Top stories in June: Clovis sports complex; top-paid county workers; Fresno State shakeup; Horn BBQ fails

Fresno Bee subscribers gravitated toward accountability journalism and local business news last month. The best-read stories among subscribers tracked a governance overhaul at Fresno State’s $315 million foundation, revealed which county employees earned the biggest paychecks, and followed a celebrated chef’s abrupt restaurant closure. Readers also explored plans for a north Fresno sports complex and fresh patio dining options in Fresno and Clovis.

Here are June’s top stories among subscribers

• Fresno State president ousts longtime board members of embattled $315M foundation President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval declined to reappoint five longstanding board members, including 32-year chairperson Vinci Ricchiuti, as their four-year terms ended Tuesday. The foundation manages more than $315 million in university endowments. A CSU chancellor’s office review identified 46 governance and operational deficiencies but found no evidence of malfeasance.
• Highest paid Fresno County employees rack up OT and benefits. The top 50 list CAO Paul Nerland topped the county compensation list at $534,191, including $334,076 in pay plus benefits. Several deputies earned more in overtime than regular pay: Deputy Darren Bounlutay made $152,157 in overtime versus $104,074 in regular pay. The county’s median household income was $74,201 in 2024.
• Famous chef came home to open BBQ joint. His Fresno restaurant closed within months Horn Barbecue in Fresno, opened in January by James Beard-nominated chef Matt Horn, closed with a notice to vacate posted on the door. Unpaid wage claims in the Fresno area climbed from two to 12. Horn’s Bay Area troubles included an arson-investigated fire at the Oakland location and multiple closures.
• Major sports complex coming to north Fresno neighborhood. See the plans Clovis Community College broke ground on the $14.9 million ISE Diamond L.I.F.E. Sports Complex near Willow and Behymer avenues on Oct. 8. The facility will feature a competition soccer field, all-weather track, bleachers and press box. Nine of the college’s 11 intercollegiate teams currently compete off campus. Occupancy is planned for spring 2027.
• 5 new restaurant patios to try in Fresno, Clovis. It’s their first summer open Five Fresno-area restaurants are opening their patios for a first summer season. Italian spots Il Caffè and Willow Osteria at The Avenue at Heritage Grove in Clovis offer olive tree views. Moses McQueen’s provides a downtown backyard with a food truck, while Starving Artist Bistro and Strada round out the list.

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.