VISALIA - Early last Wednesday evening around 7:30 PM, residents in the 1100 hundred block of East Houston noticed smoke and flames coming from the rear area of an auto repair shop. The Visalia Fire Department responded a first alarm assignment consisting of a Battalion Chief, three Engines and one Ladder Truck along with 14 personnel to 1138 E Houston, MC Tire Shop.

The first unit on scene reported smoke and flames from inside the shop to the rear of the building. Fire crews stretched lines and quickly had the fire under control with minutes of their arrival. There was no one inside the business at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported. Damage from the fire is estimated at around $2000.00 dollars and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over
MERCED – Merced Police Department will be conducting a DUI/Drivers License checkpoint on April 28, 2012, at an undisclosed location within the city limits between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. Checkpoints are placed in locations that have the greatest opportunity for
achieving drunk and drugged driving deterrence and provide the greatest safety for officers and the public.