Fresno was meant to be a stop. Instead it became home. Bee columnist says farewell
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Longtime Bee columnist ends 28-year Fresno tenure to pursue personal renewal.
- Career spanned sports, outdoor reporting, and impactful political commentary.
- Future plans include rest, reflection, and possible book writing in retirement.
Journalism is more than a job, or even a career. Over time it becomes your identity. A big part of how people see you, and how you see yourself.
I remember in 2019 walking into the Clovis Big-Dry Creek Museum looking for historical information about a piece of property in my neighborhood with two majestic deodar cedars that were slated for removal to make way for a cul-de-sac of new homes.
Someone directed me to the back office, where museum president (and former Clovis mayor) Peg Bos sat at a desk stacked with files and framed photographs. We had never met, so I introduced myself.
“I know who you are,” Bos replied, barely looking up from behind her reading glasses. “You’re the passionate writer for The Bee.”
The passionate writer for The Bee. No one had ever sized me up and stripped me down so succinctly. Yup, that’s me. Those words have rattled around my brain ever since.
I moved to Fresno in the fall of 1997 and didn’t plan on staying long. Three or four years tops, then on to the next stop.
Instead I found a professional home for nearly 28 years, writing thousands of stories and columns on an incredible array of topics. But today it’s my duty to inform you this conversation is near the end. This is my final offering to Bee readers who for so long have supported and engaged with my journalism efforts.
What’s my reason for leaving? Essentially, it’s time to attempt something new and different. Something that’s less stressful and life-consuming. Plus, a guy can only have so many thoughts and opinions on the goings-on in Greater Fresno before they start to sound stale and repetitive. Perhaps not to the reader, but certainly to the writer.
Some days it felt like I had the world’s easiest job. When a local assemblyman sends out a fundraising email that drums up fears of socialism based on primary results from New York, the words practically write themselves.
Shedding tears of gratitude
But most days it’s nothing like that. Most of the time, composing columns is a slow, painful slog. The other constant pressure is coming up with fresh takes and ideas. And after so many years of doing this – 33 straight as a working journalist – I’ve reached the point where I want to write when feeling inspired rather than obligated.
These last two weeks since giving notice have been an emotional roller-coaster. I’ve cried a bunch of times and probably will a bunch more. Some of what I’m feeling is sadness. Most of what I’m feeling is gratitude for all the opportunities I’ve been given.
This is a little-known fact, but I started my career at The Bee as an editor in the sports department. It wasn’t until a year or so later that one of the higher-ups decided my skills could be better utilized. Soon I was covering the NFL (including the thrilling finish to Super Bowl XXXIV) and then the Fresno State Bulldogs during Pat Hill’s hey day and Jerry Tarkanian’s swan song in the early 2000s.
After a few years, when I grew weary of covering traditional sports, the editors indulged my predilection for the outdoors by allowing me to write about subjects such as hiking, fishing and the enjoyment of public lands in ways never before seen at The Bee. The high point came in the summer of 2006, when four pairs of reporters and photographers combined to backpack the entire 211-mile John Muir Trail. Still can’t believe we pulled that off.
In 2013, after a spell of writing enterprise stories, I made the jump to sports columnist. (There’s two people to thank for that: Jim Boren and Derek Carr.) Four years later, it was decided my focus should shift to news. Oh boy.
My first big test in this role came in 2018 when then-Congressman Devin Nunes printed more than 100,000 copies of a 38-page mailer attacking The Bee and sent them to constituents. The mailer contained gross inaccuracies about Bee journalism and outright lies about Bee journalists. I responded the only way I knew how: by hitting back with equal force.
After that, local politicians became a little more wary of me.
Huge events and small stories
The years since have been plenty eventful. We’ve experienced a global pandemic when the entire country basically shut down, survived the most destructive wildfire in Fresno County history (whose cause has never been explained to any degree of satisfaction) and endured floods that inundated homes and farms and resulted in the reemergence of Tulare Lake.
Those are only a few major news events. I also got the chance to tell so many smaller stories that gave voice to underdogs and people who have been unfairly treated or became victims of unsolved murders. Those are the ones that’ll stay with me the longest.
What’s next? The only concrete plan is taking the next few months to unwind and destress. Fortunately, the Sierra in late summer and early fall provides the ideal setting. Let the cares drop off like autumn leaves, as John Muir would say.
After that, things are open-ended. In October I’ll turn 56, which in my head is too soon to become a full-time loafer. But thanks to the stability of this job (a rarity in local journalism) and a mother who instilled good saving habits in her son, there’s no pressure to pounce on anything that doesn’t feel 100% right. I also have a couple book ideas to pursue.
Being a journalist and writer is my identity. While that won’t change, the knobs (hopefully) can be turned down. For the first time since my mid 20s I’ll be able to carry a sign during a protest, speak during a public meeting or even wear Bulldogs attire to a game. And I’ll absolutely continue to support the vital work produced by The Bee newsroom.
Fresno and Clovis are my home now, and I have no plans to leave. So if you recognize me in a Trader Joe’s aisle, riding on the bike path or hiking along a trail, please say hello. I’d enjoy the chance to thank you personally.
But now it’s time for me to go.
This story was originally published August 2, 2025 at 8:30 AM.
