News

MADERA – Firefighters on eight fire trucks from Madera County’s Cal-Fire responded Thursday evening to the former Madera Athletic Club building as flames ripped through the roof of the sixty-year-old, block long-abandoned structure located at Orchard and Sunset Avenues.

Fire Battalion Chief Christian Trindade said he is unsure what caused the fire said he believes the fire's point of origin was the lobby of the gym which spread north and south down the hallways to engulf most of the roof of the structure.

FRESNO  -  Oscar Reyes, 31, of Mendota, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to three years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Reyes was a member of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal street gang that engages in racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking. Reyes pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute controlled substances on behalf of the MS-13 gang, the proceeds of which were the lifeblood of an extremely violent gang.

SACRAMENTO  -  U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced today that Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Khasigian will serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Eastern District of California in connection with the Justice Department’s nationwide Election Day Program for the Nov. 3 general election. The DEO is responsible for overseeing the District’s handling of complaints of election fraud and voting rights abuses in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington.

In addition, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hemesath will serve as the National Security Cyber Specialist (NSCS) and is tasked with preparing for and responding to digital election threats.

SACRAMENTO – Washington, Oregon, and Nevada have joined California’s COVID-19 Scientific Safety Review Workgroup, which will independently review the safety and efficacy of any vaccine approved by the FDA for distribution. Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the panel made up of nationally acclaimed scientists with expertise in immunization and public health.

“California has led with science and data through the COVID pandemic and when a vaccine becomes available, we will leverage our scientific expertise to verify its safety to give everyone the confidence they need to make important decisions regarding the health of their families,” said Governor Newsom. “This virus transcends our borders and we are grateful to partner with our neighboring states through our Scientific Safety Review Workgroup for a healthy and safe path forward for all our communities.”

MADERA - Detectives with the Madera Police Department arrested Michael Regalado Jr (18) for the murder of Alejandro Gonzalez (19). Police are investigating the homicide of a teenager in Central Madera. Officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of West 4th Street around 9:30 PM Wednesday, September 16th regarding a man who had been shot.

The 19-year-old victim was transported to Madera Community Hospital where he died from his wounds. Michael is a known, violent gang member who was, at the time of the shooting, out on bail for illegal firearms possession. He is currently in the Madera County Department of Corrections.

SACRAMENTO – Monday afternoon California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and California Secretary of State Alex Padilla sent a cease and desist order to the California Republican Party to stop operating unofficial ballot drop boxes. This follows reports of unofficial drop boxes being operated by Republican campaigns in Fresno, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

"There is nothing more precious or fundamental in a real democracy than the vote," said Attorney General Becerra. "Anyone who tampers with the vote is tampering with free and fair elections. We will do all that's necessary under law to protect Californians' right to vote."