On Monday, I visited Wasco High School’s Tiger Wellness Center and was given a tour by Principal Rusvel Prado, Superintendent Kevin Tallon, and Wellness Center staff. The new center, which opened this month, is part of a growing movement on school campuses to provide students with access to free food and other necessities. I want to thank their hardworking staff for showing me around and supporting student achievement in our community. 

I had a great meeting with McFarland City Manager Diego Viramontes, Mayor Saul Ayon, and Police Chief Adrian Olmos this week. We spoke about ongoing community projects and I received a public safety update from Chief Olmos. After our meeting, I had the opportunity to see firsthand the progress that’s been made on the City’s Street Infrastructure Project. I was proud to secure $6 million in funding for this initiative and look forward to seeing its completion! 

Earlier this week, I joined Wasco City Manager Scott Hurlbert and Assistant City Manager Maria Lara for a walking tour of Downtown Wasco. We discussed their plans for the Downtown Wasco Revitalization Project, like the recent roundabout renovation, which has greatly improved the area’s infrastructure. I’m proud to have helped secure $5 million to assist the construction of this project and look forward to further collaboration. 

I had a great meeting with Shafter Recreation and Park District Manager Phillip Jiminez and his staff this week. During my time there, we toured the construction site of the future Community Sports Complex and spoke about numerous ongoing community projects. It was great to see the impactful work they’re doing for the Shafter community firsthand!

I had a productive conversation with Tulare Chief of Police Fred Ynclan this week about ongoing efforts to improve public safety. I’m a strong supporter of local law enforcement and will continue working hard to make sure they have the tools needed to keep our communities safe. 

This week, I had a great meeting with Tulare Fire Department Chief Michael Ott. We spoke about their plans for the new year and discussed ways my office can support them. Chief Ott also talked about some challenges their team is facing, including rising costs for necessary equipment like fire engines. I appreciate all the hard work our firefighters do to protect Central Valley families and look forward to our continued partnership. 

On Thursday, I visited the Caring Corner Day Care Center in Bakersfield. While there, I learned about the services they provide, which combine learning and healthcare access for medically vulnerable children left behind by traditional educational systems. I also really appreciated meeting staff, like Director of Education Services Anamariska Rodriguez, who spoke fondly about her long career there. The work these educators do for their students is invaluable, and I thank them for all their efforts. 

On Thursday, I had a great meeting with Shafter City leadership, including City Manager Lippincott, Mayor Givens, Police Chief Milligan, Public Works Director Gonzalez, City Engineer Fidler, and Councilmembers Espinoza and Prout. I received an update on ongoing projects, community initiatives, and public safety. After our discussion, I toured the Gossamer Grove housing development and discussed how Congress can support policies that help local governments expand housing supply. Increasing housing availability in our communities is a top priority, and I look forward to our continued partnership.

On Friday, I joined West Hills Community College administration for a tour of their campus in Lemoore. I enjoyed learning more about their EMS program, health consulting lab, simulation lab, and how the college is advancing education in health careers, technical education, and visual arts in the region. I’ll continue advocating for our nation’s youth to receive a quality education, supporting our community colleges and the students they serve.

To kick off the week, Team Valadao met with representatives from Southern California Edison to discuss energy solutions for the Central Valley. The team also attended the Tulare City School District’s ribbon cutting for the new Cottonwood Sports Complex, a facility designed to encourage wellness, connection, and student growth. Afterwards, they met with Kern County Department of Agriculture and Measurement Standards Commissioner Glen Fankhauser to discuss department priorities and plans for the year ahead. My staff also joined the Bakersfield Chamber Ambassadors for a luncheon hosted by Valley Strong Credit Union and met with the Tulare County Assistant Agricultural Commissioner Christopher Greer to discuss upcoming initiatives. 

On Wednesday, Team Valadao attended the Wasco Community Collaborative Meeting to receive updates from Kern County Human Services, the Community Health Initiative of Kern County, and ROWI Teen & Parent Wellness. Following the meeting, they met with Noel Rosa, President and CEO of Rosa Brothers Creamery, and toured the company’s Central Valley facility. Then the team sat down with Wasco Police Chief, Alecio Mora, to discuss public safety updates and priorities. My staff also joined local officials, community leaders, and constituents at the Kern State of the County Address to hear highlights of the county’s accomplishments, priorities, and plans for 2026.

To wrap up the week, my staff attended the ribbon cutting [pa3.1]for California Rural Legal Assistance’s new Tulare office, which will expand access to legal services for the community, then visited Porterville Citrus INC. for a tour of their packing facility  The team also attended the Kern County Asian Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Lunar Year Celebration, where they presented a Certificate of Recognition honoring the Chamber’s work supporting local businesses. Finally, my staff joined Calgren for the grand opening of its new Renewable Natural Gas Fueling Station—an important clean energy investment that recycles agricultural byproducts and supports economic growth in Tulare County.

Trying to get an answer from a federal agency can often be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If you ever need help navigating a federal agency, you can visit my website here or call my Hanford office at (559) 460-6070. My team is ready to assist you!

Tratar de obtener una respuesta de una agencia federal a menudo puede ser un proceso frustrante y que requiere mucho tiempo. Si alguna vez necesita ayuda con una agencia federal, puede visitar mi sitio de web aquí o llamar a mi oficina de Hanford al (559) 460-6070. ¡Mi equipo está listo para ayudarte!

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