Local News

World AIDS Day 2017: President Bill Clinton Honored by the National AIDS Memorial for Making a Difference in the Fight

SAN FRANCISCO - The National AIDS Memorial marked World AIDS Day honoring leaders in the HIV/AIDS community who have made a significant difference in the fight against AIDS. President Bill Clinton, who designated the memorial as the country's sole federally-designated National AIDS Memorial in 1996, delivered keynote remarks and spoke to the hope the future holds, while always remembering the precious lives lost to the epidemic.

As part of the ceremonies, the National AIDS Memorial dedicated a large boulder at the entrance of its Moonwalk staircase which leads to the historic grove in honor of the president, who has courageously brought the issue of HIV and AIDS to the forefront through his leadership and compassion. Inscribed on the boulder is a quote from the president which reads, "We must continue to work together as a nation to further our progress against this deadly epidemic, and while we do so, we must remember that every person who is living with HIV or AIDS is someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, parent or grandparent. They deserve our respect and they need our love."

Suspect Sought in Northwest Fresno Homicide

FRESNO - On Monday, October 2, 2017, at approximately 1p.m., officers were sent to a Northwest residence regarding multiple shooting victims. Officer’s arrived and made contact with three shooting victims later identified as father, Roberto Ramos 52 years, mother, Irma Ramos 52 years, and son, Jacob Ramos 20 years. The shooting victims were transported to CRMC where Roberto Ramos was pronounced deceased.

As previously mentioned, this was a violent attack on unsuspecting victims and displays a complete disregard for human life. Roberto Ramos was a dedicated family man and worked for a large restaurant chain. The Homicide Unit has identified Lavale Shawn Vean aka “Fudge” 1/23/97 as the suspect responsible for the shootings. The Homicide Unit is not releasing the motive for the shooting at this time.

Madera County Board of Supervisors Censures District Attorney for Workplace Abuse and Harassment

MADERA - The Madera County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution in a special meeting Monday to formally censure District Attorney David Linn for allegations of workplace misconduct. In addition, the Board authorized the release of the redacted report.

An investigation conducted by the law firm Liebert Cassidy Whitmore sustained allegations that District Attorney Linn engaged in a pattern of discriminatory, harassing and abusive conduct toward his department’s employees. In response, the Board of Supervisors took the only legislative action within their authority as a corrective measure toward an elected official.

Dream Act Advocacy Brings Bitwise CEO to Capitol Hill

FRESNO - Bitwise Industries, the mothership of technological education, collaboration and innovation in Fresno, California, is taking a stand in regard to the repeal of the Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Together with FWD.us, a bipartisan organization comprised of leaders from the tech community who are mobilizing in support of comprehensive immigration reform, Bitwise's co-CEO, Irma Olguin Jr. traveled to Washington, D.C., where she met with members of Congress to advocate for the passage of the Dream Act prior to the close of the year.

"At Bitwise, we've fostered a culture of acceptance and celebrate differences," said Irma Olguin Jr., co-CEO of Bitwise Industries. "Whether it's Dreamers that study with us at Geekwise Academy, work for us or are simply our neighbors here in the Central Valley, they are single-handedly changing the face of technology and many other industries. We owe it to them to find a solution. I'm proud to stand alongside them and business leaders from some of the most renowned technology companies the world has to offer, as we urge Washington to act and fight not only for reform, but their futures."

Stanislaus County Man Convicted of Child Exploitation

FRESNO - A federal jury in Fresno found Adam Alan Henry, 39, of Turlock, guilty of conspiring to sexually exploit a minor and receipt or distribution of child pornography, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents and evidence produced at trial, from May 2012 until September 19, 2013, Henry conspired with another person to create video and still images of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. From 2007 through September 2013, Henry used a file-sharing program to receive child pornography.

This case is the product of an investigation by the Ceres Police Department with assistance from Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David L. Gappa and Ross Pearson are prosecuting the case.