Top stories: Heroism saves 2 toddlers; missing restaurant owner speaks; Newsom comes to Fresno
A missing restaurant owner resurfaces after a hospital stay, and good Samaritans rescue kidnapped toddlers.
The top stories from Wednesday spotlight community heroism, a local business owner’s financial struggles, and a major expansion of California’s state park system in the Central Valley, a plan unveiled in Fresno by Governor Newsom.
Here are the top stories from the Fresno region for Wednesday, April 22.
• Missing taco restaurant owner says he was in Fresno hospital — shares a fundraiser: Armando Arias Jr., owner of Tacos El Cabezon, resurfaced Tuesday after being reported missing, saying he spent six days at Fresno Community hospital. His Fulton Street restaurant has been closed for several days, and financial issues surfaced including a $507,000 court judgment and unpaid rent. A GoFundMe linked on the restaurant’s Instagram had raised $2,400 before being taken down. Click here for full story.
• 2 kidnapped children rescued in Fresno as good Samaritans stop suspect, police say: Two toddlers, ages 1 and 3, were safely reunited with their family Wednesday after good Samaritans helped stop a suspect who drove off in their mother’s car near Harrison and Michigan avenues. Community members chased the suspect and boxed the vehicle in a few blocks away near Harrison and Shields. The suspect faces charges including kidnapping, possession of a stolen vehicle and violation of probation. Click here for full story.
• California adds 3 Central Valley state parks, with plans for more, Newsom says: Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that three parks are joining the California State Parks system: San Joaquin River Parkway in Madera County, the Dust Bowl Camp outside Bakersfield and a park along Feather River in Yuba County. The expansion brings the system’s total to 283 parks, state beaches and historical museums. The state aims to add 30,000 acres to existing park lands by 2030. Click here for full story.
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