Local News

Fresno Unified School District Completes a 17.5 MW Solar Energy Project

FRESNO - March 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresno Unified School District celebrated the completion of a 17.5 MW districtwide solar energy and storage portfolio with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Hoover High School. Developed in partnership with ForeFront Power, a leading developer and asset manager of commercial and industrial-scale solar energy and storage projects, the Fresno Unified solar portfolio is expected to save the District over $40 million throughout the system's 20-year lifespan.

Now completed, the Fresno Unified portfolio includes 40 different projects with solar canopies and energy storage systems across 31 district sites, representing one of California's largest K-12 solar and battery storage portfolios. The labor used on the projects in the Fresno USD portfolio came from contracting services based out of the Fresno region, creating 56 new local jobs.

Former Redevelopment Director Passes: James Taubert (71)

MADERA - James “Jimbo” Taubert (71) unexpectedly passed away on March 20, 2024, at the age of 71 in Marina, California. It was on the day of his late mother’s birthday and the day after his wedding anniversary to his loving wife, Mardi, of 41 years. Jim’s parents, Bette and Ron, had four kids, Jim being the only son. He will be remembered by his sisters Cheryl (Steve), Joni (Danny), Candi, and their families.

Jim and Mardi started their adventure in Madera in 1983 and soon created a family with three beautiful children: Jared, Courtney, and Cameron. As they’ve spent time together since his passing, they realize they were blessed with the most amazing father and life mentor a child could ask for. Jim showed his dedication to his family in many ways, from coaching them in sports to supporting their ambitions and dreams.

“Operation SLO Ride” Dismantles Major Drug Trafficking Organization in Tulare County

FRESNO - Operation SLO Ride has resulted in the dismantling of a criminal organization operating in Tulare County, charging 28 individuals with drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.

Announcing the results of Operation SLO Ride today are U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert, DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian M. Clark, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux, Central Valley California High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Director John Martin, Tulare Police Chief Fred Ynclan, Visalia Police Chief Jason Salazar, and Porterville Police Chief Jake Castellow.

Tulare County Man Pleads Guilty to Falsely Marketing Products as Effective in Treating Medical Conditions

FRESNO - Huu Tieu, 61, of Porterville, pleaded guilty Tuesday to three counts of introducing misbranded drugs into interstate commerce, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

Tieu was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Golden Sunrise Pharmaceutical Inc. and Golden Sunrise Nutraceutical Inc. (collectively, “Golden Sunrise”). Golden Sunrise manufactured, marketed, and sold products that claimed to treat various medical conditions effectively.

Former Fresno Sleep Clinic Owner Sentenced to 19 Months in Prison for $1 Million in Fraudulent Claims

FRESNO - Travis Gober, 45, of Hanford, was sentenced to 19 months in prison today for committing health care fraud and aggravated identity theft by submitting more than $1 million in fraudulent sleep study claims to Medicare, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court records, Gober owned the VIP Sleep Center, which operated sleep clinics in Fresno and Tulare Counties. Sleep clinics perform diagnostic sleep studies on patients to identify disorders like sleep apnea and narcolepsy.