Porterville Recorder

Badges of honor

It was a bright sunny day at Valley Oak Community Church where the Central California Blood Center was all set up for the second annual Battle of the Badges blood drive, with their Bloodmobile, the Porterville Kiwanis Club and Valley Oak as their lead...

Pl a nt ed In Th eco mm u nity

It was the perfect day for a plant sale Saturday afternoon, and despite the heat, the flow of customers ebbed in and out of the gates of Porterville High School in support of the school’s annual FFA Plant Sale. Community members browsed rows of fruit...

Granite Hills Scholars

A pair of graduating seniors from Granite Hills High School are preparing to take the next step toward their futures after earning highly competitive full-ride scholarships — achievements they say were fueled by hard work, family support, and...

Strathmore’s scholar

Strathmore High School Senior Taeghen Jensen, received her Gates Scholar selection notification on Monday, April 20. She’s one of 750 scholars chosen from a pool of 61,000 applicants from across the nation, a “group of young leaders who represent the...

Rollin’ At Rockford

It was another beautiful but warm May day on Saturday at Rockford Elementary School where there were scores of gorgeously detailed cars lined up for the Annual Rockford School Fundraiser and Car Show. Every kind of vehicle from heavy duty specialized...

The Community’s School

Under glowing gold lights and a line of red arches, guests arrived at Ramirez Ranch on Saturday night for an evening that felt part gala, part circus, and entirely community-driven. St. Anne’s School hosted the Carnival of Lights, the school’s spring...

Main Attraction

Downtown Porterville came alive Saturday morning as the annual Comisión Honorífica Mexicana Americana Cinco de Mayo Parade brought more than an hour of music, movement, and celebration to Main Street. Beginning at 10 a.m., the celebratory procession...

‘PACC’ED With Purpose:

A strong show of community support filled the room as the Porterville Area Coordinating Council, PACC, celebrated the opening of its thrift store on Main Street Thursday afternoon with a ribboncutting ceremony, bringing together local leaders,...

Viva la Reina: New Cinco de Mayo Royalty Crowned

The room buzzed with excitement as families, friends, and community members gathered, filling every corner of the brightly decorated CHMA Community Center in anticipation of a night that would celebrate culture, pride, and tradition. Hosted by Comision...

Rey Ponce 2026 Cinco de Mayograndmarshal

Comision Honorifica Mexicana Americana, CHMA, has proudly named Rey Ponce as its 2026 Cinco de Mayo Grand Marshal. Ponce has generously donated his talent as our Fiesta Dominguera del Cinco de Mayo event consultant and Master of Ceremonies since 1996....

Endofwatch

VISALIA - A powerful show of unity and respect filled the sanctuary of First Assembly of God in Visalia as hundreds gathered to honor Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Hopper, whose life was lost in the line of duty on April 9 in Porterville. Law...

Dale

The Celebration of Life at Trinity Lutheran Church for Dale W. Anderson was solemn, touching, and elegant with beautiful music and comforting words from Pastor Jodi Golden-lund followed by a blessing. Hymns sung at the service were When Peace Like An...

Big Hearts

Holly Oliveros, the Director of Happy Hearts Children’s Center, spoke about the Trike-a-thon held on Friday they started in 2007 to raise money for a Children’s Cancer Fund at St. Jude’s Hospital for one of their students Dominik Navarro. “Navarro lost...

Civically Minded

The Porterville Unified School District 3nd Annual Civics Showcase Wednesday at Porterville Military Academy showed the dedication and creativity of PUSD and local middle school and high school students. From the variety of projects that students...

‘Where Healing Begins’

Under a bright Wednesday morning sky, members of the Tule River Indian Tribe gathered alongside elders, tribal leadership, health board officials, and local dignitaries to mark a historic milestone: the groundbreaking of a new women’s treatment and...

Outpouring Of Opportunity

The 5th annual Career and Job Fair at Porterville College sponsored by Porterville Adult School was jam packed despite the continuous rain and dripping awnings. Dozens of booths in the PC quad were filled with both students and the public getting...

Mail Gets Through Again

Outside of Porterville City Hall Jackass Mail Run Wagonmaster Matt Fields and another rider carried the mail to the wagon, accompanied by Vice-mayor Ed Mckervey in full western attire. When all wagons, the posse, and outriders were assembled they rode...

Lindsay – Where Art Meets Life

LINDSAY - The Lindsay Museum and Gallery presented Still Point: Everything Moves, One Remains, an international contemporary exhibition curated by Gallery Chang, and Gallery Director Junhwan Chang, who has a global gallery with locations in New York...

The Bread Man

On Thursday, April 9, at Centennial Park in Porterville artisan baker Matt Bell set up his kiosk to sell Porterville Bread (PB) loaves and bakery items around 3 p.m. And customers started stopping by to pick up their orders. And steadily they kept on...

Mr. Plac

The official title for Placido Flores, or better known as “Mr. Plac,” is academy assistant/job developer. But Flores’ contribution to Porterville High goes for beyond what that title states. The 2001 PHS graduate came back to work at his school in...

Stars in the Hills Prom

It takes a village to put on a prom like this, and in Porterville, a night like Saturday doesn’t just happen. It’s built, piece by piece, by a community that shows up. From donated dresses and discounted tuxedos to cheering first responders and...

KCSO Sheriff: Suspect fired 4 rounds at Bearcat

The Kern County Sheriffs Office will conduct its own use-of-force investigation following an incident in Porterville where an armored vehicle intentionally ran over a suspect, killing him. Following the shooting of Tulare County Sheriffs...

Suspect killed; intentionally run over by BearCat

The suspect who killed a Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputy after TCSO tried to issue an eviction notice at a residence was killed when he was run over by law enforcement. TCSO Deputy-detective Randy Hoppert, 35, was killed by David Morales, 59, after...

Fallen Hero

A Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Deputy was shot and killed on Thursday morning in Porterville after TCSO tried to issue an eviction notice at a residence, Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux stated in a press conference on Thursday afternoon....

In th e Lin eo fd u ty

It has been an admittedly tough couple of months for the Porterville Fire and Police Departments. There has been nine fatalities in three fires in the city since December and the city has also had its first murder in three years. But through it all...

Paying It Forward

Geovanni Suarez is on his way to taking the mantle from Dr. Ramon Resa, so to speak. The 2016 Porterville High graduate has been accepted to two medical schools and plans following in Resa’s footsteps. Like Resa, who returned to the Central Valley to...

Sa t u rday In th e Park

There were more than 500 people who enjoyed the Spring Jamboree at the Setton Pistachio Park on Saturday. The highlight of the morning was an Easter egg hunt around the large play structure for children ages 2-5, 6-9, and 10-12. Everyone enjoyed it,...

E gg in g Th e m On

Tonya Childree and Amy Graybehl of the City of Porterville Parks and Leisure Services organized a traditional Easter Egg Hunt at Veterans Park of Friday with the help of dozens of volunteers from Americorp and local school districts in...

Start Small, GO BIG

Junior Day at Porterville College was all about showing high school juniors about opportunities. Counselors, Administrators, and teachers were all out on the college quad talking to students about the various programs, classes, and pathways available...

MHS,Sequoiaout standing at SVWAA

The Monache Winter Percussion Ensemble can consider itself a dynasty. Meanwhile Sequoia Middle Schools Winter Guard unit continues to excel as well. Both groups earned top honors at the 11th annual South Valley Winter Arts Association Championship...

Lindsay Proud

LINDSAY - A spectacular and fun ceremony for the Lindsay Olive Bowl and Kaku Park grand opening and ribbon cutting took place on Friday to the delight of the Lindsay community, Lindsay School District administration, visiting dignitaries from Ono City,...

Th ejoyo f Sp ring Downtown filled with people at festival

It was a gorgeous sunny day on Porterville Main Street for the 2026 Spring Festival and thousands of people were enjoying all the activities, vendors, delicious food and many car exhibits from multiple clubs. There were more vendors than ever this...

F ab5

The City of Porterville hosted the 19th annual Wall of Fame ceremony on Friday afternoon in Centennial Park, celebrating five individuals whose lasting contributions have helped shape the city’s identity and future. City Manager Rich Tree opened the...

Serving With Honor

The Porterville Exchange Club hosted the 65th Annual Public Safety Recognition Dinner and awards ceremony at the Porterville Veterans Memorial Building Wednesday evening. Alex Larson, of the Exchange Club led the Pledge of Allegiance and he also gave...

Taco Fr e nzy

The Gauntlet has been thrown down. Six individuals from some of the community’s leading organizations and businesses have challenged each other when it comes to eating the most tacos. But more importantly it’s for a good cause. The six individuals...

Community Path To Fun

Work progresses on the overland Recreation Center/Park which is scheduled to be completed this year.

Spring Festival

The banner is up advertising the Porterville Chamber of Commerce’s Spring Festival to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Family Healthcare Network is partnering with the Chamber to hold a Spring Health Festival during the event from 10...

Art Of Film Making

Porterville College had their first film festival screening on Thursday afternoon and evening, showing Animation films beginning at 4:30 p.m. and a variety of 23 films beginning at 6:30 featuring two introductory silent films, accompanied by live...

A medal Of honor

Kea Ortiz knows first hand how important first responders have been in contributing to the life she is now able to live. So Ortiz has made sure to continue to give back to those who have helped her along on her journey, including first responders and...

‘W o rk h a r de r , D obe tter:’

The Porterville City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday night to approve a sweeping reorganization consolidating the city’s Community Development and Engineering divisions into a single Planning and Engineering Department, a move City Manager Richard Tree says...

An Evening To Remember

LINDSAY - The Lindsay Community Theater was filled with the gentle sound of guitars and a harp as a crowd gathered for an evening of music, storytelling, and reflection led by Chicana musician and scholar Dr. Martha Gonzalez and her partner, guitarist...

Community Hooked Again Fishing Derby always popular

The Porterville Fishing Derby is held every year and it’s always a big deal with local families who’ve been participating for generations. It’s fun for kids, parents and grandparents, and everyone has a good time, spending the day outdoors...

Parlors linked to prostitution could have licenses revoked

The Porterville City Council may approve scheduling a public hearing that could lead to the revocation of business licenses for three massage parlors following a recent prostitution investigation by the Porterville Police Department. According to a...

Honoring Our Heroes

The completed mural created by Porterville College Art Club students on the back of the former Bob Fields Jewelry building off of Mill near Main. The mural created as part of the city’s America 250 celebration honors First Responders and Porterville...

A Monumental Effort

What is becoming a year-round celebration of America’s 250th birthday in Porterville is set to include the dedication of the Washington Monument replica at Veterans Park during Constitution Week. It’s planned for the monument to be dedicated on...

Fight! Varsity!

Joseph Ayala has been able to experience a lot as a member of the Fresno State Bulldog Marching Band. He’s now going to have the experience of being the band’s drum major. Ayala, who attended and played in the band at Sequoia Middle School and...

Women for All Seasons

More than 200 guests enjoyed another delightful evening at the 21st annual Zonta Art and Wine Fundraiser at Nuckols Ranch o Saturday. Members of the Porterville Zonta Club out did themselves with a beautifully organized fundraiser, featuring local...

Terra Bella Proud

TERRA BELLA - For a moment, Nicole Lopez couldn’t believe it. The seventh-grade student from Carl F. Smith Middle School in Terra Bella had just spelled the final word correctly at the 2026 Tulare County Spelling Championship on Thursday afternoon —...

Dr a wn T o Reach Out

It’s the first. It definitely won’t be the last. Students from Porterville College’s Art Club began work on Thursday on filling in the outline for the first mural of a number of more they will create as part of the city of Porterville’s America 250...

Faithful to Music

The Central Division of 2026 California Music Educators Association Conference at the Buck Shaffer Theater at the Porterville Memorial Auditorium got off to a great start on Wednesday. It was great to see and hear students from Porterville area middle...

Rev olt in the Valley

In a region often overlooked by California’s major music circuits, three local musicians are turning backyard shows and mosh pits into platforms for protest, community action, and unapologetic self-expression. Meet Revoletariat — a Porterville-based...

Truly Spectacular

“Good evening. Nice to see everybody,” said Jerry Hall, as he welcomed them to the Our Heroes Dreams Spectacular Talent Show, at the Buck Shaffer Theater at the Porterville Memorial Auditorium on Saturday. Hall and his band, Trick Shot, opened the...

Three-Peat – And Then Some

Joshua Sutherland, choir director for Monache High School and St. Anne’s School has been taking students to honor choirs for the last 22 years. And this year he has a record number of students accepted to the auditioned honor choirs. “We are...

A Sharp Exhibit

Walking into the Quilty Pleasures art quilt exhibit was breathtaking. The vibrant colors dazzle the visitor, almost overwhelming them. And the wonderful variety of quilts in the show is astounding, with each one stunning and creative. Dancing Threads...

Out Of The Rough

The story of how after the rising flooding, River Island Country Club rose from the floods has been chronicled in the Northern California Golf Association’s January magazine three years after the golf course was devastated by the flooding. A heavy...

‘A Ray of Sunshine’

Pastor Don Roulsten greeted a large congregation of family, friends, and local community members who traveled from near and far to be at the Celebration of Life at First Congregational Church for Cheri Ann Mcintosh Taylor, who passed away January 2,...

Spread The News

The Hosscars awards at Porterville’s Barn Theater was a fun celebration for the 2025 season of plays, which were all fabulous achievements for everyone, as well as the individual actors and award winners. On Saturday the theater was filled to capacity...

Honor bound

“I am beyond proud of Josh for this accomplishment, as he has worked very hard to develop his voice in choir. Josh is a very respectful young man who exemplifies a commitment to excellence. Excellence is not an accident, but is the result of...

Heavy Lift

LINDSAY - The Friant Water Authority Board unanimously approved a $418,000 contract this week to develop a strategy plan to combat the growing invasion of golden mussels in the Friantkern Canal — an issue the board acknowledged may have been present...

Happening

into the imaginary Dungeons and Dragons world that was her late sister’s refuge. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. February 20, 21, 27 and 28 and 2 p.m. February 22 and March 1. Tickets are available at Lindsaycommunitytheater.com SATURDAY, FEBRUARY...

Civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson dies at 84

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, the civil rights leader, Baptist minister and two-time presidential candidate, died Tuesday morning, his family said in a statement. He was 84 years old. “Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the...

Tri-tip Drive-thru to Support PHS FFA

The Porterville community will have the chance to enjoy a delicious meal while supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders at the upcoming Tri-tip Whole Roast Drive-thru fundraiser. Hosted by the Porterville High School FFA Department, the...

The Popcorn Stand: On Gray Wolves

As I’ve written before I guess I’m naive, I dunno. This whole gray wolf thing, the solution seems pretty simple to me. Can’t we just kind of like direct them away from the cattle that are grazing? Problem solved. I want what’s best for the gray...

LA liable for destroying homeless people’s property

LOS ANGELES — A federal judge has found that the city of Los Angeles violated the constitutional rights of homeless people by seizing and destroying their personal property during cleanups. The ruling filed late Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Dale...

FORECAST

Tule River Parkway Valentine’s Day Pop-up Event Saturday

The Tule River Gardens in Porterville will welcome those to the first Valentine’s Day in the gardens with a Valenties Day Pop-up event to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, February 14. This community event will feature food and craft vendors,...

Guilty verdict in 2024 DUI vehicular manslaughter

Late Friday afternoon in Department 4 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Tulare County District Attorney prosecutors secured a guilty verdict against Saul Saldana Armenta, 22, for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Around 3:10 a.m. on...

Healing America, part 6

Why Love Touch and Laughter Heal the Heart More Than We Were Ever Told There are moments when the body relaxes without permission. A laugh that catches you off guard. A hug that lasts longer than expected. A conversation where you feel fully heard. In...

Carol Brlano 0clafferty

Carol Briano Mclafferty passed away on Jan. 27, 2026 at the age of 76, in Santa Barbara. She was surrounded by her friends and family when she passed after enduring a long and courageous 26-year battle with breast cancer. Carol was born on Dec. 21,...

Carol Briano 0clafferty

Carol Briano Mclafferty passed away on Jan. 27, 2026 at the age of 76, in Santa Barbara. She was surrounded by her friends and family when she passed after enduring a long and courageous 26-year battle with breast cancer. Carol was born on Dec. 21,...

Reclaiming America: The Virtue Economy

How to Build Character in a World That Rewards Vice Every society runs on an economy long before money enters the picture. An economy of reward. What’s praised multiplies. What’s subsidized spreads. What’s excused metastasizes. And what’s...

FORECAST

Healing America, part 5

Why Loneliness Hurts the Body and How Connection Restores the Heart There’s a quiet ache many people carry that never shows up on a lab report. It feels like tiredness rest doesn’t fix. Like a pressure in the chest that’s not quite pain. Like being...

Spectacular

held since 1963. Longtime local actor and singer Richard Boyd will serve as the show’s stage manager and will perform as well. The Barn Theater’s Bob Merzoian will be taking video of the event and Brianna Morelli will return to sing the national...

San Diego County approves ordinance restricting federal immigration agents from accessing nonpublic areas

SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance Tuesday that restricts federal immigration agents from accessing non-public areas on county property — such as offices, construction sites and storage facilities — without a...

BRIDGE

READING THE DEAL FROM THE BIDDING Yesterday, I gave the deal for which Peter Bertheau from Sweden won the International Bridge Press Association Yeh Bros. Best Bid of the Year award. That was excellent, but I particularly admired this action by Peter...