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🌱 Patch AM: Why has this vacant Fresno house caught fire at least twice?

And on the Fresno Patch calendar - Fiesta Navidad

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Morning Fresno! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why has this vacant Fresno house caught fire at least twice?
  • Why a Fresno tax-credit nonprofit is now facing a whistleblower lawsuit
  • What Fresno Unified’s 500-plus early retirements mean for your child’s school

Also on today's calendar: Fiesta Navidad and 4 more events.

Find out what's happening in Fresnofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did the balloon say to the doctor? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Find out what's happening in Fresnofor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 52 degrees.
  • Monday: Some brightening, temps: high: 63, low: 50.
  • Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 66 and low of 57 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Vacant house fire damages nearby Fresno homes, crews say (yourcentralvalley.com) — A vacant house fire in Fresno Friday night damaged two neighboring homes but, fortunately, no one was hurt. Flames spread into one home’s attic and intense heat cracked another’s windows before firefighters contained the blaze. Crews say it’s at least the second fire at this property in a year and suspect someone may be living in a backyard unit.
   

2. Fresno group tied to Oliver Baines, TJ Cox faces whistleblower suit (fresnoland.org) — A Fresno-based community development company tied to former councilmember Oliver Baines is facing a wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation lawsuit filed in Fresno County Superior Court by a former program director. The suit challenges how an $84,000 payment to Baines was classified for tax purposes and describes alleged retaliation, while also resurfacing past Fresno-related controversies involving Granite Park and ex-congressman TJ Cox. A case management conference is set for March 2026.
   

3. Over 500 Fresno Unified employees to retire early as district faces enrollment decline (kmph.com) — More than 500 Fresno Unified employees have agreed to retire early under a new incentive plan, as the district confronts falling enrollment and looming budget cuts. District leaders expect to save tens of millions by not refilling most positions, but warn the loss of veteran staff will test schools even as they work to protect students from deeper cuts.
   

4. December's Superintendent Superstar is Pine Ridge Elementary 8th grader Ryan Rogers (kmph.com) — An eighth-grader from Pine Ridge Elementary in Fresno, Ryan Rogers has been named December’s Superintendent Superstar for his hard work, kindness, and leadership. He’s active in the school band, mentors younger students, and volunteers with his family at every booster event, earning praise for always being ready to help classmates and the school community.
   

5. Mystery lanterns found under an overpass identified as historic Fresno artifacts (abc30.com) — Hidden for nearly a century, 82 ornate lanterns tied to Fresno’s 1930s downtown holiday celebrations were recently uncovered beneath the Belmont underpass during high-speed rail work. Local historians have confirmed their connection to Fulton Street festivities and are now racing to preserve and possibly relight them for next year’s Christmas parade, highlighting a rare piece of Fresno’s past.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I found this baby boy in the fields taking my daughter to school towards dickinson and mckinley.
    I brought him home cause I couldn't leave him out there as he kept going in and out of the street. He was so friendly and happy. He came to me and… (Nextdoor McKinley/Brawley)
  • Good morning,
    This baby girl was found last night off N Carol Ave and W Cambridge Ave. If this is your baby, please reach out to me, she is safe with me and having… (Nextdoor Fig Garden Loop)
  • TradeJobsWorkforce posted a job opening for American Airlines Ramp Agent in Fresno. Apply here.
  • Bodega Latina Corporation - El Super posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk - # 69 Fresno - Blackstone in Fresno. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Fresno here.

Ok Fresno! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I feel lightheaded!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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