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Public Safety Officers Urge Caution Ahead of Next Rain Storm

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PG&E electricians worked around the clock to bring back power to about 17,000 customers in Fresno County affected by Wednesday's rain storm.

"We see the storms coming. We actually have our own forecasters, and we'll plan accordingly with crews," said Denny Boyles, spokesman for the Fresno PG&E office.

As PG&E crews prepare, they suggest customers do the same.

They suggest people keep flashlights at home with extra batteries, and avoid using candles to prevent accidental fires.

"Here in the city, we typically don't see extended outages, but if you live in a mountain community, it's not a bad idea to prepare for that, have some non-perishable food," Boyles added.

At the start of the rainy season, the City of Fresno prepares by clearing out storm drains clogged by fall leaves to prevent and reduce the flash flooding that can come with a strong downpour.

"Our biggest challenge comes when we get a whole lot of rain in a very short amount of time. And that's where the struggles, and sometimes a little bit of flooding goes on," said Patrick Wiemiller, City of Fresno Public Works director.

On the road, the wet weather also creates some hazards. The first rains make the roads extra slick.

"I anticipate that we'll see a big uptake in crashes here in the next couple of weeks, especially if the weather stays like it is," said Sgt. Anthony Dewalll with the Fresno Police Department.

Law officers encourage drivers to slow down in the rain, and allow extra space in between vehicles to prevent accidents.

The CHP Fresno office reports responding to 23 weather-related accidents in Fresno County Wednesday night.

School Officials: Tulare Teacher asks Students to Bring Toy Guns to Class

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A Tulare teacher has stirred up controversy in the classroom. School officials say the teacher asked students to take toy guns to class. They say it was part of literature lesson at Los Tules Middle School. Only one student answered the request. Administrators say the student was stopped at the gates with a cap gun. 

Operation Christmas Child

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         Volunteers with Calvary Chapel in Fresno have been gathering shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child
        
        for more information log onto:

        http://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Recall Information

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                A Texas-based company has agreed to recall and destroy a dietary supplement.
           
                It's been linked to dozens of cases of acute liver failure and hepatitis, including one death and illnesses so severe that several patients required liver transplants.
        
               For more information log onto http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm374742.htm 
        

Trail for a Former Paralegal Accused of Gruesome Murder Continues

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        The trial for the former paralegal accused of a gruesome murder continued today in Fresno.

        A witness from the coroner's office testified in the case against Brian Waldron. He explained the evidence from the victim's autopsy to the jury.

        Waldron is charged with the murder of 21-year-old Jonathan Taylor. Police say he killed Taylor, dismembered his body and buried him in the foothills.

        Waldron claims he killed Taylor in self-defense.

A Fatal Accident in Merced May Have Involved an Officer

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        The CHP is investigating a fatal accident that may have involved a Merced Police officer.

         Hubertino Vallejo Wednesday night after he was found lying in a roadway near R and 14th Streets in Merced. 

        Authorities said the 60-year-old may have been struck and killed by an armored vehicle driven by Merced police officer. 
       
        According to the CHP eight officers were on the way back from a training exercise just before 5 o'clock.  It was dark and pouring rain outside when the driver noticed Vallejo was very close to the vehicle.
       
        Officials said, they stopped the vehicle in the slow lane and noticed the man lying in the road and immediately rendered aid.
        
        Valeo later died of injuries. The CHP says he was from Planada and are unsure why he was walking around in Merced his exact cause of death is also unknown at this time.

College Students Accused of Hate Crime

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Hundreds of students marched in protest across the San Jose State campus Thursday.  Shortly thereafter, the university responded.

"We have suspended three students, effective today," said William Rance, SJSU Vice President of Student Affairs.
     
Those students are 18-year old, Logan Beaschler of Bakersfield, 18-year old Colin Warren of Marin County and 19-year old Joseph Bomgardner of Clovis.  Prosecutors say their hateful behavior spanned  from August to October. It began with the suspects taunting their 17-year old black roommate with the nickname "Three-Fifths".

"Meaning, the long ago practice of valuing a black man at three-fifths of the value of a white man," said Deputy District Attorney Erin West.

The suspects reportedly decorated their dorm suite with Nazi symbols, racial epithets and a Confederate flag.  Then their actions escalated into violence.

"It went all the way to a full scale battery by putting a bike lock around the victim's neck," said West.
     
Eyewitness News visited Fresno State Thursday night.  Students we spoke with say they have never witnessed such hazing and find it to be unbelievable.

"It's really devastating that type of stuff is still going on," said Deja Thompson, a Fresno State senior.

"That shouldn't be happening in our world today.  It always shocks me all the evil that's in this world," said Bethany Warnes, a Fresno State freshman.

"I don't think people are mature or responsible enough to say ok you're different, who cares, I see you for who you are and not for anything else," said Robert Gormaz, a Fresno State sophomore.

If convicted of these misdemeanor charges, each student faces a maximum of one year in county jail.

Highest Rate of Homelessness is Fresno-Madera

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They're still going strong at the Poverello House, providing meals and daytime shelter... no questions asked.

While HUD reports a 6% decrease in nationwide homelessness, the folks at Poverello say it's going to take more than focus-specific goals from a government entity to address the issue.

Executive director Cruz Avila says, "You have the clients themselves that have been in that form or that mind frame for so long that sometimes it is hard for them to just step out of that and jump into that next stage."

The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness has pushed the numbers down, focusing on veterans, families, and children.

California accounted for 136,000 of the nation's homeless population.

66%, or 91,000 of those, did not have shelter.

City manager Bruce Rudd says the numbers show Fresno needs to continue its efforts to end homelessness.

"This year, through Fresno First Steps Home, we've already housed well over 80 people. We're thinking by the end of this year, we'll have 100 people, and that's just since we started dealing with the encampment issue."

The Fresno-Madera area had the highest rate of unsheltered homeless.

3,131 were reported homeless here.

About 2500, or 81% of that, did not have shelter.

The Poverello House sees this up close...

While the services are there to get things turned around, it takes an effort all around.

"Ultimately, what it lies on is the client themselves. you can't force them to do something they don't want to do."

Fresno State Mascot Sends Special Message to Jenny Toaste

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Fresno State Mascot, Time Out wanted to wish Jenny Toaste a very special Happy Birthday on this Friday.
Our Bulldogs will be taking on the New Mexico Lobos Saturday, November 2nd.
Kickoff is at 1PM.  Last we checked around 9 in the morning, there were only a few hundred tickets left. The game is expected to sellout.

Parolee Escapes Pursuit

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Police are still searching for a driver who got away during a police chase. It happened in the area of Chestnut and Muscat just before 5:00 p.m. on Thursday.

Police were tracking the driver who then sped off when they tried pulling him over. The car crashed a couple of blocks away and the driver and his two passengers ran off.

Both passengers were eventually arrested but the suspect, now identified as Mario Roman is still on the loose. He is wanted for violating his parole.

Surveillance Video Could Lead to Arrest

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Some surveillance video could lead to a suspect in a recent murder.

The Fresno County Sheriff's Department released this video of a car that may be involved in a drive-by shooting in the area of Fig and North in Fresno. It's described as a light-colored Toyota 4-Runner.

Back on Sunday, November 10th, 21-year-old Chao Vang was shot in front of a home.

If you recognized the vehicle in the surveillance video or have information on the shooting you're asked to call Crime Stoppers at 498-STOP

Fresno Fire Displaces Dozens

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Nearly two dozen people are without a place to live after an apartment fire in west Fresno.

The started Thursday afternoon at the Golden Garden Apartments on Marks Avenue. Heavy smoke and fire was reported in an upstairs unit.

The fire was the result of oil left on a stove and damage is estimated at $100-thousand dollars. Twenty two people from 8 units are being temporarily housed by the Red Cross.

Since January 1st of this year, at least 528 people have been displaced by structure fires in Fresno.

Up High (Down Low Too Slow): Five Fun Weekend Events

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Bulldogs, Monsters, and Scrooge.. there are plenty of fun things to do this weekend. Here's a handful of suggestions in your High Five:

- Ride the Red Wave along with a packed house of fans at Bulldog Stadium. If the Bulldog's win they will clinch a spot in the Mountain West Championship game. Kickoff is 1pm. An hour before kick-off you are invited to help "Feed the Valley" - Bulldog style! Non-perishable food items and monetary donations will be collected at all entrances to Bulldog stadium. It benefits Community Food Bank to help 190,000 hungry residents.

- The Monsters continue a nine-game homestand this weekend. The Fresno hockey team will host the Long Beach Bombers at the Gateway Ice Center in Fresno Friday and Saturday at 5:30pm and Sunday at 10:30am. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under.

- If you want to try some moves of your own on the ice, the rink in Downtown fresno is in full swing. It's open Friday and Saturday from 11am to 11pm and Sunday from 11am to 9 pm. Tickets start at $10 for adults and $8 for kids.

- Santa Claus will be at Fashion Fair Mall posing for pictures. He'll be there through Christmas Eve. Hours range, but typically through November kids can crawl on Santa's lap from 11am-8pm. In December, hours move from 10am to 9pm and as we inch closer to Christmas hours go from 9am to 9pm.

- If that doesn't get you into the holiday spirit, this certainly will. A stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' beloved classic tale a Christmas Carol will come to life in Fresno. This show features a cast of talented local youths from Good Company Players. It's showing at Second Space Theatre Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. 

Money Saving, Safety Tips for Holiday Travelers

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**PRESS RELEASE - AAA** A sluggish economy and concerns about disposable income have put a slight damper on Thanksgiving travel this year for many California families, according to the latest travel survey from AAA.

AAA Northern California’s travel forecast predicts that more than 5.1 million Californians plan to travel 50 miles or more this extended, four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a modest decrease of -0.04 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

“Californians will set aside thoughts of fiscal uncertainty to gather and feast with people who matter most in their lives,” said AAA Northern California spokesperson Cynthia Harris. “While travel projections are lower than last Thanksgiving in 2012, this year’s travel forecast is still well above the 2008-2009 levels when the recession caused a drop in travel of more than 25 percent.”

According to AAA, more than 4.4 million Californians are projected to travel by motor vehicle during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. This represents a - 4.6 percent decrease when compared to last year’s figures. AAA projects that more than 500,000 holiday travelers will fly, which is a decrease of -4.9 percent when compared to 2012. Approximately 193,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation, such as boats or trains. This represents an increase of 1.8 percent when compared to last year’s figures.

Nationally, AAA forecasts that more than 43 million people will travel 50 miles or more during the four-day weekend. This represents a -1.5 percent decrease compared to last year’s travel statistics.

An average West Coast family of four is projected to spend an average of $681 over the holiday weekend. Families who travel by car are likely to drive an average of 795 miles over the four-day holiday weekend. AAA’s Leisure Travel Index reveals that prices at AAA Three Diamond lodgings are down about one percent from a year ago, with an average price of $143 per night. AAA Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be one percent higher, with an average room costing $104 per night.

This Thanksgiving weekend, those traveling by air will find airfares comparable to last year, according to the AAA Leisure Travel Index. The average lowest round-trip price is projected to be $187 for the top 40 U.S. air routes. Car rental rates will average $50 for the holiday weekend, compared to $47 last year. For West Coast families, the expected primary activities this holiday weekend will be shopping and visiting family and friends, followed by dining and touring/sightseeing.

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather.

AAA Tips for Long-Distance Winter Trips

· Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
· Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
· Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
· Pack a cell phone programmed with your local AAA's telephone number along with your AAA card, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
· If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
· Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
· Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
· Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.

AAA Money Saving Tips for Thanksgiving Air Travelers

· Book your flight any day except a Tuesday or Sunday. This will save you up to $170 on average. Tuesday before Thanksgiving is the most popular day to fly and the airlines know it.
· Travel on Thanksgiving Day and return the following Tuesday for the cheapest fares.
· Plan ahead. The longer you wait, the higher the price as flights become booked. Surcharges increase from $10 to $30 dollars extra on peak travel days.
· Grab the deal. Don’t wait before others start booking flights and airlines shift their pricing to match booking trends.

Bulldog Game Preview

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Fresno State Bulldogs host New Mexico Saturday, November 23rd.
Kickoff is at 1PM. Donations for Toys For Tots and the annual can drive set up by Coach DeRuyter's wife will be collected before the game, Saturday.  

Tulare Police Granted Raises

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        Tulare police are finally getting a raise after three years.

        Officers, sworn personnel, and management will get a 3% pay raise next July, as well as a one-time $450 bonus. Investigators will get a 5% increase. Swat members will get a $1,200 stipend for being on the team.
       
        The agreement comes after city leaders reached a similar agreement with firefighters and other city workers.

Calhoun Sentenced to Probation, Anger Management Classes

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A former Fresno City councilman was sentenced in court Friday morning.

Brian Calhoun was sentenced to 90 days probation and has been ordered to spend 12 weeks in an anger management program.

The former Fresno City College professor was convicted on October 18th of misdemeanor battery on a female college student. The ruling effectively keeps calhoun out of jail.

Special Report: The Power of the Mind

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Did you know that the human brain can perform billions of operations every second? Our minds are a very powerful tool and arguably one of our greatest assets.

But sometimes willpower can be a struggle. And when comes to changing bad habits and fixing problems many people turn within and count on their minds to heal.

Angela Greenwood takes a deeper look into just how powerful the mind can be:

With countless pills, fad diets and even surgeries on the market it's no wonder the weight loss industry in the U.S. is estimated at nearly $50 billion dollars a year. Obesity doesn't just plague our country but it's an epidemic right here in the central valley.

Jacqueline smith knows the struggles all too well. Until the day she walked into Gary Blue's office for a different kind of weight loss treatment.

Blue is a hypnotherapist and a very busy one, tapping into dozens of subconscious minds every week.

Blue says it's astonishing what a little mind power can do, especially in the subconscious. The area that controls most of what we do everyday, where our actions and bad habits lie. When that part of the mind is focused, hypnosis and suggestion can change a person's behavior.

Like Smith, overeating has been a back and forth battle for Nivia Lourenco. But since her first hypnosis session she's now 32 pounds lighter and more motivated to work out and eat less.

To see more, watch the clip above.

Man Killed by Train in Downtown Fresno

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For the second time in a week a train has killed a man in Fresno, both accidents happening in the same spot near Church and East in downtown.

Friday's victim was a homeless man in his 60's. He waited for one train to cross but apparently didn't see another train coming from the opposite direction.

Sgt. Mike smith / fresno police department
"It is all too common. The rail arms were working here. There was audio and the physical barriers were down, but the trains, they come faster than you realize," said Sgt. Mike Smith with the Fresno Police Department.

Investigators are looking into whether alcohol played a role in the accident.

Tachi Palace Seeks to Help Typhoon Victims

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Tachi Palace in Lemoore is stepping in to raise money for typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines.

New numbers out on Friday show that 5200 people have died in the disaster and almost 4.5 million people are homeless, a million of them children.

The Red Cross, U.S. military and United Nations have been sending aid to the region but rebuilding the devastated infrastructure will take years.

Starting Friday, Tachi Palace is selling special-edition t-shirts designed by a casino employee. They're $15 each and proceeds will go to the Catbalogan Foundation, a non-profit agency based in the Philippine capital of Guezon City.
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