SouthWest Fresno

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SW-FresnoTrail

Southwest Fresno Trail – Rashad Al Hakim Jr. Trail

(Under construction)

TCC Project #5 

Location: Along the Fanning Ditch alignment (West Ave. to Thorne Ave.)

$3,834,123 Investment funded by the Transformative Climate Communities grant.


Background:

TCC Project #5 is part of the approved $65.5 million Master Grant Agreement for the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) grant program with the Strategic Grown Council (SGC) for development and implementation of greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. 

This project specifically was also made possible through collaboration with the Fresno Irrigation District in converting the open channel to an underground pipeline. 

Project Highlights:

  • Class I trail
  • 102 additional trees & landscaping 
  • Trail and street lighting

Winter Employee of the Quarter: Johnny Hernandez

Johnny Hernandez, Accountant-Auditor II

Johnny’s unwavering dedication and meticulous attention to detail have been pivotal to the success of the Capital Projects Department. Johnny‘s commitment to excellence is evident in his consistent effort to ensure accuracy across all divisions within Capital Projects. He has also developed innovative templates, which have reduced errors making the project managers’ work more efficient and streamlined. The entire team greatly benefits from Johnny’s contributions and supports his nomination for this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations, Johnny!

41st Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

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COURTESY OF NPR

41st Annual Reverend
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration

“Dreaming together: Changed by the Past, Molding the Future”

Presented by: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Unity Committee, City of Fresno.
January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

“Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Friday, January 17, 2025 –
Opening Garlanding Ceremony at 11:45 AM
at Courthouse Park

Location: Van Ness Avenue and Tulare Street, Fresno, CA 93721

Welcome remarks from Fresno County Board of Supervisors. This ceremony will feature performances from Fresno Unified School District Black Student Union and King Elementary School Dancers.

Contact: Gail Gaston [email protected] (559) 681-3140 or Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor at (559) 435-2212


Friday, January 17, 2025 –
Community Awards Program – 5:00 PM
at Fresno City Hall

Location: Fresno City Hall, Council Chambers,

2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721 Program will acknowledge our 2025 Educational Leadership Awardee, Community Leadership Awardee, and the Les Kimber Community Service Awardee. A light reception to follow.

Contact: Dr. Jeff Hunt [email protected]


Friday, January 17, 2025
Candlelight Peace Vigil – 6:30 PM
at Fresno City Hall

Location: 2600 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721.

Assemble at 6:30PM in front of Fresno City Hall.
Contact: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor at (559) 435-2212


Sunday, January 18, 2025
Clovis Police Department Community Breakfast – 9:00 AM

Location: Clovis Veterans Memorial District,
808 Fourth St. Clovis, CA 93612

The Clovis Police Department and the MLK Unity Committee of Fresno invite you to join us for the Annual Community Breakfast honoring Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tickets are $5 each and tables of eight are available for reservation with advance payment of $40. Reservations are required, as only a very limited number of non-reserved seats will be available at the door.

Contact: Erin Ford-Horio [email protected] or (559) 324-2476


Monday, January 20, 2025
City of Fresno March – 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM

Location: St. John’s Cathedral 2814 Mariposa St,
Fresno, CA 93721

Marchers will assemble at St. John’s Cathedral at 9:30AM. March begins at 10:00 AM, stops at Fresno City Hall, then proceeds to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium at 2425 Fresno Street for the Commemoration Program.

Contact: James Lett III (559) 284-6420


Monday, January 20, 2025
Commemoration Program – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
at Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Location: 2425 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721

Join us at 11:00 AM for a celebration of the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions to community, diversity, and our enriched culture. This year’s keynote speaker is Wendy McCully, Executive Director of the Fresno Unified School District Foundation.

Contact: Terri Kimber Edwards (559) 908-0639 or Eric Payne at [email protected]

Other M.L.K. events happening throughout Fresno you may wish to attend…


Other M.L.K events happening throughout Fresno you may wish to attend…

  • Tuesday, January 14, 2025

    Fresno County Superintendent of Schools Rev. Dr. M.L.K. Art, Essay and Speech Contest Reception – 5:00PM at Clovis Veterans Memorial

    District Location: 808 4th Street, Clovis, CA 93612.

    Contact: Dr. Jeff Hunt at [email protected]
  • Thursday, January 16, 2025

    West Fresno Ministerial Alliance Prayer Breakfast – 7:00AM at Cornerstone Conference Center

    Location: 1445 Fulton St, Fresno, CA 93721
  • Friday, January 17, 2025

    Jazz Tribute to the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – 9:00AM-12:00PM A radio tribute to the legacy of Dr. King, Jr. through commentary and music composed and recorded by jazz artists who supported the Civil Rights Movement. Listen on 90.7 FM, Kfsr.org, Tune-In Radio Fresno State.

    Contact: Dr. Robert S. Mikell at [email protected]
  • Friday, January 17, 2025

    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration at Fresno State from 12:00PM-1:00PM Location: 5241 N Maple Ave, Fresno CA, 93740. Fresno State Peace Garden In addition to the commemoration, there will be a small exhibit located in the Cross Cultural and Gender Center depicting MLK’s journey. Light refreshments will be provided.

    Contact: Michael Ray Blathers Jr. (559)278-8529
  • Sunday, January 19, 2025

    Fresno City College Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 60th Anniversary Celebration at 2:00PM

    Location: Fresno City College, 1101 E University Ave, Fresno, CA 93741

    Join Interim Fresno City College President Dr. Kim Armstrong and Pastor Ed Thomas as they gather to commemorate Dr. King’s 1964 march for civil rights at Ratcliffe Stadium. Marchers will meet in front of the courtyard near the President’s Office at Fresno City College.

    Contact: Edward Thomas at [email protected]

Special Thanks to Our Community Partners:

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer
City of Fresno
Fresno City Councilmembers
Fresno County Board of Supervisors
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Fresno Unified School District
Clovis Unified School District
California Highway Patrol
Fresno Police Department
Clovis Police Department
Clovis Veterans Memorial District
ABC 30 Action News-KFSN TV
The Les Kimber Family
Educational Employees Credit Union
The Central Valley Urban Institute
The Honorable M.L.K. Unity Committee Members:
Founding Member: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor
Chair: James Lett III
Vice – Chair: Mike Salas CHP
Treasurer: Gail Gaston
Secretary: Dr. Jeff Hunt
Terri Kimber- Edwards
Erin Ford- Horio
Eric Payne
Summer Gaston – Gehris

M.L.K. Unity Committee Officers:

Founding Member: Dr. Sudarshan Kapoor
Chair: Gail Gaston
Secretary: Dr. Jeff Hunt
Treasurer: Eric Payne

M.L.K. Unity Committee Members:

Terri Kimber Edwards
Erin Ford-Horio
Summer Gaston-Gehris
James Lett III
CHP Public Information Officer Mike Salas
George Rodriguez
John Sturdivant

M.L.K. Unity Committee Information:

Ciannah Moreno, Council Assistant, District Three
(559) 621-7836 [email protected]

We Work For You: Lionel Johnson

This week on We Work For You, we’re highlighting Lionel Johnson! He’s a bus driver at FAX, where he works routes that take him all over Fresno. He rode the bus growing up and was positively impacted by drivers as a child, and he wants to give riders in Fresno that same great experience. He takes pride in being on time at his stops and helping people get to their appointments, to school, and to their jobs. Thank you for everything you do for FAX riders, Lionel!

WATCH

We Work For You: Kendra Tylor

This week on We Work For You, we’re highlighting Kendra Tylor! She works on the PARCS customer service team, where she handles everything from FresGO requests to tennis court reservations to Camp Fresno signups – and all things in between! She says she realized the importance of low and no-cost programs when she was raising her kids and is happy to connect families to those opportunities through PARCS, and she loves being able to turn someone’s day around by helping them with whatever they need. Thank you for everything you do, Kendra!

WATCH


We Work For You: Mark Witrado

Officer Mark Witrado is a familiar face at Terronez Middle School, where he serves as a Student Resource Officer with the Fresno Police Department. Last week, Officer Witrado was awarded a Lifesaving Medal with Valor for his actions in 2022, when he pulled a family from a burning vehicle, and the school held a special assembly to thank him for his heroics!

Fall Employee of the Quarter: Harlav Brar

Harlavpreet (Harlav) Brar, Licensed Profession Engineer

Harlav has been with the Capital Projects Department since October 2022. He began as an Engineer I and by way of successfully passing his professional licensure exam, was promoted to a Licensed Professional Engineer. Harlav came into the department as the Site Development Section was newly formed. By virtue of the number of projects assigned to the Site Development Section at the time, Harlav was given more responsibility than what a typical Engineer I would have. He was able to take on the assigned projects, quickly understand their requirements and project deliverables, procure design consultants, and move the projects forward into the design phase. Harlav has managed up to 30 projects at one time and he is currently assigned Capital Improvement Projects for our PARCS department and Planning and Development. Harlav works tirelessly to take each of his projects to the finish line on schedule and within budget. He displays exemplary leadership skills and is always willing to share his knowledge and help his fellow colleagues. His hard work does not go unnoticed within the Capital Projects Department and his can-do attitude and extensive knowledge of engineering principles and practices makes him an invaluable asset to the City of Fresno.

Congratulations, Harlav!

Valentin Granados

This week on We Work For You, we’re highlighting Valentin Granados! He’s a Transit Supervisor I over at FAX and drove the bus himself for 10 years before becoming a supervisor. In addition to his supervisor duties, he also serves his hometown by training new bus drivers during a rigorous 8-week course, where he shapes the next generation and ensures they’re completely prepared to serve Fresno residents. Thank you for everything you do for Fresno, Valentin!

We Work For You: Mike Mooneyham

This week on ‘We Work For You’, we’re highlighting Mike Mooneyham! He’s a Licensed Professional Engineer with the Capital Projects Department, and he’s the project manager on several big projects in Fresno – including multiple upcoming fire stations and the highly-anticipated Senior Activity Center! He says he’s happy to play a role in these impactful projects that benefit our departments and the public at large. Thank you for all you do, Mike!

Watch the Video on our We Work For You Post: https://www.fresno.gov/news/mike-mooneyham/ or via the following links:

Katelyn Taylor

This week on We Work For You, we’re highlighting Katelyn Taylor! She’s a Crime Specialist at the Fresno Police Department, where she works in the Real Time Information Center. She monitors more than 80 cameras at Fresno intersections and uses them to track suspect vehicles and give officers another eye as they respond to scenes. She also tracks cases for the Organized Retail Theft (ORT) unit, providing detectives with information that can help them solve cases at local businesses, and she says she loves being able to help. Thank you for all you do, Katelyn!