PHOTO CREDIT : RSUSD AVENAL, Calif. — On October 14, 2026 Reef-Sunset Unified School District (RSUSD) recognized Administrators Week, highlighting the dedication, leadership, and commitment of its administrators in supporting students, staff, and school communities. The district expressed appreciation for its administrators and the important role they play in supporting student success and creating a positive educational environment. The Avenal Press also recognizes and appre

AVENAL, Calif. — The legal proceedings connected to Avenal’s recall election remain ongoing, with the focus now on whether four former city officials could face financial penalties and be held responsible for litigation expenses. In an October 2 letter to the California Attorney General’s Office, attorneys representing the four officials challenged the way the recall election was administered. They argued that California law placed responsibility for handling the recall proce

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 Police activity is ongoing in Avenal following reports of law enforcement officers making announcements requesting that an individual exit a residence tonight & sending drone into residence. The situation reportedly began at approximately 9:00 p.m. / on going investigation. A helicopter has also been observed circling the area as the law enforcement activity continues. Authorities have not yet released additional information regarding the circumsta

NEW STARLINK SATELLITE NOW AVAILABLE IN AVENAL A New Connection, A New Chapter To address these challenges, The Avenal Press switched to Starlink satellite internet. After weeks of technical difficulties and unreliable internet, The Avenal Press is back online with a new satellite internet setup designed to support more consistent publishing, live-streaming, and on-the-ground reporting. Since getting the new system up and running, routine online tasks have become more managea

The Avenal Police Department has confirmed that shortly after midnight, the Kings County SWAT Team, at the request of the Avenal Police Department, served a search warrant at a residence in downtown Avenal on King Street. According to Avenal PD, the search warrant was served as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. During the operation, investigators located and seized evidence related to the case, and one individual was arrested in connection with the investigation. Due

AVENAL, CA — A rollover traffic collision was reported in the early-morning hours Monday near Skyline Boulevard and Hydril Road in Avenal. According to information provided, crews were dispatched at approximately 3:40 a.m. and arrived to find a vehicle overturned on its roof. Fire personnel reported that the vehicle was unoccupied when crews arrived, and no patients were located at the scene. Engine 33 and Patrol 38 responded to the incident. Law enforcement was also requeste

Avenal, fall is officially underway! As we move through the final week of September, the season is beginning to bring changes we’ll notice around our community. Cooler mornings & evenings Expect cooler temperatures, especially during the early morning and nighttime hours, while afternoons can still feel warm in the San Joaquin Valley. 🌄 Shorter days ahead Sunset will continue getting earlier as we move deeper into fall. yes — the clocks will change later this fall. Californ

Avenal drivers: SR-269 is scheduled to be closed between Interstate 5 and Hydril Road on Sunday, September 27, from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for drainage maintenance. Please use alternate routes, allow extra travel time, and watch for road-work signage. The closure may extend beyond the scheduled time if weather conditions or other delays affect the work. Please proceed with caution and slow for the Cone Zone!

Avenal's Parks, Outdoor Spaces & Mountain Views AVENAL, Calif. — Saturday, September 26, 2026, marks National Public Lands Day, a nationwide observance dedicated to appreciating America's public lands and outdoor spaces — and recognizing the importance of caring for the places communities share. What Does National Public Lands Day Mean? National Public Lands Day is a day to get outside, appreciate public lands and help care for them. The observance encourages people to: 🌳 En

Avenal residents — mark your calendars! Daylight Saving Time is scheduled to end on Sunday, November 1, 2026. At 2:00 a.m., clocks will move back one hour to 1:00 a.m., giving us an extra hour overnight. 📅 Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026🕑 Time: 2:00 a.m. → 1:00 a.m.↩️ Clocks: Turn back one hour😴 Bonus: One extra hour of sleep For now, California's current time-change schedule remains in effect, so residents should plan for the November 1 change. While Congress is considerin

Vegetation Fire Quickly Contained Near Avenal Homes AVENAL, Calif. — At around 4:26 p.m., August 30th Avenal Fire crews responded to a vegetation fire near Union Avenue and Shasta Street. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered a Large palm tree and nearby vegetation ablaze close to several homes. Crews swiftly contained the fire, preventing it from spreading to neighboring properties. The incident underscored the importance of weed abatement and maintaining defensible space. T

The closure means drivers should not expect to use the Avenal Cutoff as a through route. Motorists traveling in the area will need to follow posted detour signs, watch for changeable message boards, and allow extra time while crews begin work. The current notice states that the closure is expected to remain in place through November 17, 2026, though that date may change based on construction progress, weather, or other conditions that come up during the project. Drivers shoul