Fresno Bee/Merced Sun-Star week in review

Fresno officials push to keep Costco in the city

Plans for a new Costco in northwest Fresno are moving forward again after a legal setback, with the City Council set to hear the proposal on May 21. The project, a $98 million investment, would relocate the aging Shaw Avenue store to the intersection of Herndon Avenue and Riverside Drive. Fresno’s Planning Commission approved revised environmental and zoning documents May 6. The original 2024 approval was challenged by the Herndon-Riverside Coalition for Responsible Planning and Development, and a judge ruled the environmental analysis was flawed. City officials warn that Costco could take its plans elsewhere, potentially costing Fresno an estimated $15 million annually in tax revenue. The new 219,000-square-foot store would include 32 gas pumps, a car wash, and expanded parking.

Reported by Erik Galicia, published May 7

Fresno area hospitals ranked in new safety report

Two Fresno County hospitals earned top marks in The Leapfrog Group’s spring 2026 Hospital Safety Grade report. Adventist Health Selma and Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center both received “A” grades, reflecting strong performance in preventing medical errors and safety problems. Three local hospitals received “C” grades: Community Regional Medical Center, Clovis Community Medical Center, and Saint Agnes Medical Center. Community Regional struggled with infection prevention and surgical complications, while Saint Agnes faced issues with collapsed lungs, dangerous blood clots, and staff communication. The Leapfrog Group graded more than 2,300 hospitals nationwide using measures across five categories. Nearly 40% of California hospitals received “A” grades, placing the state among the 10 safest in the country, according to the nonprofit.

Reported by Alexiah Syrai Olsen, published May 11

Former BMO Bank building listed for $2.6M

A well-known downtown Fresno building is now on the market. The former BMO Bank building, situated at the corner of Van Ness Avenue and Fresno Street, is listed at an asking price of $2.6 million. BMO, or Bank of Montreal, closed its downtown branch in October 2025, just two years after entering the Fresno market, leaving the building vacant. The property is recognized for its mid-century modern architecture, featuring a dramatic vertical facade and large glass windows. Listed by Cushman & Wakefield’s Tony Cortopassi and Marcus Velasquez, the building is being marketed as an opportunity for users or investors, with its proximity to government offices, courts, transit, and parking cited as key advantages. It is one of 19 commercial properties currently listed for sale in downtown Fresno, according to Loopnet.com. Last month, the historic T.W. Patterson building was also listed for sale.

Reported by Bryant-Jon Anteola, published May 11

Newsom appoints Bay Area allies to high-speed rail board

Gov. Gavin Newsom is replacing two California High-Speed Rail Authority board members from the Central Valley with two former Bay Area staffers. Fresno’s Tom Richards and Sacramento’s Nancy Miller, who served as chair and vice chair respectively, are being succeeded by Stephen Kawa of Cloverdale and Jason Elliott of San Francisco. Both previously worked under Newsom during his time as San Francisco mayor and later in his gubernatorial administration. Richards, first appointed in 2010, said he chose to step down after 15 and a half years. The appointments come as the project, which has cost roughly $15 billion since voters approved it in 2008, prepares to begin laying its first tracks in the Central Valley by December. Board member Henry Perea of Fresno emphasized there is no reduction in commitment to the Central Valley, saying the focus now includes determining future connections and engaging the private sector.

Reported by Erik Galicia, published May 12

UC Merced professor aims to make concrete greener

Marina Garcia Lopez-Arias, a new civil engineering professor at UC Merced, is researching ways to make concrete more sustainable and environmentally beneficial. Cement currently accounts for 8% of global carbon emissions, and Garcia Lopez-Arias is exploring three key methods to address this: engineering concrete to respond to temperature changes, enhancing its carbon capture capabilities using nanoparticles, and applying a surface treatment that breaks down air pollutants into harmless compounds. A native of Spain and recent recipient of the Outstanding Postdoc Award from Purdue University’s College of Engineering, she is now building a concrete research lab at UC Merced ahead of her first teaching semester this fall. She cited the university’s rapid rise to R1 status and its strong social mobility record as key reasons for choosing the institution, adding that California’s unique challenges — including wildfires, earthquakes, and coastal conditions — make it an ideal setting for advancing structural resilience research.

Reported by Patty Guerra, published May 8

E-bike injuries among children rising sharply

E-bike and e-scooter-related injuries among children in Fresno County are increasing at an alarming rate, according to local health experts and law enforcement. Valley Children’s Hospital recorded 11 such injuries in 2023, rising to 41 in 2025, and has already logged 22 cases in just the first four months of 2026. Two serious incidents occurred recently: a 13-year-old was killed and a 12-year-old critically injured in a scooter-truck collision, and a 14-year-old was seriously hurt crashing a miniature motorcycle into a car. California law requires helmets for riders under 18 but sets no minimum age for operating many e-bikes. Fresno State has responded by banning motorized bikes and scooters on campus starting this fall.

Reported by Bryant-Jon Anteola, published May 7

This story was originally published May 14, 2026 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Fresno Bee/Merced Sun-Star week in review."