News Flash

Our Utilities and Engineering Department is hiring!

Construction Inspector I/II/Senior Construction Inspector (DOQ)$5,215 - $8,460/monthContinuous recruitment

Apply.

Do you have an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) or Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) that was built before January 1, 2020 but was not permitted by the City?

We have good news: The City's ADU Amnesty Program provides a pathway to permitting those ADUs/JADUs, in accordance with state law (AB 2533). 

You can start the permitting process by easily applying for a permit on the City's Self Service website.

Note: It is your right to hire a third-party inspector prior to your ADU submittal. This may help identify any issues prior to submitting for a permit.

Visit the City's website for more information about the ADU amnesty program.

Building Inspector I/II (DOQ) – Community Development$5,320 – $7,143/monthClosing date: 01/29/26

Apply.

Council Corner returns with Council Member Travis Paden and Public Works Director Russ Sterling.

When: Wednesday, January 28, 5:30 - 7 p.m.Where: Me-n-Ed's, 2483 N. 10th Avenue, Hanford 

Council Corner was established so that community members could meet with City of Hanford council members and staff in an informal and welcoming atmosphere outside of the regular City Council meetings occurring on the first and third Tuesdays of every month.

Learn more.

Effective Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Hanford Police Department will offer expanded hours for Live Scan fingerprinting. 

Services will be available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10 - 11 a.m. and 3 - 4 p.m. at the police department, located at 425 N. Irwin Street, Hanford. 

The department will only accept walk-ins, and services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Chrystina Arms has been named Hanford City Hall's January Employee of the Month!

Deputy City Manager Jason Waters said the following about Chrystina, who is a development services technician in the Community Development department.

"Chrystina consistently provides outstanding customer service, greeting everyone with professionalism, patience, and a positive attitude. We have received multiple compliments from the public about her kindness and responsiveness, and our inspectors regularly rely on her for timely, real-time support. She is also highly proactive, often taking initiative on projects and process improvements without being asked, and is always working to expand her knowledge to better support the department."

Chrystina has worked for the City of Hanford since December of 2014. We appreciate her many years of valuable service to the City and the community and for going above and beyond in a variety of ways.

Please help us congratulate her!

Your Hanford Police Department is hiring!

Communications Dispatcher (continuous recruitment)$4,628 – $5,626/month*Must submit a valid typing certificate with online application*

Lateral candidates are eligible for the following incentives:

• Up to $5,103 signing bonus
• 40 hours of vacation provided upon hire

Apply now!

The Refuse Division's 2026 Holiday Schedule has been released.

Refuse services are pushed back one day following a holiday closure that occurs during the normal work week. Call (559)-585-2550 or (559)-585-2551 if you have any questions.

A friendly reminder for our residential customers: 

To ensure collection, place containers in the curb or in the alley the night before or by 5 a.m. on the day of collection. All containers must be removed from the street on the same day they are serviced no later than 7 p.m. Provide two to three feet spacing between containers and at least five feet from all other objects. Container lids must be closed.

Who is responsible for fixing a broken, lifted, sunken or otherwise hazardous sidewalks in the City of Hanford? The answer may surprise you. 

Since 1941, the California Streets and Highways Code has placed the responsibility to maintain public sidewalks on the adjacent property owners. Accordingly, Hanford Municipal Code 12.20 (Maintenance and Repair of Sidewalks) states:

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, an owner of a lot or portion of a lot adjacent to or fronting any portion of a sidewalk area or on which a sidewalk area is located shall maintain and repair the sidewalk so that it remains a safe and non-dangerous condition at his/her/its sole cost and expense.

Nevertheless, residents are encouraged to contact the City to report a broken sidewalk or tripping hazard. The easiest way to do so is by submitting a request through the My Hanford app/web portal.

Learn more about how the City helps property owners start the process of fixing a defective sidewalk on the sidewalks webpage.

This video shows the recent installation of the prefabricated building (four different sections) in a timelapse style.

You may recall that the old concession/restroom building was more than 40 years old and in dire need of replacement to serve Hanford Youth Baseball, its primary user.

The $1.6 million project is being paid for by the City's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation and other City funds.

The project is expected to be completed in February, in time for the 2026 baseball season.

The Kings County Association of Governments (KCAG) is updating the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which is a 20 plus year roadmap for transportation investments and improvements in Kings County. 

KCAG invites the public to take the community survey on the project website to help shape priorities for roads, transit, biking, walking, and future growth in the community. 

Take the survey.

The Hanford Police Department conducted DUI saturation patrols throughout the City of Hanford on Saturday, November 8. During the operation, officers conducted numerous traffic stops that resulted in four (4) DUI arrests and five (5) citations for various traffic violations.

These enforcement efforts are part of the department's ongoing commitment to keeping Hanford’s streets safe. As the holiday season approaches, the Hanford Police Department will continue to deploy DUI saturation patrols with the goal of identifying impaired drivers and reducing alcohol-related collisions within the City. These operations are grant-funded by the California Highway Patrol DUI Grant.

“Driving under the influence is a preventable crime, and we will continue to take proactive measures to ensure our roads remain safe for all,” Hanford Police Chief Stephanie Huddleston said. “The message is clear: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

The Hanford Police Department urges motorists to plan ahead and use designated drivers or ride-share services if they plan to consume alcohol.

If you're a Hanford resident and pay your utility bill, you should have received a letter with your last bill about the new EyeOnWater technology.

This secure smartphone app is available through our utility at no additional cost to you, delivering daily, weekly, monthly and yearly usage data. Start conserving water and lowering your utility bills today. Sign up for EyeOnWater.

IMPORTANT: Please do NOT sign up for EyeOnWater until your water meter has been upgraded as part of the City’s Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project.

Head to our website for more EyeOnWater resources, including a helpful video.

Last night, Council members unanimously adopted a Limited Public Forum Social Media Policy (the City's first-ever social media policy). In a nutshell, the policy provides a framework for how the City interacts with members of the public across its social media accounts (currently 16 accounts). 

Through this policy, the City will allow public comments on its accounts again, but it reserves the right to remove inappropriate comments, including, without limitation, any comments that are not topically related (to a City post), as well as comments not protected by state or federal law.

Council also adopted a resolution (3-1 vote) that adds language to the Council Handbook of Rules and Procedures regarding social media usage by elected and appointed City officials.

The City of Hanford is aware of a recent video taken at the Youth Athletic Complex (also known as the YAC or the Bob Hill Sports Complex). The short video shows one of the baseball fields in extremely poor condition. Immediately upon being made aware of the video, we took action to determine who was responsible for the damage.

After gathering the facts, we have determined that a City employee caused the damage. Although we do not believe the damage was intentional or malicious in nature, the incident is regrettable and unacceptable. We set high standards for the care and maintenance of our sports complexes, including the YAC, and unfortunately, this fell far short of those standards. Corrective action will be taken, and the City will also institute new oversight measures to ensure something like this does not happen again.

Crews are already at work repairing the damage, but this week’s expected rain may delay the restoration of the field by several days. Thankfully, the baseball season is still months away, and we are committed to having the facility ready for players and families to enjoy well in advance of the season’s start. It is also worth sharing that the YAC’s prefabricated concession stand and restroom building project is on schedule.

In March of this year, the City of Hanford released a public statement providing facts and answers related to the temporary closure of the fuel station at Hanford Municipal Airport. Approximately one week later, Caltrans Division of Aeronautics issued an order of suspension on fueling operations at the airport after being “made aware of possible fuel contamination at the Hanford Municipal Airport self-serving fueling station.” The City immediately closed the fueling station, which dispenses aviation gasoline (avgas). A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) advising pilots of the unavailability of fuel sales was also issued.

Over the last five months, the City of Hanford has worked diligently to come to a resolution with the Aeronautics Division and resume fueling operations at the airport. During this process, the Aeronautics Division demanded tests inapplicable to avgas. In consultation with an independent lab recommended by the Aeronautics Division, the City was informed that the jet fuel tests identified by the Aeronautics Division were inappropriate for the airport’s avgas. The City and the Aeronautics Division eventually agreed upon a test applicable to avgas, ASTM D4176-22. In August, ASAP Labs, Inc. (ASAP), a lab approved by the Aeronautics Division, performed a visual test for particulates and determined that the sample, which was taken by an independent sampling company approved by the Aeronautics Division, was “Clear & Bright and free of debris.” In response to ASAP’s finding, the Aeronautics Division lifted the order of suspension on August 25.

However, before resuming fueling operations, the City recognized the need to replace its supply of avgas that had exceeded its sell-by date during the closure. A new supply was delivered on the morning of September 26. Following several tests and inspections of the avgas and fuel station, Airport Manager Bob Loogman opened the fuel station and cancelled the NOTAM.

The City appreciates the extreme patience and understanding shown by the flying community during the extended fueling station closure. The Hanford Municipal Airport will continue its commitment of providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all users.

Anyone with further questions or concerns may email Airport Manager Bob Loogman or call him at 559-585-2589.

For the second time in a row, the City of Hanford has received the “highest form of recognition in government budgeting” for the preparation of its Biennial Budget. The City first received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 Biennial Budget. Recently, the organization informed City staff that it had received the award again for its Fiscal Year 2026 and Fiscal Year 2027 Biennial Budget.

“I am extremely proud of our dedicated staff for assembling another exceptional budget document,” Finance Director and Interim City Manager Chris Tavarez said. “The public should know that we are committed to complete transparency in budgeting, and this award is a testament to that.”

The City received the award for following nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. The guidelines are designed to assess how well the budget serves as:

• A policy document
• A financial plan
• An operations guide
• A communications device

To receive the award, these categories, along with 14 mandatory criteria within the categories, must be rated “proficient.”

“The award represents a significant achievement by the entity,” according to the GFOA. “It reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of governmental budgeting. Award recipients have pioneered efforts to improve the quality of budgeting and provide an excellent example for other governments throughout North America.”

As stated in the budget’s transmittal letter, a handful of City staff members made significant contributions to the document: Alejandro Solorio and Frank Senteno from the Utilities and Engineering Department, and Destiny Borba, Aubrey Balbina and Penny Sutphin from the Finance Department. Their efforts will be highlighted at next week’s Hanford City Council meeting.

In addition to the 434-page document, the Finance Department also created a digital budget book. It presents a budget overview, fund summaries, funding sources, department budgets and the Capital Improvement Program in an interactive and intuitive format.

Refuse Collector – Part-Time$17 – $20.50/hourContinuous recruitment

Apply.

Senior Construction Inspector – Utilities & Engineering$6,427 - $7,813/monthApplications for this position are now being accepted on a continuous basis.

Apply.

A fundraiser has been set up through the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) for Hanford Police Officer Daniel Todd following his on-duty motorcycle accident last Friday.Help Officer Todd as he recovers from an on-duty motorcycle collisionFunds raised through this campaign will assist with medical expenses not fully covered by insurance, rehabilitation costs, lost wages and family support needs such as travel expenses.

Press Release: Motor Officer Injured in Traffic Collision

On August 15 at approximately 6 p.m., a Hanford Police Department motor officer was responding to a reported traffic collision. While traveling eastbound on Grangeville Boulevard, approaching 10th Avenue, a small pickup truck entered the roadway from East Street without yielding to oncoming traffic, crossing into the officer's path.

Despite his efforts to avoid the collision, the officer's motorcycle struck the side of the pickup, throwing him from the bike. The officer sustained serious injuries to his arms and face. Emergency personnel immediately rendered aid, and the officer was airlifted to a local hospital, where he is currently listed in serious but stable condition.

The Hanford Police Department would like to thank the responding officers, emergency medical personnel, and community members who provided assistance. Our thoughts are with the officer and his family as he begins his recovery.

Turn the page on traditional billing and go paperless! Hanford residents can now choose how they receive their utility bills (email or email and regular mail). 

Fill out the form to make the switch today!

Completed Forms can be emailed to Utility Billing or delivered in person to the Utility Billing Division at 315 N Douty St.

Did you know that seven people die every day from a home fire? Or that home fires cause BILLIONS of dollars in property damage every year?

Deaths, injuries and property loss can be avoided by using one simple tool: smoke alarms.

If you own your home in Hanford and need a smoke alarm, we can help. Fill out this form to get yours:

And remember, it's not just about having smoke alarms. Make sure they're also working properly by:

• Testing them once a month
• Checking that they have batteries
• Replacing them after 10 years

The City of Hanford is excited to announce the launch of the FY 24-25 Pavement Resurfacing Treatment (Single and Double Fiberized Slurry) and Manhole and Valve Cover Adjustment Project, set to begin in late August or early September 2025. Funded by Measure H, this initiative aims to enhance the durability, safety, and comfort of Hanford’s roadways, improving the community’s infrastructure.

The project includes applying single fiber seal coating to approximately 156,264.56 square yards (8.32 linear miles) of residential roadways and double fiberized slurry seal coating to approximately 98,684.44 square yards (2.48 linear miles) of arterial roadways. These treatments, selected based on pavement condition assessments, will restore surface integrity, extend pavement life, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Thanks to additional Measure H funding, the City has expanded the scope of this year’s resurfacing efforts compared to previous years.

In coordination with the resurfacing, a separate contract will adjust approximately 29 manholes and 41 gate valve covers to align with the new pavement grade. This work ensures smoother and safer travel by eliminating uneven surfaces caused by the increased pavement thickness from double fiberized slurry applications.

To minimize disruptions, the awarded contractor, DRYCO, will provide detailed notifications to affected residents and businesses at least one week before work begins in each area. Additionally, “No Parking – Tow Away” signs will be posted 72 hours in advance, indicating specific days and hours of restricted parking. Motorists are asked to remove vehicles from work areas during these times to avoid towing. The City and DRYCO are committed to clear communication and will make every effort to address concerns promptly.

During construction, temporary lane restrictions and limited street access may occur to ensure safe and efficient operations. Motorists are encouraged to reduce speed, follow signage, and watch for flaggers directing traffic in work zones to protect drivers, pedestrians, and construction crews.

“This project reflects our commitment to improving Hanford’s infrastructure using Measure H funds,” said Robbie Buchanan, Assistant Engineer. “By enhancing our roadways and adjusting utility covers, we’re ensuring safer, smoother travel for our community.”

The City of Hanford appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation during this essential work. For questions or concerns, please contact Robbie Buchanan, Assistant Engineer, at (559) 585-2556.

View detailed maps showing the residential streets and arterial streets receiving the single and double fiberized slurry treatment.

In the face of a growing overcrowding crisis in Central Valley shelters, Hanford Animal Control Officer Crystal Gonzalez is going above and beyond to give local animals a second chance at the lives they deserve.

“My passion for animals began in childhood, and it continues to drive the work I do both professionally and personally,” Crystal said.

Outside of her official duties, Crystal spends her time walking, socializing, and fostering animals, especially those who are fearful or under-socialized. She has transported numerous dogs and cats to rescue partners in the Bay Area, where they’ve found safety, care, and forever homes.

One of those animals is Vinny, a pit bull with a torn ear who learned to trust again thanks to Crystal’s care and patience. Sage, a fearful shepherd who was dumped at a park, eventually became Crystal’s best friend. Both Vinny and Sage have since been adopted by wonderful families and are now thriving with children and other pets. And then there’s Charlie, a misunderstood escape artist who now spends his days hiking and swimming with his foster family.

Crystal’s important and often thankless work on and off the clock serves as a reminder that animal shelters cannot solve this crisis alone. Community support is essential. She says that means spaying and neutering pets, making informed decisions before adopting, and understanding the responsibility that comes with pet ownership.

“No breed is immune,” she said. “Any dog can end up in a shelter.”

Crystal isn’t just enforcing ordinances—she’s advocating for those who can’t speak for themselves. 

“Together, through compassion and accountability, we can create a safer and more humane community for all animals and work toward lowering euthanasia rates,” Crystal added.

Let’s honor her work by doing our part!

• Spay and neuter
• Adopt responsibly
• Support your local shelter

Thank you, Crystal, for all the work you do for our furry friends in Hanford!

Do you have questions about the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project, otherwise known as the water meter replacement project? Good, because we have answers!

We've already covered safety and security. Let's talk about what you can expect with your bill once your new meter is installed.

💧Q: How will AMI benefit me?💧A: AMI technology ensures that customers pay only for the water they use—no more and no less. By ensuring that your bill is based on actual usage, AMI technology eliminates billing based on estimated reads. AMI improves accuracy by eliminating the potential for human error in manual meter reading. It can also help to identify any irregularities in water usage, such as leaks. The City of Hanford and its customers can be alerted to abrupt or abnormal changes in water usage much earlier than previously possible, potentially saving customers hundreds or even thousands of dollars from an undetected leak. It will also remove the need for someone to come onto your property for manual meter readings, increasing the privacy of your home.

💧Q: Will my water bill increase?💧A: As some water meters age, they can run slower and under-register water use. When we change out your current meter with a new smart meter, the first bill may be higher simply because the new meter is running more accurately.

💧Q: Will the billing frequency change?💧A: No. Water utility bills will continue to be issued monthly.

View the entire list of FAQs about the project.

From the Carnegie Museum of Kings County Newsletter: Historic Hanford Walking Tours Reestablished!

The Carnegie Museum of Kings County is proud to continue the important work initiated by the Hanford "Show Offs" by bringing local history to life through this innovative digital project. The Hanford Show-Offs Tour Guide Club, which was organized in February of 1986, brought together a diverse group of men and women from the Hanford area who shared a common passion for exploring and highlighting the historic points of interest within the city. This enthusiastic club dedicated itself to uncovering the rich tapestry of Hanford's past, revealing stories that might otherwise have remained hidden. 

The members of the Show-Offs Club engaged in extensive research, visiting various historical sites, interviewing local residents, and gathering information from archives and libraries. Their efforts culminated in the creation of a comprehensive handbook that served as a guide to the city's history, providing insights into its architecture, significant events, and notable figures. Many of the writings and detailed descriptions featured on these pages are taken directly from their meticulously compiled handbook, showcasing the dedication and passion of the Show-Offs. 

In recognition of their invaluable contributions, we would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the "Show Offs" for their many hours of research, commitment to preserving local history, and their desire to share that history with others. This digital project aims not only to honor their legacy but also to inspire a new generation to appreciate and engage with the rich historical narrative of Hanford. 

We hope to continue their mission of education and exploration, ensuring that the stories of our past remain vibrant and accessible for all to enjoy. Through this initiative, we invite visitors to delve into the fascinating history of our community, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the heritage that shapes our identity today.

The first tour, released on July 17th includes 12 stops at some of the most historical buildings in downtown Hanford. In the future, additional stops will be added.

Have you recently opened a new business in Hanford or are you planning to soon? Or is your business celebrating a major milestone, such as a renovation or a reopening? We want to help you celebrate, big scissors and all, with our new ribbon cutting program. It’s a small way of saying thank you for choosing to do business in Hanford. 

• Some of the things we’ll do for your special event:
• Arrange for the Mayor, Vice Mayor, or other City Council Member to attend
• Send a media advisory prior to the event
• Post about the event/business on the City’s social media pages after the event
• Provide an official certificate of recognition from the City of Hanford

Note: Businesses located within the downtown business improvement area should contact Main Street Hanford to coordinate a ribbon cutting event.

To be eligible for the ribbon cutting program, an application must be completed and an active business license must be on file.

Visit www.hanfordca.gov/c2b to learn more about the program and to submit your application. When filling out the form, please choose preferred dates that are at least two weeks from the time of application submission.

For example, if submitting the application today (July 16), your preferred dates should be on or after July 30.

Hundreds of Hanford public sector employees now have access to a free and fast healthcare resource that is exclusive to themselves, their spouses and dependents. Hanford Employee Care Connection will offer a wide variety of services to insured City of Hanford and Hanford Joint Union High School District employees, including acute, episodic and ongoing care, prevention, procedures, and even wellness coaching and diabetes management. 

The clinic is located inside the City-owned Amtrak building and is open five days a week (7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday). It also has an on-site pharmacy and can perform lab draws. There are no copays.

On Tuesday, City and school district officials celebrated the clinic’s grand opening with representatives from Elite Corporate Medical Services, the clinic operator. Elite specializes in on-site and near-site medical clinics that help their clients provide convenient, compassionate care while reducing healthcare costs and improving employee productivity. 

“Thank you to our partners at the City and school district for your trust, your vision, and your collaboration,” Elite Corporate Medical Services CEO Nick Gambini said. “Your leadership in prioritizing accessible, high-quality healthcare for your employees is inspiring, and we’re excited to walk this journey with you.”

Discussions about a shared employee health clinic between the City of Hanford and Hanford Joint Union High School District began in early 2024 and involved the employee health committees from both organizations. In January of 2025, Hanford City Council approved a three-year cooperative agreement to share clinic expenses with the high school district. 

“We already have a great working relationship and partner with the City on many efforts to educate our youth and keep them safe,” said Hanford Joint Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Victor Rosa. “So this a great natural progression toward keeping our combined staff members healthy and happy.”

Dr. Rosa added that the clinic is another example of the district’s expanding presence in downtown Hanford. The new district office is located in the old Hanford Sentinel building down the street.

Hanford Employee Care Connection occupies a beautifully remodeled space inside the Amtrak building. The neighboring suite is currently home to the Hanford office of Valley Community Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which provides free consulting to Hanford small businesses and entrepreneurs. 

“Up until very recently this side of the building was just collecting dust,” Hanford City Manager Mario Cifuentez said. “But between what we hope is a bustling health clinic and a lot of great work already happening at the SBDC, I am looking forward to the reactivation of this space. It’s a win for downtown Hanford and the City as a whole.”

During Tuesday’s event, Cifuentez also called the clinic a smart financial move for the City, referencing a recent article titled, The Hidden Value: Employer-sponsored Health Clinics Revolutionizing Primary Care.

“Employer-sponsored health clinics are not only beneficial for employees but also yield substantial cost savings for employers,” officials for the City of Richmond, Virginia wrote for ICMA’s Public Management (PM) Magazine. “By providing primary care services on-site or locally, employers can reduce healthcare expenditures associated with emergency room visits, specialist referrals, and absenteeism due to illness. Proactive management of chronic conditions and preventive care initiatives can lead to long-term cost containment by averting costly medical interventions down the line.”

We are hiring!

Licensed Surveyor-in-Training Part-Time – Utilities and Engineering$35.00 - $50.00/hourContinuous recruitment

To view more information about this recruitment and/or to apply, please visit the City’s website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/hanfordca

Have you seen our new bins? 

Thanks to a grant from CalRecycle, we've installed three brand new Bigbelly Sense Max bins for recycling beverage containers (CRV) in downtown Hanford. Each bin can hold 150 gallons of waste and are equipped with compactors and fullness indicators. 

Beverage container recycling bin locations:

• Civic Park (west side of park)
• Corner of Irwin & Lacey
• Corner of 7th and Douty

Help us keep downtown beautiful by placing your used cans and bottles in these bins!

The City and County Payment Program funds beverage container recycling projects implemented by cities and counties to help reach the state’s 80% recycling goal.

This week, professional urban foresters started an inventory of 20,000 trees within City of Hanford public spaces. Each tree will be assessed and recorded on handheld data devices. The data collected includes address/location, species, condition, risk rating, and identification of future planting sites.

"For the first time, we will learn detailed information about Hanford's urban forest," said Parks and Community Services Director Brad Albert. "This will guide the City's efforts to plan and manage these valuable community assets."

The comprehensive tree inventory is part of the City's broader Urban Forest Management Plan and the Hanford Goes Green Project, funded by the U.S. Forest Service Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Planting trees is also a major part of the Hanford Goes Green Project. Working with its nonprofit partners, the City will plant 300 trees in 2025 and 300 more in 2026. The new trees will reduce air pollution, greenhouse emissions, provide shade and beautify our public spaces.

Stay tuned for more details about how you can get involved in the development of the City's Urban Forest Management Plan next week!

In an attempt to further clarify and correct misinformation, City of Hanford officials are providing the following facts and answers about the Hanford Municipal Airport’s three-day fuel station closure in January.

For background, the City of Hanford owns and operates Hanford Municipal Airport (HJO), a general aviation facility located near the intersection of Hanford Armona Road and Foggy Bottom Road. The airport serves more than 70 tenant customers and has a 24-hour self-service fueling station providing 100LL (low lead) fuel, also known as aviation gasoline or avgas. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), “this grade of avgas satisfies the requirements of all piston engines using avgas, regardless of their performance level.” The fueling station is inspected on a daily, monthly and annual basis to ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. While the current station has been operating in compliance, it’s worth mentioning that it will be replaced with a new fuel island by the end of 2025.

Bob Loogman has been the Hanford Airport Manager since July 0f 2019. Loogman has been a pilot for 44 years and has 30 years of aviation maintenance experience. He has the following FAA certificates: Private Pilot license, A&P license (Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic), IA license (Inspector Authorization), DME (Designated Mechanical Examiner, retired), and Repairmen license.

FACT: The City of Hanford took all necessary and required steps following the discovery of the fuel issue and corrected the issue as quickly as possible

In early January, Airport Manager Bob Loogman was notified by the owner of IA Aviation, an aircraft maintenance company and Hanford Airport tenant, about possible particulates in the fuel from the fueling station. Loogman took a fuel sample but did not detect any particulates. Loogman had already contacted the City’s fuel station technicians, and they determined nothing was amiss. Out of an abundance of caution, Loogman called a dedicated aviation fuels technician, US Fueling Solutions, for a second opinion. Loogman then notified City Manager Mario Cifuentez that he planned to use US Fueling Solutions as a second source. During a service call on Tuesday, January 14, Loogman and the US Fueling technician found a small amount of particulate matter in the fuel and identified the source. The part failure was past the filters in the hose reel. The hose was rerouted to eliminate this failure.

On the same day, January 14, Loogman issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) stating that 100LL fuel was not available at the Hanford Airport. The NOTAM was cancelled on January 17 when the fuel station repairs were completed. In addition to the NOTAM, Loogman sent courtesy email notifications to his airport contacts on January 14, notifying them of the fuel station closure and repairs, and on January 17, notifying them of the completed repairs and fuel being available again.

Loogman and Cifuentez have been in contact with FAA’s Fresno Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) over the last several weeks, and their representatives have clearly expressed that although there are no FAA regulations requiring notification about an issue of this nature, they are supportive of the City’s efforts to identify any airplanes that were fueled at the station and suggested using the timeframe of two months prior to discovery of the particulate matter.

FACT: City of Hanford fuel is NOT contaminated

Fuel sold at the airport met or exceeded the quality required by the FAA. Particulate matter is found in all fuel systems to varying degrees. Understanding this, engine and airframe manufacturers design the systems with numerous filters to accommodate the it and make it inert. However, these systems are to be serviced regularly by qualified mechanics during the aircraft annual inspection or 100-hour inspection.

In this instance, a small amount of particulate matter was discovered in the filters of several airplanes that purchased fuel at the airport. The particulates did not dissolve in the fuel, and the specific gravity of the fuel did not change. Therefore, the fuel was not contaminated.

Unfortunately, a select few individuals have claimed the fuel is contaminated and have been making exaggerated statements and spreading false information throughout the local aviation community. In response to this misinformation, the City sent letters via USPS Certified Mail to approximately 35 registered aircraft owners whose planes were fueled at the fueling station during a two-month period (mid-November through Mid-January), stating in part:

To ensure that Airport patrons have confidence in the services and fuel we provide, we are asking any pilots who purchased fuel at the Airport in December 2024 and/or the first half of January 2025, let us know. It is our intention to assist in having your filters serviced so that there is no lingering concern that a minute amount of particulate matter could affect other systems within your aircraft.

QUESTION: Why did it take so long to send these letters?

To reiterate, there was no requirement to notify airport customers or fuel purchasers about the underlying reason for the fuel station closure. There was no need to cause unnecessary fear or panic as the fuel was never contaminated and there was no safety concern. As stated previously, Loogman fulfilled his notification obligations by issuing a NOTAM on January 14 about the fuel station closure, which was cancelled on January 17 when the fuel station repairs were completed. In addition to the NOTAM, Loogman sent courtesy email notifications to his airport contacts on January 14, notifying them of the fuel station closure, and on January 17, notifying them of the completed repairs and availability of fuel again.

QUESTION: How did you determine who should receive a letter?

In early March, City officials recognized the need to dispel rumors and speculation about the fuel station closure and underlying particulate matter issue and began good-faith efforts to identify anyone who may have purchased fuel from Mid-November through Mid-January. On Friday, March 7, the City obtained a custom list of fuel transactions from its aviation fuel system (FuelMaster). The list did not contain credit card numbers but did list tail numbers for some of the purchases. Note: Fuel purchasers are not required to input a tail number at the time of a transaction and sometimes purchasers input invalid tail numbers (i.e. the number zero). Loogman, using both his tenant list and an FAA database, was able to track down names and addresses for approximately 35 registered aircraft owners whose planes were fueled at the fueling station from mid-November through Mid-January. Letters were sent to these individuals via USPS Certified Mail the week of March 10. It is worth noting that even before the letters were sent, Loogman had many conversations with airport customers about the fuel issue, the vast majority of whom were satisfied with the steps taken to address it and unaware of or unbothered by the misinformation being spread. Note: Some of the fueled planes were not “based aircraft” at Hanford. Many pilots stop at HJO to refuel while enroute to another destination. 

QUESTION: I’ve heard rumors of a plane having engine issues because of this fuel issue. What’s going on? 

The City is aware of one airplane that has reportedly experienced two incidents with symptoms of a fuel system issue. This aircraft is by far the highest consumer of fuel at the airport. All of the plane’s symptoms did not point towards a fuel particulate matter issue. The most likely possibility is this high-time airframe has more than one problem going on with it. One of these reported incidents happened a full month after the fuel station had been brought back into operation with no particulate issues. 

QUESTION: How did the particulate matter end up in the fuel?

The particulate matter was caused by an issue with an unseen aluminum bearing race inside of the hose reel. While it has not been completely confirmed, Loogman believes improper hose reel recoiling by inexperienced pilots may have led to multiple instances of the hose being jammed into the reel. When this happened, the fuel station would shut down because the hose could not extend to reach the airplane. This could strand aircraft at HJO with no other source of fuel to continue flights. Efforts to fix the jam and bring the fuel station back online may have unknowingly caused damage to this race, possibly leading to a minute amount of particulate matter entering the fuel. 

QUESTION: I didn’t receive a letter, but I think I may have bought fuel during the timeframe of mid-November through mid-January. What should I do? 

Please contact Airport Manager Bob Loogman to help verify your purchase and then assist in having your filters serviced so that there are no lingering concerns about a small amount of particulate matter that may have been in the fuel you may have purchased.

The City of Hanford was humbled and honored to be recognized by Valley Community Small Business Development Center - SBDC as "Stakeholder of the Year" during the National SBDC Day Luncheon at Clovis Veterans Memorial District on Wednesday.

Since the summer of 2023, the City's partnership with Valley Community SBDC has blossomed through a series of free business workshops at Hanford City Hall and the opening of a SBDC satellite office for free business consultations inside the City-owned Amtrak station.

Speaking of SBDC consulting services, the City is thrilled to welcome a new consultant to the satellite office, Gil Cardon. Cardon is an experienced and award-winning business development consultant who assists entrepreneurs and existing small business owners with operations management, sales and marketing, business funding and much more. 

If you think Gil may be able to support your business or business idea, email him.. He's here to help Hanford's business community thrive!

Learn more about the SBDC.

On Tuesday, the City of Hanford resolved an alleged wrongful termination case involving former City Finance Director Paula Lofgren. A Kings County jury took less than one hour to deliberate and unanimously agreed that Ms. Lofgren was not fired by City Manager Mario Cifuentez because of her gender. By a vote of 11-1, jurors also concluded that at the time of her termination, the City did not have any reason to believe or perceive that Ms. Lofgren had a physical disability that would limit her ability to work. Therefore, there was no requirement for jurors to discuss whether Ms. Lofgren was fired because of her disability, which she also claimed in her lawsuit against the City. 

Ms. Lofgren was hired as a Finance Manager in August of 2016 and promoted to Finance Director about a year later, a role she held until she was terminated in August of 2020. During closing statements on Tuesday morning, defense attorney Christina Smith reminded jurors that Ms. Lofgren was an at-will employee at the time of her termination and was fired because Cifuentez had many legitimate concerns related to her performance. Although the firing was not a decision Cifuentez took lightly, he still believes it was the right one for the City. During the trial, it was noted that Cifuentez has hired multiple women during his tenure, including the City’s Clerk and Police Chief.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank the jury for their time and careful consideration of the facts of this case,” Cifuentez said. “I’m also grateful for the City’s law firm, Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin, including attorneys Christina Smith and Mario Zamora, who worked so hard work on ensuring that truth would prevail. Although this case has been an unnecessary distraction for myself and the City and included baseless lies and accusations, I want to be crystal clear about one thing: The City of Hanford works hard every day to be an employer of choice in the community, and as such, will always welcome employees of all backgrounds and will never tolerate discrimination in the workplace.”

When the lawsuit was originally filed in June of 2021, Cifuentez was individually named as a defendant in addition to the City, but he was dismissed as a defendant last year.

Ms. Lofgren will receive no financial award as a result of the jury’s decision. Her attorney had asked jurors to return a $19.2 million award in economic and noneconomic damages.

Dear Friends and Community,

I write this letter with a heart full of gratitude and appreciation for each of you who have stood by my family and me during the most difficult time of our lives. The passing of my beloved wife, Kellie, has left my family devastated, and the weight of raising our four children without her is something I never could have imagined. Kellie and I had been married for 19 years and been together for over 21. I often would say to people who asked about her “21 years and 4 kids, we must have done something right.”

Yet, in the midst of this grief, we have felt the warmth of your generosity and love. Your donations of food, money, care, and prayers have lifted us in ways words can hardly express. Each meal you’ve prepared, every dollar you’ve contributed, and every prayer you’ve offered has been a comforting reminder that we are not alone. Kellie’s family coming from overseas commented often how they felt this community surround them with love and care. People who, without even knowing them, would walk up and offer a prayer or a hug.

In our moments of immeasurable grief, you’ve shown up for us in ways that have touched our hearts deeply. The kindness and support from all of you have brought us strength and hope, helping us to navigate these uncharted waters. The love of a community is a powerful thing, and your unwavering care has given us the courage to continue on, for ourselves and for Kellie’s memory. When we moved here we never thought we would have to live through this, but wanted a small town community feel. What I and my family have experienced has been nothing short of humbling.

Please know that your kindness has not gone unnoticed, and we will carry your compassion with us as we move forward. We are deeply grateful for your presence in our lives, and we find comfort in knowing that, while Kellie may no longer be with us, the love she shared with all of you lives on through the kindness you’ve extended to our family.

With heartfelt thanks and gratitude,

The Rivera family.