Walmart Wants to Add Gas Station to Northwest Fresno Supercenter

Walmart is asking permission from the city of Fresno to install 16 new gas pumps at its northwest supercenter at Herndon and Ingram avenues.

The 24-hour pumps would be built in the southwest corner of the parking lot. It would also include a 440-square-foot kiosk that would facilitate gas purchases and sell lottery tickets and tobacco products.

The retailer, through the Fresno office of engineering firm CEI, presents to the District 2 Project Review Committee on Monday night.

District 2 City Councilman Mike Karbassi reserved comment but said he wants to make sure that traffic impacts are addressed.

(GV Wire Locator Map/Jahz Tello)

Clovis LGBT Library Issue Continues

Earlier this summer, Clovis City Councilwoman Diane Pearce complained that inappropriate LGBT-themed books were displayed at the local public library, especially during June’s pride month.

The city of Clovis has no jurisdiction over libraries — that is a county function. But Pearce plans to do the next best thing, write a letter.

At the city council meeting on Aug. 7, she said it is the council’s responsibility to communicate concerns to other units of government. Earlier in the meeting, the city council voted to oppose two state housing measures.

“Similarly, I do still see that situation with the concern of our community, with the sexual content of books, in children’s books, in the Clovis branch of our county library,” Pearce said from the dais.

“I have continued to have Clovis parents and grandparents expressed that concern to me and want to know what can be done about that. And I do agree with them that I don’t think that is up to our Clovis community standards,” Pearce said.

Councilmen Vong Mouanoutoua and Drew Bessinger said they would join the letter; Lynne Ashbeck and Matt Basgall said no way.

Bessinger said such an issue is a “slippery slope,” but there is a “bar” when directing things at eight-year-olds.

The conversation led to asking the city manager to draft a letter. To ensure that the Brown Act — the state’s open meeting law — isn’t violated, a city spokesman said the request will be placed on the Sept. 5 agenda.