Valley Voice

11/23/2024

Just about this time last year, the Visalia City Council revamped the city’s zoning rules in an effort to bring short-term rentals (STR) under control following complaints about parking, noise and misbehaving tenants. Apparently, it hasn’t worked. So far, the city’s planning department has issued only 33 permits for STRs as of September 24. That’s almost an entire year since the zoning law was changed.

Short-term rentals – so-called AirBnBs – are apparently still causing chaos in Visalia, and City Hall aims to bring scofflaw landlords to heel. They’re going after their pocketbooks.   Almost No Compliance with New Code Just about this time last year, the Visalia City Council revamped the cit...

11/22/2024

FPA and the Valdivias, represented by the Herr Pederson & Berglund firm, filed an answer to the lawsuit on November 8 and hit back in a cross-complaint, alleging that the restrictions which prevent them from providing abortions are “invalid, illegal, unenforceable or otherwise void.”

They are seeking a “stay, temporary restraining order, preliminary injunction, and permanent injunction” preventing the association from enforcing the restrictions on the clinic.

The property owners’ association filed its own request for a temporary restraining order that would prohibit FPA from providing abortion services. A court hearing is currently set for 8:30am on December 16, 2024 in Department 2 of the Tulare County Superior Court.

Attorneys for FPA Women’s Health, a chain of clinics providing family planning and abortion services, have responded to a lawsuit attempting to close their newly-opened Tulare clinic at 1068 N. Cherry. The Tulare Medical Center Property Owners’ Association, which governs the Tulare Medical Cente...

11/22/2024

Valley Voice comes out at midnight!

It’s that time of year!

Plans have been made for Thanksgiving, College football teams are fighting it out on who will make it into the College playoffs, and Christmas is in the air with parades, home tours, and holiday parties on everyone’s calendars.

And if you want to take a break from cooking and wrapping presents, come to local historian Terry Ommen’s discussion about the Butterfield Overland Stage and how it put Visalia on the map. Part of the TC Voices forum series, Mr. Ommen’s is the most popular of the year, so get there early to grab a good seat and some holiday cookies. The forum is Tuesday December 10 at 7pm. Doors open at 6:30.

In our issue tonight Dave Adalian writes about the always popular subject of airbnb. Looks like a lot of Visalia landlords are going to be on Santa’s naughty list because very few of them have applied to get a permit. Read about how the city plans to get them to comply.

The Valley Voice has been working with the TC Voices team lead by former editor of the Visalia Times Delta, Paul Hurley. He wrote a fascinating introduction to Mr. Ommen’s topic on the Butterfield Overland Stage. Mr. Hurley also wrote about the evolution of 210 Café and the celebration happening there this Saturday, November 23 morning with Cuppa Jazz Band.

Catherine Doe gives an update on the efforts to shut down FPA Women’s Health in Tulare. There are a many twists and turns as the lawyers pull out all the stops to win their respective cases.

Don’t miss all the entertainment, education and ag news in this week’s issue of the Valley Voice!

11/19/2024

Lemoore College Hosts Holiday Food Drive to Support Community

Lemoore College is spreading holiday cheer while addressing food insecurity with its annual Holiday Food Drive and Distribution Event. The event will take place Wednesday, November 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. near the Golden Eagle Arena on the Lemoore College campus.

Last year, Lemoore College helped feed over 500 families during the Thanksgiving season and anticipates distributing holiday meals to 800 families this year. This annual event is part of the college’s commitment to supporting students and the greater community by providing essential resources during the holiday season. In addition to non-perishable goods and fresh produce, attendees will receive turkeys and traditional holiday sides, ensuring families can enjoy a festive meal together.

11/15/2024

In case you missed it:

Former Tulare hospital executive Dr. Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi will avoid jail time and serve 463 days of probation in Los Angeles County after pleading no contest to six felonies and two misdemeanors.

“The primary reasoning for this […] was so that restitution would be paid in full,” Judge Michael Sheltzer said. “If Dr. Benzeevi was not allowed to work, that major goal would not be accomplished. It would not serve the public purpose to put him in the four walls of a jail cell, even though I realize that perhaps some members of the community feel that would be more appropriate.”

Former Tulare hospital executive Dr. Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi will avoid jail time and serve 463 days of probation in Los Angeles County after pleading no contest to six felonies and two misdemeanors. The charges stemmed from acts undertaken when he and his company, Healthcare Conglomerate Associa...

11/15/2024

Former Tulare hospital executive Dr. Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi will avoid jail time and serve 463 days of probation in Los Angeles County after pleading no contest to six felonies and two misdemeanors.

The charges stemmed from acts undertaken when he and his company, Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, managed Tulare Regional Medical Center and the Southern Inyo Hospital.

Former Tulare hospital executive Dr. Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi will avoid jail time and serve 463 days of probation in Los Angeles County after pleading no contest to six felonies and two misdemeanors. The charges stemmed from acts undertaken when he and his company, Healthcare Conglomerate Associa...

11/14/2024

PIPELINE WORK BRINGS TEMPORARY STREET CLOSURE TO NORTHWEST VISALIA

Shirk, North of Riggin, Closed Now Through End of November

The work on Shirk Street will continue Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for approximately 30 days,” shared Orlando Rosales, Engineering Technician. “Construction on Riggin Avenue will be limited to shoulder work and impacts to Riggin traffic will be limited to the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

While the work is in progress, motorists will be detoured to Ave 320 (Kibler Avenue) via Plaza Drive. Outside workday hours, and on the weekends, no travel restrictions will be in place for Riggin Avenue; Shirk Street will remain closed for the duration of the project. Access for businesses and emergency services will remain intact for the entire duration of the work.

11/14/2024

11/14/2024

https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/14/calendar-of-events-3/

Looking for something to do to kick off a beautiful fall weekend? Look no further than Donna Orozco’s Calendar of Events!! Community theater “The Education of Angels” about two angels-in-training who are sent to earth, but not everyone can see them. Runs at Temple Theater, 514 Visalia St., Han...

11/14/2024

Tulare-Kings Writers meeting on Saturday!

Tulare-Kings Writers meeting Saturday, November 16 2024
10 AM - 12 PM Purple Room at Tulare County Library in Visalia
200 West Oak Avenue

11/14/2024

The AP today reported that Republicans maintained a slim majority in the House of Representatives helped by the victory of Rep. David Valadao. Come January Republicans will control the presidency, Senate and House. Republicans also enjoyed this level of control during the first two years of Trump’s presidency in 2017 and 2018.

Read more at: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/election/article295260419.html =cpy
https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/14/congressman-david-g-valadao-declares-victory/

With the vote count across California’s Twenty Second Congressional District nearly complete, it is clear voters have spoken and Congressman David G. Valadao will be reelected to continue serving the Central Valley in Congress. “The Central Valley is my home, and I am once again humbled by the C...

11/14/2024

Two grieving daughters filed suit early this year against the Tulare Public Cemetery District, alleging that the district buried their mother in a different location in 2006, placed her headstone in the incorrect location, and only discovered the error in 2023.

In the filing, Ena Vasquez & Yvette Hernandez allege that the burial plot mix-up caused “hospital and medical expenses,” “general damages,” and “trauma and emotional distress.”

Two grieving daughters filed suit early this year against the Tulare Public Cemetery District, alleging that the district buried their mother in a different location in 2006, placed her headstone in the incorrect location, and only discovered the error in 2023. In the filing, Ena Vasquez & Yvette He...

11/13/2024

Robby Robinson, a beekeeper from Leonard, Texas, threw some clothes in his back pack, rustled up some food, kissed his wife goodbye early one October morning and headed to California. His goal was to ask Bitta Toor why he hadn’t been paid for his services.

Five civil lawsuits from July to October of this year have been filed against Toor Farming – and there may be more to come. Four are for breach of contract ranging from $145,000 to $460,000 and a fifth lawsuit alleges fraud claiming damages of $15 million.

Robby Robinson, a beekeeper from Leonard, Texas, threw some clothes in his back pack, rustled up some food, kissed his wife goodbye early one October morning and headed to California. His goal was to ask Bitta Toor why he hadn’t been paid for his services. “I just wanted to talk to him face to f...

11/11/2024

Special education services and programs are available in Tulare County for children with disabilities from birth through age 21. Services are available for children with autism, blindness or vision impairment, deafness or hearing impairment, speech disability, physical or orthopedic disability, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, intellectual disabilities, or other health impairments.

The goal of Child Find is to make sure that every child in Tulare County attends school and receives appropriate services. The coordinator accepts referrals and screens children who may have a disability. The child is then referred to an appropriate educational program for evaluation and/or services. Assessments are provided at no cost to parents. Information is confidential and the privacy of children and parents is protected.

Parents or friends who believe that a child may have a disability can find help by calling the Tulare County Office of Education or their local school district. Child Find is designed to identify children who may need special education services and connect them with appropriate educational programs....

11/11/2024

The Visalia City Council has approved measures to begin planning a new Visalia Civic Center and a subcommittee has been formed to examine the options. The plans are in the earliest stages and the city is excited to talk about what their vision looks like.

City officials will be on hand for “Visalia’s Civic Center: An Early Look,” the monthly forum for November presented by the Tulare County Voices at 210.

Visalia is planning to build a new home. Some would say it’s a new city hall, a project that has been in the works for decades – and has even been a stated priority of past city councils. But other imperatives would always get in the way of building the project. No longer. The Visalia […]

11/10/2024

Residents of Westlake Village Mobile Park say they will do anything it takes – including court action – to stop the construction of a 172,000-square-foot Sam’s Club in their backyard. And they say they have the backing of the park’s ownership.

Residents of Westlake Village Mobile Park say they will do anything it takes – including court action – to stop the construction of a 172,000-square-foot Sam’s Club in their backyard. And they say they have the backing of the park’s ownership.   Mega Box Store Plan Approved, Appealed Westla...

11/10/2024

https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2024/11/09/the-porterville-barn-theater-presents-ms-scrooge-a-christmas-carol-with-a-twist/

The Porterville Barn Theater is thrilled to announce the upcoming production of “Ms. Scrooge”; the story follows Eliza Scrooge, the owner of a fashion design office who has a vicious temper and an extreme dislike for Christmas. Over the course of one Christmas Eve, Eliza is visited by her old pa...

11/10/2024

Theatre Company set to perform two shows this month

Tickets are now on sale for the Theatre Company's two, back-to-back fall productions – “W***y Wonka KIDS” and “Alice in Wonderland JR.” Four performances will be offered November 21 - 23 at the Rotary Theater in Visalia – three evening shows and a Saturday matinee. Audiences can purchase a ticket to the show of their choice or purchase a ticket to see both.

“W***y Wonka KIDS” is an endearing 40-minute production starring Tulare County students in grades 1 - 6. “Alice in Wonderland JR” is a magical 60-minute production starring Tulare County students in grades 7 - 12. A 20-minute intermission will be held between the two shows.

Evening shows begin at 7:00 p.m. with performances of W***y Wonka, followed by performances of Alice in Wonderland at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person for Wonka, $12 for Alice, or $17 for both shows. To purchase tickets, visit tcoe.org/TheatreCo/tickets.