Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Gov. Newsom Appoints New Judges in Fresno, Madera Counties
gvw_david_taub
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 12 months ago on
March 30, 2023

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A Fresno court commissioner has received a promotion.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Commissioner Amythest Freeman as a full judge, his office announced Thursday.

David Taub

Politics 101

Freeman, a Democrat, served as a commissioner since last year. While a judge and commissioner essentially have the same authority, a judge is appointed by the governor and/or elected, while a commissioner is hired by the court to help out with caseloads.

She will serve in a new judicial seat created last year, increasing the Fresno County bench to 46 positions. There is at least one vacancy after Rosemary McGuire retired in January. Another open position is expected soon, when Judge Jon Kapetan’s retirement becomes official.

This is the 11th Newsom appointment for a vacant Fresno County position.

Prior to joining the bench, Freeman served as a senior deputy district attorney in Fresno County from 2003-2022. She prosecuted domestic violence and sexual assault cases.

She earned a Juris Doctor degree from San Joaquin College of Law. A bio on the SJCL website says she was the first in her family to attend college. Setting an example for her two young sons inspired her to attend law school.

All California Superior Court judges earn a $231,174 base salary. She will be up for election in 2024.

Enos Appointed to Madera County Judgeship

Brian Enos Portrait
Brian Enos

Newsom also announced the appointment of Brian Enos to the Madera County Superior Court. He comes from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Fresno, where he has served since 2005.

He was a senior associate attorney at Sagaser, Franson & Jones from 2000 to 2005 and an associate at Kimble, MacMichael & Upton from 1998 to 2000. Enos earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Enos fills a new position created on July 1, 2022. He is a Democrat.

 

Also in Politics 101 …

  • Fresno dispatchers win big raises.
  • New Coca-Cola plant approved.

Dispatchers Get a Raise

Fresno police dispatchers will receive a 14%-19% raise.

The Fresno City Council approved the new compensation with a 6-0 vote on Thursday. Mayor Jerry Dyer said that Fresno dispatchers will be the highest paid in the Central Valley.

“This will change the future of our dispatch center,” Dyer said.

The raises have several goals, including retaining and recruiting new dispatchers. More dispatchers will mean fewer unanswered 911 calls, Dyer said.

At full strength, there are 114 dispatchers and supervisors. Dyer said there are currently 14 vacancies.

Dyer hopes that giving raises to dispatchers replicates what happened last year when the city council made police officers the highest paid in the Central Valley — a nearly full-staffed department.

The raises will cost taxpayers $1.2 million a year.

“I don’t see it as a cost. I see it as an investment,” Dyer said.

Coca-Cola Plant Approved

The Fresno City Council approved a proposed Coca-Cola distribution plant in south Fresno after Councilman Miguel Arias won assurances of environmental improvements.

After winning approval from the planning commission in February, Arias appealed the decision — as is the right of councilmembers. He wanted the builder to work out issues with concerned neighbors represented by environmental groups.

The facility will include solar, electric vehicles, and an area within the plant for vehicles to wait while picking up and dropping off workers.

There are still some things that Arias wants hammered out, including a dedicated truck route in and out of the plant, and a maximum of two minutes for trucks to idle.

The city council approved the plant, 7-0.

A rendering of a proposed Coca-Cola distribution plant in south Fresno. (City of Fresno)

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

DON'T MISS

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

DON'T MISS

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

DON'T MISS

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

DON'T MISS

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

DON'T MISS

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

DON'T MISS

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

DON'T MISS

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

DON'T MISS

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

No data was found
David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

10 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

10 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

10 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

10 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

11 hours ago

Biden’s Fundraiser with Obama and Clinton Nets a Record $25 Million, His Campaign Says

11 hours ago

Fresno Unified’s Self-Protection Racket Is Hurting Our Kids

11 hours ago

Rockin’ Out or Laughing, the Valley Has Its Pick of Weekend Events

12 hours ago

Ex-Correctional Officer at Women’s Prison in California Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Inmates

14 hours ago

Caitlin Clark and Iowa Draw Nearly 5 Million Viewers for Second-Round NCAA Win

15 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

PGA HOPE, now underway at Fresno’s Riverside Golf Course, is designed to introduce golf to veterans and active duty military members t...

8 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Fresno's Riverside Golf Course
8 hours ago

PGA HOPE at Riverside Golf Course Introduces Military Veterans to the Game

9 hours ago

Cronenworth’s Big Hit Helps Lift the Padres to a 6-4 Win Over Melvin’s Giants

10 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani Reaches 3 Times in Home Debut as the Dodgers Rout the Cardinals 7-1

10 hours ago

Facebook News Tab Will Soon Be Unavailable as Meta Scales Back News and Political Content

10 hours ago

Stock Market Today: Wall Street Rises to More Records to Close Out Its Latest Winning Month

10 hours ago

A Fresno County First: Kerman Council Passes Amended Gaza Cease-Fire Resolution

10 hours ago

UN Top Court Orders Israel to Open More Land Crossings for Aid into Gaza

11 hours ago

How Involved Is Southern California Consulting Firm in FUSD Executive Dealings?

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend