A new date has been set to retry a Fresno County man whose murder verdict was set aside because of juror misconduct.

The trial for Chris Lavalle Washington, 31, is set for March 11, Judge Alan Simpson ruled Thursday.

Washington was found guilty last February of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Kay Daniels III, 31, at Helm and Ashlan avenues in Clovis on March 24, 2011. He was found not guilty of first-degree murder and can't be retried on that charge, said his attorney, Michael Aed. Washington denies he was the shooter.

Last April, Judge Jonathan Conklin granted Washington's motion for a new trial after he concluded misconduct occurred as the jury was deliberating when the foreman brought in information from the Internet to show fellow jurors the differences between voluntary manslaughter and second-degree murder.

In January, the state Attorney General's office declined to appeal Conklin's ruling.

Also ...

Girl Scouting Around the World planned

The Girl Scouts of Central California South will host its sixth annual Girl Scouting Around the World at the Fresno Fairgrounds on Saturday.

The event, which is open to the public, is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7, along with a small toiletry donation for foster families. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Tickets are available online at fblinks.com/gscout or at the gate.

Ball Ranch reopens to fishing on Saturday

The Ball Ranch, a once-popular fishing spot that was closed to the public 30 years ago, will reopen to anglers on Saturday morning.

Public access to the property was cut off in the mid-1980s when a housing development and golf course were proposed for the land. The development was rejected and the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust now controls access.

The Ball Ranch property includes a large pond accessible for fishing from the bank or by small boat. There is no boat ramp on the pond, so boats are limited to those that can be carried to the bank.

It will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry fees are $6 per vehicle and an extra $5 fee for trailers.

For more information, call (559) 248-8480, ext. 101.

Valley air district to offer free smog tests

The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is offering free smog tests and diagnostic inspections in Lemoore on Saturday for Valley residents who have owned a car for more than six months.

The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in parking lot "A" at West Hills College, 555 College Drive, in Lemoore. No cars are allowed before 6:30 a.m. and gates may close earlier than 3 p.m. if vehicle limits are met.

For more information, call (800) 806-2004.

Westside Rescue provides pet clinic

Westside Rescue is sponsoring a community outreach clinic from 3-5 p.m. Saturday at the Sunset Community Center, 1345 W. Eden Ave., Fresno.

Financial assistance is available for anyone to get a pet spayed or neutered through the "No Way Stray" clinic. Representatives from partner groups will schedule appointments for spay and neuter services and microchips for pet IDs.

For more information, contact Karen Shoji at ksaduck@gmail.com or (559) 905-6605.

Gay-Straight Alliance will host conference

The Gay-Straight Alliance Network will host a free conference Saturday on combating homophobia and transphobia and creating safer schools.

The conference, Expression Not Suppression, will be 9 a.m.-7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of Fresno (The Big Red Church) at 2131 N. Van Ness Blvd. A youth dance will follow.

For more information and to register, visit www.gsanetwork.org/ens.

VA Hospital will unveil Purple Heart monument

The VA Central California Health Care System will unveil a Purple Heart monument dedicated to 97 wounded combat veterans from the Central Valley Saturday morning.

The event will take place at 10 a.m. at the Fresno VA Medical Center, 2615 E. Clinton Ave. in central Fresno.