If you woke up in Hanford this morning and couldn’t see your own mailbox, you aren't alone. The San Joaquin Valley is currently swallowed by a thick blanket of Tule fog. Visibilities along the Highway 99 corridor and throughout Kings County have dropped to 1,000 feet or less in many spots today, January 16, 2026. It’s that heavy, wet air that makes driving to work feel like navigating inside a bowl of milk. Honestly, it’s just a standard Friday in January for us, but the National Weather Service in Hanford is still urging everyone to take it slow.
The Latest Hanford CA News Today
While the fog is the immediate concern outside your window, the real talk of the town involves some significant "oops" moments and major construction updates. For anyone who follows the local sports scene, you might have seen a video floating around social media showing the Youth Athletic Complex (YAC) in pretty rough shape. Specifically, one of the baseball fields looked like it had been through a blender.
The city finally cleared the air on this. It turns out a city employee accidentally caused the damage. They’ve been pretty transparent about it, calling it "regrettable and unacceptable." Crews are already out there trying to fix the turf, though the rain we’ve been seeing lately might slow them down a bit. The good news? The new $1.6 million concession stand and restroom project at the YAC—mostly funded by ARPA money—is still on track to finish by February. Just in time for the 2026 season.
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Big Changes Coming to Our Streets and Shops
Beyond the ball fields, Hanford is in the middle of a massive growth spurt. If you’ve driven near Highway 198 and 11th Avenue lately, you’re looking at the future site of "Hanford Place." This 40-acre development just got the green light and it’s going to be a mix of retail, a hotel, and a conference center. It's basically the city's bid to become more than just a pit stop between Fresno and Visalia.
Then there is Fargo Village. That’s an even bigger beast—300 acres on the north side of town that’s slated for over 1,100 residential units.
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- Downtown Pedestrian Fast Track: We’re getting a $15.5 million federal grant to turn underused alleys into bike-friendly corridors.
- East Lacey Boulevard: Expect "complete street" designs with protected bike lanes and raised medians.
- Civic Updates: The City Council is moving their next meeting to January 20 at the Civic Auditorium.
Small Town Bits You Actually Need to Know
Ever wonder why the sidewalk in front of your house is cracked and whose job it is to fix it? The city recently put out a reminder that, thanks to a 1941 state law, it’s actually on the property owner. It’s a bit of a bummer, but they do have a "My Hanford" app where you can report hazards.
On a lighter note, congratulations are in order for Chrystina Arms. She was just named the City Hall Employee of the Month for January. She’s a development services technician, and if you’ve ever had to navigate the permitting office, you know how much a "positive attitude" (as her boss Jason Waters put it) actually matters in that building.
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Also, for those needing Live Scan fingerprinting, the Police Department on Irwin Street just expanded their hours. You can now go in Tuesday through Thursday, but it’s walk-in only.
Why This Matters for the Valley
We are officially out of the drought. For the first time in 25 years, the maps show California as "drought-free." However, local water experts are still eyeing the "snow drought" in the Sierras. We’ve had plenty of rain in Hanford lately, but not enough of the white stuff in the mountains to keep the reservoirs happy for the long haul.
If you want to get involved or just complain about the potholes, the next "Council Corner" is happening January 28 at Me-n-Ed’s on North 10th Avenue. It’s a casual setup where you can grab a slice and talk to Council Member Travis Paden and Public Works Director Russ Sterling without the formal podium and timers of a standard meeting.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your tire pressure and headlights before heading out into the morning fog; visibility is expected to remain low through the weekend. If you have a business or home project in the works, use the city’s Development Resource Center—they offer free 30-minute consultations to help you navigate the red tape. Finally, if you’re a baseball parent, keep an eye on the YAC social media pages for updates on field readiness as the repair work continues.