County News 2011

Warming Centers (English)

Warming Centers (Spanish)

December 16, 2011

The Tulare County Office of Emergency Services (OES), in conjunction with local cities and community partners, are urging citizens to prepare for the incoming inclement weather and have released a full list of Tulare County warming centers that are now activated and operational.

December 13, 2011

Tulare County’s agriculture community has a tool to use to keep their farms running when an electrical outage occurs during extreme weather conditions or other unforeseen incidents. 

The Electrical Agriculture Wind Machine/Ag-Well Emergency Program provides a 24-hour, on-call service to farmers – Southern California Edison (SCE) and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) customers – when an electrical outage occurs. The program is a partnership between the two utility companies and the Tulare County Resource Management Agency’s (RMA) Building Department, who issues the appropriate electrical permits when an outage occurs.

December 9, 2011

Tulare County and its largest employee union, SEIU, have reached an impasse.

The impasse stems from a decision in September by the Board of Supervisors to suspend a 40-hour furlough program for its employees for Fiscal Year 2011-12. Nine Tulare County bargaining units accepted the furlough suspension with the exception of SEIU. In lieu of the furlough suspension, SEIU representatives made a number of counter proposals which included discontinuing a freeze on merit increases and promotions, among other items.

Tulare County and SEIU were unable to reach an alternate agreement and has reached impasse. The Tulare County Human Resources & Development Department will recommend at the Dec. 13 Board of Supervisors meeting to make no changes to terms and conditions of employment. Approval of the recommendation would mean the 40-hour furlough program would still apply to SEIU for the 2011-12 Fiscal Year.

December 8, 2011

Tulare County’s General Plan 2030 Update moved one step closer to final approval at the December 7 Planning Commission meeting.

By a unanimous 7-0 vote, the Tulare County Planning Commission approved the following recommendations to the Board of Supervisors: approve the certification of the proposed Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the proposed General Plan 2030 Update and proposed Climate Action Plan; adoption of the proposed General Plan 2030 Update; and adoption of the proposed Climate Action Plan. The vote was not an approval or certification. The General Plan Update and supporting documents will now be brought to the Board of Supervisors for review and final approval.

The Board of Supervisors will schedule a public hearing in early 2012 to consider the Planning Commission’s recommendations regarding adoption of the proposed General Plan 2030 Update and proposed Climate Action Plan.

December 8, 2011

Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Ennis today requested all United States flags to be flown at half-staff at all County buildings in remembrance of Spc. Thomas J. Mayberry of Springville.

“Our thoughts are prayers go out to the family of Thomas J. Mayberry and all the families who have lost young men and women who died serving our country,” Chairman Ennis said. “Tulare County will fly our flags at half-staff and encourage individuals, businesses, and other organizations to join us in remembrance of Spc. Mayberry for his sacrifice to our Country.”

November 23, 2011

The Tulare County Probation Department has been awarded a new traffic safety grant for a year-long program aimed at preventing deaths and injuries resulting from driving under the influence (DUI).  The $75,000 grant awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) to Tulare County will aid in the county’s ongoing effort to improve traffic safety and the quality of life. Special probation supervision measures will target the high-risk, felony and repeat DUI offenders in Tulare County.  The Probation Department will also work with other local law enforcement agencies on anti-DUI efforts as part of an on-going commitment to keep our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

"The intent of the Tulare County DUI Probation Supervision Program is to respond quickly and aggressively to felony DUI offenders through the assignment of a full-time Probation Officer," said Janet Honadle, Tulare County Probation Chief. 

November 18, 2011

Tulare County History of Farm Labor & Agriculture Museum officials will recognize Southern California Edison and the Tulare County Office of Education for providing more than $200,000 of in-kind and financial donations. All donations made were used towards creating and providing programming for the museum’s Learning Center.

An event to recognize the two donors will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 21 at the Ag Museum at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. During the event, a fixture honoring the donors will be unveiled above the doors at the museum’s Learning Center. Students from local schools will also view a newly created video featuring the history of the Yokuts Tribe.

“The success of the Ag Museum is not possible without the generous in-kind and monetary support of Southern California Edison, the Tulare County Office of Education and many other community donors,” said Mike Ennis, Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “Tulare County is proud to recognize these two donors by having a permanent fixture placed in the museum.”

(Read Opinion of the 5th District Courts of Appeals)

November 3, 2011

The California 5th District Court of Appeal in Fresno issued its opinion November 2 regarding a lawsuit filed against the Tulare County Board of Supervisors alleging Brown Act Violations and upheld an August 2010 Tulare County Superior Court ruling to dismiss the case.

Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Mike Ennis issued the following statement:

"The opinion by the 5th District Court of Appeal affirms the position of the Board that no Brown Act violations have ever occurred. The petitioners did not allege one fact that would support a lawsuit. The lawsuit was completely baseless and without any factual foundation."

November 1, 2011

Tulare County Branch Libraries in Ivanhoe and Earlimart will host grand reopening events this week.

The grand reopening of the Ivanhoe Branch Library will take place at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at 15964 Heather Ave. in Ivanhoe. The grand reopening of the Earlimart Branch Library will take place at 4 p.m. on Thursday at 780 E. Washington St. in Earlimart.

At both library events, refreshments and a tour of the facilities will be provided.

October 28, 2011

Tulare County’s History of Farm Labor & Agriculture Museum will debut a new exhibit in November – The Yokuts Legacy: Celebrating Native American Traditions in Tulare County.

The public is invited to attend a reception to honor the opening of the new exhibit from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the museum, located inside of Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. Admission to the park and the museum is free.

October 27, 2011

Residents and employees seeking to park near the Tulare County Superior Courthouse in Visalia should have plenty of parking spaces thanks to the completion of the Parking Lot VI construction project.
 
The Parking Lot VI construction project, located at the corner of Main St. and Woodland St., started in July 2011 and finished this week. The public and employees will have access to the parking lot on Monday, Oct. 31.
 
“Tulare County would like to thank the public, employees and our neighbors for their patience during the construction project,” said Kristin Bennett, Assistant County Administrative Officer. “The added 166 parking spaces and the reconfigured layout will ease the Civic Center parking challenges.”

October 18, 2011

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors today appointed Joe M. Garcia as the Tulare County Fire Department Chief.

Garcia has more than 37 years in the California fire service, starting as a Paid-Call Firefighter in 1974 at the Terra Bella Tulare County station. He also worked with the Porterville State Hospital Fire Department, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, and, more recent, was hired as a Division Chief with the Tulare County Fire Department when it was established by the Board of Supervisors in 2006.

"Joe has had a proven track-record of success throughout his fire service career and has a statewide reputation of being an effective leader," said Mike Ennis, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. "We are pleased to fill the Fire Chief position with someone of Joe's caliber."

October 11, 2011

More than 170 youth representing 17 middle and junior high schools from throughout Tulare County will participate in a summit to kick off the Step Up Youth Challenge from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Visalia Convention Center.

The Step Up Youth Challenge is a seven-month program designed to engage a diverse group of junior high students in a service learning-based Challenge Project that impacts their school culture and community. Schools completing a project will compete in a challenge to win grants for their school. The program is sponsored by the Tulare County Gang Prevention Task Force, whose goal is to decrease gang activity and support the growth of positive options for youth throughout Tulare County.

Schools participating in the summit on Thursday will attend various workshops to help them create a plan to implement a Challenge Project to address a theme that is locally important to their school or community. For example, schools might address gangs, drug abuse, peer pressure, bullying, self-esteem, and suicide prevention.

“One of the most important features of Step Up Youth Challenge is that the projects developed for each campus will be youth-designed and youth-driven,” said Tulare County Superintendent of Schools Jim Vidak. "We know from experience that youth-driven projects have a greater potential for success as students take ownership in the process. We are anxious to see what develops and track the positive affects at each school."

October 7, 2010

The County of Tulare Clerk of the Board Office is accepting applications from interested and qualified District One and District Four residents to fill two vacancies on the Tulare County Assessment Appeals Board and a District Three resident to fill one vacancy on the Housing Authority of Tulare County Board.

October 5, 2011

Rita A. Woodard, Registrar of Voters, is reminding all Tulare County residents that the upcoming Consolidated Districts Election will be held on November 8, 2011. 

September 20, 2011

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors today unanimously approved a $953.8 million balanced spending plan recommended by County Administrative Officer Jean Rousseau for Fiscal Year 2011-12.

“Tulare County will continue to spend within its means and provide a balanced budget,” said Mike Ennis, Chairman of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “I want to thank all employees who have continued to provide excellent service through these tough times.”

September 19, 2011

The Tulare County Employment Connection will host the 20th Annual Tulare County Career Fair on Wednesday, September 28, 2011. The Career Fair is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held at the Visalia Holiday Inn and Conference Center.

Businesses and organizations from throughout the Central Valley will have booths and employment information at the Career Fair. Attending the Career Fair gives job seekers the opportunity to discuss their qualifications and experience with local employers. Interviews can be held on the spot while at the Career Fair. Job seekers are encouraged to wear professional attire and bring multiple copies of their resume.

September 12, 2011

Tulare County Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Ennis today requested all United States flags to be flown at half-staff at all County buildings in remembrance of Pfc. Douglas J. Jeffries of Springville.

“Our thoughts are prayers go out to the family of Douglas Jeffries and all the families who have lost young men and women who died serving our country,” Chairman Ennis said. “Tulare County will fly our flags at half-staff and encourage individuals, businesses, and other organizations to join in to remember Mr. Jeffries.”

Chairman Ennis said flags will be flown at half-staff through Friday, Sept. 16