Best-read: Clovis surveillance; sex offender runs for council; Fresno arts scandal
These are The Fresno Bee’s 5 best-read subscriber stories from last week, highlighting issues that have readers talking — from a sex offender running for city council to campus protests, public safety and a major arts funding scandal. Each story comes from our watchdog and community coverage across Fresno and the central San Joaquin Valley.
The summaries below offer quick context on why these stories matter. Click on the links to read the full stories.
Registered sex offender running for Fresno City Council. ‘I’m not hiding from it’
Rene Campos, a registered sex offender, is running for Fresno City Council’s District 7 seat, saying his past conviction for possessing child sexual abuse material is public record and part of his story. Campos cites his experiences with homelessness and bias as a gay man as shaping his priorities, including support for small businesses and job training, while state law allows him to remain on the ballot. Click here to read full story.
Clovis police pursue charges against adults who attended ICE student walkout
Clovis police plan misdemeanor charges against adults they say helped organize a Clovis Unified student walkout protesting ICE enforcement and President Trump’s deportation agenda. Authorities say adults contributed to truancy and safety risks as more than 200 students marched off campus, while parents insist teens led the protest and that they were only there to keep kids safe and engaged in civics. Click here to read full story.
Fresno Arts Council breaks silence on alleged $1.5M embezzlement with brief statement
After days of silence, the Fresno Arts Council issued a short statement saying it is treating allegations that an employee embezzled $1.5 million in Measure P taxpayer funds with “utmost seriousness and urgency.” The group says it has secured records and is cooperating with Fresno police and the city, which has already yanked the agency’s control over arts grants, citing lax safeguards. Click here to read full story.
Snowboard crash at China Peak leaves Clovis teen severely injured
A 14-year-old Clovis snowboarder, Braxton Silva, suffered a major brain injury after crashing at China Peak Mountain Resort and being airlifted to a Fresno hospital, where he has slowly begun to emerge from a coma. The incident, along with a separate 20-foot ski-lift fall caught on video, has renewed focus on safety practices and the inherent risks of skiing and snowboarding in the Sierra. Click here to read full story.
Why has no one been arrested in Fresno arts embezzlement scandal? What we know
Community members are demanding answers after Fresno officials confirmed at least $1.5 million in Measure P arts funds were embezzled through the Fresno Arts Council, yet no suspect has been named or arrested. City leaders say they must leave naming the alleged employee to law enforcement, which is working with the FBI, while assuring arts groups their projects and grants will be protected. Click here to read full story.
This story was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by Fresno Bee journalists. This content was edited by journalists in the newsroom.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 1:43 PM.
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