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A live federal update turned into breaking good news: Hanford secured an extra $2 million for the Grangeville Boulevard Grade Separation Project, closing critical gaps in right-of-way and utility work that keep rail safety and traffic flow on track. We walk through what this funding unlocks, why timing matters for infrastructure, and how federal partners like Senator Alex Padilla helped put momentum behind a high-impact local project.

From there, we shift to people and policy. After a strong slate of interviews, we appointed Cecily Esparza, Parvio Gill, and Lisa McAlwaink (as an alternate) to the Planning Commission—key roles that shape land use, housing, and the day-to-day look and feel of our neighborhoods. We also spotlight Main Street Hanford’s annual report, celebrating the steady work of downtown marketing, events, and business support that fuels small business growth and stronger community ties.

We then dig into two decisions with long-term stakes. First, we authorized a consultant to build an agricultural mitigation program and feasibility study, inviting growers, landowners, and residents to help balance farmland preservation with smart growth. Second, we advanced a proposal to raise the Transient Occupancy Tax from 8% to 12%, channeling visitor dollars into essentials like public safety and parks. With the measure headed to the June ballot, we explain how TOT works, why our rate hasn’t changed since 1985, and what an update could mean for local services and quality of life.

Want the details and the rationale behind each move? Listen to the full recap, subscribe for more Council updates, and share your take—should Hanford update the visitor tax to support core services? Your feedback helps shape our next steps.

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A town grows when people show up for each other, and this week we spotlight how Hanford’s energy is fueling real creative work. We kick off with quick hits around the city: a new city manager sworn in, downtown speakers set to bring music to Irwin, Douty, and 7th, and educator honors that remind us how much local champions matter. The community calendar overflows with film at the Fox, exhibits at the Carnegie Museum, and a comic con at Fraternal Hall—proof that there’s always a reason to step out and connect.

Then we sit down with Katelind Donahue to unpack Writer’s Haven, a grassroots group that turned online writing sprints into a living, breathing space for aspiring authors. Katelind shares how a love for library shelves and a push from her mom evolved into a Starbucks conference room filled with laptops, notebooks, and quiet resolve. Every other Saturday, six to ten writers lock in for two hours, draft pages, and trade encouragement. We talk about why long-form storytelling still matters in a scroll-first world, how fantasy worldbuilding demands patience and care, and why community can be the missing ingredient between idea and finished chapter.

We also explore the craft itself: the surprising benefits of handwriting for memory and character voice, the way stress can be shaped into scenes, and how simple structures like timed sprints help writers of every level—from first drafts to query-ready manuscripts—stay consistent. Katelind introduces Garden of Honey, her faith-centered podcast focused on prayer, emotional regulation, and healing, and shares how to connect on Instagram and Facebook, with virtual sessions coming soon for those outside the area. We wrap with a full local sports roundup to keep you current heading into playoff season.

If this story moved you, follow the show on your favorite app, share it with a friend who needs a nudge to write, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors find us.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider
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A bakery that once fed a town now feeds a different kind of hunger: connection, service, and shared memory. We follow Maccagno’s from a 1949 brick landmark with 20‑foot ovens and loading docks to a living hub for local business, events, and civic pride.

We start with Hanford’s roots—six bakeries in the 1920s, immigrant craft shaping taste, and bread as a public good—and trace the Maccagno’s expansion from 200 loaves a day to more than 4,500. Economic shifts and new shopping habits eventually dimmed the neighborhood bakery model, but the stories lingered: a rumored rum cake recipe made by feel, friendly faces behind the counter, and a building that held a Cold War secret in its 12‑inch concrete basement walls. When Jeanette Sasser stepped in to acquire and restore the space, she found ovens, racks, and even fallout rations, then transformed the site into a creative engine for JH Tackett Marketing.

Jeanette and new owner Amory Marple open up about preserving artifacts, curating photos, and treating the building as a public trust. When the pandemic upended daily life, the team kept printers running late, supplying restaurants, hospitals, and schools with clear signage and launching print‑pack‑ship programs to honor graduates and frontline staff. Their story shows how local businesses can evolve without abandoning their mission to serve. We also preview Maccagno’s role in the Carnegie Museum’s Hanford walking tour and a countywide exhibit celebrating the architecture, industries, and people that shaped Kings County.

If you care about local history, small business resilience, and the power of place, you’ll find plenty to savor here—no oven mitts required. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves hometown stories, and leave a quick review to help more neighbors discover the show.

You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider
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