March 19,2022-
New sheriff substations in Earlimart and Porterville
Tulare County has announced they are purchasing new substations in Earlimart and Porterville. The Earlimart site is a 1.28 acre portion of a 5 acre lot improved with an existing 3,750 sq ft pre-engineered metal building. In Porterville the subject property is the Forest Headquarters for the Sequoia National Forest. The lot is 2.85 acres in size with an existing 18,000 sq ft pre-engineered metal building with on-site secured parking. The purchase of this property will allow Tulare County to develop it into a new Sheriff’s Substation to serve the unincorporated areas of Porterville and other surrounding communities.
County building new radio towers
As part of the American Rescue Plan budget, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors have approved the installation of 120-foot radio towers for several locations including Tulare Fire Station #10 in Porterville, in Tipton, at Kings River Station and Tulare Fire Station #7 in Tulare.
Sequoias Stadium is coming to COS in the Fall of 2023! Sequoias Stadium will feature 3,000 seats, a video board, state of the art entry plaza, concessions, restrooms, and a place to enjoy events on the COS campus. Go Giants!!!
Starbucks dumping single service cups
Starbucks wants to switch from disposable cups, says WSJ. “Seattle coffee giant is experimenting with reusable cup program in several markets, with the goal of fewer single-use and plastic cups by 2025. The coffee giant said Tuesday it is working to veer away from single-use paper and plastic cups and instead provide reusable ones to customers within three years. It is the latest effort from Starbucks as the company moves to hit company-set waste reduction goals by 2030 and address customer sustainability concerns.”
Orange Cove getting solar panels at treatment plant
Orange Cove will receive a $2.23 million loan at one percent simple interest from the California Energy Commission to install a solar array at the City’s wastewater treatment plant and LED lighting at seven City sites. Upon completion, the project is estimated to reduce about 961,534 kWh of grid electricity consumption annually, saving the city approximately $142,166 in utility costs per year.
Pratt Water System/MathenyTract getting new well
The State Water Board’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program is financing installation of Well 4-3, which will be a 1,000 GPM well with new pipeline to the Matheny Tract subdivision near Tulare.The site is on K Street and Bardsley Avenue, and I Drive. Matheny’s water system, Pratt Mutual, has elevated arsenic levels. On April 1, 2016, the State Water Resource Control Board issued a mandatory water system consolidation order directing the City of Tulare to connect Matheny Tract to the Tulare County water system.
Tulare groundwater sinks
In February 2021, the average standing water level depth in Tulare was 194 feet. In February 2022, the average standing water level depth was 206 feet, representing a 12-foot drop from a year ago.