News

Central Unified School District Board of Trustees Announces a New Superintendent

FRESNO - Cesar Granda, the President of the Central Unified School District Board of Trustees, announced the appointment of Andrew G. Alvarado as the district’s new superintendent effective July 1, 2018. The Central Unified Board of Trustees enlisted Jack Kelejian, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, to advertise and conduct a statewide search for the new superintendent. The Board interviewed several candidates and determined Mr. Alvarado would fit the needs of the students and community of Central Unified.

Mr. Alvarado has been the superintendent of the Golden Valley Unified School District in Madera County for the past seven years and prior to that, served as assistant superintendent, high school principal and high school vice principal prior to his promotion to the District Office. During Mr. Alvarado’s tenure as assistant superintendent, he guided the District in the area of Educational Services, specifically, curriculum, instruction and assessment, all while focusing on teaching, learning and student achievement. As a result of Mr. Alvarado’s educational leadership, the District has experienced tremendous gains in all of these areas through his direct involvement with staff and students.

Chowchilla Homicide Suspect in Custody Thanks to Madera PD

CHOWCHILLA - On Monday June 25, 2018 at approximately 11:15pm, officers of the Chowchilla Police Department responded to a stabbing in the 1100 block of Humboldt Ave. Upon arrival officers contacted the victim who was identified as, 39 year old, Chowchilla Resident, Leeshawn Sykes.

It was discovered that Sykes had a stab wound, to his lower right chest area. Officers immediately began providing first aid and Sykes was transported to the closest area Trauma Center in Fresno, CA. by paramedics. At approximately 1:30 am, the Chowchilla Police Department was advised by medical staff, that Leeshawn Sykes had succumbed to his injury.

Merced Man Arrested After Advertising Illegal Fireworks on Craigslist

MERCED - On Wednesday the Merced Police Department’s Disruptive Area Response Team (DART) officers responded to a Craigslist advertisement selling illegal fireworks. DART officers met with Christopher Hamby in a hardware store parking lot in the city of Merced.

Officers arrested Christopher Hamby (22) of Turlock, Ca. Hamby was arrested for selling illegal fireworks, possession of illegal fireworks and advertisement of illegal fireworks. Hamby was booked and released at the Merced County Jail.

California Consumer Privacy Act Qualifies For November Ballot

SACRAMENTO - According to numbers certified by county registrars, the California Consumer Privacy Act has qualified for the November 2018 ballot. Simultaneously, a bill supported by Californians for Consumer Privacy with similar privacy protections is advancing through the California Legislature.

"We are thrilled that the California Consumer Privacy Act has qualified for the November ballot, and grateful to California voters for showing their support for fundamental privacy rights for consumers," said Alastair Mactaggart, Chief Proponent of the California Consumer Privacy Act and Chairman of Californians for Consumer Privacy. "California now has two opportunities to empower consumers to take back control of our personal information: one sits before the California Legislature, and the other can now appear on the ballot. We look forward to either the Legislature's successful passage of AB 375 this week or continuing our initiative campaign through November. We're heartened by the momentum behind these endeavors, and the protections that both efforts seek to provide for consumers and our children."

Law Enforcement Agencies Collaborate to Take Down Major Methamphetamine Suppliers - Seven Federal Defendants Indicted

FRESNO - An eight-month operation by the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has netted numerous arrests and seizures. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott, Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims, Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Chris Nielsen, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Sean Ragan.

In November 2017, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol made a traffic stop in the area of Fresno Street and Ashlan Avenue. The driver, 55-year-old David Stuard of Fresno, was arrested and booked into the Fresno County Jail after the deputy searched his vehicle and found approximately one pound of methamphetamine, along with heroin and prescription pills.

Woman Wanted for Deadly California Crime Spree is Found Hiding in Attic

RICHMOND, VA - In the early morning hours of June 11th, the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Richmond arrested a woman who is wanted for murder and numerous robberies in Sonoma County, California. Amber Hembree, nicknamed ‘Skittles’, was one of five alledged Crips gang members who robbed then shot and killed their victim in Santa Rosa, California. Hembree then fled the state of California to avoid arrest.

After an extensive investigation by the Sonoma County Police Department along with the Pacific Southwest Regional Fugitive Task Force, the agencies developed information that Hembree was likely hiding out back in Virginia. A request was sent to the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force in Richmond requesting help in locating Hembree.

Superseding Indictment Brought Against Bakersfield Man Who Allegedly Conspired with Police Officers to Sell Methamphetamine and Marijuana

BAKERSFIELD - On Thursday, a superseding indictment was brought against Noel Carter, 45, of Bakersfield, adding charges of bank fraud and making a false statement on a loan application, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. On September 14, 2017, Carter was charged in an indictment for conspiring with Bakersfield Police Department officers Damacio Diaz and Patrick Mara to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana that Diaz and Mara seized in the course of their duties as police officers.

The superseding indictment re-alleges that from April 2012 to August 2015, Carter conspired with Diaz and Mara who deliberately failed to submit the seized drugs into the BPD evidence room, and instead provided the stolen narcotics to Carter so Carter could sell those narcotics for profit. The indictment also alleges that Mara took marijuana and provided it to Carter to process so it was suitable for sale. Finally, the indictment alleges that Carter conspired with Mara to unlawfully manufacture, process, and sell marijuana for profit.