This is a collection of local news concisely presented to provide a quick overview of what you might otherwise have missed.
Tulare County CAO appointed interim manager of cemetery district
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed County Administrative Officer Jason Britt at their Nov. 4 meeting to serve as acting district manager of the Tulare Public Cemetery District. Woodlake Cemetery District Manager Trilby Barton will assist him with the cemetery’s daily operations.
Britt will serve as district manager until a permanent replacement is named.
Visalia City Council delays any senior meal price increase until 2026
At its Nov. 3 meeting, Visalia City Council voted to delay a decision on raising the prices of city-subsidized meals for seniors at the Visalia Senior Center.
Currently, the price for lunch is $4.50 for Visalia seniors (55+), and $6 for others.
The proposed increase was to be in two phases. The first one would begin on Dec. 1 and increase lunch costs for Visalia seniors to up to $6 for those dining in, and up to $7 for those taking out their lunch. For others, the prices would increase up to $10 or $11. The second phase called for an additional increase of $1.75 to begin on March 1, 2026.
The council tabled the agenda item until next year to allow time to investigate alternative sources of funding.
Heavyweight boxer Richard Torrez Jr. earns 14th win
Heavyweight boxer Richard Torrez Jr. of Tulare improved to 14-0 with a first-round knockout of Czech boxer Tomas Salek on Nov. 15 in San Luis Potosí, Mexico. This was his 12th win by knockout.
“The quick result was because our camp went well,” Torrez said. “We love to give the people a good show. I’m thankful that we had a good camp. A win is a win, and we’ll be back in the gym tomorrow.”
Torrez had been looking forward to his first fight in Mexico.
“I’m a proud Mexican-American, and I’m going to show that ‘Mexican Style’ translates to the heavyweight division,” he said before the fight. “This is my first time fighting in Mexico. I’ve been here once or twice before, but I’m excited to come here and show everyone what I’m about.”
Former Visalia student to receive $8 million settlement
A former Mt. Whitney High School student who sued the Visalia Unified School District alleging she was molested by a school staff member will receive $8 million in a settlement with the district.
When she was a 15-year-old sophomore, she was allegedly sexually assaulted by former campus supervisor Dejaun Jones, who was arrested by Visalia Police Department on April 20, 2023. He was charged with 11 sex-related felony counts, including sexual assault, showing pornography to a minor, and lewd act upon a child.
The settlement was reached one month before the civil trial was scheduled to begin. Several female students at Mt. Whitney High School have also accused Jones of similar behavior.
Public comments now accepted for Tulare’s 5-year plan
The city of Tulare is accepting public comments about the proposed updates to its Five Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, which will determine how housing and community development funds will be used.
Public comments will be accepted through Dec. 2, which is also the date of the 5:30 p.m. public hearing about the proposed updates in the council chamber at the Tulare Public Library.
For more information, visit the Community Development Department webpage or call (559) 684-4222.
VPD issues 21 citations for hands-free cellphone violations
On Nov. 12, Visalia Police Department officers cited 21 drivers for violating California’s hands-free cellphone law during a distracted driving enforcement operation.
“Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the hands-free cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” Officer Derek Neece said. “Our ultimate goal is to change behaviors to help make our roads safer.”
Using a handheld cellphone while driving can result in a fine. A second offense within 36 months of a prior conviction adds a point to the driver’s record.
$390,000 in Healthy Soils Grant funding available
Approximately $390,000 is still available in grant funding through the Healthy Soils Program Block Grant, administered by the California Citrus Quality Council, the California Farm Bureau, and the Xerces Society.
Funds will support new projects that have not previously received HSP funding from other agencies. Eligible practices are limited to one-time implementation in citrus groves, including filter strips, conservation cover, hedgerow plantings, and mulching.
The application period closes at 5 p.m. on Nov. 21.
Visalia’s ‘Winter Live and Play’ guide now online
The latest quarterly guide showing ways to live, work, and play in the South Valley is now online. The winter Live and Play lists and describes events for every age group, including youth sports programs, fitness programs, craft classes, and cultural and other festive activities.
Walmart supports local nonprofits with ‘Spark Good’ grants
Walmart continues to partner with local nonprofits that care for animals, empower women, provide resources for children, and support vulnerable populations. Through its Spark Good grant program, Walmart has given more than $60,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in the Central Valley.
In Tulare County, the Rural Communities Resource Center received a $2,588 grant, and Visalia Police Activities received two grants totaling $2665.
“At Walmart, we’re proud to invest in organizations that make a real difference in our neighborhoods,” said Hector Benavides, Walmart market manager. “Knowing that Walmart is investing into our communities and initiatives is truly rewarding to see.”
Pharmacy opens at the Visalia Adult Integrated Clinic
The Genoa Healthcare Pharmacy is now open at the Visalia Adult Integrated Clinic, 520 E. Tulare Ave., Visalia.
The new pharmacy provides Medi-Cal beneficiaries with such services as coordinating prescription refills and pickups with clinic appointments, and medication delivery.
For more information, call (559) 429-7736.
Tulare County HHSA issues infant formula warning
The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency has issued a safety alert regarding an infant formula recall.
The alert states: “ByHeart, Inc. has recalled all of its Whole Nutrition Infant Formula due to investigations into an outbreak of infant botulism. Consumers who purchased formula from these lots should stop using it immediately.”
HHSA urges parents not to serve the formula to their children, and to contact a healthcare provider if their baby has shown any signs of illness after using this product.
VPD seeks public help in finding Hobby Lobby theft suspects
The Visalia Police Department is looking for the public to help identify three females suspected of engaging in felony theft at the Hobby Lobby store at 3231 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia.
According to the VPD, the three women took jewelry and other merchandise, which they placed in a large red bag. When the store’s security personnel confronted them, one of the suspects reportedly argued loudly before the three left the store. The suspects then got into a black Dodge Avenger and left.
Anyone who recognizes the women or has information about the incident is asked to call the VPD Property Crimes Unit at (559) 713-4720 or, if they want to remain anonymous, by calling (559) 713-4738.
Central Valley Adventist Health Hospitals earn ‘A’ in safety
All six eligible Adventist Health hospitals in the Central Valley, including Adventist Health Tulare, earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group, an independent national nonprofit watchdog focused on patient safety.
Leapfrog assigns grades to general hospitals across the country based on more than 30 measures of errors, accidents, injuries, and infections, as well as the systems hospitals have in place to prevent them.
“Earning an ‘A’ grade for patient safety across all six of our eligible hospitals in the Central Valley is an incredible accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of our providers, nurses, and entire care teams,” said Ghassan Jamaleddine, M.D., chief medical officer for the Adventist Health Central California Network.
‘20/20’ episode focuses on the arrest of a Visalian for a cold case killing
ABC’s “20/20” on Nov. 14 told the story of how DNA identified Duane Stane, a Visalia man, as the killer of 22-year-old Debbie Dorian in Fresno in 1996.
The episode, “I’m Going to Get You,” can be seen on YouTube.
Proposals sought for Tulare County highway signage system
The Tulare County Association of Governments and the Sustainable Corridors Committee, which includes Tulare County, RMA and local cities, has issued a request for proposals for a unified community branding and signage design system.
The goal is to highlight the county’s agricultural roots, iconic natural landmarks, and distinct community identities through coordinated signage across its cities and unincorporated communities.
Proposed designs need to feature consistent color palettes, typography, and materials that reflect regional pride and can withstand California’s climate. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Feb. 18, 2026.
Visalia Pieology permanently closes
Pieology has permanently closed its doors at 3733 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia. Some customers were surprised when they were greeted with a sign on the door informing them that the space was now available.
The response to the closing was mixed on social media.
“I’m saddened by this, because I would go there once about every couple months, and I preferred Pieology over Blaze any day,” wrote one poster on Reddit.
“We stopped going a couple years ago,” posted another. “They refused to staff it properly. Wife and I sat in line for 20 minutes, only two people ahead of us, and they couldn’t get through one customer in that time.”
Tulare County HHSA announces holiday season charitable programs
As part of the Friends of Tulare County initiative, the Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency has announced that its drives for the 2025 holiday season are the Child Welfare Services Toy Drive, Stockings for Seniors, the Homeless Fund Drive, and Animal Services Donation Drive.
Checks can also be mailed to: Friends of Tulare County, 5957 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, CA 93277, with the name of a drive in the memo line of the check.
Wienerschnitzel now open in Porterville
Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog chain, announced in a Nov. 12 press release that its newest restaurant has just opened at 1034 West Olive Ave., Porterville.
The restaurant’s dining room will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the drive-thru operating from 9 a.m. until midnight.
Hard Rock Casino Tejon opens along road to Los Angeles
Tulare County residents heading to Southern California now have a new attraction (or distraction) along the way. Hard Rock Casino Tejon, 1777 Garone Farm Road, Mettler, is located just north of where highways 5 and 99 meet in south Kern County.
The new casino offers gamblers more than 2,000 slot machines and more than 50 table games. It offers diners restaurants such as Deep Cut Steaks and Seafood, the Hard Rock Cafe, YouYu, and MarketPlace with Street Tacos, Brick’d Pizza, and The Roost.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Torrez wins with first-round KO, former VUSD student to get $8M settlement: Tulare County news
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
