News

MADERA -  At a special emergency meeting of the Madera Unified School District Friday evening, Superintendent Todd Lile called these times unprecedented as he announced the Board of Trustees voted to follow the paths taken at Fresno Unified and Central Unified School Districts and close down all the Madera schools until April 14^th.

Lile said in a written statement following a closed session meeting, “After careful deliberation with health agencies, neighboring school districts, local officials, and an emergency board meeting, effective immediately, Madera Unified will close all schools and programs and plan to reopen Tuesday, April 14, 2020. The closure is a measure to help limit the spread of the new coronavirus or COVID-19. We do not have any presumptive or confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in our schools, but we are taking this step to help protect public health. We believe this is a short term sacrifice for long-term gain.”

FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Jason Allen Celes, 37, of Modesto, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and being a felon in possession of a firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, Celes was arrested in Modesto in possession of methamphetamine packaged for sale and a loaded firearm with an “auto-sear” device attached to it. Auto-sear devices are used to convert semi-automatic firearms to fire as fully automatic machine guns. Celes is a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

FRESNO -  Darien Hatcher, 29, of Fresno, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 20 years and six months in prison for two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

On Oct. 22, 2015, Hatcher was arrested in Fresno for possession of a loaded Ruger 9 mm pistol that was not registered in his name and had been reported stolen. Hatcher was a previously convicted felon and prohibited from possessing a firearm. On July 18, 2016, Hatcher pleaded guilty to the charge.

FRESNO  -  Denis Barrera-Palma, 25, of Mendota, pleaded guilty today to assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

Barrera-Palma was the leader in Mendota of La Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), a violent criminal street gang that engages in racketeering activity, including murder, kidnapping, extortion, and drug trafficking.

FRESNO – California State University, Fresno President Joseph Castro announced Monday that all “in-person” classes would be temporarily suspended effective Monday, March 16 to transition to a virtual instruction next week. This will also affect the school's Visalia campus.

According to Castro this decision was made with an abundance of caution and care for the campus community and after deliberation with the CSU Chancellor’s Office, the Academic Senate, the Joint Labor Council, local K-12, and community college leaders and local public health officials, while keeping student success in mind.

MADERA – In order to keep patients, families and healthcare providers as safe as possible from the spread of respiratory viruses – including COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) – additional screening precautions, visitor restrictions, and program changes are in effect at all Valley Children’s Healthcare locations – including Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, and our specialty care, primary care and urgent care practices throughout Central California. It is important to note that as of today, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in any of the 12 counties we serve.

“In all we do at Valley Children’s, the safety of our kids – and the safety of our staff who care for them – are our top priorities,” says Valley Children’s President and CEO Todd Suntrapak. “We are committed to creating the safest environment possible for children to receive care and keeping our own staff safe is essential to ensure that we can continue to provide the care needed by so many Valley families.”