Hanford Insider

Rob Bentley
  • 4.7 (3)
  • News Commentary
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. Hanford Insider: How The Carnegie Museum Turns Classic Cars Into A Summer Festival

    2d ago

    Hanford Insider: How The Carnegie Museum Turns Classic Cars Into A Summer Festival

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Downtown Hanford is about to fill up with chrome, stories, and the kind of small-town energy you can feel from a block away. We’re giving you a detailed preview of the fifth annual Carnegie Museum of Kings County Car and Bike Show, plus the key info you actually need before you head out on Saturday, June 6. Committee members Cathy Porter, Mike Quinn, Jack Schwartz, and Karla Orosco join us to explain how this event grew from a chilly first-year experiment into a Central Valley car show that’s pushing past 200 vehicles and drawing judges from well beyond Kings County.  We dig into what makes the show special: the downtown footprint and smart spacing, the food truck alley lineup, and the vendor fair taking over Civic Center Park with 45 plus makers, packaged treats like honey and baked goods, and hands-on kids’ activities. You’ll also hear why car shows create instant camaraderie between exhibitors and spectators, what categories and awards are on the line this year (including a dedicated lowrider division), and how volunteers keep the parking and flow running smoothly even with older cars that cannot sit and idle for long.  The big addition is the bike show next to the Carnegie Museum, inspired by lowrider bike culture and the incredible craftsmanship behind classic bicycle builds and displays. We also share quick community reminders, then close with Eric Bentley’s final high school sports report of the year, including season results and new track and field school records.  If you’re planning your weekend in Hanford, love classic cars, or just want a family-friendly downtown event, this guide will help you arrive at the right time and enjoy the whole day. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves cars or bikes, and leave a review so more people can find the show. You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    25 min
  2. Hanford Insider: Kings Players, the June Primary Election, Community News, & Sports

    May 24

    Hanford Insider: Kings Players, the June Primary Election, Community News, & Sports

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Graduation week doesn’t just sneak up on Hanford, it hits all at once, and we want you walking in prepared. We start with the practical stuff that saves you time and stress: the new clear bag policy at Neighbor Bowl, the biggest graduation nights that will impact traffic near Hanford High School, and a quick note on the honor walk that brings high school grads back through their old elementary campuses. Then we shift to something lighter and genuinely local: a conversation with Hugh Neely, director at The Kings Players, about their new comedy I Shot Jennifer Lopez. Hugh shares how the show connects back to Hanford through playwright Cricket Daniel, why the story works so well on stage, and how the theater is adding more matinee options plus a Thursday performance to make it easier for busy families to attend. If you love live theater in Kings County, this is a great behind-the-scenes listen. We also get you plugged into what’s happening around town, from Memorial Day tributes to museum hours, family events, a Pops concert, and the Carnegie Car Show weekend. After that, Kings County Register of Voters Lupe Via joins us with a clear, detailed guide to the June 2 California State Primary: vote centers, ballot drop boxes, election security upgrades, where results will be posted on election night, and the most important last-minute ballot advice if you’re cutting it close on timing and postmarks. Subscribe for weekly Hanford news and community updates, share this with a neighbor, and leave a quick review to help more locals find the show. You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    34 min

  3. May 23 ·  Bonus

    Mayor Mark Kairis Breaks Down the May 19 City Council Decisions

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A nearly $60 million decision rarely fits into a quick recap, but that’s exactly what we tackle as we break down Hanford’s most consequential May 19 City Council actions. Mayor Mark Kairis, walks  us through what we approved, why it matters, and what it means for everyday services as Hanford grows. We start with the $59.9 million contract amendment with Optera Energy Services to modernize our wastewater treatment facility. This plan goes beyond repairs, including a solar facility already built at the plant, the replacement of a 1949 trickling filter with a high-efficiency oxidation ditch, and upgrades to our existing systems. The goal is long-term reliability, about $400,000 in annual energy savings, and a major safety improvement by eliminating pressurized gaseous chlorine in favor of a safer, bleach-like solution. We also look ahead to how this work supports future capacity needs as the community expands. From there, we move into growth and quality of life: adopting Hanford’s 2024 to 2032 housing element to achieve full state compliance, and hearing public feedback on landscape assessment districts where residents weighed higher assessments against maintaining shared neighborhood spaces. I also explain our annual Community Development Block Grant action plan, including how CDBG funding supports programs like Meals on Wheels through the Kings County Commission on Aging. Finally, we celebrate Hanford Connect earning the American Planning Association Central California Section 2026 Resilience and Sustainability Award, and I share where you can read the plan. If you care about infrastructure, housing policy, local government decisions, and how city funding affects neighborhoods, subscribe, share this episode, and leave a review. What topic do you want us to go deeper on next? You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    5 min
  4. Hanford Insider: Hanford Step Sisters and another Sierra Pacific Valley Championship!

    May 17

    Hanford Insider: Hanford Step Sisters and another Sierra Pacific Valley Championship!

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A town feels different when you stop trying to “get in shape” alone and start showing up with other people. That’s why I’m excited to share my conversation with Tiffany Ramirez and Lori Bravo, the women behind Hanford Stepsisters, a women-only walking group that’s quietly become a movement across Hanford and the wider Central Valley. What started as a few sunset walks for accountability has turned into a welcoming space where women laugh, vent, check on each other, and build friendships one lap at a time. Before we hit the walking path, I run through key Hanford and Kings County community news, including a packed Hanford City Council agenda. We talk about plans tied to the new wastewater treatment plant solar project, continued downtown public safety building discussions, and multiple public hearings. We also spotlight Hanford Fire’s “It’s Not Worth It” message as illegal fireworks fines jump from $1,000 up to $10,000 with possible jail time. Plus, I share can’t-miss local happenings like Thursday Night Marketplace, school performances, theater, Memorial Day tributes, and the Carnegie Car Show. Tiffany and Lori get practical about what to expect on your first walk: no pressure, your pace, hydration reminders, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and routes that range from Freedom Park to downtown sidewalks and even the Hanford High track for a more knee-friendly option. We close with Hanford Insider Sports, featuring playoff upsets in baseball and softball and a Sierra Pacific girls track and field section title. Subscribe for weekly Hanford news and community stories, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the Hanford Insider Podcast. You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    24 min
  5. Hanford Insider: 2026 High School Baseball & Softball Playoff Brackets

    May 14 ·  Bonus

    Hanford Insider: 2026 High School Baseball & Softball Playoff Brackets

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Playoff brackets always feel like a fresh reset, and this Spring Playoff Special Edition is your rapid guide to where Hanford-area baseball and softball teams land and what round one really looks like. I walk through the matchups one by one, so you can instantly see who’s hosting, who’s traveling, and where the pressure points are as postseason play begins. If you follow Hanford high school sports, CIF-style playoff brackets, or Central Valley baseball and softball, you’ll leave with a clear map of Friday’s slate. On the baseball side, Sierra Pacific grabs the highest local seed with a Division II six seed, powered by one of the best momentum swings you’ll see all spring: an 0-5 start that turns into 18 wins in the final 22 games. Hanford High baseball also lands in the Division II bracket, drawing a tough road opener against 2-seed Ridgeview in Bakersfield. Hanford West baseball keeps its season going in Division IV, heading to league champion Wasco with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Softball brings its own playoff energy. Hanford West earns a Division III three seed and home field through the first two rounds, while Hanford High softball heads to Golden West with a clear “run it back” storyline after a one-run regular season loss. Sierra Pacific softball slots into Division IV as a nine seed and meets Golden Valley in what should feel like a razor-thin, possession-by-possession type of game. Start times are generally listed for 4:30 p.m. Friday, but they can change, so keep an eye on team social media and plan accordingly. Subscribe so you don’t miss our round one results next week, and if you’re going to a game, tell me which matchup you’re most excited to watch. You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    3 min
  6. Hanford Insider: Inside the Charm House Wedding And Event Venue

    May 10

    Hanford Insider: Inside the Charm House Wedding And Event Venue

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A beautiful old property can feel like a mystery until someone opens the gate and invites the community in. That’s what happens when I sit down with Kristen Smith to talk about The Charm House Venue, an elegant event venue just outside Hanford that’s quickly become a go-to spot for weddings, showers, graduations, and parties that actually feel personal. Kristen walks me through what she saw the first time she toured the house, why the mature trees and gardens mattered, and how much work it took to transform a private home and barn into a space that meets county requirements without stripping away its character. We get into the details that make planning easier, like flexible use of the indoor and outdoor areas, a built-in setup flow that reduces stress, and a surprisingly deep decor inventory including more than 250 Madonna goblets that help every event look different. Before we wrap, I also share key community news and a stacked Hanford community calendar, plus a clear look at the new local ordinance around e-bikes, e-scooters, and sidewalk safety. Then we close with Hanford Insider Sports as baseball and softball chase playoff spots, along with coaching news that highlights the momentum building across local programs. If you’re searching for a Hanford wedding venue, planning a Kings County event, or just trying to stay plugged into what’s happening in town, this one brings it all together. Subscribe for weekly updates, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more people in Hanford, CA can find these stories. You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    24 min
  7. Hanford Insider: Community News, Sports, and the new Hanford Hotel

    May 3

    Hanford Insider: Community News, Sports, and the new Hanford Hotel

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! A familiar building at the edge of downtown Hanford is getting a whole new identity and it says a lot about where the city is headed. We sit down with Sam Patel, owner of the newly reimagined Hanford Hotel, to talk about why he invested in Hanford, what it takes to turn an older property into a boutique hotel, and how details like finishes, cleanliness, and service standards can change the way guests experience a stay. If you care about downtown revitalization, local business, travel in Kings County, or simply want a better place to send friends and family, this one delivers practical insight and real local color.  Sam walks us through the upgrades guests will actually notice: modern room updates, LVT flooring for a cleaner feel, refreshed bathrooms, bigger TVs, micro refrigerators, and a breakfast program built around variety so travelers can start the day strong. We also dig into branding and what it means to elevate into the Choice Ascend Collection, along with the behind-the-scenes reality of staffing in the hospitality industry and why he prioritizes quality over speed for housekeeping.  Because this is downtown, we also tackle the hard part. Sam shares the challenges of maintaining a safe and welcoming environment, what the property has done with lighting and security cameras, and why hotels play a bigger economic role than most people realize through taxes and spending at local restaurants, bars, and venues. We wrap with a quick Hanford-area high school sports report and ways to stay connected with the show. Subscribe, share the podcast, and leave a review so more people can find these Hanford stories. You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    18 min

  8. Apr 29 ·  Bonus

    Hanford City Council Recap 4/28/26

    Send me a text and give me feedback on this episode! Big city decisions often sound technical until you connect them to real life: where your kids play after school, how hot a summer walk feels on a treeless block, and whether a local airport can support emergency response and business travel. Mayor Mark Kairis shares a focused recap of Hanford City Council’s April 21 meeting, breaking down what was approved, what questions are still open, and what happens next. We start with parks and recreation and a potential ballot measure that could fund major improvements to parks and community facilities, including ideas like expanding Hidden Valley Park, completing Heroes Park, and exploring a new multi-generational community center. You’ll hear why the council chose professional polling as the next step, how that polling will clarify community priorities, and why it matters that the $33,250 cost is fully covered by the Trust for Public Land. We also outline the funding tools still under consideration, from general obligation bonds to tax measures, without pretending a final choice has been made. Then we shift to city beautification and climate resilience with the Urban Forest Master Plan and the designation of part of 10th Avenue as a major Hanford gateway. Finally, we dig into the most complex item: the Hanford Municipal Airport, the only general aviation airport in Kings County, and the decision to move forward with a new fueling island providing both aviation gasoline and jet fuel. We walk through the cost estimates, the two financial scenarios, and why restoring reliable fuel service matters for operations, safety, and long-term economic activity. Subscribe for more local government updates, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review with what topic you want us to unpack next. You can find the Hanford Insider at www.hanfordinsider.com and on social media at @hanfordinsider Thank you for supporting the show!

    5 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Rob Bentley
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hanford Insider
  • Show Website
    Hanford Insider