Former Lemoore Councilmember Holly Blair released from jail on June 25 as she awaits trial in Kings County Superior Court

Blair was initially arrested and jailed following an incident on June 5, 2019, when local law enforcement officials charged her with suspicion of evading a peace officer, assault with a deadly weapon, reckless driving, child endangerment, and resisting arrest.

The charges came after Blair interrupted an afternoon event in the Lemoore Police Department’s rear parking lot at about 2:14 p.m. She drove her 2008 Honda Pilot into the read parking lot at a high rate of speed, drove the vehicle to the end of the lot, made a turn within the parking lot, and then accelerated at a high rate of speed to leave the lot.

Lemoore officers shouted at other police officers to get their attention because they were in the path of the speeding vehicle. Blair left the lot, which led to a high-speed pursuit by Lemoore officers that quickly ended at Cinnamon Avenue and Lemoore Avenue. She was arrested and had to be forcibly removed from her vehicle.

 Blair was released on what is referred to as pre-trial services, say Kings County officials.

“Yes, Ms. Blair was released by the court on June 25. She was released on what is called pre-trial services,” said Kings County Assistant District Attorney Phil Esbenshade, who has been involved with Blair’s case since the beginning.

“Essentially, she is on a GPS monitor, which is like a tracking device on her ankle, and she has been released with very specific terms and conditions. She needs to report to probation and waive any confidentiality regarding medical or psychological information.”

He added that Kings County probation officers would visit her and check on her, and she must also appear for all future court dates.

“There is also an order than she not annoy or harass the administration of the city of Lemoore nor employees of the Lemoore Police Department, and (she must have) only have peaceable contact with those agencies.“

“Her case is still pending. Nothing has been resolved or dismissed, anything like that. We are back on August 25, 2021, for an update,” said Esbenshade.

The August 25 update includes a pretrial conference and preliminary hearing.

Blair had been a controversial figure in Lemoore since her election to the Lemoore City Council in 2016. She repeatedly clashed with city officials, fellow council members, the Lemoore Police Department, and public members.

During her tenure, the Kings County Grand Jury issued a report criticizing the Lemoore City Council mayor and city attorney for their inability to control Blair’s conduct during council meetings.

In August 2018, her fellow councilmembers formally censured her for conduct unbecoming a council member. The censure also mandated that she was not allowed to represent Lemoore on boards and commissions. The censure was lifted in April 2019, the result of a court-approved deal.

Blair also had a history with law enforcement officials. In October 2017, a California Highway Patrol accident investigation at 19th Avenue and Bush Street in Lemoore determined that Blair caused an accident when she ran a red light, striking another vehicle in the intersection. The CHP official, in his report, said Blair initially placed the blame for the accident on the driver of the other car, which was not accurate.

Blair was also the subject of a failed recall effort.

The Lemoore City Council removed the controversial Blair during a July 16, 2019, council meeting after she missed five consecutive meetings.

While out on bail, Blair was again booked into the Kings County Jail on July 6, 2019, for various charges that included suspicion of spousal battery and felony criminal charges. Blair’s husband told officers that his wife had threatened to kill him, and when he attempted to walk away and use his phone, Blair punched the victim once in the back of the head.