Hanford Insider
Welcome the Hanford Insider, I’m your host Rob Bentley. I’m a lifelong resident of Hanford and I’m very involved in the local history scene and podcasting so I decided to start this show as a resource to Hanford area residents for covering issues, promoting events, sports, and reflecting on some local history.
Tune in each Monday for a new episode.
Please help me get the word out about the show by sharing on social media, or telling a friend. For more information about the show, you can find me on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, or Threads at @Hanford Insider.
If you have a show idea, be sure to email me hanfordinsider@gmail.com If you are part of an organization that needs help getting the word out to the community, let’s work together.
Episodes
123 episodes
Hanford Insider: How A Beloved Storefront Became A City Tradition
A storefront can hold a city’s memory. We head to the corner of Seventh and Douty to explore how a 19th-century hotel became Hanford Furniture and, ultimately, the canvas for a holiday tradition that still stops families on the sidewalk: the Ch...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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23:51
Hanford Insider: Muralist Jennifer Butts
A blank wall can change a neighborhood when the right story lands on it. We sit down with muralist and educator Jennifer Butts to trace her journey from a seven-year-old with a sketchbook to a globe-trotting teacher in Honduras and China, and f...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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29:58
Hanford Insider: Travis Paden's Wednesday Wrap Up 11/19/25
Big changes are coming to Hanford, and the latest council recap connects every headline to real life: safer streets, smarter spending, and a leadership search you can shape. We walk through the East Lacey Corridor’s next phase, where city engin...
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Season 3
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3:56
Hanford Insider: Your Guide To Hanford’s Holiday Kickoff: Winter Wonderland, Parade Updates, And Community Highlights
The holidays are officially on in Hanford, and we’re bringing you a front-row seat to everything that makes this season shine. From a redesigned Winter Wonderland with an elevated viewing deck and crackling fire pits to a bigger, safer Christma...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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23:05
Hanford Insider: Dallas Poore "Warriors of the Wind" - Veterans Day Special
Start with city hall, end on the open road. We bring you a fast-moving update on Hanford’s museum agreements, zoning changes, and a grant-funded tree plan, plus a key route change for the Hanford Christmas Parade that adds 2,000 feet of viewing...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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36:36
Hanford Insider: Christmas Parade Improvements and Bullpups Domination!
Big traditions don’t stay magical by accident—they’re planned, stress‑tested, and built with neighbors in mind. We open with a crisp look at City Council’s agenda, from the Kings County Farm Bureau briefing to the east‑west cross‑valley rail li...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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15:54
Hanford Insider: Rob Isquierdo - Reestablishing Stratford
The week’s headlines feel different when you hear them from the people building the future they want to live in. We sit down with podcaster and community organizer Rob Esquerdo to trace a clear line from storytelling to action: how a classroom-...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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18:53
Mayor Paden's Wednesday Wrap Up of the October 21st Hanford City Council Meeting
Quick wins matter, but so do the quiet calls that shape a city’s future. Mayor Travis Paden’s Wednesday wrap-up delivers a clear, helpful tour of the October 21 Hanford City Council meeting—what moved forward, what paused, and why it affects yo...
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3:59
Hanford Insider: CalTrans Plans, Community Events, And Hanford Sports Highlights
Big projects are finally lining up for Kings County, and the details matter. We sit down with Caltrans District 6’s Alex Aguilera to unpack the planned 198–9th Avenue interchange, how five design alternatives could reconnect north and south Han...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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20:13
Fire safety, fall events, and a comeback win: a Hanford Insider tour of what matters now
The week bursts with energy—city moves that affect our day-to-day, a stacked fall calendar, a symphony season opener, and a high school football finish that had us on our feet. We also bring a crucial safety story to the front: Fire Chief Danie...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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24:16
Hanford Insider: Links for Life & Cancer Awareness
A small city can change big outcomes when information, care, and community line up. We sit down with Candy Bertaina and Kathy Mittleider from Links for Life, Kings County, to explore how a volunteer-led nonprofit funds the crucial first step in...
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21:28
Hanford Insider: Cultural Celebrations - Renaissance Fair and Moon Festival Take Center Stage
Fall festivities take center stage in Hanford as our community gears up for a season packed with beloved traditions and exciting changes. The 46th annual Renaissance of Kings Fair returns to...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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26:22
Hanford Insider: Kings Partnership's Community Services
Kings Partnership serves as a vital lifeline for Kings County residents, offering an impressive array of free services designed to strengthen families and build community resilience. Program coordinator Jennifer Quinones brings enthusiasm and e...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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20:12
Hanford Insider: Mayor Paden's Wrap-Up 9/17/25
Mayor Travis Paden takes us behind the scenes of Hanford's latest City Council meeting, revealing crucial decisions that will shape our community's future. The Council has approved $325,000 for much-needed repairs to the Hanford Plunge, includi...
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5:54
Hanford Insider: Beyond the Surface: Exploring Hanford's Creative Pulse
Step into the unexpected cultural richness of Hanford with our exploration of the community's vibrant arts scene. While Kings County might not immediately come to mind as an arts destination, this episode reveals the surprising breadth of creat...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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28:58
Hanford Insider: The Fight Against Homelessness
The Kings County Homelessness Collaborative represents a remarkable coalition of 18 organizations working together to tackle one of our community's most persistent challenges. In this eye-opening conversation, Hanford City Councilman Mark Kairi...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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29:09
Hanford Insider: Behind the scenes of a historic downtown law firm
A historic downtown law firm is making waves in Hanford with their commitment to community, clients, and careers. The Griswold LaSalle Law Firm, celebrating 80 years of service, has transformed the iconic Hanford Furniture Building into a thriv...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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21:25
Hanford Insider: Remembering Wyland Gomes
Tragedy often reveals the true character of a community. When Christy Camara lost her son Wyland under horrific circumstances in March 2020, Hanford didn't just offer condolences—it embraced her mission to prevent similar tragedies and honor he...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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28:24
Hanford Insider: High School District unveils campus improvements
Step inside the remarkable transformation happening across Hanford Joint Union High School District campuses in this revealing conversation with district leaders Renee Creech, Lance Dowd, and Ben Stidman. Against the backdrop of steady enrollme...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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31:00
Hanford Insider: Pickleball Fever is Bringing Communities Together
The fast-growing phenomenon of pickleball has taken Hanford by storm, creating a vibrant community that welcomes players of all ages and skill levels. Our deep dive into this increasingly popular sport reveals why it's captured the hearts of so...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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24:11
Mayor Travis Paden Wednesday Wrap Up 8/6/25
Mayor Travis Paden takes listeners behind the scenes of Hanford's marathon six-hour City Council meeting in this special edition of the Hanford Insider Podcast. What started at 4 PM and stretched until 10 PM covered critical decisions that will...
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7:10
Hanford Insider: Supervisor Doug Verboon
Dive into a fascinating conversation with Doug Verboon, Kings County Board of Supervisor for District 3, as he unpacks the inner workings of county government and shares his vision for Kings County's future.As a fifth-generation residen...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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27:18
Hanford Insider: Honoring Canine Officer Krash
Have you ever wondered about the deep bonds formed between police officers and their canine partners? This week's episode delves into a touching community initiative to honor fallen K9 officers, specifically Officer Krash who served the Hanford...
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21:53
Mayor Travis Paden Wednesday Wrap Up 7/16/25
Making local government more accessible takes many forms, and today we're bridging a crucial information gap for our community. Mayor Travis Paden's City Council meeting wrap-ups have been a Facebook staple for engaged citizens, but what about ...
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3:11
Hanford's New Vice Mayor Nancy Howze: Leading with Heart and Vision
When Nancy Howze stepped into her role as Hanford City Council member six months ago, she brought something beyond political ambition—a genuine desire to model community service for her three children. Now, as Hanford's newly appointed Vice May...
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30:40