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Fake Guns Target of Proposed California Law

November 26, 2013, 5:31 pm
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One month after a Northern California deputy shot and killed a 13-year-old Santa Rosa boy who was holding a fake AK-47 rifle, California  lawmakers are re-introducing a bill that would force manufacturers to paint fake guns with bright colors.

"When a law enforcement officer confronts a situation where there's potentially a lethal weapon on a scene, that officer has to make a split-second decision," said Sen. Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), a co-author of the bill.

But some locals don't think another law will make a difference.

The HobbyTown USA store in Fresno carries the kind of imitation guns that are the target of this proposal.

Joshua Morgan, who manages the airsoft department at HobbyTown USA, said changing the color of a gun won't solve anything.

"Legislation to make imitation firearms brightly colored doesn't make any sense because there are already real firearms that are brightly colored that can be confused with the imitation firearms," Morgan said.

At PRK Arms in Fresno, bright-colored guns--real ones--are on display.

Eli Smedley, a manager at PRK Arms, said the real issue lies in education of current laws and parents teaching their children appropriate places to play with imitation guns.

"I'm not saying don't let them play with toy guns, but maybe keep them in. Don't let them run around in the neighborhood, especially if it's a bigger kid, obviously may look like an adult," Smedley said.

California legislators are expected to introduce this proposal to the state legislature in January.

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Group opposed to Fresno water hikes allowed to collect petition signatures

November 26, 2013, 6:21 pm
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The push to repeal Fresno's recent water rate increase passed another hurdle.  Monday, a judge gave the go ahead to petitioners to start collecting signatures which are needed to put the issue on a ballot.

The ongoing battle surrounding a repeal of Fresno's water rate hikes continues to heat up.  Monday, a judge ruled the city attorney, despite his reluctance, must deliver a title and summary, explaining the proposed ballot measure to voters.

Doug Vagim says, "We were very pleased and we thank the court for it's decision is going with the people."

Former Fresno county supervisor Doug Vagim is leading the initiative, coined Measure W.  He wants voters to decide whether they want to pay more for their water. The rate increases have been in effect for city and some county residents since September 17th. 

Monday's ruling will allow Vagim to collect petition signatures; nearly 4,900 are needed to make it on the ballot.

Voter Diane Walker says, "I would definitely sign a petition for that because everything is just too much.  Give people a chance to voice their opinions."

The hikes, which will eventually double water bills in the next four years, are set to replace old and worn out infrastructure and fund a new treatment plant.

Fresno utilities director Patrick Wiemiller says, "For the quality of the water supply, for the future of Fresno, we need these capital projects and the only way we can do that is to implement the rates."

City attorney Doug Sloan tells us he will appeal the decision.  Meanwhile, Vagim is aiming to get the measure on the ballot for the June elections.  He says the extra initiative will cost the city $26,000.

"We have the right as the people and the citizens of this community and the voters of this city to air our points of view on taxes and fees," says Vagim.

The judge ordered Sloan to deliver the title and summary by December 6th at four p.m.

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Nexstar, Our Parent Company Marks 10 Years on Nasdaq

November 26, 2013, 7:15 pm
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        It was a big day for our parent company, the Nexstar Broadcasting Group. A 10 year anniversary was celebrated in a big way.
        Perry Sook, the Chairman, President and CEO rang the opening bell at the Nasdaq market site on Times Square in New York City. A decade ago this week Nexstar Broadcasting Group went public. "Since we started the company in Wilkes-Barre -Scranton in 1996 with one television station it's amazing to think we have grown to a group of 102 stations around the country," said Sook.
       Sook believes that success comes from a focus on the communities it serves and the employees who go above and beyond. "It would not be possible without hard work of over 3,000 employees and while Nexstar is the company name we are really a collection of local businesses serving local communities in 20 states around the United States."
        The market likes what it sees. Steven Brown is manager of Nasdaq's market intelligence desk. "They've done well. Their stock is up 245 percent over last 10 years it reached all time high this past Friday. The success of the Nexstar Broadcasting Group was shown in a very big way on the Nasdaq tower on Times Square," said Brown. 

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Cash Shank Day

November 26, 2013, 11:25 pm
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November 26th will forever be known as Cash Shank Day in the city of Visalia.  It honors a 5-year old boy who is battling a rare form of brain cancer.  Cash could not make it to Tuesday evening's  meeting because he was not feeling well.  However, he was well represented by the community and his relatives.

"We thank him for inspiring all of us to persevere no matter what obstacle we may confront," said Amy Shuklian, Visalia city councilwoman.

Charleen Bradford accepted a plaque on her grandson's behalf.

"We're so touched and honored they're doing this for him," said Charleen Bradford, Cash's grandmother.

Earlier this year Cash received brain cancer treatments at Saint Jude's Hospital in Memphis.  Shortly thereafter, doctors issued him a clean bill of health.  But recent tests revealed the cancer is  back.  So city leaders felt a need to recognize this incredibly strong little boy.

"Visalia is a very compassionate city and a very caring city and it's amazing how when it comes to kids how much outreach and caring there is and love for the children," said Steve Nelsen, Mayor of  Visalia.
     
Cash has always dreamed of becoming a firefighter.  Some of the buddies he's made at the Visalia Fire Department showed up to the meeting.  They presented family members with a helmet, a souvenir  which shows they are backing him all the way.

"Firefighters is all about strength and valor and that's a symbol for us and it's also for him," said Battalion Chief Darrin Hughes of the Visalia Fire Dept.
     
Through his battle cash has shown remarkable power by uniting people.

"I have never ever seen a community come together like this.  People all over the world who have never met us are bombarding us.  I know that he'll be remembered forever," said Rhonda Edwards,  Cash's grandmother.

Cash Shank recently shot a television commercial for Saint Jude's Hospital with actress Jennifer Anniston and talk show host Jimmy Fallon.  It is scheduled to air during the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Man Found Dead in Burning Merced Home

November 26, 2013, 11:29 pm
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A deadly fire in Merced is under investigation.

It happened at a home on East 21st Street near Yosemite Parkway.

Neighbors spotted smoke coming from the home around 3:30 Tuesday afternoon and called 9-1-1.

The fire was contained to one room of the house... A bedroom where the victim was found.

"It appears to be possibly a homeless person. The house was boarded up. Looked like it had been vacant for some time," said Jeff Horta, Battalion Chief with the Merced Fire Department.

Police took part in the investigation because someone died.
Merced Sheriff and Coroner Mark Pazin visited the scene of the fire and says at this point there does not appear to be any foul play.

"Obviously we'll do complete toxicology. Was there other issues, contributing factors such as drugs or alcohol that caused him to doze off," Pazin said.

The house is condemned. No power, no utilities.
Neighbors didn't want to be interviewed on camera but they say the home has been vacant for years. At one point there was no front door. And transients would go in and out.

Fire officials say the door to the bedroom where the fire started was locked from the inside. And towels and clothes were stuffed along the bottom of the door, possibly to keep heat in. But it kept the smoke in as the fire smoldered.

"The message here is don't use fire inside a house where it's not supposed to be," Horta said.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday to determine exactly how the man died.
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Eyewitness News Investigates: Development Controversy

November 27, 2013, 9:35 am
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Eyewitness News investigates controversy over a master-planned housing development in west Fresno. 

"Granville at Westlake" would be built near Grantland and Ashlan.  The 460 acre community would have more than 2,000 homes and feature a man-made lake, but some residents who live nearby are worried about the impact the lake would have on their water. 

Westlake has been in the planning stages for nearly a decade, but some who live in the area say they just found out about it.  They want the project stopped, at least temporarily, until they get answers to all their questions.

Residents of West Grantland Estates are worried their quiet neighborhood will be disrupted by master-planned development Westlake.  The proposed project would add more than 2,000 homes, apartments and commercial space on 400 acres of what's now vacant land.


"They're going to do a whole lot of things that we're very much against, and pretty much ruin our way of life here," said resident Deborah Gauss.

Gauss has lived in the neighborhood bordering these fields for over thirty years.  She's primarily concerned about a 55-acre man-made lake.  Granville plans to drill a 500 foot well to fill it, and residents wonder if their wells will dry up. 

"If i were living in that neighborhood I'd ask the same questions and I think they're entitled to ask those questions.  And they're entitled to answers," said Gary Serrato of Fresno Irrigation District.  

He says Granville's well would be on a different, deeper aquafer than residents' wells.  Most wells in that area get water at about 75 feet and Serrato says their current water levels should remain the same, even with the lake.  Developers are doubling the size of a ponding basin, which will recharge ground water supply. 

Granville believes property values will go up for existing residents. 

"[Westlake] will have the widest trail in the Fresno metropolitan area, we'll have lots of vistas on the lake for the public to enjoy," said Darius Assemi of Granville Homes. 

He says while neighbors were told of the project two months ago, the land has been designated residential for about 30 years.  Residents live in the county, but Westlake is in what's called, the city "sphere of influence," which means the city council can approve the project.  It's scheduled for discussion next month. 

"I'm hoping to clear some of those issues out and see what the representation is and continue to engage our residents in this process, and the developer as well," said city councilman Blong Xiong.

Westlake was recently approved by Fresno's planning commission.  More meetings between the developer and residents are being planned.     
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New Parking Plan Could Be Coming to Downtown Fresno

November 27, 2013, 9:59 am
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Fresno mayor Ashley Swearengin has a new parking plan for the downtown area.

Under the plan there would be two types of passes, one for business and the other for residential.

The program could be up and running within a couple of months. The new parking initiatives are expected to make things easier and to attract business to the area.

"It's happening as a result of the city putting a stake in the ground and saying we are not willing to let the better part of a third of our city lay and waste any longer," says Swearengin.

This weekend the city will be offering free downtown parking at meters and garages to encourage more shoppers to visit the area.
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Amtrak Adding Hundreds of Seats For Holiday Travel

November 27, 2013, 10:08 am
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It should be easy to find a seat on an Amtrak train this busy travel week and that's because Amtrak is adding 5500 seats to its three passenger rail routes.

That includes 600 seats to the San Joaquin which runs through the valley to the Bay Area.

The extra seats will be added today through Monday. Amtrak is also adding 100 buses to its busiest routes as needed.
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Suspected Prolific Auto Thief Behind Bars

November 27, 2013, 10:38 am
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One of Fresno's Top Five suspected auto thieves is now in custody.

Twenty six year old Felipe Medina is in jail along with 28-year-old Felipe Garcia and 19 year old Ulises Avila. Officers responding to calls of several burglaries near Hamilton and Townsend caught one of the suspects trying to break into a car. He hopped into a van and the driver took off, pulling over after a short chase.

Inside the van officers found several stolen stereo system and paperwork belonging to a couple of victims.

Medina now holds one of the five beds in the Fresno County Jail designated for the city's top auto thieves.
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Warm Weather Delays China Peak Opening

November 27, 2013, 10:42 am
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Temperatures have not been cold enough at China Peak so the resort has postponed it's opening date until December 7th.

The resort has been trying to make man-made snow but the warm weather has halted their progress.

Barring a major change in the forecast, China Peak won't open until December 7th.
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Five Million Expected to Hit the Road in CA this Thanksgiving

November 27, 2013, 11:40 am
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Thanksgiving is traditionally the busiest travel day of the year and more than 5-million drivers are expected to hit California roads.

The California Highway Patrol wants everyone to remember to buckle up and drive safely.

"There's going to be an influx of traffic in the area. You really need to pay attention to what's going on. Make sure you give yourself enough time, enough space, slow down," says Vance Wedeking of the California Highway Patrol. 

Starting at 6:00 p.m. CHP officers will be working a maximum enforcement period. Last year 44 people were killed in California over the Thanksgiving holiday.
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Stepfather of Visalia Teen Found Dead Arrested

November 27, 2013, 11:47 am
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Miguel Pacheco, 32, was booked into the Tulare Co. Jail Tuesday on a murder charge in connection to the death of his stepson, Damien Gulley, 14, whose body was discovered in the Sequioa National Forrest last Thursday.
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Actress Marlo Thomas on St. Jude's "Thanks and Giving"

November 27, 2013, 12:34 pm
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Marlo Thomas, actress & National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, talked with KSEE's Carina Corral about St. Jude's Thanks and Giving campaign.

It's happening Thanksgiving week from November 25 - November 29th.

Pharmacies and other stores are asking shoppers to give a little more at checkstands to help sick children and their families.

She also talked about how her father founded St. Jude's and what it means for her to carry on this tradition.

Watch the video for the interview in its entirety. 
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Big Thanks to Turkey Drive Sponsors

November 27, 2013, 2:15 pm
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We want to thank our sponsors for making our Turkey Drive on Tuesday such a success. 

Tim and Kara DeRuyter
Bonadelle Neighborhoods
Milano Corporation
Saladinos
St. Anthony's Parish - Knights of Columbus
Fresno Life Magazine
Wanger Jones Helsley Law
Ministers of Presence Guild
Tiple D. Dairy and Farming
Scelzi Enterprises
Whitehurst Sullivan Burns and Blair
Ahslee and Jason Schuh
Conways, Comstock, and Davies
Wilson Homes
Granville Homes
Agri Valley Irrigation
Ritchie Trucking
Table Mountain Casino
Federico Consulting
Barthuli and Associates
Ultra Gro Plant Food Co.
Klein DeNatale Golden
Tim and Bea Hensleit
Joe Sciarrone
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Going for the Gold: Challenging the Moguls

November 27, 2013, 2:13 pm
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One of the challenging ski events at the the Winter Olympics has to be moguls. Not only are the skiers flying around 3-foot-high bumps but they are also launching into two gravity-defying jumps.

Johnny Moseley is the only American to win gold in this event. But as Going For The Gold's Dana Greene shows us in the above video, there may be another great U.S. moguls skier in our midst.

When you watch Patrick Daneen blast through the moguls, you can see how he got the nickname "The Rocket."

"It was really just the feeling and how fast everything happens. That's really what drew me into moguls skiing. I guess the quote everybody looks for is 'I'm a human shock absorber.' but really what so much of the sport is about is being in the right position," says Daneen.

In the right position to launch into two jaw-dropping jumps.

"Skiing is really my passion. That's the side of the sport that I really love. It's been so hard to get my airs going. I'm not that talented in the air, so I just have to work so much harder than everybody else does to get my airs to just average. Luckily for me, my skiing is so good, I just have to have average airs. Luckily in this sport. 75 percent is based on skiing," he adds.

Seventy five percent is based on time and turns, and the other 25 percent on the jumps, making this downhill event somewhat subjective. "That's the one thing about this sport I don't like is the judging side. It's really cool that in alpine, cross-country or speedskating, all those timed events, you either won or you didn't."

Daneen is winning at an incredible rate. He is currently the leader in the world cup standings, and after failing to make the podium in the 2010 Olympic games, Daneen looks like one of the favorites to take home gold in Sochi.

"We have a really strong team right now. Last year we had six different guys that stood on a podium, which I don't know when the last time that happened. So, it's going to be tough just to qualify for the Olympics. That's going to be the biggest obstacle, and then once you get there, we'll be able just to concentrate on it and do it," says Daneen.
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Table Mountain Rancheria Makes Generous Donation to KSEE 24 Turkey Drive

November 27, 2013, 3:39 pm
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Three hundred turkeys were donated by the Table Mountain Rancheria enabling hundreds of families to have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.
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Woodward Park Changes Hours for Saturday, Sunday

November 27, 2013, 4:45 pm
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**PRESS RELEASE - CITY OF FRESNO**

Woodward Park will be closed for the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) Cross Country Meet on Saturday, November 30th and on Sunday, December 1st until 3:00p.m. when the park will re-open.

All of Woodward Park will be utilized for the event.

CIF consists of all the high school leagues in California.  200 teams will be participating in this year’s event at Woodward Park. 


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Stepfather Arrested in Connection with Stepson's Death

November 27, 2013, 5:22 pm
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Miguel Angel Villegas Pacheco has been taken into custody by the Visalia
Police Department.

He's booked at the Tulare County Jail, facing a murder charge.

Pacheco is accused of murdering his 14-year old stepson Dameian
"Luke" Gulley.

Now police and neighbors are talking about the alleged
crime.

KSEE24's Lemor Abrams is live in the studio with the latest on
the investigation.

We still don't know the  motive of the boy's death, but Wednesday, police revealed more details into how he was found.

Dameian "Luke" Gulley, a 14-year old boy with autism, lived with his mother and stepfather in Visalia.

Until his family says he disappeared on his way to school, last Monday.

On Thursday, a park employee hiking with her dog in the Sequoia National
Forest found Dameian's body.

And the FBI got involved in Visalia P.D's investigation.

"Because of the location that the body was found-federal land," said FBI
Special Agent John Gliatta.

Friends at Valley Oak Middle School began mourning... with heartwarming
pictures and messages.

Dameian's mom was at the memorial. 

His stepfather was not.

After further investigation, Pacheco...Dameian's stepfather was arrested on
suspicion of murder.

"Due to the location of the body and evidence on scene, we knew there was
foul play at that time," said Chief Colleen Mestas of the Visalia Police Department.

Neighbors say they don't know the Pacheco family very well, but they're not
surprised to hear investigators say Dameian's death may not have been an
accident. 

"We've been fearful you know...the worst was going to happen to young
Dameian...our prayers were with the family but it's horrible it had to end like
this," said a neighbor.

The cause of the boy's death has not been released. As for the mom, she's not
in custody, but the investigation continues.



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Officers Aim to Deter Crimes of Opportunity During Holiday Season

November 27, 2013, 5:26 pm
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For many, the holidays are about family, faith and food. But for many criminals, it's a perfect opportunity to catch holiday shoppers off guard.

Vehicle break-ins and theft are the most common crimes during the holiday season, said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer.

Malls filled with people, bags stuffed with brand new items and parking lots jam packed--it's like Christmas Day for criminals searching for their next victim.

"Especially out where there's a lot of foot traffic, like the mall, I think I'm a little more protective because there are a lot of strangers around," said Lauren Gauer, a holiday shopper.

The 16th annual Operation Christmas Presence will begin on Black Friday, the traditional start to the holiday shopping season, with 125 law enforcement officers patrolling various shopping centers in Fresno.    

"We're also going to have plain clothes officers, undercover officers that will be assigned to various shopping malls, looking for people that might be trying to break into cars," Dyer said.

While criminals look for someone to victimize, officers from multiple agencies--on motorcycles and on horse back--look to keep shoppers safe.

"I love how they have them on the horses like that. It makes me feel more safe. When we were walking, they were everywhere, so I thought it was very cool," said Audrey Crow, a holiday shopper.

Law officers urge people to practice common sense safety tips, such as being aware of your surroundings and avoid being distracted when inside shopping centers and in parking lots.

"Be safe. Don't become a victim. Pay attention to what you're doing while driving. Pay attention to what you're doing in the parking lots," said Lt. Dave Paris with the California Highway Patrol.

Operation Christmas Presence will last until Christmas Eve.

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Turkey Cooking Safety Tips

November 27, 2013, 5:34 pm
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        Many families will be sitting down for turkey over the Holiday season. Here's some cooking tips.

        Turkeys should be thawed in the refrigerator to avoid food borne illness.

        Dieticians advise you to set the oven temperature no lower than 325°.

        Turkey must reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°.
        
        "You are probably going to check right in between the leg and cavity of the body and also in the thickest part of the breast," said Mike Folino a registered dietician.

        Once the meal is over, don't leave the food out for more than two hours. Make sure the leftovers are stored in the refrigerator.  The shelf life is short, don't keep turkey for more than three to four days.

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