Appliance Repair in Coalinga, CA

COALINGA, Calif. (KFSN) -- Illegal dumping is a problem throughout the Central Valley, but a group of volunteers in Coalinga are now taking action to clean up their city.

It starts with a meeting at a central location.

Then the group of volunteers pile into cars, trucks and tractors and head out.

Wednesday, their target location was a creek bed alongside a trailer home park that has become a prime spot for dumping.

"Refrigerators, washers dryers, every kind of appliance you could imagine," said Rachel Ross.

They get right to work stacking the mattresses, loading the appliances, and picking up trash.

"We're not pros but we get it done," said Ross.

The cleanups started with Kenneth Smith.

"It all started over a Facebook post," Smith said.

People were complaining about a spot with illegal dumping, so he went and cleaned it up.

"It just started from there," said Smith.

Then volunteers started coming and the cleanup crew started to grow.

People began dedicating their time to picking up trash that isn't theirs, all while navigating the hazards of the job like needles and snakes.

Once the trucks are loaded, they head to the dump.

There, they unload everything and head back to the cleanup site to do it all again.

Their effort is backed by the community, especially local businesses.

"The tire shop is allowing us to throw away the tires for free, the dump is letting the loads go for free, the donut shop sends donuts, the pizza shop sends pizza, the stores give water, so everybody is working together. Not just us who are out here," said Ross.

At the end of each clean up, there's a before and after picture to showcase their work to the community.

"And you can see that you made a difference," said Ross.

The group says they want their city back the way it was, clean and family-friendly and they're going to do their part to make it happen.

"We're going to come out whether it's one or two people or 100 or 200 people. We're going to continue to do this," Smith said.

The group plans to meet every Saturday and Wednesday moving forward and are always looking for volunteers and donations.

For more information, you can contact the organizer, Kenneth Smith, at smithkennethandsteph@gmail.com.

Menifee residents are expressing their concern and outrage that a convicted sex offender is being placed in their community.

In a Wednesday town hall, residents, law enforcement and the Riverside County District Attorney joined together to discuss 68-year-old Lawrence Philip Moff, whom a judge ordered to be released from Coalinga State Hospital in Central California.

“This is a lovely community and we don’t need this,” one resident said.

Moff’s history of sexual molestation dates back to the 1970s and includes crimes in Los Angeles and Riverside counties.

He was sentenced to 11 years in prison, but with this judge’s granting of a conditional release, he might be headed to the Sun City senior living community.

Sun City residents say not only are there schools in the area, but their grandchildren often visit, and they’re worried about their safety.

“I just want you to look me in my eyes and tell me that you’re going to protect my children. There’s one school about 0.7 miles from this facility,” a resident said.

Mike Hestrin, Riverside County District Attorney, echoed some of those concerns.

“Our position is that he is not suitable for release because he hasn’t been adjudged to have been recovered, so to speak. And then secondarily, not this area. There are too many kids,” Hestrin argued.

Sun City owner Thomas Uata attempted to assuage the residents’ concerns.

“I want to reassure you that as a caregiver and a care provider, our job is just to provide care. That is all we do. We’ve been informed that this is what the court has ordered,” said Uata.

Not all residents, however, think Uata is acting in their best interests. Many claimed that Uata had the opportunity to turn Moff away, but he didn’t. They’re also asking for more security.

“Don’t try to sit here and say you’re in the best interest of this community. You’re in the best interest of your own pockets,” said Menifee resident Sabrina Spady.

On Wednesday, Hestrin collected statements and signatures that the District Attorney’s office will be assembling into an affidavit to submit to the judge in an attempt to change her decision.

A court hearing is scheduled for July 29.

20 Years Ago

As the Valley weather turns warm, the air, as always, turns a dusty brown. But now, intermingling and almost overpowering the native dust is a gray cloud of smog. And this gray goo doesn’t just make for pretty sunsets and starless night skies. It can kill. According to the American Lung Association, in its “State of the Air” report, the zone quality data for 1998-2000 grades area counties as having unhealthful air 33 times a year. That’s a 45% improvement from 1995-1996. But, in its 2001 report, the American Lung Association (ALA) gave an “F” grade to Kings County for quality.

35 Years Ago

Lemoore senior citizens will play host and hostess to their peers from throughout Kings and Tulare counties at the 15^th annual Senior Day Celebration set for next Wednesday. Up to 1,200 people are expected to join the festivities at the Lemoore Senior Center, Iona and 18^th avenues, just south of the municipal golf course. A picnic-style, multi-course barbecue lunch will highlight the day’s activities. Included on the menu will be roast beef, baked beans, coleslaw, ice cream, and cookies. Participants are encouraged to contribute $1 for the meal. Free milk, juices, and coffee will be served throughout the day.

Pitcher Dionne Ewing hurled two no-hitters last week, beating Reedley 4-2 and Redwood 1-0. The Tigers close out the season tomorrow, facing Hanford on the road.

Qualifying for Saturday’s valley finals were singles player Cheryl Bautista and the doubles team of Carla Bow and Marlyn Brown. The top three qualifiers in each event advance to the valley finals on Saturday at Rio Bravo Tennis Club in Bakersfield.

40 Years Ago

The population of Lemoore is now 9,772, according to figures compiled by the state of California.

The eyes of the world will be focused on Lemoore’s Tiger Stadium Saturday afternoon as the town hosts the 55^th annual West Coast Relays.

65 Years Ago

In recent weeks George Hoy locked the padlock on the door of his blacksmith shop on the southwest corner of E and Armstrong streets, and in so doing brought to a close the activity of what until then was probably the oldest business firm in Lemoore.

Today is the last day to sign for War Ration Books, when War Ration Boards will close their offices tonight at 9 o’clock.

The community of Lemoore is now enjoying the services of a complete automotive parts store, equipped in detail to supply the demands of garagemen, motorists, truckmen, ranchers, vineyardist, dairymen, and all who maintain and repair motorized equipment.

90 Years Ago

Another 4.5 inches of snow fell in General Grant National Park Monday night and Tuesday morning, bringing the totals for the season to 353 inches or over 29 feet of snow and .66 inches of precipitation. The snow is melting quite rapidly and there is quite a lot of bare ground showing. Snow that falls as late in the season as this, only lasts a few days after the weather clears. During the last week, a number of deer have been seen in the neighborhood of Park Headquarters, which would indicate that the bad weather at this elevation is about at an end.

The mountain road which extends from Atascadero to Morro, San Luis Obispo county, is in good condition, according to the Touring department of the National Automobile club. This road is one of the short cuts across the hills to Cambria Pines.

100 Years Ago

There still remains about five miles of paving to be done on the highway between Lemoore and Coalinga. This stretch lies just west of Henrietta.

115 Years Ago

A new Hydro-Carbon Match Lighting Lamp has been installed in the Methodist Church in this city which enables the members of their choir to read music with ease as the lamp gives a clear light and doesn’t hurt the eyes.

COALINGA, Calif. (KFSN) -- In a town of 17,000 people, Julius Olanrewaju stands out. The 6'4 freshman guard grew up with a basketball in his hand.

His father is the head coach of the West Hills College Coalinga basketball team.

"It was a big way of showing how life works if that makes sense," Olanrewaju said. "He taught us that everything takes hard work. That was his way of showing what it takes."

Horned Toads Head Coach Jason McFarlin is in his 19th year coaching at the varsity level. He says he never imagined that Julius would be having the season he's having in his first year on varsity.

"You never know how they're going to mature athletically," McFarlin said. "Obviously, I knew he would be a good player for us because he's just really skilled and discipline. He's blossomed so much in the last six months. He couldn't dunk in September, now he's catching lobs off the backboard in a game."

As a freshman, Olanrewaju leads the nation in scoring. He ranks 13th in all grade levels. The Horned Toad is averaging 31.5 points per game and is shooting 41 percent from deep. He works on his game three times a day.

His discipline is paying off. In December, he broke the school scoring record with 49 points.

"I was shocked," Julius said. "I remember I was at the college shooting around, coach called me and said, 'Julius, you broke the record.' At the time, I didn't really process it, but then he called me again and I sat down and I was shocked."

Coach McFarlin calls Julius the total package.

He puts the work in on the hardwood and in the classroom, he is nearly a perfect student.

"He's a yes sir type kid, he's not just giving you lip service," McFarlin said. "He's emotional because he's young still. He's really easy to coach, wants to be coached, wants to be coached hard, there's no freebies around here for him. He knows that and he wants that. He wants to be held accountable because he knows that's what's going to get him to his dream. He has big dreams."

One of those dreams is playing for one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the country.

"My dream college is Kanas," Julius said. "That's where I want to go."

Until then, the Horned Toads are focusing on the postseason.

Coalinga hopes this will be the year they claim their first-ever Central Section championship with the freshman Phenom leading the way.

"He'll get where he's supposed to get to," McFarin said. "If it's Kansas, even coming from a small town like ours, they'll find him."

Gavilan College has selected its new superintendent-president.

Pedro Avila comes from Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC), where he serves as Vice President of Student Services.

College officials are negotiating Avila’s contract, and the college will place the employment agreement on the agenda for public review and approval consideration at the next board meeting scheduled on June 14.

Avila’s selection on May 19 came after a forum the day before that included three candidates.

Gavilan Governing Board President Edwin Diaz said the search followed a tight timeline.

“From the beginning our governing board has been committed to providing continuity leadership for the college,” he stated in a press release. “On behalf of the Board, I want to thank all our community members, faculty and staff, for their engagement by submitting their questions and feedback. We are excited to select Dr. Pedro Avila.”

Avila has served in the community college system since 2003, and has experience in both single college and multi-college community college districts in California.

He has also served as Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management, Admissions & Records, and Information Systems at State Center Community College District in Fresno.

At West Hills Community College District in Coalinga, he served as Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning, Accreditation Liaison, Vice President of Student Services, and Vice-Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness & Enrollment Management.

He was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. When he was 9, his family emigrated to Castroville in 1984. There, his family lived in a friend’s garage, and made their living picking strawberries.

“We had to work for everything,” he said during the candidate forum. “Those were tough years for my family, but I’d do it all over again because through those experiences, we built character.”

He says his work is grounded in his experiences as an immigrant, and that his childhood experiences with poverty and housing insecurity shape his strong statewide advocacy for affordable student housing.

Avila is bicultural, bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish.

In 2020 he was recognized as the Chief Student Services Officer of the Year. In 2021 the SRJC Student Government Association presented him with the Outstanding Service to Students award.

He earned degrees in Latino Studies and Business from Fresno State University. He also holds a master’s degree in business administration from Rockhurst University, and a certificate in institutional performance assessment from Harvard’s Higher Education Institute. He holds a PhD in Community College Policy from the University of Maryland.

Avila is married to Jeanette Loaiza, who is also in the field of education. They have two young daughters.

Current Gavilan Superintendent and President Kathleen Rose announced her retirement in October, with her final day on July 1. She served 13 years at the college, six of which as superintendent.