Let’s Talk Clovis

LET’S TALK CLOVIS: 1965 Clovis Memorial Hospital

Peg Bos

Historian/Clovis Museum Contributed

Clovis recognized the need for a new hospital and in 1955 concerned citizens formed a non Profit Corporation to begin raising funds. Community response produced the most unifying and productive years (1955-1965) of our history. A public replica of a thermometer registered the progress for the $250,000 Community drive. Personal donations ranged from $3.00 to $2,500.

A Guild was formed and competitive branches (Magnolia, Manzanita, Oak, Sycamore, Pine, Cherry Blossom and Olive) sponsored dinners, barbecues and many innovative fund raising events. By 1964 3 ½ acres had been purchased ($12,000) on the northwest corner of DeWitt and Sierra Avenues and $50,000 cash reserve had been secured. The Guild continues to provide volunteer and financial support of the hospital.

The Clovis Memorial Hospital (35 acute beds) was dedicated on July 27, 1965. The construction cost was $365,000. Total investment would be over $500,000 when the hospital was fully equipped. In addition to serving the 40,000 population in the service area, it was estimated the out flow of cash would exceed 3.3 million dollars.

When the extended care facility was opened in 1967, sixty-four skilled nursing beds and thirty-five acute beds became available. That addition represented a total capital investment of over one million dollars. The annual pay roll for 90 full and part-time employees exceeded $200,000.

On February 8, 1979, Clovis Memorial Hospital merged with Fresno Community Hospital. In 1980 Clovis held a mortgage burning event. Twenty-four hour emergency service and an intensive care unit were opened that year.

Clovis Memorial Hospital name was changed to Clovis Community Hospital in 1982. Community Medical Center-Clovis (Now Clovis Community Medical Center) was opened in 1988 on a 137 acre campus at Herndon and Temperance Avenues. The Hospital will be completing their $300 Million expansion and renovation in late 2013.

The former 1965 hospital was converted into Senior Citizen housing.

Courtesy of Clovis Museum

A dream becomes a reality with the building of Clovis Memorial Hospital, 1965.

Contributed by Clovis Police

@ClovisPolice_CA

Wednesday night, November 16th, a month-long investigation ended with the arrest of a stalking suspect following a pursuit.

CPD investigation began in early October after an initial police report for domestic violence was taken at a home near Bullard/Sunnyside in Clovis. The report was filed by the suspects ex-girlfriend.

Officers arrested the suspect at that time, identified as 51-year-old Jeremy Roberts, however he bonded out of Fresno County Jail soon after.

Over the next few weeks, Roberts grew increasingly violent, breaking into the victim’s home and slashing her tires, and confronting her at multiple locations in Clovis and Fresno after leaving various messages for her.

At one point, officers attempted to arrest him but their pursuit was canceled after Roberts was seen driving erratically, endangering other drivers on the roadway.

Courtesy of Clovis PD

Booking photo of 51-year-old Jeremy Roberts.

trolled substance.

He remains in custody at this time due to the fact that a judge ordered “no bail” after learning the details of his suspected crimes.

If you or someone you know is the victim of domestic violence or any dangerous relationship, law enforcement and the Marjaree Mason Center (MMC) in Fresno are here 24 hours a day. Call 911 for emergencies or (559) 324-2800 for non-emergencies in Clovis. Confidential assistance is also available through MMC at (559) 233-HELP.

Clovis Police make burglary arrests using DNA evidence

Contributed by Clovis Police

@ClovisPolice_CA

November 8, 2022. This morning, Clovis Police detectives served a search warrant at a Fresno home related to a residential burglary investigation.

Their investigation began following a

On Wednesday, November 16, Clovis Police detectives had been surveilling Roberts at different locations, and determined he was driving to the ex-girlfriend’s home in Clovis.

Detectives contacted the victim and got her out of the home before Roberts arrived, and a pursuit began after they attempted to pull him over.

The pursuit continued into Fresno and ended when Roberts ran out of gas near Olive/ Peach. He ran from his car, through a fence, and into the backyard of a home in the area.

As Roberts was running from officers, he injured himself breaking through the fence and tripping over items in the backyard.

After getting back to his feet, he held a knife to his throat as officers contacted him. Because of this, a taser was used to assist taking Roberts taken into custody.

No officers or uninvolved people were injured during the pursuit and arrest thankfully.

Roberts has been booked into Fresno County Jail for multiple charges including stalking, burglary, evading, and possession of a con-

police report taken regarding a residential burglary in the area of Fowler/Alluvial in early October 2022.

The unknown suspect(s) injured themselves while smashing through the sliding glass door of the home, and left blood inside.

DNA results matched a known suspect with history of residential burglaries in the southern California area.

While serving a search warrant at a home in Fresno this morning, detectives located multiple items of evidence including 2 stolen firearms, a safe, and designer purses and jewelry.

The suspects arrested have been identified as 25-year-old Demetrius Martin of Fresno, and 23-year-old Kassey Martin of Hemet.

Their charges include several felonies related to residential burglary, conspiracy, possession of stolen firearms, and child endangerment.

Clovis detectives continue their investigation while they process the evidence collected and determine if there are any additional local victims.

They are also working with law enforcement agencies in southern California for any other possible suspects or victims in that area of the state.