New Fresno County Courthouse towered over old building Nov 9, 2009
A: The Fresno County Sportsmen's Club built its log cabin-style clubhouse on Lanes Road on the San Joaquin River in the early 1980s, but the club already was seven decades old by then ... The club sold that property in 1966 and bought 13 acres along the east bank of the San Joaquin River northeast of Fresno for $29,000 in 1968. (Fresno Bee)
New use found for old Valley gas field Nov 7, 2009
Since the Gill Ranch gas field was discovered in the early 1940s, more than a mile below the San Joaquin River and modern-day farmland, its been tapped for its fuel, and some parts have been drained. Now Californias rising demand for natural gas and places to store it for periods of peak use are driving plans to use the depleted pockets as a subterranean gas tank. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Names of officers in Oct. 28 shooting released Nov 7, 2009
On Thursday, Dyer said Cooper was the brother of Daniel Cooper, 45, whose naked, decomposed body was found Oct. 20 along the San Joaquin River ... Local briefs: Fishermen rescue eight from San Joaquin River ... Eight people were rescued from the San Joaquin River by fishermen about 9 p.m. Sunday, Fresno police said. (Fresno Bee)
Water funds by the bucket Nov 7, 2009
San Joaquin River: $64 million. Tulare/Kern: $70 million. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Sea lions killed, but Columbia salmon toll rises Nov 7, 2009
Environmentalists fought -- and won -- a long legal fight to reintroduce salmon to the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam. Indeed, the river will flow year-round for the first time since the 1940s after restoration begins in October. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Local briefs: Porterville man arrested in carjacking Nov 5, 2009
Local briefs: Fishermen rescue eight from San Joaquin River. Eight people were rescued from the San Joaquin River by fishermen about 9 p.m. Sunday, Fresno police said. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Fresno man shot by police had high meth level Nov 5, 2009
On Thursday, Dyer said Cooper was the brother of Daniel Cooper, 45, whose naked, decomposed body was found Oct. 20 along the San Joaquin River ... John Cooper was the younger brother of Daniel Cooper, 45, whose naked, decomposed body was found Oct. 20 near the San Joaquin River. (Fresno Bee)
Press freedom supporter Nov 1, 2009
But The Bee also supports a dam at Temperance Flat, which would bury one jewel of "the hidden treasures of the American West" under water: the San Joaquin River Gorge Recreation Area above Millerton Lake. The Bee has repeatedly expressed support for a dam without knowing who will get the water, who will pay for it or even if it is possible to build one. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Losing Lost Lake Nov 1, 2009
FRIANT -- Several piercing blasts from an air horn Wednesday evening heralded the historic release of water from Millerton Lake for the eventual restoration of the San Joaquin River. The horn offered a five-minute warning to anyone downstream before a pair of 18-inch valves at the base of Friant Dam were opened at 5:54 p.m., sending jets of water roaring into the river at the rate of 185 cubic feet -- or about 1,400 gallons -- per second. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Atascadero woman charged with murder in stabbing Nov 1, 2009
In August 1998, Sok's second wife, Eng Ath, and two of the couple's children, Sophan and Sopheap, drowned in the San Joaquin River while fishing. Misguided policy. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Stockton breaks ground on Delta Water Supply Project Oct 31, 2009
The intake building will draw water from the San Joaquin River, south of Empire Tract. From there, it will travel in a pipeline parallel to Eight Mile Road before reaching the water treatment site just south of Lodi. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Collaboration is key in finding water solutions Oct 31, 2009
I thank The Bee for reporting on positive developments in respect to our beautiful and invaluable San Joaquin River. And congratulations to the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Friant Water Users Authority, the Bay Institute of San Francisco, the state and federal agencies and many others for collaborating to develop the public education program, "Our Land. Our River. Our Way of Life." ... The public service announcements released recently mark an important milestone for groups... (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Nonprofit gives $200k for San Joaquin River Oct 30, 2009
Five projects were awarded $210,043 to improve the flow of the San Joaquin River; six projects related to air quality received $109,000; five teen pregnancy prevention programs received $200,000; and $82,000 was awarded to 10 human services-related projects. The river projects include a $50,000 grant to the San Joaquin River Partnership to support the partnership's work to advance full implementation of the San Joaquin River Restoration Program ... While California's Legislature often fails to... (Fresno Bee)
Fresno officer thought SUV driver reached for gun Oct 30, 2009
On Thursday, Dyer said Cooper was the brother of Daniel Cooper, 45, whose naked, decomposed body was found Oct. 20 along the San Joaquin River. It's unclear whether Wednesday's incident is related to the brother's death. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Farmers won't go quietly Oct 30, 2009
Dianne Feinstein to bring about the San Joaquin River restoration agreement, a project even The Bee considers one of the most important accomplishments for the Valley in years. West-side farmers gambled. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Strong winds held back birds' escapes from hunters Oct 29, 2009
The other covers Bass Lake, Mammoth Pool, Minarets and Beasore roads and the San Joaquin River. Even though the howling winds arrived a few days too late, last weekend's waterfowl hunting opener didn't completely disappoint. (Fresno Bee)
Fishing With Russ Oct 29, 2009
Bait fishermen are doing best on the San Joaquin River although that fishing is also slow. The trout fishing is a little better now that the planting has started at Camanche. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Autry quits private farm-water post Oct 28, 2009
WASHINGTON -- The road to San Joaquin River restoration remains rocky a year after farmers and environmentalists seemingly settled their differences ... FRIANT -- Several piercing blasts from an air horn Wednesday evening heralded the historic release of water from Millerton Lake for the eventual restoration of the San Joaquin River ... He characterized Autry's departure as a "mutual parting of the ways," which came about because the organization wanted to highlight Radanovich's role in the... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Blustery days on the way in Valley Oct 27, 2009
A news story about weather damage reported incorrectly that the Raisin Hell Ranch Haunted Cornfield is on Highway 41 near the San Joaquin River. The cornfield is at Avenue 7 and Road 32. (Fresno Bee)
No eerie tales for Edison High Oct 26, 2009
A long-awaited plan to restore the San Joaquin River has hit a snag the federal Bureau of Reclamation has not received a state permit to release water from Friant Dam ... The reason: Millerton is too small to capture the San Joaquin River's spring runoff even in a relatively dry year, say area water experts. (Fresno Bee)
Valley water projects to get $60m Oct 25, 2009
Devin Nunes called for Congress to both fund restoration of the San Joaquin River and finance a drainage system for farm wastewaters in the western San Joaquin Valley ... In my view, restoring the San Joaquin River first will partially resolve salinity problems in the Delta, which now receives drainage water from some west-side irrigation districts. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Supports Nunes' approach Oct 24, 2009
Devin Nunes, R-Visalia, is meant to offset water losses caused by restoring the San Joaquin River ... "It is irresponsible to push forward with a plan to settle the San Joaquin River dispute unless that plan takes seriously our regional water supply challenges," Nunes said. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Last weekend to fish at Pardee until February Oct 23, 2009
In the Delta, striped bass fishing has been the best on the San Joaquin River for the past two weeks ... Sturgeon fishing is picking up and fish are being caught both in the San Joaquin River and the Sacramento River. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Stupid Bag additions Oct 23, 2009
I would also put the U.S. Department of the Interior in the Stupid Bag for not installing fish ladders at Friant Dam when they were supposed to be part of the original project, and the opening of the gates to send water down the San Joaquin River supposedly for salmon. (Without the fish ladders, this is an empty gesture as the river below Friant is too warm for salmon to breed). (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Local briefs: Occupied car shot at in NE Fresno Oct 21, 2009
Body found along San Joaquin River. The body of a decomposed, naked man was discovered Tuesday afternoon along the San Joaquin River near Riverside Golf Course in Fresno. (Fresno Bee)
Search suspended for possible missing diver Oct 20, 2009
A U.S. Coast Guard official says an elderly man who didn't know how to swim was saved by his life jacket when his boat capsized in the San Joaquin River. Coast Guard Lt. Andrew Kennedy says an 82-year-old man and a second person fell into the water a little after noon Friday when the 18-foot boat they were fishing in capsized in a section of the river west of Lodi. (Fresno Bee -- State)
Firebrand style draws yeas, nays for Nunes Oct 19, 2009
But unexpectedly, citing San Joaquin River provisions of potential concern to Nunes, Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma put a hold on the bill. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Valley lawmakers angered by Bay Area water bill Oct 17, 2009
WASHINGTON -- San Joaquin Valley lawmakers want a regional water-management plan, but it might come too late to address immediate problems involving irrigation drainage, the San Joaquin River and the endangered delta smelt. On Tuesday, Californians pushed for $1 million in federal funds to draft a water plan spanning the eight-county region from Stockton to Bakersfield. (Fresno Bee)
Coast Guard says life jacket saved man in river Oct 17, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO -- A U.S. Coast Guard official says an elderly man who didn't know how to swim was saved by his life jacket when his boat capsized in the San Joaquin River. Coast Guard Lt. Andrew Kennedy says an 82-year-old man and a second person fell into the water a little after noon Friday when the 18-foot boat they were fishing in capsized in a section of the river west of Lodi. (Fresno Bee -- State)
All will benefit Oct 17, 2009
There has been tremendous coverage of the historic agreement to restore the San Joaquin River. Resolving 18 years of lawsuits and bringing back a river filled with salmon is an ideal many hope to achieve. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
San Joaquin River's new flow faces legal glitch Oct 17, 2009
The San Joaquin River's first pulse of restoration water -- moving slowly about 45 miles downstream of Friant Dam -- soon may hit a temporary block ... The San Joaquin River will finally flow year-round as a long-awaited restoration begins in October ... A long-awaited plan to restore the San Joaquin River has hit a snag the federal Bureau of Reclamation has not received a state permit to release water from Friant Dam. (Fresno Bee)
A river comes to life Oct 17, 2009
San Joaquin River's new flow faces legal glitch. The San Joaquin River s first pulse of restoration water moving slowly about 45 miles downstream of Friant Dam soon may hit a temporary block ... The San Joaquin River will finally flow year-round as a long-awaited restoration begins in October. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Local briefs: Sentence for Merced DA's son reconsidered Oct 16, 2009
The cornfield, on Highway 41 near the San Joaquin River, was to open Saturday, but it was flattened by wind and rain Tuesday. Spokesman Darren Schmall said the destruction abruptly ended "months of planning, tens of thousands of dollars and high expectation for a great season." But he said Cobb's other attraction, Cobb Ranch Corn Maze in Patch, weathered the storm and is open daily through Halloween. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Sneak preview: Equestrian Oct 16, 2009
Storage: Lake is approximately 4 miles long and half-mile wide with a total capacity of 45,400 acre feet; dam was completed in 1910 to capture Willow Creek, a San Joaquin River tributary. Setting: Nestled among tall pines and fir trees; elevation 3,366 feet. (Fresno Bee -- Sports)
Fresno foundation gives $601k in grants Oct 16, 2009
While California's Legislature often fails to fund important projects for our Valley's future, such as clean water grants for San Joaquin Valley communities and San Joaquin River clean-up and restoration, we, the people, have the opportunity to direct spending of the tax dollars we are already sending to Sacramento through the initiative process ... Imagine hiking from Millerton Lake to Devils Postpile National Monument on a continuous trail that traces the San Joaquin River ... Five projects... (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Warmer days in Valley follow big storm Oct 16, 2009
The cornfield, along Highway 41 near the San Joaquin River, was to open Saturday but it was flattened by wind and rain Tuesday. Spokesman Darren Schmall said storm wiped out "months of planning, tens of thousands of dollars and high expectation for a great season.". (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Trout at Pardee still biting Oct 16, 2009
The best areas to fish are the Sacramento River near Broad Slough and near the shoal just west of Eddo's Harbor on the San Joaquin River. Sturgeon fishing has picked up a bit in the past week or so. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Valley water amendments fail Oct 15, 2009
WASHINGTON -- Oil and gas producers working in the Gulf of Mexico would pay to help restore the San Joaquin River under a bill that encountered new difficulties Wednesday amid growing debate. With the oil and gas industry mobilizing against the bill -- and San Joaquin Valley lawmakers arguing about it -- a key House committee canceled plans to approve it Wednesday morning. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Fresno taken by storm Oct 14, 2009
The three largest outages -- affecting a total of 23,500 customers -- were in north Fresno and Clovis, bounded roughly by the San Joaquin River and Copper, Sunnyside and Bullard avenues. Another outage caused night classes to be canceled at the Willow International campus 00002404 in northeast Fresno. (Fresno Bee)
Visalia's Vidak vies for Rep. Costa's seat Oct 13, 2009
One of the largest wastes of taxpayer money is the decision to start flowing San Joaquin River water to the ocean again ... WASHINGTON -- Oil and gas producers working in the Gulf of Mexico would pay to help restore the San Joaquin River under a bill that encountered new difficulties Wednesday amid growing debate. (Fresno Bee)
Follow rules or pay price Oct 13, 2009
WASHINGTON -- The road to San Joaquin River restoration remains rocky a year after farmers and environmentalists seemingly settled their differences. Congress is still hung up on legislation returning water and salmon to the river. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Story:Too much water? Seepage a concern on west side Oct 13, 2009
When the San Joaquin River restoration begins Thursday, farmers and government officials will be watching for something pretty rare on the west side of the Valley too much water ... The amount of water needed for salmon restoration is way below the flood stage, said Dave Koehler, director of the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust ... Steve Chedester, director of the San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Authority, which represents west-side farmers along the rivers, said the... (Fresno Bee)
Mishap meant swollen ND lake dropped only inches Oct 13, 2009
FRIANT -- Several piercing blasts from an air horn Wednesday evening heralded the historic release of water from Millerton Lake for the eventual restoration of the San Joaquin River ... San Joaquin River divide lingers ... Not when it comes to the San Joaquin River. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Dam breaching celebrated on famed Rogue River Oct 11, 2009
When Darrell Imperatrice was a boy, California's San Joaquin River teemed with so many king salmon his father could catch 40-pound fish using only a pitchfork. Then the salmon vanished from the icy river for nearly 60 years, after a colossal federal dam built to nurture the croplands below dried up their habitat. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Hiker's body found near Edison Lake Oct 9, 2009
Fresno County Sheriff s Office personnel pulled a body from the San Joaquin River near Mendota on Monday. The body, found near Highway 180 and San Mateo Avenue, showed no obvious signs of trauma. (Fresno Bee)
River nourishes us Oct 8, 2009
The long-awaited restoration of the San Joaquin River is finally coming true [story Sept. 20 ... A story on page B4 Friday about a bill to restore the San Joaquin River gave an incorrect figure for the estimated federal cost ... The cost to restore the San Joaquin River is set at $l billion, The Bee reports (April 26). (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Fishing report: Week of Oct. 7 Oct 8, 2009
I got a phone message from a friend, Dana Kahler, who was on his way to Merced the day they started the San Joaquin River releases ... When they figure out that the salmon actually went a lot farther up the San Joaquin River system than Friant, we may see them install fish ladders -- maybe a series of them going up to Lower Millerton Lake, Upper Millerton Lake, Kerkoff and Redinger. (Fresno Bee -- Sports)
Regional news: Man killed in hunting accident Oct 7, 2009
When Darrell Imperatrice was a boy, California's San Joaquin River teemed with so many king salmon his father could catch 40-pound fish using only a pitchfork. Mighty caribou herds dwindle, warming blamed ON THE PORCUPINE RIVER TUNDRA, Yukon Territory Here on the endlessly rolling and tussocky terrain of northwest Canada, where man has hunted caribou since the Stone Age, the vast antlered herds are fast growing thin. (ESPN -- Outdoors)
Judge: Suspect in Iowa coach death can stand trial Oct 6, 2009
In August 1998, Sok's second wife, Eng Ath, and two of the couple's children, Sophan and Sopheap, drowned in the San Joaquin River while fishing. Judge to rule on competency of Madera murder suspect. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
FPPC scrutinizes Fresno Co. Republican funds Oct 6, 2009
Anderson -- the two-term incumbent who represents District 2 -- made the formal announcement at the Hallowell River House, which is part of the San Joaquin River Parkway. Backed by about 40 supporters, Anderson said she is proud of her record and looking forward to the campaign. (Fresno Bee)
Cops: Mass. man shoots neighbor in leaf-dump fight Oct 6, 2009
Vehicles plunged off San Joaquin River span in 1979; 3 were killed. Question: I remember that sometime in the 1970s two vehicles plunged off the San Joaquin River bridge on the same day ... Answer: On July 25, 1979, a car and a semi plunged off the San Joaquin River bridge within an hour of each other. (Fresno Bee)
Judge: Smelt plan lacked critical analysis Oct 5, 2009
An agency official said the goal of the lawsuit against the National Marine Fisheries Service is to force the federal government to prepare an environmental impact statement before adopting a salmon recovery plan that could dramatically cut water deliveries from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta ... WASHINGTON -- The road to San Joaquin River restoration remains rocky a year after farmers and environmentalists seemingly settled their differences. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
Too late for salmon Oct 4, 2009
Environmentalists fought -- and won -- a long legal fight to reintroduce salmon to the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam ... San Joaquin River restoration begins this week ... A sweeping restoration project to bring back salmon to the San Joaquin River will begin this week, a key milestone in a decades-long legal tussle over how the river water should be used. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Kayak adventure of a lifetime Oct 4, 2009
The San Joaquin River is all over the news these days, thanks to long-awaited restorative flows ... For San Joaquin River, a historic reawakening ... It all starts Thursday with a gentle surge of water to be released from Friant Dam into the San Joaquin River. (Fresno Bee -- Sports)
Listen to farmers Oct 3, 2009
The water releases into the San Joaquin River have become a high-profile symbol in the battle over how California parcels out a precious resource that must accommodate the state's 38 million people. On Thursday evening, we saw the first releases of water from Friant Dam under an agreement between farmers and environmentalists to help restore the river. (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
Assemblyman aims to preserve Delta, avoid canal Oct 3, 2009
He is championing an idea presented by Russ Brown that would make the San Joaquin River flow into Old River with a flood-gate downstream from the head of Old River ... It also helps the San Joaquin River salmon run to return. (Lodi News Sentinel, CA)
Great report on river Oct 3, 2009
I thank The Bee for reporting on positive developments in respect to our beautiful and invaluable San Joaquin River. And congratulations to the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, Friant Water Users Authority, the Bay Institute of San Francisco, the state and federal agencies and many others for collaborating to develop the public education program, "Our Land. Our River. Our Way of Life." ... The public service announcements released recently mark an important milestone for groups... (Fresno Bee -- Opinion)
EDITORIAL: Time for action on water issues Oct 3, 2009
For San Joaquin River, a historic reawakening. It all starts Thursday with a gentle surge of water to be released from Friant Dam into the San Joaquin River ... FRIANT -- Several piercing blasts from an air horn Wednesday evening heralded the historic release of water from Millerton Lake for the eventual restoration of the San Joaquin River. (Fresno Bee)
Dams controversy drags on Oct 3, 2009
If there's one thing that unites Kings County's diverse agricultural sector, it's the overwhelming desire to see new water storage somewhere in the state to ease the pressure on a system that is being pushed to the breaking point by the effects of drought and environmental issues in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta ... Temperance Flat, a remote spot in the San Joaquin River canyon above Millerton Lake, has long been touted by local farming interests as a needed project. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
Mass. woman's message in bottle turns up in France Oct 3, 2009
Local briefs: Fishermen rescue eight from San Joaquin River. Eight people were rescued from the San Joaquin River by fishermen about 9 p.m. Sunday, Fresno police said. (Fresno Bee)
Flows to restore San Joaquin River start today Oct 2, 2009
(09-30) 20:53 PDT -- More than a half century after a colossal federal dam built outside Fresno transformed 64 miles of the San Joaquin River into a dusty trench and annihilated native salmon populations, engineers will open the floodgates to begin a new era for California's second-longest river ... Many involved in the protracted fight to restore the San Joaquin River say today's action represents a rare instance of sacrifice, cooperation and success ... The legal battle to revive the San... (San Francisco Chronicle)
San Joaquin River Restoration To Begin Oct 2, 2009
-- Federal officials are preparing to release the first surge of water from a Fresno-area dam to reawaken miles of the San Joaquin River and restore salmon runs that went dry in the 1940s. The Bureau of Reclamation is set to begin the historic restoration of the state's second-largest river at 6 p.m. Thursday when officials release pulses of water along the dry riverbed. (KCRA 3, CA)
Opening the Klamath Oct 1, 2009
Four dams on the Snake River in Washington state are being eyed for demolition, and soon fresh flows from Friant Dam near Fresno will fill long-dry sections of the San Joaquin River. These pillars of water policy are ripe for reappraisal. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Opinion)
Friant water release faces delay Oct 1, 2009
A long-awaited plan to restore the San Joaquin River has hit a snag -- the federal Bureau of Reclamation has not received a state permit to release water from Friant Dam ... And within seconds, more water will rush into the San Joaquin River, kicking off one of the most ambitious river restoration projects ever. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
River releases to begin soon after brief delay Oct 1, 2009
More water set for release for San Joaquin River ... And within seconds, more water will rush into the San Joaquin River, kicking off one of the most ambitious river restoration projects ever ... San Joaquin River restoration begins this week. (Fresno Bee -- Local)
