Category: Central Valley

It’s back and it could be big. The US Navy has dusted off plans that have been shelved for the past 10 years, offering to lease 11,000 acres of farmland surrounding the NAS Lemoore base for energy production.In a release made public Feb 12, the Navy says  it is taking this first step in the process by issuing a” Request for Interest (“RFI”) seeking information from interested parties on a potential long-term lease for commercial development and operation of critical energy resiliency infrastructure and/or water utility options on 11,000 +/- acres of underutilized, non-excess agriculture land.”

The Navy says they want to look at energy and/or water development opportunities that “will help mitigate threats posed by wildfires and other natural disasters, climate change, water supply shortages, bird air strikes, an unreliable electric grid, as well as cyber and kinetic attacks.”

What is the goal? Like all US military bases, the Navy wants to improve “Energy Security solutions that mitigate the effects of supply disruptions on mission essential functions.”

What’s the worry? Grid blackout caused by a slew of dangers from cyber attacks, strong storms, extreme heat or wildfire that can shut down power that the base depends on or water disruptions brought on by extreme weather – both drought and floods that could pose an actual national security issue that would be out of the military’s control.

The Navy says they do not want to pay a developer for power generated or water improvements but if a project is built, they want to receive “an uninterrupted supply of energy and water necessary” as a (IKC) in-kind-consideration – to carry on with base operations despite any crisis.The developer could offer the power for sale on the market as the incentive to make what will be a major investment.

If the base is potentially vulnerable, it also offers an opportunity to develop both on-base power and water improvements. The notice points out that the base is near critical California electric grid infrastructure and offers geographical features, flat land with sufficient sun and wind, that could support additional energy infrastructure and/or water utility development.

Industry Day Feb 29

The government will be offering an Industry Day on Thursday, February 29, 2024 that will provide all interested entities an opportunity to participate in a site tour to view and walk portions of the proposed leased premises. 

“NAS Lemoore is host to approximately 20,000 acres of federally owned rural agricultural land. The secure operational and administrative areas are surrounded by 11,000 acres of prolific agriculture lands with more than 10,000 acres out-leased for agricultural production. The active cultivation of these farming operations have been critical in reducing bird air strikes, as the periodic discing and turning of soil reduces the bird population by frustrating the ground prey base. However, the farming operations are water intensive.”

Therefore, the notice says ”any development ideas in response to this RFI must support the installation’s mission activities and positively contribute to the energy and water goals.”

This is not the first time the US Navy has considered a solar project on their ag land here. A solar energy project at Naval Air Station Lemoore that was “first announced in 2015 is still moving forward,” according to NAVFAC Southwest Energy, it was reported last year.At that time the Navy was working with an Arizona utility affiliate to build a project. Now they have apparently opened the bidding to other developers.

Our past reporting noted “The idea is to ensure the base can operate even if faced with loss of power from the grid. Emergencies like wildfires in California have put portions of the state at risk of going dark with PG&E impacted.”

Notice that this time the Navy has added water resiliency as well as power projects. The base is surrounded by Westland Water District who just announced an expansion of solar projects on their land.They explain that California has set its sights on 100% clean energy.“By 2045, and the Central Valley will play a vital role in getting there. The same Mediterranean climate that make Westlands an ideal farming location, make it well-suited for solar. As water supplies have become more unreliable, farmers have turned to solar development as an alternative use for the land.”

The Navy request offers the possibility to use up to 11,000 acres  – what could be  a huge solar farm next to the base, possibly one of the largest in the US.  Consider that nearby the Westland Solar Park that includes 12 large solar array facilities will, when built out, sprawl over 20,000 acres producing 2700 MW of power.

The Kings County Assessor says the value of big solar projects in the county as of June 2023 was $142.5 million. Even though this potential project would be on federal lands, the lease of the acreage would be taxed.

Besides a big solar farm with battery storage the Navy suggests other ideas.

    –  Microgrid solution that can help improve energy and/or water efficiency.

• Backup power solutions for critical facilities
• Upgrades to aging electrical distribution infrastructure
• Replacement of legacy electrical equipment (transformers, switchgear, etc.)
• Upgrades to water distribution infrastructure, pre/post storage tanks, pump stations or other supporting infrastructure
• -Maximize water conservation through activities that positively impact groundwater recharge, stormwater retention, and sustainable land management
• Reclamation water “purple pipe” study and design
• Xeriscape designs or material

       – Energy facility upgrade improvements

     –   Investing in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

     –   A&E study Desalinization Plant

National pharmacy provider, Genoa Health Care company will open a walk-up pharmacy at the Visalia Integrated Mental Health Clinic on Tulare Avenue this summer.

Genoa partners with community-based providers, health plans and others as part of a coordinated care team. Genoa specializes in care of patient with behavioral health issues, often with complex health conditions.

The company says they are “dedicated to serving the needs of those in the behavioral health and substance use disorder communities, and others who have complex, chronic health conditions, Genoa is the largest provider of behavioral health pharmacy and clinical services for individuals with behavioral health and other complex, chronic health conditions in the U.S.” 

With more than 20 years of experience, Genoa serves over one million individuals annually across the United States.

This would be the first location in Tulare County although they do have a location in Hanford partnering with Kingsview.

Tulare County Mental Health spokesperson Carrie Monteiro  says the hope is that  the on-site dispensary “can reduce the barriers” for patients who may face problems in getting their care. She says the new pharmacy, under construction now, should open by July. 

The Visalia Adult Integrated Clinic is open 40 hours weekly with some 20 physicians offering 13 specialties.

Tulare County owns the large building there -the former Fairway Market location.

Tulare County Mental Health offers  Crisis Response Psychiatric Emergency Team

Psychiatric Emergency Team (PET) 24/7

520 E. Tulare Avenue

Visalia, CA 93277

(559) 730-9922 or 1-800-320-1616

At any time, you can call a crisis counselor who will assist you with your emergency. This is a toll- free, 24-hour access line with the ability to assist you in your preferred language.

Visit the Adult Mental Health Visalia Adult Integrated Clinic

520 E. Tulare Avenue

Visalia, CA 93277

(559) 623-0900

Mon – Fri 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m

Four-year school could open by 2026 – New affordable housing complex to serve 200

Architects have filed building plans for the new University Center at COS- what will be a four-year college in Visalia.

The University Center at COS will be located at the corner of Tulare Avenue and Mooney stretching down to Meadow Lane. The first phase of the project that could start late this year would be the demolition of a number of buildings and the abandonment of Shady Lane.Local area taxpayers approved the project in 2022 under Measure C. Now the City of Visalia is reviewing construction plans that will begin with demolition.

The project’s plan includes a mix of classrooms, labs, university support offices, and open study areas. A 220+/- seat lecture is also included off the ground floor main entry lobby. The project is currently designed to be 2 stories tall with a total area of approximately 52,000 GSF. The ground floor footprint is approximately 30,000 GSF.

The complex can support approximately 600-700 students with a supporting staff of around 20-30. Existing parking in the college’s Lot 7 off Tulare will support this added student load. To note, the project does include the demolition of the existing Cedar Building off Meadow on the college campus.

City easements across college property are proposed to be abandoned and reclaimed by the college as follows: 1) Along Shady the entire distance from Meadow to Tulare, 2) On Meadow starting at the alley moving west across the entire campus to Woodland, 3) The Southerly portion of the alley between Mooney and Shady (To the Foster’s Freeze property).

Measure C gives COS the needed funding to open the University Center.The University Center will include not only Fresno State but other California colleges. This gives students a chance to get a college education while staying home.

COS President Dr. Brent Calvin says ”We believe that this University Center will serve the two-county area for decades to come.”

Dr. Calvin says the University Center will be open either in the fall of 2026 or the spring of 2027.

Self-Help plans a major affordable housing project in N Visalia

Self-Help Enterprises has filed preliminary plans to build a new affordable housing complex in North Visalia that could serve 200.

Rancho Colegio is a new affordable rental community being developed by Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) in Visalia. SHE recently completed The Lofts multi-use housing complex in Downtown Visalia that just opened in December to wild acclaim.

Located immediately east of the Visalia Navigation Center (approximately 3700 N Dinuba Blvd), the new proposed project – Rancho Colegio offers one, two and three-bedroom units to serve working families, seniors, individuals and families experiencing homelessness and farmworker households.

The project includes a fully integrated community offering multi-generational housing where seniors and young professionals live together in a service enriched environment. The project includes an approximately 3,000 square foot community center which will provide office space for the full-time on-site manager and resident services staff. The community center will be available for family gatherings and community workshops and will also provide space for the after-school program and a variety of resident services, including STEM programs for youth, computer lab and classes, financial literacy and budgeting, and various health and wellness activities such as Zumba, health screenings and obesity prevention.

Rancho Colegio will serve residents earning 30-60% of area median income and rents will range from $300-$900 per month. This housing opportunity allows families to pay an affordable rent, therefore allowing them to achieve housing stability and the ability to pursue other financial goals such as attending school or saving for homeownership.

Rancho Colegio will be an all-electric project which includes renewable solar PV to off-set 100% of the residential and common area electrical loads, resulting in a project that is also affordable to operate and zero net energy. SHE will also incorporate extensive water conservation measures including highly efficient drip irrigation systems, thoughtful hardscapes, and low water use landscaping.

The Lofts that just opened in Downtown Visalia

Shasta Dam could see 7 inches of rain

Looks like the first week of February is going to be a wet one for most of California. Forecast for the Shasta Dam area- the state’s most important reservoir – for the next seven days indicate the area could get up to 7 inches of precipitation. Also note that the ten-day forecast for the lake shows rain every day.

The key federal CVP reservoir is already nearly 80% full. The most recent estimate is that Lake Shasta was 119% of historical average. It is only 40 foot to the top of the dam and 40 foot higher than was a year ago. The water level has climbed about 12 feet in the past 10 days.

Now another atmospheric river is on the way, and the National Weather Service (NWS) Climate Prediction Center expects there is at least a 70 percent chance for above-average precipitation along California’s coast from January 30 to February 3.

The storms will help fill not just the most important federal dam in California, but the most important state reservoir at Oroville is at 132% of average today. Bu the snowpack has a ways to go at just 54% of average today.

Further south, the active AR is expected to blanket the slopes of China Peak ski resort near Huntington Lake above Fresno. In the San Joaquin watershed, this is the source of water for the most important canal in the Central Valley – the Friant-Kern. Snow forecasts for the next 5 days expect 3.5 feet of snow for China Peak – and a total of 7 feet in 10 days – more than double what has fallen this season.

The difference is these big AR events

NWS Hanford is predicting 20 to 30 inches of snow at higher elevations in the Kaweah watershed as well as San Joaquin River locations like Huntington Lake from Wednesday through Friday. Here are some rainfall and snow totals for the central Sierra that will definitely give a boost to our future water supply.

click to enlarge graphs

Print shop closing at Visalia paper

Gannett-owned Visalia Times Delta will shut down their printing plant in March the company announced this week. A story in the Times Delta said that the paper will be printed elsewhere.

“The news and advertising teams will remain in Visalia and continue to serve the community.”

The story continued that “Production employees involved with printing and packaging in Visalia will be impacted by the transition as operations cease.”

“As our business becomes increasingly digital and subscription-focused, newspaper printing partnerships have become standard,” a Gannett spokesperson said. “We are making strategic decisions to ensure the future of local journalism and continue our service to the community.”

Some years back Gannett closed the Tulare printing plant when they bought the Advance Register newspaper.

The Visalia headquarters for the newspaper is at 303 N. West St. covering an entire block in downtown.

With the departure of the big printing press and associate employees is likely the Times Delta will not need their large 1.1 acre property with almost 29,000 ft. in favor of a smaller office space in town.

The newspaper in Hanford recently relocated their staff after selling their longtime building to Hanford school district.

With a glut of office buildings in California remaining vacant after COVID, cities are looking to fill that space with housing – in turn helping downtown districts..

Big radio station owner declares bankruptcy

Radio station owner Audacy has announced that it is filing f for Chapter 11 bankruptcyThe company, which owns more than 200 stations across the U.S.The company said the filing would result in a reduction of its debt by 80% from around $1.9 billion to about $350 million.
The company owns numerous stations in California, including high profile on news stations in LA- KNX- and in San Francisco- KCBS.

Hospital will offer Crisis Stabilization Unit for youth

Kaweah Health wants to to establish a community based mental health crisis service facility (Crisis Stabilization Unit) for children and youth within an existing 18,295 square foot facility at 230 Northwest 3rd Avenue in Visalia.The site is the former Sequoia Boy Scouts location. The hospital is seeking approval from the Visalia Planning Commission this month.

Nationwide paint chain lays off 700
Closes all Central and Northern California stores

Kelly Moore paint stores have shut their doors.

Founded about 80 years ago in the Bay Area, Kelly-Moore had 157 stores nationwide and around 70 of them in Central and Northern California.The chain, with headquarters and manufacturing in Texas, announced January 12 they would lay off 700 employees and go out of business.

Store closures are happening in the Central Valley towns of Visalia, Fresno, and Merced, and on the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo County, as well as a large cluster of about 60 stores from Stockton to Salinas and all over the Bay Area.

Company headquarters moved to Irving Texas, in 2023 from the Bay Area.In recent years company was under financial pressure because of lawsuits related to its use of asbestos in cement and texturing materials until 198. A news release highlight in the pressure.

“I’m extremely disappointed and saddened by this outcome, as the entire Kelly-Moore team made incredible efforts to continue innovating and serving the unique needs of professional painting contractors,” Kelly-Moore Paints CEO Charles Gassenheimer said. “The ownership group’s commitment from day one was to fix the business if we could. Sadly, no matter how great the Kelly-Moore team, products and reputation for service, we simply couldn’t overcome the massive legal and financial burdens that have been weighing on the Company for many years.”

The company said they will continue to fulfill remaining customer orders from a distribution facility in Union City.

In September 2022, Kelly Moore Paints was acquired by Flacks Group, a Miami, Florida-based investment firm that holds more than $2 billion of total assets. Flacks Group bought the paint company’s retailing, distributing and manufacturing units.After the acquisition, Charles Gassenheimer, managing partner of the Flacks Group, became the CEO of Kelly-Moore Paints.Kelly-Moore had $400 million in annual revenues and 1,200 employees at that time.

In 2021,Kelly-Moore Paints had an estimated 6.6% of total industry revenue behind,Sherwin-Williams and PPG Industries, each with over 11% market share.

A wet storm coming into California January 22 is boosting rainfall totals in the midstate and in the Sierra where snowpack is starting to build for the first time in the water year.But we have a ways to go can be seen by a few charts here.

Mammoth ski resorts is reporting new snow falling this week, but compare the current snowpack to last year and the difference is huge.

Of course, last year was a record what year with almost 400 inches of snow falling in Mammoth by the end of January 2023. So far this year through January 22, Mammoth has received about 86 inches of snow.

In the southern Sierra on the western slope at Giant Forest, precip so far this season is only 7 inches compared to 45 inches this time in January 2023. For the water year Giant Forest got a near record 92 inches of precipitation.

It’s a little better in Northern California at Shasta Reservoir where they have received about 25 inches for precip so far this water year compared to 40 this time last year, of course a record year for rain. We are about in the same place at Shasta Reservoir as it was in January 2020 and 2021. Some good news is that water storage in California’s largest reservoir at 3.3 million acre feet is more than it has been at this time for the past three years with good prospects ahead for a wet February.

Speaking of good news, here is the NOAA Climate Prediction Center’s 8 to 14 day forecast for California showing wet weather across all California through Feb 4.

 

“Strongest storm of the season”

NWS Hanford says winter storms will move across California starting around the end of the week (Jan 19) and continuing into next week. Snow is expected to fall across the Sierra Nevada with up to 12 inches with the first storm and 30 or more inches with the second.

In the upper elevations of the Kaweah watershed they expect some 3 feet of the white stuff over the four day period, although the snow level will be high at around 7000 feet.

“This will be the strongest storm of the season so far” says forecaster Andy Bollenbacher.

“Lower elevations like around Giant Forest at 6000 feet could see a mix of rain and snow in the first storm but likely all rain in the second storm.” But at higher elevations in the Kaweah watershed
it will be a good snowmaker, the first of the season.
Hanford ’s weather service says “The first of two back to back systems will impact us Friday night through Sunday
morning, and will bring widespread rain to the San Joaquin Valley and snow to the Sierra Nevada, with the snow levels remaining consistent at around 7,000 feet.”

This system will be the weaker of the two, and there are probabilities for many areas in the Valley to see a quarter of an inch or more rain.

The second low pressure system will be the stronger of the two storms, says NWS. It will come in as the first system starts to weaken, so there will be little to no gap in rainfall and snowfall. As
with the last system, widespread rainfall and snowfall will fall in the San Joaquin Valley and the Sierra Nevada, respectively. Probabilities show a 40-60% chance of many areas in the
valley south of Kern County seeing a half inch of rain Sunday. Those probabilities drop slightly to 30-50% that the same areas will again see half an inch of rain on Monday. Preliminary
forecasted rainfall totals are an inch or more for much of the Valley.

As for snow, snow levels will stay constant at around 7,000 feet, but snow totals get much higher for this second system. There is a 60-80% chance that snow totals above 7,000
feet could see a foot or more of snow, with 18 or more inches possible in the highest elevations. Much of this rain and snow will fall late Sunday night through Monday afternoon. The storm
looks to conclude by Tuesday morning.

Andy says look for dry weather to follow perhaps through the end of the month in the Central Valley.

If you plan to visit Sequoia Park, remember to carry chains.Both lanes of Generals Highway are closed between Wolverton Road in the south and Montecito Lodge in the north. Giant Forest, the General Sherman Tree, and the Wolverton snow play area are accessible from the south. It is not possible to drive between the parks, from Grant Grove to Giant Forest.

caption: To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” -Aristotle
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-December 18,2023-

Major companies with facilities in Visalia are enjoying a Santa Claus rally in their are stocks this month including firms like Amazon with two big employment centers in Visalia, clothing company VF Corp., package giant UPS, Costco, Joann stores, International Paper and Macy’s on Mooney, all celebrating an uptick in their stock price a week before Christmas. If Visalia companies are doing well this holiday season because of investor optimism fueled by the holiday spirit, it bodes well looking forward to 2024 for the Visalia economy.

The Wall Street Journal this weekend added their voice to reports of a Santa Claus rally among US consumers.

“This year’s holiday season is giving retailers reason to be jolly. Retail sales rose 0.3% in November from the month before, bucking a 0.1% decline expected by economists polled by The Wall Street Journal. The WSJ’s Justin Lahart writes in Heard on the Street that the ringing of cash registers in the run-up to Christmas is drowning out gloomy consumer polls. Americans still have plenty of money to spend, the jobs market remains strong and there are more deals to be had this year as inflation cools and prices for toys, sporting goods and computers are coming down. The National Retail Federation said a record 200.4 million people shopped in person and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday. Economists note that higher interest rates and the resumption of student debt repayments still threaten to crimp spending. But consumers probably won’t be able to tell by looking at the pile of gifts under this year’s tree.”

Here are the stock charts for the companies we mentioned.