Bredefeld and Pacheco introduced the new law, in part, following complaints from constituents in their districts<\/a> in north and west Fresno County.\u00a0<\/p>\n The California Supreme Court ruled in 2015<\/a> that Jessica\u2019s Law, which mandates where registered sexual offenders can live, was softened to allow more freedom for the criminals. The court said their ruling was due, in part, due to how limiting the restrictions were for the offenders.\u00a0<\/p>\n Supervisor Luis Chavez said at Tuesday\u2019s board meeting that his office received inquiries asking similar questions. To him, it\u2019s not his problem to find a home for the offenders, citing his experience as a foster parent.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t care where they go,\u201d Chavez said. \u201c\u2026I can tell you, as a foster parent that has taken these children into my home, the level of trauma and pain and long-term mental anguish that this causes to me is just unfathomable.\u201d<\/p>\n The supervisors also brought forward data claiming the sexual offenders reoffend after they leave incarceration, though no specific studies were cited. There are national studies<\/a> that investigate the pattern of behavior.<\/p>\n The Monday morning news conference saw local leaders call out business owner John Coyle and his faith-based organization, Centers For Living \u2014 a transitional housing facility for displaced individuals, including sexual predators \u2014 as a prospective target for this new law.\u00a0<\/p>\n John and Dawn Coyle, the married couple who co-founded Centers For Living, both appeared at Tuesday\u2019s hearing and said local officials have shared \u201cinaccurate comments\u201d regarding the organization and their practices, that their transitional living provides supportive services that \u201creduce risks.\u201d They also said they believe law enforcement has provided \u201cuneven enforcement\u201d toward the Old Fig Garden neighborhood \u2014 where their properties are located.\u00a0<\/p>\n They also mentioned that their services are especially needed in Fresno with the potential for closure of the city\u2019s homeless shelters <\/a>and supportive housing properties<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the authors of this ordinance are responding to the opinions of a very small number of emotionally charged neighbors instead of facts,\u201d Coyle said, adding that in the seven years they have run their properties \u201cwe have never received a single violation\u2026occupancy or zone violation\u201d from law enforcement.<\/p>\n The two extended a dinner invitation to Bredefeld so that he could see the services they provide and tour the property. Bredefeld declined the invitation, adding that he did not believe the Coyles\u2019 comments, which he characterized as \u201cbullshit.\u201d<\/p>\n The board unanimously approved the law in its introductory hearing, signaling that it\u2019s\u00a0 well on its way toward passing.\u00a0<\/p>\n The second hearing on the new law is scheduled for January.<\/p>\n County leaders bicker back-and-forth on Measure C\u2019s future<\/p>\n The Fresno County Board of Supervisors hosted a presentation<\/a> Tuesday on the progress made by the Council of Governments on Measure C\u2019s renewal.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Board, as they did last month<\/a>, continued to criticize the Council Of Governments\u2019 spending proposal.<\/p>\n Fresno\u2019s north region and the City of Clovis were among the regions that voted against the last iteration of Measure C on the 202 ballot, according to Bredefeld, who represents much of that constituency.<\/p>\n \u201cI can assure you they\u2019re going to vote it down again, and I\u2019m going to help them vote it down,\u201d Bredefeld said.<\/p>\n However, Tuesday also saw the transportation committee\u2019s co-chairs \u2014 Parlier Mayor Alma Beltran and Mendota Mayor Victor Martinez \u2014 appear before the board to push back on their narrative that the drafting process has been a \u201cshit-show.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Beltran, in particular, also criticized the Board for legitimizing the narrative that a third party could pursue a separate, signature-backed\u00a0 transportation measure if they don\u2019t like the Council Of Governments\u2019 plan..\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe need to figure out how we can come together instead of arguing\u2026How we can support one measure,\u201d Beltran said. \u201cHaving two measures out there is not going to help\u2026both will fail.\u201d<\/p>\n County Clerk James Kus outlined the road toward getting a signature-led measure on the ballot, on the request of the board. He signaled that if such a measure were to materialize, it should have started already.<\/p>\n Robert Phipps, the executive director of the Council Of Governments, acknowledged the tensions between both parties and lobbied for a more reconciliatory tone.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re getting read to sit down at the Christmas table, and the family is fighting, and we don\u2019t like when mom and dad are fighting,\u201d Phipps said.<\/p>\n Bredefeld replied, \u201cI think that ship has sailed. Mom and dad are fighting\u2026that started long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n Fresno County passes kratom sales regulations<\/p>\n The Fresno County Board of Supervisors finalized new regulations against products using kratom.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like the city, the county approved regulations against the sale of Kratom-based drugs and health supplements products, with an exception made to those with a significantly reduced amount of sedatives natural to the plant.\u00a0<\/p>\n The county\u2019s sales ban will only affect kratom-based products with 2% or more 7-OH. Merchants will also be forbidden from selling kratom-based-products to customers younger than 21.\u00a0<\/p>\n Supporters of the plant also have claimed a range of benefits from the plant, from its use as a pain reliever to its ability to help people quit opioid addictions. Health experts have not verified those claims.<\/p>\n Supervisor Brian Pacheco will pursue state office in 2026<\/p>\n Democrat Supervisor Brian Pacheco announced plans to run for the state assembly in 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout my time as County Supervisor, I\u2019ve worked every day to make life easier and more affordable for the people I serve,\u201d Pacheco said in a statement.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m ready to bring that on-the-ground experience to the State Assembly to deliver affordability, public safety, clean reliable water, and healthcare access for families in Fresno, Madera, and Merced Counties.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Pacheco\u2019s board seat represents West Fresno County. He will pursue office in California Assembly seat District 27, which represents the Fresno, Madera and Merced region.\u00a0<\/p>\n Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria<\/a>, who currently holds the seat, announced a bid for state senate earlier this year. She endorses Pacheco\u2019s campaign<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Fresno County appoints new County Health Officer<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/DSC1222.jpg\")
John Coyle appeared before the Board during a hearing over a new law that could directly affect his business. Pablo Orihuela | Fresnoland<\/p>\n