Local News

McClatchy Promotes Tim Ritchey to Publisher of Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and SLO Tribune

SACRAMENTO - McClatchy (NYSE American: MNI) announced today the promotion of Tim Ritchey to Publisher of three of McClatchy's California media companies, The Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and The Tribune in San Luis Obispo. He will also continue to oversee The Modesto Bee for the near future. This promotion is in addition to Ritchey's current role as Vice President of Advertising Operations for McClatchy's West region. In his new publishing role, Ritchey succeeds Ken Riddick who is stepping down at the end of the year after two decades at McClatchy.

"We are grateful to Ken for his strong leadership and vision," said Gary Wortel, McClatchy's Publisher, West Region. "From his start as photo editor at The Fresno Bee in 1995, Ken's professional trajectory at McClatchy has been inspiring -- he has led our Central Valley media companies through a time of disruption and digital transition and has consistently delivered digital growth. And on a personal level, his humility, sense of humor and passion for our mission will be missed by everyone who has had the privilege of working with him."

Neighbors Pull Guns During Fresno Argument

FRESNO - Early Sunday morning officers with the Fresno Police Department’s Southeast Policing District were dispatched to the 3200 block of East McKenzie Ave regarding a disturbance between neighbors. The victim involved in this incident called police and advised Fresno Police Dispatch that he was confronted by two neighbors and they were both armed with handguns.

When officers arrived they contacted the victim and discovered the victim had gone to the neighbor’s house in an attempt to get a key that belonged to a mutual friend. During this contact an argument ensured and the two neighbors pulled out handguns. The suspects threatened to shoot the victim if he did not leave the property. The victim immediately left and called police to report it.

Tulare County Man Indicted for Theft of Social Security Income Benefit Funds

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Reynaldo Villalobos, 37, of Tulare, charging him with theft of public money and making false statements regarding right to Social Security benefits, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, Reynaldo Villalobos applied for Social Security Income benefits for his son in 2002.

In 2007, his son moved out of the country and has lived in Mexico ever since, making him ineligible for Social Security Income benefits. Nonetheless, Reynaldo Villalobos, as his son’s designated representative payee, never informed the Social Security Administration about the move and continued to fraudulently represent to that agency that his son was still living in the United States in order to continue to collect the Social Security Income benefits. Between August 2007 and September 2017, Reynaldo Villalobos collected at least $80,872 in Social Security Income to which he and his son were not entitled.

First Camp Fire Wrongful Death Case Against PGE

SACRAMENTO - Today, attorneys at Kershaw, Cook & Talley filed a complaint in Sacramento County Superior Court, in what is expected to be the first of many wrongful death lawsuits to be filed on behalf of victims of the Camp Fire that recently struck Paradise, California. At last count, the fire is suspected of causing more than 88 deaths and is one of the deadliest wildfires in United States history.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of family members whose father perished in the fire. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the Camp Fire was caused by the negligent conduct of Pacific Gas & Electric ("PG&E"). Specifically, it asserts that PG&E failed to sufficiently manage and maintain its power lines and that a downed power line sparked the deadly fire. The lawsuit also asserts that PG&E should have cut power to the Paradise area given the forecasts of extreme fire danger that were received days before the fire was ignited.

AFTER COURT: No Winner, No Loser, No Decisions on MUSD Area 5 Trustee Race - Just Extended Deadlines

MADERA COUNTY – The election which seems it will never end between Lucy Salazar and Steve Duncan for the Madera Unified School District Area 5 Trustee position will have to wait a few more months for a winner to be decided.

This morning Madera County Clerk Rebecca Martinez along with Attorney Michael Linden of the Madera County Counsel’s Office (Lozano Smith) went to court in order to extend the deadline for certification of the November 6^th election from December 6^th 2018 to June 6^th, 2019. The matter was heard before the Honorable Judge James Oakley in Department 45 of the Madera County Superior Court.