News

Madera Unified wins a $1.7 Million Grant for the California Learning Communities for School Success Program

MADERA - Madera Unified School District won a $1.7 Million grant for the California Learning Communities for School Success Program (LCSSP). The grant will be used throughout the next three years, 2017-2020, to help improve student outcomes. The California Learning Communities for School Success Program (LCSSP) provides funds to local education agencies to support programs aimed at improving student outcomes by reducing truancy and supporting students who are at risk of dropping out of school or are victims of crime.

The LCSSP program was developed after California voters passed Proposition 47 in November 2014 and Assembly Bill 1014 and Senate Bill 527 in 2017. Madera Unified will use the funding from the grant to implement a district-wide Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework that will focus on the expansion and integration of the Restorative Justice (RJ) Program with the district’s existing Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) Program.

Truck Driver Dies in Fiery Explosion on Hwy 99

ATWATER - One man is dead following a fiery explosion on Freeway 99 in Atwater. The unidentified truck driver lost control of his tanker-truck which contained over 9000 gallons of gasoline as he exited the freeway.

The Applegate exit on the south-bound side of Freeway 99 is a sharp 45 degree right-hand turn, which the driver failed to negotiate. The truck turned over onto it's side emptying the 9000 gallons of fuel on to the roadway threatening several restaurants and an AMPM Gas Station as it ignited.

Motel 6 Murder Strikes Again Killing Three More: In Custody

FRESNO - The man who allegedly killed a security guard at a Motel 6 on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno last week has struck again, this time killing three more before police take him into custody.

Kori Ali Muhammad (39), also know in the area as "Black Jesus", was taken into custody after shooting and killing three people Tuesday. According to Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer the shooting were random.

Chowchilla Man Convicted on 10 Counts of Rape, Incest and Aggravated Sexual Assault

MADERA – Madera County District Attorney, David A. Linn, announced that yesterday, Mark Garner, of Chowchilla, was found guilty on all counts, following a four week trial in Department 21 of the Madera Superior Court, before Judge, Joseph Soldani.

Garner was found guilty of one count of rape, and one count of incest, which occurred between October 2003 and 2004. Mr. Garner was also found guilty of eight counts of aggravated sexual assault upon a child under the age of fourteen, occurring between November 1995 and November 1997.

Madera Unified Superintendent FIRED In Unanimous Vote

MADERA - As reported by Big Valley News last week, the Madera Unified School District Board of Trustees has fired Superintendent Ed Gonzales without cause. At their closed session meeting last night the board decided to terminate their contract with the superintendent with a unanimous vote.

It was standing room only for supports of the embattled superintendent with many forced to watched the evenings proceedings from a make-shift "Drive-in" theater in the parking lot. Supporters wore hand-written signs on their chests calling Gonzales "Super Ed".

Ed Gonzales FIRED at Next Meeting: Buy Out Could Cost MUSD $350K

MADERA - Last Friday Madera Unified School District Superintendent Ed Gonzales was given the word that at the February 15th meeting the board of trustee's would vote to terminate his contract WITHOUT cause. This afternoon the superintendent met with the district staff in the board room and made the announcement that he was about to be fired.

We have no confirmed information as to why this is happening at this time. However we have heard a very credible rumor of a riff between MUSD Visual and Performing Arts Director Marcheta Williams and MUSD Assistant Superintendent Victor Villar.

International Agri-Center Prepares For 50th Anniversary of World Ag Expo

TULARE - The largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind, World Ag Expo boasts more than 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. A record-setting 106,349 people came from 47 states and 79 countries to attend 2016 World Ag Expo.

The World Ag Expo Arena will once again offer daily Equipment Showcases, where exhibitors will perform live demonstrations of their latest products. Seminars will be offered in a variety of categories, including dairy, irrigation, international trade, business and farm management, marketing and media, and general agriculture. These seminars are presented by professionals in the industry and provide attendees with valuable information to improve their operations.