Valley briefs: Police to patrol near schools on Monday

Patrol officers will be out in force around campuses Monday on the first day of classes for Clovis Unified School District.

Clovis police and school district officers will be writing citations for speeding and seat-belt, child safety seat and stop sign violations, Clovis police said. Citations also will be given for double parking, impeding traffic, stopping in bus and red zones, and dropping off students on streets rather than sidewalks.

Students on bicycles not wearing helmets also will be cited.

Fresno State lands $41 million in grants

Fresno State was awarded more than $41 million in grants during the 2011-12 fiscal year — the greatest amount in nine years and second-greatest ever at Fresno State. The $41 million, spread between 246 grants, is a 7% increase over grants received in 2010-11 and 13% above 2009-10.

Most of the grants are for faculty research, student services and professional training. Among the largest is a five-year, $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support outreach to 1,300 nontraditional adults each year in obtaining their high school diploma or GED.