ENTERPRISE STAFF REPORT

New beginnings, city construction, school successes and farewells to community members marked 2006 for the city of Kingsburg. What follows is a compilation of what we think are the most eye-catching stories of the year.

(Editor's note: Because of the length of this article, the first part will appear today, and the second part will be published next week.)

39th annual World Ag Expo all set for Feb. 14-16 run

STAFF REPORT

January 4, 2006

The second annual Top 10 New Product winners have been announced by 2006 World Ag Expo Chairman Erin Ferguson.

The 39th annual World Ag Expo will be held Feb. 14-16 at the International Agri-Center in Tulare. It is again the world's largest farm equipment show.

"The winners are as varied and innovative as the show itself," Ferguson said of this year's Top 10 New Products winners. "There is a great mix of products and technologies, from small companies to major players such as John Deere. We even have a local company that won last year, and then won again this year."

Board member retires after 32 years of service

By Irene Thirlwall

January 4, 2006

Still active but ready for a break, Stanley Ahlstrand is retiring after 32 years from the Kingsburg Cemetery District board of directors.

During his many years of service, Ahlstrand took turns in serving as the chairman of the board for a total of 18 years. Robin Peterson, the current chairman of the board, said Ahlstrand was very active and involved with many improvements to the cemetery.

"He had the foresight to buy future cemetery land," Peterson said. "About 20 acres with 17 acres now left to develop on."

Mother of football great Monte Clark dies at 87

By Terry Kibler

February 8, 2006

Effie Lorene Clark, the mother of former Kingsburg High School, University of Southern California and Cleveland Browns football standout Monte Clark, died Jan. 28 in Kingsburg at the age of 87.

The Clark family gathered in Kingsburg last week for her funeral, at which her son Monte read an emotion-charged poem that he wrote just two days prior to her passing.

Fire station facelift begins

By Irene Thirlwall

February 15, 2006

Kingsburg's fire station, located at 1460 Marion Street, is now under reconstruction.

Early last week, changes began that caused the community to take notice. Passersbys and neighbors watched as a fence was put up, and soon after, large machinery could be seen tearing chunks from the building, so it made the building look like a child's doll house.

Oral E. Micham Inc., out of Woodlake, the same contractor to build the satellite fire station on Sierra Street, is the contractor in charge of the project.

Ag Expo proves to be world class

By Gabriel Dillard

February 22, 2006

In the sea of tractors, topper-hedger machines and combines, visitors to the World Ag Expo were still able to spot him, even in the crush of fans and press.

Many people remarked that he looked shorter in person.

An appearance by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday, Feb. 15, was one of the highlights of the three-day ag expo in Tulare. Touted as the world's largest farm equipment show, the expo drew more than 1,500 exhibitors from around the world. More than 100,000 people were expected to attend the show.

Bond measure on June ballot

By Terry Kibler

March 1, 2006

Voters in the Kingsburg Joint Union High School District will be asked on June 6 to decide, for a second time in seven months, if they want to saddle themselves with more tax debt in order to pay for a wide range of improvements on the 56-acre campus.

Trustees governing the district decided at their regular meeting on Feb. 21 to call for a local bond election on the first Tuesday in June.

"We are going to try again, and this time I feel we will get those 20 votes," said Linda Clark, KHS's superintendent and principal.

Sonic Blasts Into Town

By Dan Gleason

March 15, 2006

Desiree Alvarez was the first customer at Monday morning's grand opening at Kingsburg's new Sonic Drive-In. The Kingsburg resident ordered corn dogs and a "Sonic Blast" while using the restaurant's drive-thru lane.

Next up were a group of Kingsburg High School students who chose to park in one of the 19 stalls and eat on -site by utilizing the chain's trademark carhop service. Ashley Gomez served them by delivering their order on roller skates.

Gomez, 17, who previously worked for another fast food chain, said she anticipates Sonic will be busy, especially during the first few weeks of operation. She received three days of training, with special emphasis on using roller skates. "It will get easier I'm sure. It's not real comfortable yet but I don't feel awkward," she said. "After some more practice I'm sure it will get easier," she added.

Surge in commercial developments occurring

By Dan Gleason

March 15, 2006

After years of planning, four separate developments that will add more than 85,000 square feet of new retail space in Kingsburg, including a Walgreen's drug store, will provide more jobs, shopping opportunities for residents and an increased sales tax base for the city.

"This is the most retail development I have seen at one time in the 25 years I have lived in Kingsburg," said Terry Schmal, planning & development director for the city. Schmal said the timing is right for retail development because infrastructure has been completed at the Kingsburg Business Park and the city has laid the groundwork through the economic development focus at City Hall for the last couple of years. "We are also fortunate to have prime development sites available near major interchanges," he said.

Charter extended for elementary district

By Terry Kibler

March 29, 2006

The state's second oldest charter school district will continue to grow older following renewal of its charter by the California Department of Education.

For the second time, Kingsburg Joint Union Elementary Charter School District has had its charter renewed for five years by the state agency. The district received its initial five-year charter renewal in 2001. The current renewal extends to the 2010-2011 school year.

South County students stage immigrant-policy protests

By Gabriel Dillard

April 4, 2006

In protest of a federal immigration bill, 50 to 75 Kingsburg High School students walked out of classes early Wednesday and marched for 2 1/2 hours to Selma, where they gathered at a local park before taking buses back to school

Selma Police Sgt. Steve Lowery said the group of Kingsburg High School students marched down Golden State Boulevard and continued down Whitson Street. Police heard reports that the group intended to go to Selma High School and Heartland Alternative High School, but the students settled on Shafer Park.

Linda Clark, Kingsburg High School principal, said the students were supervised at all times by school administration. Selma police said the students didn't cause any trouble.

"It was very peaceful, but the only problem we did have was with traffic control," Lowery said.

Flea Market expansion in full swing

By Gabriel Dillard

April 15, 2006

With an approval this week by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors, a plan to expand parking at the Selma Flea Market is in full-swing.

But even as work is done to make the flea market more convenient for shoppers, Kingsburg city planners have their eyes on the property for future commercial and retail development.

Michael Mikaelian, flea market owner, said the major component of the expansion will be the addition of another entrance/exit point for automobiles to the flea market grounds. There is currently an entrance along Mountain View Avenue, just off of Freeway 99. The second entrance will be located on Amber Avenue, with access off of Golden State Boulevard.

"Entrances on the north end and east end of the property will make traffic flow so much easier inside the parking lot," Mikaelian said. "Traffic on Mountain View will be considerably less."

Centennial group embarks on huge fundraising drive

By Joe Proudman

April 19, 2006

For almost 100 years, Kingsburg has stood its place on the map, right in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. This small city has continued to preserve its tradition and charm, not letting age get the best of it.

As the year 2007 approaches, Kingsburg will begin to celebrate its centennial. The celebration will launch at the 2007 Swedish Festival on May 19 and conclude at the following Swedish Festival in 2008.

As of right now, members of the Centennial Celebration Committee are working hard to raise funds for the celebration.

Rafer team going to Destinational Finals

By Terry Kibler

April 26, 2006

For the first time in the history of the South County, a local team will get to compete in the Global Finals of Destination ImagiNation.

A Kingsburg team from Rafer Johnson Junior High School, dubbed the Elite Elmo Eaters, will compete in the Kidz Rulz event at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville from May 23-28, after tying for third place at the California Creativity Destination ImagiNation State Championships in Sacramento on April 8.

So-called 'dean' of principals calling it quits

By Terry Kibler

April 26, 2006

The dean of Kingsburg's elementary school principals is retiring after 32 years in the education profession.

Mel Manley announced last week that he will retire in June at the end of the current school year, fulfilling his final administrative duties as principal of Washington Elementary School.

"I am retiring because it is time," Manley said last week during an interview in his office.

Celebrations galore for 150th

By Terry Kibler

April 26, 2006

Fresno County officially began a year-long celebration of its 150th birthday on April 19, with pomp and circumstance galore out in front of the historic Santa Fe Depot in downtown Fresno.

With the California State Old-Time Fiddlers and the 509th American Legion Military Band stirring up the large gathering, proper tribute was paid to the pioneers who arrived in the Central San Joaquin Valley by wagon train, stage coach and train.

Fresno County was officially established on April 19, 1856, and it first population census numbered 7,940 residents. Today, the county's population has soared past one million.

The Sesquicentennial theme is "Celebrating the Journey."

Two sites earn Distinguished School awards

By Terry Kibler

May 3, 2006

Three times in the last decade Roosevelt Elementary School has just missed being named a California Distinguished Elementary School. Last week, the fourth time proved the charm!

Roosevelt and Lincoln Elementary School have been chosen as 2006 California Distinguished Schools. Lincoln also won the award in 1998.

Johnson delivers Prayer keynote

By Terry Kibler

May 3, 2006

Rafer Johnson gained fame as the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics decathlon champion. But his most profound impact upon the world around him is still being felt more than 45 years after his gold medal-winning performance.

Looking lean and trim as ever at age 70, Johnson gave the keynote address at last Friday's Kingsburg Mayor's Prayer Breakfast in the Rafer Johnson Junior High School gymnasium. He spoke at length about Special Olympics and about the guest performers - Break the Barriers - whose members, both abled and disabled, entertained with skillful gymnastics, acrobatics and dance moves for the appreciative crowd of more than 300.

"It is an honor to be in this room, on this campus and at this time," Johnson said.

A Prom with Grace

By Joseph Hollak

May 17, 2006

A girl's high school prom is big deal.

Everything has to be perfect for the big night. There's the hair, the make-up, the nails, and of course, the dress.

Even with plenty of preparation there are a million things to worry about. Unless you're Grace Dewey.

Johnsons named Swedish Festival grand marshals

By Nadine Stinger

May 17, 2006

While Lloyd and Georgeanna Johnson might deny that there is something grand and extraordinary about them, their children and Kingsburg community won't, and this Swedish Festival weekend the community will prove this by honoring the couple as grand marshals.

Lloyd and Georgeanna Johnson have been citizens of Kingsburg since 1971 and it's here that they raised their six children, Aura Lee, Stephanie, Ward, Derek, Aaron and Katie. The two could have used their big family and busy life schedule as excuses to limit their service to Kingsburg, but not Lloyd and Georgeanna who seem to have been dedicated to making a positive difference.

Levee break floods homes

By Joe Proudman

A couple of homes on Clarkson Avenue experienced some flooding on Monday when a levee to a canal broke, blowing out part of the canal wall, about 100 yards away from the Clarkson Avenue and Del Rey Avenue intersection.

About midafternoon, a repair man, who was working on a home right in front of the canal, noticed a small hole in the levy with a little bit of water spouting from it. That little bit of turned into a whole lot of water very quickly, causing nearby residents to panic.

"That little hole turned into a huge one in a little amount of time," said Lori Quiroz, whose house is located in front of the canal.

As a chunk of the canal wall broke away, homes near the canal were being threatened and residents were forced to act quickly.

'64 grad leaves lasting legacy

STAFF REPORT

May 31, 2006

The late Kingsburg resident Mario Guerrero Olmos, who has been referred to as "a quiet hero who brought hope to others," has been honored by the Fresno Unified School District with a new school in his name.

On May 23, the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of Fresno Unified School District held a ground-breaking ceremony for Mario G. Olmos Elementary, which will be built in the Chestnut and Mono area of Fresno.

Fidel Olmos of Kingsburg told a reporter that his brother Mario warranted such an honor not only because of his triumphant in overcoming the challenges face by low income immigrant families but because of his succeeded determination to give back to the community.

Work to begin next month on Reagan Elem.

By Amy D. Fienen

June 7, 2006

In a special meeting of the Kingsburg Elementary School Board Friday afternoon, the plans to move ahead with a new elementary school were unanimously approved.

It is projected that Reagan Elementary, located at Kern and Diana between Rafer Johnson Drive and Bethel Avenue, will become a reality this summer. Although the official ground-breaking won't take place until the fall, the board is confident that work will begin on the site by mid-July, and be completed by July of 2007.

It is anticipated that 660 fourth, fifth and sixth graders will start the 2007 school year at the new campus, and Superintendent Mark Ford promises that while the campus won't be extravagant, it will be a good, solid school that will keep Kingsburg's students safe.

Supporters cheer bond passage

By Amy D. Fienen

June 14, 2006

In spite of a near-record low voter turnout for a California primary election on June 6, enough Measure K supporters showed up at the polls to pass the bond measure that will allow for many upgrades to the Kingsburg High School campus.

A 55 percent approval was required for Measure K to pass, and voters from Fresno, Kings and Tulare counties approved the bond measure with 56.8 percent of the vote. 58 percent of Fresno County voters supported Measure K, while 53 percent of Tulare County voters and 44 percent of Kings County voters showed their support for the measure.

"We are so happy," said Linda Clark, Kingsburg High School superintendent and principal. "It's going to be neat to finish up what we started here."

Rick Schuil, Chairman of the Citizen's Committee for Measure K, shared her excitement. "We're obviously happy that it passed," he said. "Good things happen as a community when you support things as a community."

Mims, Minor headed for November runoff

By Jessica Szalay

June 14, 2006

The June 6 primary election went off without a hitch, and also without many voters.

Fresno County voters' turnout left more to be desired, with only 25 percent of the over 325,000 registered voters exercising their constitutional right.

In the end, the only race not to be decided came with the hotly contested Fresno County sheriff's race. Since no one candidate took a majority of the votes, the two front runners, Cal Minor and Margaret Mims, are now set to face off in November to replace existing Sheriff Richard Pierce. Retired California Highway Patrol Captain Minor had the most votes in the end, barely, with 37.4 percent over Assistant Sheriff Mims, a Selma native, who held onto 28.1 percent of the vote.

Rafer team ties for 18th at global finals

By Amy D. Fienen

June 14, 2006

The first Destination ImagiNation team from the South Valley ever to make it to the global finals traveled to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to compete last month.

Destination ImagiNation, the world's largest creativity and problem solving organization, inspires participants in all of its programs to learn the process, art and skill associated with problem solving.

The seven Rafer Johnson Junior High students tied for 18th place out of 58 teams from 17 other countries, including Guatemala, Poland, China, Turkey, and Singapore.

Of placing 18th, their team manager Kim Wildes said "they were probably a little disappointed, but they were excited to make it that far."

City anticipates recouping funds 'stolen' by state

By Nadine Stinger

June 28, 2006

Kingsburg City Manager Don Pauley was the bearer of "good news" at the Kingsburg's City Council Meeting last week.

"I am anticipating that we'll get back from the state what they stole from us," he said in addressing members of the council on the 2006-2007 fiscal budget.

According to Pauley, the $75,000 that went to the state in 2002 towards funding its school program ERAF, is expected to be restored, and the city is to also receive $47,000 for street maintenance from Proposition 42 funding.

Pauley, on finance director Don Jensen's behalf, made three assumptions concerning the budget. This year's funds will allow the city to maintain all existing services and programs, reconstitute projects that were affected by the funding of ERAF, and help to keep some costs and fees down.

New administrator welcomed warmly

By Amy D. Fienen

June 28, 2006

When Mel Manley retired as Washington Elementary School's principal at the end of the 2005-2006 school year, the Kingsburg Elementary Charter School District began their search for a replacement.

Ruben Diaz, who recently received the unanimous approval of the school board to become the new principal of Washington Elementary, couldn't be happier to be returning to Kingsburg.

"We are very excited to add Ruben's enthusiasm and background into our district," said district superintendent Mark Ford.