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🌱 Why Kristin Smart’s case briefly leads back to a Coalinga state prison
Coalinga, California Patch AM: a 4 min readGood morning Coalinga! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Kristin Smart’s case briefly leads back to a Coalinga state prison
Also on today's calendar: Richard Winters: Ride the Rancho — V6 Ranch - Authentic California Ranch Experiences and 5 more events.
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: Sunny and not as hot, with a high of 89 and low of 55 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 91, low: 56.
- Friday: Very warm with plenty of sun, with a high of 92 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Where are key locations in Kristin Smart murder case? See interactive maps (fresnobee.com) — Coalinga is briefly highlighted as the site of Pleasant Valley State Prison, one of several California facilities where convicted murderer Paul Flores has been housed in the long-running Kristin Smart case. The story mainly walks readers through key search locations, court venues, and memorial sites tied to Smart’s 1996 disappearance, using maps to show how the investigation has stretched across multiple counties and even into Washington state. 
📸 Around Coalinga
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Coalinga
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Matter of Balance - Coalinga →
Coalinga's Gold Star Wellness Center, 475 N Sunset St Room #6, Coalinga
2:00 pm
Friday May 15
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
CAASPP MATH PT 50% TESTING - ALL GRADES
Coalinga-Huron Unified Coalinga, CA 93210
8:45 am -
CAASPP MATH PT 100% TESTING - ALL GRADES
Coalinga-Huron Unified Coalinga, CA 93210
8:45 am -
Richard Winters: Ride the Rancho — V6 Ranch - Authentic California Ranch Experiences →
V6 Ranch, 70410 Parkfield-Coalinga Rd, Parkfield
2:00 pm -
Classified Appreciation Week
Coalinga-Huron Unified Coalinga, CA 93210 -
CLASSIFIED APPRECIATION WEEK
Coalinga-Huron Unified Coalinga, CA 93210 -
Matter of Balance - Coalinga →
Coalinga's Gold Star Wellness Center, 475 N Sunset St Room #6, Coalinga
2:00 pm -
Parkfield Ranch Rodeo — V6 Ranch - Authentic California Ranch Experiences →
70410 Parkfield-Coalinga Rd, Parkfield
4:05 pm
Thursday May 14
Friday May 15
Sunday May 17
Monday May 18
Friday May 22
📣 Coalinga Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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AHS Choir & Band Spring Concert
Avenal High School Large Auditorium
6:00 pm -
RSUSD Math Bowl
Sunrise High School 601 E Mariposa St, Avenal, CA 93204, USA
7:30 am -
Saturday Attendance Academy
Kettleman City Elementary Avenal, CA 93204
8:00 am -
Dude Ranch Getaway — V6 Ranch - Authentic California Ranch Experiences →
V6 Ranch, 70410 Parkfield-Coalinga Rd, Parkfield
2:00 pm
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
Saturday May 16
Thursday June 11
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Report of lockdown at Fresno High School, California.
11:25AM on May 11: Fresno High School is on lockdown again, according to a Nextdoor user. (Nextdoor )
- Big 5 Sporting Goods posted a job opening for Assistant Manager Trainee- Part Time in Coalinga. Apply here.
- Coalinga-Huron Unified School District posted a job opening for TEACHER - MUSIC - Huron Middle School (2026-27 SY) ***$2K Retention Bonus*** in Coalinga. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Coalinga here.
🗞 Nearby News
Lemoore
- Kelly Slater's incredible Lemoore surf ranch — and the truly harebrained plan he had to kill (nypost.com)
- USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 11, 2026 (usni.org)
Hanford
- Hanford man breaks restraining order to make threats, police say (yourcentralvalley.com)
- Red flag warning for Central California until Tuesday night (fresnobee.com)
- Five Guys Is Shuttering Doors In These California Cities (tastingtable.com)
Ok Coalinga! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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