This is a collection of local news concisely presented to provide a quick overview of what you might otherwise have missed.
Vehicle thefts decline in Tulare County
Vehicle theft in Tulare County decreased by 22% in 2024 compared to the year before, according to a new report released by the California Highway Patrol. CHP statistics showed 1,807 cars were stolen in the county last year, down from 2,320 in 2023. Stolen vehicle recoveries also decreased last year to 1,558, from 2,047 in 2023.
More than a dozen drivers arrested during DUI enforcement
Seventeen drivers were arrested during a DUI enforcement operation in Visalia over the July 19-21 weekend. The Visalia Police Department teamed up with the California Highway Patrol for the joint effort, which is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the California Office of Traffic Safety. More joint enforcement operations are planned.
Tulare County officials contribute to avian flu study
Two Tulare County Department of Health and Human Services officials contributed to “Human infections with highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses in the United States from March 2024 to May 2025.”
Tulare County Public Health Laboratory Manager Denise Lopez and Supervising Public Health Nurse Laura Esbenshade are among the authors of the study.
Annual Visalia High School picnic scheduled for August
The Annual Visalia High School Multi-Class Picnic will be held in Mooney Grove Park (Arbors 14, 15, and 16) from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27. “We’re inviting graduates from all Visalia high schools from 1948 to 1975,” said Rick Mangini, event chair. For more information, call (559) 732-8502 or (559) 688-3496.
Porterville man falls victim to online scam
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Department is warning the public to be cautious when buying equipment online after a Porterville man lost thousands of dollars in a scam involving stolen goods.
On July 14, deputies responded to a report of stolen equipment in the Porterville area, and learned the items had been stolen in Las Vegas and later purchased through Facebook Marketplace. The seller gave a convincing story that he had to sell his business assets due to financial hardship.
Sheriff’s officials advise potential buyers to be skeptical of prices that appear unusually low. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call (559) 733-6218.
Starbucks taps Tulare County man to help with accessibility policy
Starbucks has approached Steve Taylor of Porterville to develop the company’s accessibility policy because, “Starbucks is committed to expanding accessibility in the store experience across its store portfolio through an Inclusive Spaces Framework,” according to its website.
Taylor has developed ADA and California Financial Code-compliant self-checkout stand mounts that can be used by people with disabilities, including those in wheelchairs.
Closures planned for Highway 99
Southbound Highway 99 will be completely closed during from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. through July 30 for removal of temporary structures as part of the International Agri-Center Interchange Project. Detour signs will take drivers off Highway 99 at Paige Avenue (Exit 85), then use Paige Avenue, K Street, and Rankin Road to re-enter southbound Highway 99.
Grand opening planned for Tulare Business Innovation Zone
The Tulare Chamber of Commerce and the city of Tulare will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting for the Tulare Business Innovation Zone at 10 a.m. on July 31.
The former Tulare County Superior Courthouse building at 425 E. Kern Ave., has been renovated to offer about 15,000 square feet of space to a range of start-up businesses expected to include technology, data processing, research and development, welding, woodworking, sewing and embroidery.
Visalia Fox kicks off Road to 100 Capital Campaign
The Visalia Fox Theatre will kick off its Road to 100 Capital Campaign, a major fundraising effort that leads up to the venue’s 100th anniversary, when it presents a country music concert by Leaving Austin on Friday, Aug. 22.
The band, which features singer, songwriter, and Visalian Austin Machado, released its “Southern Gold” EP in 2019 after signing a worldwide co-publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music and BMG Nashville. The band has attracted more than 10 million streams, including more than four million for its song “Nothing but You.”
Reports: Many farmers don’t have plan for farms after retirement
Many California farmers who are 65 and older are without a plan for what happens to their farms when they retire. For those without family heirs, that decision can be especially complex.
The University of Nebraska at Lincoln’s Center for Agricultural Profitability explains the process in a series of articles by Nebraska Extension educator Jessica Groskopf.
“We are seeing more and more farmers and ranchers who have not identified an heir or person they’re expecting to pass the farm or ranch onto,” she said. “A lot of resources for succession focus on the next generation, but the reality is that for many of these folks that doesn’t apply.”
Construction begins at Hurley Avenue and Shirk Street in Visalia
Construction began at the intersection of Hurley Avenue and Shirk Street in Visalia on July 28 as part of the phase that includes work along Shirk from School Avenue to Hurley.
As a result, Shirk will be temporarily closed from Hilldale Avenue to Pershing Avenue. This work is expected to be completed by Aug. 8. For more information, visit www.visalia.city/shirk.
Tulare County unemployment rate increased in June
The unemployment rate in Tulare County was 10.7% in June, according to statistics released by the Labor Market Information Division of the California Employment Development Department. This is an increase of 9.9% from May, and 10.2% over June 2024.
California had an unemployment rate of 5.7%, and the U.S. rate was at 4.4% during the same period.
Double LL shutters in downtown Visalia
A downtown Visalia landmark has permanently closed its doors.
“After 30 wonderful years serving the Visalia Community, we’ve made the difficult decision to close Double LL Steakhouse & Saloon, effective July 12, 2025,” posted its staff on Facebook. “We’re incredibly grateful for your support over the years. Whether you visited us once or were a regular, you helped us create something special. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.”
Congressman Vince Fong named vice chair for Smart Irrigation
Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) has been named “Vice Chair for Smart Irrigation” for the newly established Modern Agriculture Caucus, which will focus on advancing innovation and technology in American farming.
“As technology advances, we must leverage innovation to strengthen our agriculture industry in my state and across the nation,” Fong said. “With Western farmers facing increasingly volatile water cycles, driving smart sustainable practices through the Modern Ag Caucus is essential.”
Tulare County ranked No. 41 in list of highest-earning California counties
Tulare County ranked 41st on the Stacker.com list of highest-earning counties in California for 2023. According to the report, released last week, the county’s median household income is $69,489, 32.1% of its households earn more than $100,000 a year, and 15% of its households earn less than $25,000.
Cutler-Orosi Family Education Center receives T-Mobile grant
The Cutler-Orosi Family Education Center received a $34,000 grant from T-Mobile to upgrade its conference room. The center was established in April 2004 through the Cutler-Orosi Joint Unified School District with funding from First 5 and the United States Department of Agriculture.
It houses a variety of family and community-centered programs, including parenting classes, family literacy, adult education, domestic violence prevention classes, and health navigation. The center has approximately 9,000 square feet of space, including offices, five classrooms/conference rooms, and two childcare rooms.
Four Tulare County businesses to participate in Annual Pistachio Week
Three Visalia restaurants and one Porterville chocolate confectionery will celebrate American Pistachio Growers’ 4th Annual Pistachio Week Aug. 11-17 by offering pistachio-inspired appetizers, entrees, desserts, and/or candies. The restaurants are Fugazzis, Pita Kabob, and The Vintage Press, and the confectioner is Stafford Chocolates.
This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: Tulare County news: Vehicle thefts, Facebook scams, Highway 99 closures, more
Reporting by Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-Delta / Visalia Times-Delta
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
