County News 2011

June 17, 2011

The Tulare County Library, as part of its Adult Summer Reading Program Novel Destinations, will feature the Polynesian Paradise Dancers at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the Visalia-branch library. The library is located at 200 W. Oak St. in Visalia.

June 16, 2011

Tulare County’s General Services and Sheriff’s Departments announced today the Kings River in Tulare County is closed for at least two weeks to all recreational use due to potentially dangerous conditions. Recreational use includes swimming and boating.
 
The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Pine Flat Dam, which flows into the Kings River and travels through Fresno and Tulare counties. Currently, the flow at the Kings River is 5,000 cubic feet per second and is anticipated to reach 6,500 cubic feet per second by Saturday.
 
Tulare County officials closed the Kings River in early April, when peak flow exceeded 4,000 cubic feet per second.

Take the survey at http://ow.ly/5iLep

June 15, 2011

Tulare County is asking residents who park near the Tulare County Superior Courthouse in Visalia to take an online survey in order to plan and lessen the impacts of a construction project that will eliminate 312 parking spaces during a two month period.

At least one alternate parking spot - a lot near the Tulare County Administrative Office - has been identified during the construction of the Parking Lot VI construction project. Parking Lot VI is located just north of the Tulare County Main Jail and will add 166 parking spaces for a total of 478 spaces.

Tulare County Capital Projects Manager Brian Summers said transportation will be provided to residents and employees who utilize the alternate parking site. There will be no charge to use the transportation. The online survey will determine when and how frequent transportation will need to be provided. Identifying additional alternate parking is also underway.

June 10, 2011

Five draft maps that detail possible new Supervisorial district lines have been created for the public to review and provide comments, the Tulare County Redistricting Committee announced.

These draft maps are available for comment and review online as well as during five public meetings scheduled in June.

June 8, 2011

Summer reading programs for youth and adults will kick off this week at the Tulare County Library Branch in Visalia.

Children and their parents are invited to visit the Tulare County Library – Visalia Branch at 11 a.m. on Thursday for “Wild Child Adventures,” which will kick off the youth-focused Summer Reading Program.

Adults are encouraged to visit the Visalia Branch library at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday for a Chocolate/Cheese Tasting Party, which will kick of the Adult Summer Reading Program.

June 6, 2011

Residents seeking to implement planning projects in Tulare County should have any easier time doing so thanks to a new project review committee, Resource Management Agency (RMA) officials announced.

RMA officials said the purpose of the Tulare County Project Review Committee is to review development project applications prior to formal submittal to help identify potential issues and guide customers through the process.

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted on March 22, 2011 to establish the Project Review Committee, which includes the Public Works Director, Planning Director, County Health Officer, County Fire Chief, the County Building and Housing Manager, and other designees. The Project Review Committee officially began reviewing applications on May 23.

“This committee will help the project review process go more smoothly and save both time and money for the development community,” said Ben Kimball, RMA Chief Planner. “The applicant and their agents will have an opportunity to hear staff’s concerns and suggestions, as well as seek answers to their questions regarding the projects.”

June 3, 2011

Demolition of the old Public Health Building, just north of the Tulare County Main Jail in Visalia, will begin today in preparation for a new parking lot construction project that will create an additional 166 new spaces, Tulare County Capital Projects officials announced.

Tulare County Capital Projects Manager Brian Summers said the demolition project will be completed within two weeks so construction crews can begin the “Parking Lot VI” construction project, which is slated to begin in mid-July and end in September. The demolition project will eliminate 40 parking spots immediately adjacent to the building. During the construction project, the 312 parking spots just north of the main jail will not be able available for employees or the public.

“We understand that this construction project will create an inconvenience for users of the parking lot six,” Summers said. “Tulare County is working on an alternative parking plan to lessen the impacts.”

May 27, 2011

The Tulare County Fire Department is pleased to present its new "Minutes Matter" video.

(Redistricting Forum Flier)

May 27, 2011

Residents will have five opportunities in June to voice their opinions on how Tulare County’s supervisorial district lines should be drawn.

Tulare County supervisorial districts are reviewed and redrawn every 10 years based upon the United States Census information. These district boundaries define the political representation on the Board of Supervisors. 

Redistricting Committee Chairman Dick Eckhoff said the public is welcome to provide input on the drawing of new district boundaries. The committee is seeking suggestions from residents regarding specific placement of the boundaries. The Board of Supervisors will make the final decision on how the lines will be drawn.

The Tulare County 2011 Advisory Committee on Redistricting will host the public forums at the following locations:

May 24, 2011

Goshen will be the site of a Step Up gang awareness and prevention event this week.

The Third Annual Step Up Goshen & Unite Summit will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 26 at Goshen Elementary School, 6505 Ave. 308 in Visalia.

Supervisor Steve Worthley, who represents Goshen, said the goal of the event is to inspire Tulare County families to live violence- and drug-free lifestyles, pursue educational achievement and connect to their community in a positive manner.

“We know that these events are important because they promote dialogue and awareness in the community, but follow up is equally important,” Supervisor Worthley said. “Having a third Step Up event demonstrates that ongoing gang education and prevention efforts is a priority in Goshen.”

May 12, 2011

Tulare County Parks officials say water conditions in the Kings River will allow the waterway to reopen to recreational users this Friday.

Parks Manager Neil Pilegard said the conditions of the Kings River were carefully reviewed by Tulare County Sheriff's Department and General Services Staff this week. The river water levels have returned to a reasonable level to allow the reopening of the river.

“The Kings River Water Master's Office expects the flow to continue near current levels or continue to drop over the course of the summer,” Pilegard said. “This is great news for all the folks wanting to go boating, jet skiing, fishing, floating, and swimming.”

May 12, 2011

The California Department of Food and Agriculture Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program has issued a limited number of coupon booklets for Tulare and Kings County, good for purchases made through November 30, 2011, at any Certified Farmers’ Market.

Coupons can be used only to purchase items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, or honey and cannot be exchanged for cash or other items.

May 6, 2011

Tulare County’s History of Farm Labor and Agriculture Museum at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia will premiere a new exhibit exploring the contributions to Tulare County agriculture made by Mexican farm workers.

The exhibit, “Hands of Harvest: The Mexican Farm Worker Experience in Tulare County,” will debut from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 14. In conjunction with the new exhibit, the City of Visalia will be hosting its 20th Annual Dia del Nino event. The event will include live entertainment, bounce houses and information booths. Admission to the park and museum will be free.

May 6, 2011

Tulare County’s job hunters seeking tips on employment should look no further than a box.

That’s the message Tulare County Library and Tulare County Workforce Investment Board officials want to convey when they unveil the “Job in a Box” at 10:30 a.m. on May 10 at the Visalia Employment Connection, 4025 W. Noble Ave. in Visalia. The public is invited to attend this free event.

Deputy County Librarian Jeff Scott said the Job in a Box is a freestanding, automated book-dispensing machine that allows library members to borrow and return books and media using a library card. Each machine will include 300 books that will focus on workforce needs, from resume writing, to interviewing, to career discovery.

“Job hunting can be a tedious and stressful process for anyone,” Scott said. “The Job in a Box is another tool we want to offer Tulare County’s residents seeking employment.”

April 29, 2011

Tulare County’s property owners should avoid a mailer in which a company is asking for $25 fee to file a home owner’s exemption application which can be completed for free, Tulare County Assessor/Clerk-Record Roland Hill announced today.

Hill said the mailer, from Property Tax Assessor’s Corp., offers to assist homeowners in obtaining a homeowner’s exemption for $25.

“This isn’t the first time that this company has mailed out such offers,” Hill said. “Naturally, this service is provided free of charge by the Assessor’s Office.”

April 26, 2011

Residents will have three opportunities in the next two weeks to voice their opinions on what criteria should be used to draw Tulare County’s supervisorial district lines.

Tulare County supervisorial districts are reviewed and redrawn every 10 years based upon the United States Census information. These district boundaries define the political representation on the Board of Supervisors.  The purpose of the three outreach meetings is to receive public input on which criteria the committee should use.  No maps or lines will be discussed at the outreach events.

April 22, 2011

The Workforce Investment Board of Tulare County (WIB) announced it will help provide training for long-term unemployed or previously laid-off workers for careers in renewable energy.  The course will consist of a two-week pre-apprenticeship training, beginning May 23, and a five-week introduction to power technologies, called PowerTech, beginning June 13.

"We are very enthused to be able to collaborate with Kern Community College District and Porterville College on this great opportunity," said Adam Peck, Executive Director of the WIB.  "The green jobs sector is going to be a growth industry in Tulare County and the Central Valley."