Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
MADERA - Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz announced that Richard Farias of Madera, was convicted today by a Superior Court jury on two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. 
MADERA - An off duty California Highway Patrol officer, driving with his wife in his car, was involved in a late night shooting Sunday in Madera. The shooting occurred in the area of Orchard and University Avenues in Madera's Westside.
The off-duty officer, who's name Madera Police would not release, saw what he believed may be a drunk driver. According to Madera Police Chief Steve Fraizer, the off-duty officer was in his private unmarked vehicle along with his wife when he decided to follow the "suspected" drunk driver's vehicle, after contacting California Highway Patrol dispatch.
SQUAW VALLEY - The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a reported missing person, possibly under suspicious circumstances.
Wednesday morning, shortly after 5:00am, deputies responded to a missing person call at a residence located on George Smith Road in Squaw Valley. Upon arrival, deputies contacted the owner of the home who reported that his 20 year old son, Spencer Scarber, was missing.
MADERA - Madera County District Attorney Michael R. Keitz announced that Richard Farias of Madera, was convicted today by a Superior Court jury on two counts of gross vehicular manslaughter. STORY CORRECTION - UPDATE
MADERA - The former football player behind the attendance scandal that rocked Madera High School last month avoids expulsion. Thursday evening, at a special emergency meeting, the Madera Unified Board of Trustees decided that "attendance fixing" was not an expellable offense and allowed MHS senior Anthony Martinez to stay in school.
Tuesday evening Madera Unified staff recommended to give Martinez a "Slap on the Wrist" by expelling the student from school but to suspend that expulsion. In other words Martinez would have an expulsion on his record but would still be allowed to attend Madera High School. Board president Ricardo Arredondo was the lone dissenter to give Martinez a complete pass on his offenses on a five to one vote.
SAN ANDREAS, CA. - Former assembly candidate Rico Oller sent out a press release after the election that was neither congratulatory towards Assemblyman-Elect Frank Bigelow nor in the spirit of cooperation towards working for the betterment of our state.
While we initially decided not to run the release, we thought the voters of the 5th Assembly District might find it entertaining. I particularly found funny how Mr. Oller said, "I was looking forward to representing the foothills in the Assembly." Guess that means Madera wasn't going to get any support from Oller.
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MADERA - Madera Unified Superintendent Gustavo Balderas has been offered a position at Ocean View School District in Huntington Beach, California. In three closed season meetings last month the board of trustees of OVSD discussed the open position for superintendent of their district. In the October 27th meeting an offer was made to Balderas which he is expected to accept at their next regular board meeting on November 6, 2012.
The Madera Unified Board of Education hired Balderas as the district's current superintendent in April of 2011 and he assumed his duties effective July 1, 2011. Before coming to MUSD Balderas served as the assistant superintendent of support services in the Hillsboro School District in Hillsboro, Ore.
