Best-read: New state parks; school trespasser assaults teacher; good Samaritans save toddlers
Fresno Bee subscribers last week followed the disappearance and safe return of a beloved taco restaurateur, got an inside look at a top chef’s new Italian sandwich shop, and tracked breaking news about kidnapped toddlers rescued by good Samaritans. Stories about new Central Valley state parks and a school lockdown also commanded strong attention.
These five stories captured the biggest share of subscriber readership, reflecting what Fresno cares about most right now.
• Police say Fresno taco restaurateur found after missing person report filed — Armando Arias, owner of Tacos El Cabezon, was reported missing Friday after going unreachable for three days. Police located him Monday and confirmed he was alive and safe. Arias had recently opened his first brick-and-mortar restaurant on Fulton Street in downtown Fresno. Click here for the full story.
• See a top Fresno chef’s new restaurant before it opens. It’s a sandwich shop — Chef Jimmy Pardini opens Strada Italian Sandwiches on April 28 next door to Annesso in the Park Crossing shopping center. The Italy-inspired menu features sandwiches on house-baked focaccia with ingredients like fresh mozzarella, Tuscan salami and pistachio spread. All sandwiches are $12 or $13. Click here for the full story.
• 2 kidnapped children rescued in Fresno as good Samaritans stop suspect, police say — Two toddlers, ages 1 and 3, were safely rescued after a suspect drove off in their mother’s running car near Harrison and Michigan avenues. Four community members chased the vehicle and boxed it in near Harrison and Shields, confronting and pinning down the suspect. He faces kidnapping charges. Click here for the full story.
• California adds 3 Central Valley state parks, with plans for more, Newsom says — Gov. Gavin Newsom announced three new Central Valley state parks: San Joaquin River Parkway in Madera County, a Dust Bowl Camp outside Bakersfield and a Feather River park in Yuba County. The expansion brings the state parks system total to 283 sites, with a goal of adding 30,000 acres by 2030. Click here for the full story.
• Juvenile trespasser assaults staff member at elementary school, Fresno police say — A 17-year-old Fresno Unified student who did not attend Muir Elementary entered the campus Friday morning and assaulted a staff member, police said. The school was placed on a brief lockdown as a precaution. No students were involved and no arrests have been made. Click here for the full story.
Original stories by Bethany Clough, Nick Fenley and Leqi Zhong.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence based on our own originally reported, written and published content. Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.
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