Archive for Headlines

Local Businesses Getting Certified for High-Speed Rail

Nov 30, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. – Roughly 75 small and disadvantaged businesses interested in participating in the nation’s first high-speed rail project are getting certified today and tomorrow through workshops being held at the UC Merced Small Business Development Center. Construction on the first segment, which is scheduled to run from Ave. 17 in Madera to American Ave. [...]

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Mortgage Rates Tie Record Low

Nov 30, 2012 No Comments

NEW YORK, Nov. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — It was a mixed week for mortgage rates, with fixed mortgage rates trickling lower, while adjustable rate loans bounced higher. The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate tied the record low of 3.52 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of [...]

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Fresno State Removed from ‘Dangerous College’ List

Nov 30, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno State has been removed from the Business Insider “America’s Most Dangerous Colleges” top 25 list after the website issued a revised list based on a different database. “This revision provides a more accurate assessment of the safety of our campus and reinforces our students’ perceptions that they feel safe,” Dr. Paul [...]

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New National Survey Finds Over 1/3 of Middle School Students Use Mobile Devices for Homework

Nov 29, 2012 No Comments

NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — More than one in three middle school students are using mobile devices to complete homework, and more of those who use these devices for learning in the classroom express a strong interest in science, technology and math than those who do not, according to a new national survey. [...]

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Clovis Community Opens New 5-Story Bed Tower

Nov 29, 2012 No Comments

CLOVIS, Calif. – As part of its multi-year, $300 million expansion and renovation project, Clovis Community Medical Center opened its new 5-story, private patient room bed tower on its campus Wednesday morning. Over 1,000 hospital staff had been trained for the transition of over 100 patients from the old 3-story, 60-bed tower that was built [...]

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ShopAtHome.com Releases Cyber Monday Special Report

Nov 28, 2012 No Comments

DENVER, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — ShopAtHome.com, the largest coupon search engine that connects upwards of 12 million consumers each month to the best deals and cash back savings, today released its Cyber Monday 2012 Special Report, which offers data on traffic, consumer coupon usage and trends on the site. With holiday sales beginning as [...]

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Sneak Peek: 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Auction

Nov 28, 2012 No Comments

VISALIA, Calif. – Get your free sneak peek at the beautiful trees on display at the 32nd annual Christmas Tree Auction, Bubbles & Baubles. The free preview will take place between 2 – 4:30 p.m. at the Visalia Convention Center this Friday, November 30. Bring your family and friends to see the 15 elaborate trees [...]

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Survey Names City of Fresno Top 10 Digital Government City

Nov 27, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. –  The City of Fresno has been selected as a top-ranked digital government in the 12th annual Digital Cities Survey by e.Republic’s Center for Digital Government and Digital Communities program. The survey recognized Fresno as number 10 in the nation in cities with populations of 250,000 or more. Louisville Metro Government in Kentucky was the first-place [...]

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Is The Economy Feeling The Holiday Spirit?

Nov 27, 2012 No Comments

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – An improving economy coupled with a severe drought that caused increased feed costs for large birds generated a 4.8 percent surge in the 2012 PNC Christmas Price Index®, the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management. Based on the gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” the [...]

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Fresno Energy Assessment Program Praised

Nov 27, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. – Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin and representatives from the California Energy Commission and Pacific Gas & Electric gathered at the home of former California State Assembly Member Juan Arambula and his wife, Amy for a press conference to promote the City of Fresno’s Home Energy Tune-Up Program. After having the free energy assessment [...]

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Christmas Celebrations in California’s Gateway to Yosemite

Nov 26, 2012 No Comments

OAKHURST, Calif. – As the Christmas season approaches, Yosemite area communities are gearing up for the holiday with a myriad of events. Bass Lake is the first to get things started this year as the annual Bass Lake Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Nov. 24. The celebration begins at sundown, as dozens of decorated floats [...]

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Walmart U.S. Posts Best Ever Black Friday Events

Nov 26, 2012 No Comments

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Nov. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Walmart U.S. has reported its best ever Black Friday events. The retailer saw larger crowds than last year and a huge response to its first ever one-hour guarantee on key electronic items. “I’m so proud of what our more than 1.3 million associates have done to prepare and [...]

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Three Ag Industry Veterans to be Honored at Nov. 29 Industry Forum

Nov 23, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. – The San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association has announced that Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to L. Peter Christensen, Ron Metzler and Gary Wilson at the 2012 Winegrape Industry Forum on Nov. 29, 2012, at Pardini’s in Fresno.   Now in its 10th year, the Annual Meeting and Industry Forum is the [...]

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Mortgage Rates Hover Near Record Lows

Nov 23, 2012 No Comments

NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Mortgage rates continue to hover near record-low territory. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell one basis point over the past week to 3.53 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s (NYSE: RATE) weekly national survey. That is just one basis point higher than the record low that was set in [...]

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Economy Posts Gains, but Fiscal Uncertainty Poses Significant Challenges to Outlook

Nov 22, 2012 No Comments

WASHINGTON, Nov. 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity accelerated in the third quarter, but data continue to show a sluggish recovery overall, according to Fannie Mae’s (FNMA/OTC) Economic & Strategic Research Group. Since its low point in 2009, U.S. gross domestic product has climbed 7.2 percent, compared with an average growth of 16 percent for [...]

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Fresno SBA Seeking Nominations for Small Business Week Awards

Nov 22, 2012 No Comments

FRESNO, Calif. –  Each year during National Small Business Week, the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) recognizes outstanding small business owners for their contribution to the American economy and society. The dates for National Small Business Week 2013 will be officially announced by President Obama. SBA is currently accepting nominations for several SBA awards [...]

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PG&E Offers Energy Saving Tips For The Holiday Season

Nov 21, 2012 No Comments

SAN FRANCISCO, CA  - Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season tomorrow, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) offers the following energy-saving tips to help customers save energy and money.   No-cost Energy Saving Tips: When using your furnace, set your heating thermostat at 68 degrees or lower during the day, health permitting. Set your thermostat at [...]

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Physician Income Up Slightly in 2012, Risk of Fiscal Cliff Poses Worrying Signs

Nov 21, 2012 No Comments

NORWALK, Conn., Nov. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Physician income increased modestly in 2012, with slightly higher percentages of doctors reporting incomes in the highest brackets, according to Physicians Practice’s 2012 Physician Compensation Survey. Yet doctors also report higher practice overhead; consequently, physicians are more likely to say that their personal income is down this year [...]

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World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp Announce Agricultural Scholarship

Nov 21, 2012 No Comments

TULARE, Calif. – World Ag Expo and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up for the seventh year to provide the “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, created to support agricultural education. High school seniors from Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings and Kern counties are encouraged to apply by Jan. 18, 2013 to be considered. Two $10,000 scholarships [...]

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Tulare County Farm Bureau Awards $8,000 in Garden Grants to Local Schools

Nov 20, 2012 No Comments

TULARE, CA – Every year, Tulare County Farm Bureau’s education committee accepts applications from area schools that want to create or maintain gardens on their campuses. This fall, the education committee awarded grants to 22 schools throughout Tulare County. Schools may apply for a $250 renewal grant if they have an existing garden, or for [...]

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