News

Fresno Man Sentenced to over 10 Years in Prison After Pulling Out a Gun on Police

FRESNO - Bert Harris, 38, of Fresno, was sentenced on Monday by U.S. District Judge Dale A. Drozd to 10 years and three months in prison for using or carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, on Dec. 6, 2017, law enforcement officers saw Harris conducting what appeared to be hand-to-hand drug deals outside an apartment complex in Fresno. When the officers tried to arrest Harris, he fled on a bicycle. Officers chased Harris as he rode away, and eventually Harris turned into a parking lot outside an apartment complex and jumped off his bike.

Tulare County Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking Charge and Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun

FRESNO - Francisco Fernandez, 26, of Earlimart, pleaded guilty Monday to possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of an unregistered firearm, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, a search warrant was executed at Fernandez’s residence in April 2019. During the search, federal agents found and seized scales, drug paraphernalia, and cocaine.

Fernandez admitted to possessing the cocaine for sale to others. Apart from the narcotics, federal agents also found “auto-sear” devices that are used to convert semi-automatic firearms to fire as fully automatic machineguns. In a subsequent search of Fernandez’s storage unit, agents located and seized several firearms, which included a Glock handgun that Fernandez had converted into a machinegun.

Attendance Down, Sales Up: Final Numbers In On the Madera Fair

MADERA - The 2019 Madera District Fair completed it’s run on Sunday, September 8th with another successful year! While attendance numbers were down about 10% over 2018’s record numbers with just over 54,000 people visiting over four days.

Visitors the Fair spent more time and money at the Fair than ever before with nearly a half-million dollars being spent on food alone. Favorites included the normal cinnamon rolls, BBQ, beer and tacos with new treats such as deep-fried Oreos, rainbow grilled cheese and loco churros filling bellies around the Fair!

California Catholic Dioceses Announce New Compensation Program for Child Abuse Victims

LOS ANGELES - Starting today, individuals who were abused as minors by diocesan priests in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and the Dioceses of Fresno, Orange, Sacramento, San Bernardino and San Diego (the "Participating Dioceses"), may begin the process for filing claims with the California Independent Compensation Program (ICP).

Individuals who have previously notified the Dioceses of allegations of abuse will be sent ICP Claim packets; individuals who have not previously notified the Dioceses of allegations of abuse will be able to register with the program for an initial eligibility review. Eligible victims may file claims, regardless of when the abuse might have occurred.

Fresno Bee Launches an Ambitious Editorial Initiative Focused on Education Issues

FRESNO - The Fresno Bee announces the launch of the Education Lab, an ambitious editorial initiative focusing on education issues critical to the advancement of residents in Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley.

Four journalists will join The Bee to cover the topic of education in Fresno and the San Joaquin Valley. They will employ solutions-oriented reporting and will convene community conversations in an effort to elevate diverse voices and find a sustainable path toward greater educational outcomes. The Education Lab is funded by nonprofit organizations and private donors at the local and state level.

Sheriff's Deputies Rescue 8 Year-old Boy in Kings River Near Parlier

PARLIER - An eight-year-old boy is listed in critical condition at Valley Children’s Hospital after nearly drowning in a portion of the Kings River in Parlier. Around 4:30 pm on September 15th, Fresno County Sheriff dispatchers took a 911 call for a report of a child drowning in the Kings River.

Patrol deputies, members of the Boating Unit and Air Support were dispatched to the call near the intersection of E. Lincoln and S. Lac Jac Avenues. It was the EAGLE One helicopter crew who was first to arrive in the area. They spotted family members on a small island in the middle of the river and landed there. The deputy working as a Tactical Flight Officer (TFO) got out, ran over to the boy and carried him back to the helicopter.

Councilman Santos Garcia Found in Violation of Government Code and Fined by the State

MADERA – As we reported multiple times earlier in the year, despite receiving several late notices from Madera County Clerk Rebecca Martinez, Madera City Councilman Santos Garcia failed to file his California Form 460 (Campaign disclosures) for the period of October 21, 2018, to December 31, 2018, when it was due on January 31, 2019. In fact, the councilman was six months late in filing his disclosures which tell voters where the money, in this case nearly $18,000, for his campaign came from.

Madera County Elections Division Manager Stephanie Sibley indicated a $100 fine was in the process of being generated if the candidate does not file his disclosures. According to Madera County Clerk Martinez, since the candidate eventually did file and this was his first offense, she waved the fine this time as she has in the past for other first time candidates. However, the state of California wasn’t so forgiving.