's take priority over everything else," said Hall. 

In the economic downturn, the Fresno Police Department lost about 140 officers.  The traffic unit lost 20 officers.

Deputy District Attorney Timothy O'Connor says D.U.I. suspects who are caught will face stiff punishment. 

"If you hurt someone seriously, if you kill someone, we're coming after you.  And we'll do everything we can to get justice for the victims," said O'Connor. 

A $600,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety is helping the district attorney's office prosecute D.U.I. cases.  It provides prosecutors better training and access. 

"We can go to the crash scene and start with law enforcement gathering evidence, talking about filing decisions," said O'Connor.

This holiday season, community members and law enforcement hope drivers do the right thing for everyone's safety. 

Checkpoints will continue every weekend and on key days during the holiday season.  About a dozen new police officers will be hired in the coming months, which will relieve some traffic officers of some of the fill-in responsibilities.
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Fresno Police Join Nextdoor.com

November 19, 2013, 11:26 pm
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The Fresno Police Department has joined forces with the private social network nextdoor.com.

The website helps unite people living in specific neighborhoods.  It allows residents to inform each other of the latest news on their street and police can deliver important safety notifications to them as well.

"This is smart policing," said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

Chief Jerry Dyer is excited to take advantage of this virtual neighborhood watch program.  His agency can now directly communicate crime alerts with certain groups of residents.  Officers will be pushing out messages, even pictures, they should be aware of.
     
"It may be a SWAT operation or a helicopter hovering above or police officers doing a yard to yard search," said Chief Dyer.

This idea formulated by a San Francisco based company is really catching on.

"We've gone from 176 neighborhoods just two years ago to over 24,000 neighborhoods across the country in every single state," said Sarah Leary, co-founder of nextdoor.com.

Kasie Ferrare has utilized this technology the last six months.

"It's really just united us.  We can privately message one another.  I've had neighbors say I think I left my garage door open can you go check for me?" explained Kasie Ferrare, a southeast Fresno resident.
     
We visited Amit Nijhawan at his home as he completed the free registration process on nextdoor.com.  It simply requires him to verify his name and address.

"It is a pretty simple, straightforward website setup," said Amit Nijhawan.

Nijhawan believes this can be a beneficial tool for he and his family.

"It kind of gives me a sense of security and sense of safety to what's going on in my neighborhood so I can be well aware of my surroundings and what's happening in my community," said Nijhawan.

















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Fresno State Student Killed in Accident

November 19, 2013, 11:48 pm
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A deadly accident on Shaw Avenue takes the life of a Fresno State student.

He's been identified as 43-year-old Alexander Wilson Lark.

It happened near Shaw and Maple in front of the campus.

Investigators say the student was crossing Shaw Avenue. He wasn't in a crosswalk and apparently stepped in front of a car driving down the street.

Shaw avenue was closed in both directions in front of Fresno State.

The car that hit the victim stopped - it's hood and windshield bear signs of the impact. The driver spoke with investigators.

"He did not see the pedestrian cross the center median and subsequently he was struck," said Lt. Phil Cooley with the Fresno Police Department.

Several other drivers also stopped in the road to help the student who was hit. He was rushed to the hospital where he died.

"My heart goes out to the families that have to experience the tragedy right now," said Fresno State student Cedric Pulliam.

The crash happened at 6:23pm. Students were still getting out of class.

Students we spoke with said it can be dangerous on Shaw - with students and traffic.

"Now that it's daylight savings people are trying to get home sooner and there's more traffic on Shaw," said student Tiffany Embry.

"You always see people crossing the street and not using sidewalks kind of waiting on traffic to pass by. It happens quite often," student Eric Diaz said.
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Call Center to Get Health Insurance Opens in Fresno

November 20, 2013, 8:29 am
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From a troubled website to losing existing coverage, we've all heard about problems with the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.

Starting today, Californians have a new resource for getting health insurance. 

A new Covered California Call Center opened in Fresno Wednesday.

Executive Director Peter Lee told KSEE Sunrise viewers, "Our website has  been working good since day one and is working really good today."

100 people at the center will also be taking phone calls from confused Californians needing help with getting health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. 

"if you have insurance through jobs or Medicare, you're in good shape," said Lee. Covered California is designed to help uninsured Californians.

The number to the call center is (800) 300-1506.

Watch the video for the interview in its entirety.

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Local Youth Football Leader on Favre's Concussion Concerns

November 20, 2013, 9:07 am
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More and more professional football players are admitting to dealing with memory loss and other brain disorders after they retire.

Retired NFL Quarterback Brett Favre told Today Show's Matt Lauer this week he is now experiencing similar symptoms. He also told Lauer he's not sure he would want his own son-- if he had one-- playing football.

It raising even more concern now for parents who's kids want to play football.

K.C. Trace, founder and president of the Clovis Clash Youth Football League joined Carina Corral on KSEE Midday to address those concerns.

He said while nationwide, signs up for youth football are down the valley is not seeing a decrease.  Trace also said players are constantly shown and practice good, safe tackling techniques that avoid helmet-to-helmet contact. 

Watch the video for Trace's interview in its entirety.

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Auto Theft Task Force Makes Another Arrest

November 20, 2013, 9:41 am
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Fresno's Auto Theft Task Force has made another arrest following a chase and an accident.

Police say it started when an undercover officer spotted a stolen motorcycle and tried to pull over the driver. After refusing to stop the suspect sped down a street in a southeast Fresno neighborhood and collided with a car crossing an intersection.

In addition to driving a stolen motorcycle police say the suspect was armed with a stolen handgun. The suspect was taken into custody
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Fresno Chop Shop Busted

November 20, 2013, 9:46 am
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A tip lead police to a chop shop in a southeast Fresno neighborhood. It happened in the area of Belmont and Fresno Street.

Officers arrived at a home to find two suspects stripping a vehicle. Police say every time they bust a chop shop, it makes a difference in the city's auto theft rate.

"But again, there's two more individuals that we found that are actually stripping cars and involved in a chop shop and this is a good find for us because every one that we find is going to bring down the rate," says Tim Tietjen from the Fresno Police Department.

Three people were taken into custody.


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Visalia Police Search for Missing Teen

November 20, 2013, 10:24 am
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Police in Visalia are asking for the public's help located a missing at-risk teenager.

Officers say 13 year old Christine Herrera was last seen at Walmart in Visalia on Tuesday evening when she ran away from her guardian. Police say Herrera requires medication.

She is described as Hispanic with black hair and brown eyes and stands at 5'1" and 116 pounds.

She is known to frequent the area of Lincoln Oval Park and the Court Street and Noble Avenue areas. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Visalia Police Department.
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Dozens of Norteno Gang Members Arrested in Kings County

November 20, 2013, 10:43 am
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Sheriff's deputies in Kings County made numerous arrests on Wednesday morning after a month long investigation aimed at apprehending members of the Norteno criminal street gang.

Officials say 16 simultaneous search warrants were served in the county leading to 20 arrests on various charges such as drug trafficing, weapons violations and attempted murder. Another twenty arrests were made in the last 30 days on the same charges.

In addition to the arrests, agents also seized in more than 20 lbs. methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin and several illegal weapons.

The operation was designed to restore safety to the streets of all cities located in Kings County. Investigators identified the key gang leaders and created a complex investigative plan intended to make a significant impact on violent crimes in the Cities within the Kings County area.
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Fire Damages Clovis Condo

November 20, 2013, 11:27 am
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Fire investigators are on scene of a condo fire near Armstrong and Herndon Avenues in Clovis.

The fire started shortly before 9:00 a.m. Wednesday. One unit was destroyed and crews are checking other neighboring units for any damage.

Fortunately no one was injured in the blaze. It's still not clear how the fire started.

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Tim DeRuyter Finalist for National Coaching Award

November 20, 2013, 11:34 am
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More national attention for the Fresno State football program as head football coach Tim DeRuyter is one of 16 semifinalists for the Maxwell Football Club Collegiate Coach of the Year award.

DeRuyter has Fresno State off to just the school's third 9-0 start in program history and has the Bulldogs ranked 15th in the BCS standings.

Fresno State is also seventh in the nation in scoring at 44 points a game.

DeRuyter has an 18-4 career record with the Bulldogs in only his second season. Fresno State can clinch a spot in the Mountain West Championship Game with a win over New Mexico on Saturday.

The winner of the award will be announced December 17th.

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Ask the Vet

November 20, 2013, 11:44 am
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Every Wednesday viewers post their pet questions to the KSEE 24 Facebook page to get answers from Dr. Todd Conlan of Waterhouse Animal Hospital.

Today, Dr. Conlan was in the studio to answer the following questions:

From Sierra Stafford -- "My puppy gets car sick all the time even on short trips in the car. Is there something we can do for him? Or will he just grow out of it? He's almost 6 months old now."

From Melissa Hatfield -- "My dog is older, about 11, and he's having a lot of problems with his back end, sitting and laying. He also seems like he gets dizzy. Can I give him something to help him not be in pain?"

From Robin R. Ruiz -- "My dog has terrible bad breath. We take him to get his teeth cleaned but the next day its back. How can we get rid or minimize his bad breath?"
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Missing Teen in Need of Medication

November 20, 2013, 1:04 pm
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Visalia police are looking for an at-risk-teenager.

Dameian Gulley is 14 years old and was last seen Monday morning on his way to school. Police say he in need of medication.

If you know anything about this case call Visalia police at 559-734-8117.
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