CBS 47: Local News

More residents allowed home in Mariposa County

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:40:55 -0700

People who live off Jerseydale and Mariposa Pines areas were allowed to return home Wednesday night.

Evacuations orders remain in place for residents of Buckingham Mountain Road and Carter Road.

Fresno City Manager steps down

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:35:00 -0700

The Fresno City Manager announced his resignation early Wednesday morning.
The announcement comes just days after the failure of Measure G, but City Manager Mark Scott said it didn't affect his decision. Scott's last day on the job in Fresno will be July 19th.

"As much as it's bittersweet to see him leaving here, we know it's a good fit for him, it's
a good fit for his family," said Fresno City Mayor, Ashley Swearengin.

Fresno City Manager, Mark Scott announced he's taking a job in Burbank, California. He's making around $187,000 in Fresno, he could make $220,000 to $230,000 a year over there.
Scott said he is used to the "traditional" city manager role offered in Burbank which will give him more control.

"I've been very involved in that community really for a long time and it feels very comfortable to go back there," said City Manager, Mark Scott.

Mayor Swearengin said Scott played a key role in Fresno with recruiting businesses, working closely with city council, developing plans and aggressively dealing with the fiscal crisis.
Scott said the recent Measure G Special Election had nothing to do with his resignation.

"That has no impact on my decision at all. I've worked on this before that happened," said Scott.

Assistant City Manager, Bruce Rudd was appointed to take over. He has been a city employee for the last 37 years. Mayor Swearengin said he is known for his "can-do" attitude.

"I want to thank Mark for leading the organization through which has been the most difficult time that I can recall with my time with the city," said Fresno Assistant City Manager, Bruce Rudd.

Rudd is optimistic in the city and said it seems to be taking a turn for the better.

"There is a lot of stuff that we need to get done, but I am confident in the team that that
we have here,' said Rudd.

Firefighters leaving as conditions improve

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:47:54 -0700

Progress on the Carstens Fire is allowing a thousand firefighters to leave Mariposa County.

There are still over 1,200 people working to reach full containment of the blaze, which is currently 40% contained.

The wildfire has burned over 1600 acres and forced hundreds of evacuations, but about 700 homes were allowed back in Tuesday night.

Crews are pleased with where they are after huge progress was made on Tuesday.

Several hundred homes are still threatened, but depending on how the day goes, they could be allowed back in Wednesday night.

The weather on Tuesday was a huge help with the winds finally calming around 11:00 p.m. and there was dew covering the ground Wednesday morning, and any moisture helps in the firefight.

Crews will be working to ramp up containment and protect those home still threatened.

Bill Smith with Cal Fire said, "The main goals is to reinforce constructed line, both in dozer and hand line, they want to mop up... yesterday they were able to mop up 100 feet in, today they want to get 200 feet. They're going to try to fly in what they call an infrared aircraft over the incident. That's going to pinpoint any hotspots and it gives crews an idea of where they need to concentrate and get those areas cold."

Full containment is expected on Monday.

Fresno City Manager Resigning

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:58:30 -0700

Just days after Measure G was defeated, Mark Scott announces he's taking a job in Southern California. Scott says the Measure G failure was not a factor.

Scott has accepted a manager position in the City of Burbank in LA County and his last day on the job will be July 19th.

Scott has been a manager here in Fresno for the last three years. He actually grew up in Fresno, but raised his children in Burbank and says he wants to be closer to them.

Scott told Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin two weeks ago he was accepting the manager position in Burbank.

Scott says it was an honor to serve here in his hometown.

Scott has helped recruit business to Fresno, worked closely with City Council, helped develop many plans within the city and was Mayor Swearengin's right hand man.

Mayor Swearengin has appointed the Assistant City Manager, Bruce Rudd, to fill Scott's position.

Rudd has been with the city for 37 years. His first day as City Manager will be July 20th.

Scott says he is hopeful about the possibilities Fresno has and he plans to stay involved with future plans. "The things that are left undone are the opportunities that this town has that we know we're going to now have a chance to start perusing. And I say, 'We.' I feel like I'm part of this," said Scott.

Scott says he's been through tough times with the city, but they've handled them as graciously as possible. He is excited to see the plans he helped develop take flight.

Mayor Swearengin says it's bittersweet to see him leave, but wishes him the best as he goes.

Community serves firefighters saving their homes

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:30:41 -0700

(Dan Rubin Reporting)

Mariposa residents are supporting the men and women who've come to their aid.

It's grueling work for fire teams trying to control the Carstens Fire in Mariposa County, but they are not alone, because the community is there to support them in any way they can.

Business is booming... "From morning to night time, we actually had a line out the door yesterday of firefighters..." said Ron Stapp, owner of Miner's Roadhouse 140 in Mariposa.

Some residents, like Gina Breecebalm, have been evacuated because of the fire but are still doing what they can. "I came in early and then worked my full shift and then had to find a place to sleep, which was the Assembly of God," said Gina.

Evacuated from her home while caring for an autistic son, Gina directs her sympathy elsewhere. "They're coming in here and they're just nodding off, they're so tired, and all they want is water or coffee," said Gina.

Just like Gina, firefighters can't go home either. Henry Herrera with the US Forest Service said, "The shifts are typically are 16 hour shifts. During initial attack, they can be longer than that."

When firefighters finally get a break, they're taken care of by people who don't, like Gina. "Then I came back to work at like 7:00 this morning, and then I took off work to go take a nap, so I took a two hour nap just to come back," said Gina.

"They're literally camping in a tent with maybe on bag of clothes... That's difficult," said Ron Stapp.

Firefighters have to head back to the fire line, with no end in sight, but they're fueled by the people who's homes they're saving. "To be able to serve these individuals that are serving us, because they're working hard," said Stapp.

The support from our community, from the public, is the greatest thing we can ask for," said Herrera.

If all goes well, the Carstens Fire should be wrapped up by Monday.

Retirement dinner for Fresno educators

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 11:55:05 -0700

The Fresno Teachers Association held a dinner on Tuesday for dozens of retiring teachers, nurses and librarians.

The dinner and award ceremony was was held at Pardini's in Fresno.

Fresno Teachers Association President Eva Ruiz said, "This year we about 70 retirees and some of them are the baby boomers that are now ready to retire, ready to take it easy, ready to relax."

The retirement dinner included a ceremony where retirees where given a certificate and plaque for their years of service.

Wounded bank robbery suspect identified

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:34:20 -0700

The suspected bank robber, shot by Tulare County deputies, has been identified as 33-year-old Nolen Burchett.

Tulare County sheriff's deputies chased Burchett when they spotted his Jeep after a bank robbery in Visalia.

He crashed the Jeep and resisted arrest.

Deputies opened fire when he came at them.

Police have been looking into a recent rash of robberies in Visalia and Tulare but don't know yet if Burchett is connected to any of them.

Burchett is recovering in the hospital and will be transported to the Tulare County Jail once he is released.

The investigation is ongoing.

Football camp ends with water fun

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:08:33 -0700

A 2-day football camp for kids at Fresno State wrapped up Tuesday with a giant slip n slide on Jim Sweeney Field at Bulldog Stadium.

More than 225 kids participated in the youth camp, learning skills and having fun.

Bulldogs Assistant Coach, Jordan Petterson said, "They can start to learn the fundamentals of football, but at the same time, they've got to understand that it's a fun game. It should always be fun. When it's not fun, that's when you start running into some issues."

World record swim lesson attempt

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:59:14 -0700

Wild Water Adventure Park in Clovis took part in a world-wide record attempt for the most swim lessons at one time.

Learning to swim at Wild Water Adventure Park in Clovis, while participating in a world record attempt.

About 50 kids took swim lessons at the water park on Tuesday, just one of the parks taking part in a group effort to break the world record for largest swim lesson.

24,000 people world-wide needed to participate in order to break the record.

They won't find out until June 25th if they broke it or not.

Everyone who took part at Wild Water got a free day pass.

Mariposa fire evacuations take a toll on pets

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:24:48 -0700

The evacuations forced some people to take shelter and it's not just them having to endure it, but their beloved animals as well.

A disaster team partnered with the Red Cross to make sure the evacuated pets have a roof over their heads too.

There are two different shelters available and it means most pet owners will be separated from their animals.

Displaced humans are staying at the Red Cross shelter at Mariposa Elementary School.

The only exceptions are for service animals, like seeing eye dogs.

Other pets will stay nearby in temporary housing provided by the Central California Animal Disaster Team.

In less than two days, the shelter has accumulated nearly 50 pets.

"Our goal is to be able to take care of their pets so the people can focus on taking care of themselves," said Naomi Flam with the Central California Disaster Team.

Some of those forced to evacuate, like Dawn Ross, chose to keep their animals close by the first night and sleep in the car with them. "We're not used to being away from our animals," said Dawn.

Those with pets say being away from home has taken a toll on everyone. "My cat's in shock... she literally is in shock," said Terri Scott.

Scott says she has what's dearest to her heart with her, but can only think of the firefighters who are out there, day in and day out. "They don't pay them enough to go out there and risk their lives to keep our homes safe," said Scott.

Both the Red Cross and the animal shelter say they do plan to stay open as long as they're needed.