News

SACRAMENTO -  According to numbers certified by county registrars, the California Consumer Privacy Act has qualified for the November 2018 ballot. Simultaneously, a bill supported by Californians for Consumer Privacy with similar privacy protections is advancing through the California Legislature.

"We are thrilled that the California Consumer Privacy Act has qualified for the November ballot, and grateful to California voters for showing their support for fundamental privacy rights for consumers," said Alastair Mactaggart, Chief Proponent of the California Consumer Privacy Act and Chairman of Californians for Consumer Privacy. "California now has two opportunities to empower consumers to take back control of our personal information: one sits before the California Legislature, and the other can now appear on the ballot. We look forward to either the Legislature's successful passage of AB 375 this week or continuing our initiative campaign through November. We're heartened by the momentum behind these endeavors, and the protections that both efforts seek to provide for consumers and our children."

FRESNO - An eight-month operation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has netted numerous arrests and seizures. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan.

In November 2017, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol made a traffic stop in the area of Fresno Street and Ashlan Avenue. The driver, 55-year-old David Stuard of Fresno, was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail after the deputy searched his vehicle and found approximately one pound of methamphetamine, along with heroin and prescription pills.

RICHMOND, VA - In the early morning hours of June 11th, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Richmond arrested a woman who is wanted for murder and numerous robberies in Sonoma County, California. Amber Hembree, nicknamed ‘Skittles’, was one of five alledged Crips gang members who robbed then shot and killed their victim in Santa Rosa, California. Hembree then fled the state of California to avoid arrest.

After an extensive investigation by the Sonoma County Police Department along with the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, the agencies developed information that Hembree was likely hiding out back in Virginia. A request was sent to the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force in Richmond requesting help in locating Hembree.

IRVINE -- In a 5-4 vote on June 21, 2018, the United States Supreme Court narrowly ruled in favor of letting states collect sales tax from online retailers. Prior to the ruling, South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al. (2018), it was necessary to establish a physical presence in a state before requiring businesses to collect and remit sales tax. Proponents say the ruling will help state governments increase revenues, but opponents argue that consumers and online retailers will be harmed, particularly small merchants like sole proprietors.

Continuing, Justice Kennedy noted potential shortcomings in the former system: a product of Quill Corporation v. North Dakota (1992) and National Bellas Hess v. Department of Revenue (1967), which stood as precedent for decades – until Thursday morning. The precedents established by these cases, Kennedy wrote, effectively made "a judicially created tax shelter" – that is, a strategy to minimize tax liabilities – "for businesses that decide to limit their physical presence and still sell their goods and services to a state's consumers." Indicating that small businesses – upon which Justice Roberts warned the "burden [would] fall disproportionately" – could "seek relief" on a case-by-case basis.

MADERA  - – Drafts of three new development incentive programs were released today by city officials intended to bolster interest from developers and investors seeking new opportunities in the City of Madera.

The release of the new programs comes after a City Council subcommittee comprised of councilmembers Will Oliver, Charles Rigby, and Jose Rodriguez organized a series of meetings with community groups to identify ways the City could make it easier for property owners and builders to invest in Madera, describing their desire to allow property owners and developers to invest more dollars into their properties and less into City permit fees, with the intent that the community gains in the long run with increased employment and tax revenues.