FRESNO – On Tuesday, May 29, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and Tree Fresno began the first phase of tree planting at West Fresno Middle School. Nearly 200 trees were planted by volunteers and students. The trees are the first part of the Authority’s effort to offset greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with high-speed rail construction and achieve the Authority’s goal of zero net direct GHG emissions from construction. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) administers funds for tree planting programs on behalf of the Authority per an Interagency Agreement.
Tree Fresno was awarded a grant to plant as many as 2,400 trees in several phases at West Fresno Middle School, West Fresno Elementary School, Mary Ella Brown Community Center, and parks and schools in the San Joaquin Valley.
Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
MADERA - In observance of the 50th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s visit to the state’s agricultural heartland, residents and community leaders are teaming up to host a special community event intended to pay tribute to the former presidential hopeful’s legacy and highlight a visit he made to Madera on May 30, 1968.
MADERA – Tragedy struck early Thursday morning in the city of Madera when a volunteer firefighter was killed in a motorcycle incident near Howard Road on Pine Street. Marijuana is believed to be a factor in a crash that left one man dead and another in custody at the Madera County Department of Corrections.
FRESNO - Sylvia Ochoa, 35, of Selma, was sentenced Monday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 18 months in prison for embezzlement from a financial institution, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.
FRESNO - Kaiser Permanente announced a $90,000 investment to support a public awareness campaign to reduce the stigma around mental illness and encourage students in the Madera Unified School District and pregnant women to seek treatment if needed. The grant is being awarded to Camarena Health – the largest healthcare provider in Madera County – and is expected to serve 2,500 high school students and 750 pregnant women accessing care in their health center.
TULARE - The International Agri-Center® and World Ag Expo® and the Central Valley Toyota Dealers presented a check in the amount of $80,000 to Valley Children's Hospital during the hospital's All Guild Picnic at the Belmont Country Club on May 23, in Fresno, California. 
FRESNO - Annemarie Schwanz and Patricio Galindo were awarded the University’s top academic honors at Fresno State’s 107th Commencement Saturday, May 19, at the Save Mart Center.Schwanz and Galindo were chosen from a group of nine Deans' Graduate Medalists and nine Undergraduate Deans' Medalists.
