News

Madera Unified Refuses to Call for New Election in Area 5 Trustee Race, Resulting in County Registrar Certifying Election Based on 1890 Legal Precedent: Lucy Salazar to be Sworn In Tuesday

MADERA – Tuesday evening the Madera Unified School District will finally swear in a newly elected trustee for Area 5 which has been empty since July of last year. Friday afternoon in a press release issued by the Madera County Elections Department, Madera County Registrar Rebecca Martinez has certified the November 6^th election between Lucy Salazar and Steve Duncan that has been held up for nearly three months over “tainted” ballots.

As reported on Big Valley News in November, just prior to Election Day Madera County discovered that a mistake was made by the county’s contracted ballot printer (ProVote Solutions of Porterville), which resulted in just over 400 voters in the Madera area receiving a vote-by-mail ballot that included an additional local contest for which they were not entitled to vote.

11 Arrested During Fresno DUI Saturation Patrol

FRESNO - The Fresno Police Department arrested 11 on suspicion of DUI while conducting a DUI Saturation Patrol on January 26, 2019. In addition, the Fresno Police Department made 119 vehicle enforcement stops and cited 17 drivers for operating a vehicle without a license or on a suspended/revoked license.

In 2017, the Fresno Police Department investigated 360 DUI collisions that killed 15 people and injured 121 others. Drivers caught driving impaired and charged with DUI can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to be approximately $13,500. This includes fines, fees, DUI classes, license suspension and other expenses not to mention possible jail time.

Fresno Police Arrest Convicted Felon & Gang Member in Possession of Firearm

FRESNO - Tuesday evening officers from the Fresno Police Departments Southwest Division were dispatched to 404 W Franklin in regards to a disturbance with subjects in an RV who were refusing to leave. Upon arrival, Officers noticed that the RV had registration that expired in 2003. Roberto Silguero (37) was contacted in the RV.

A search for weapons and contraband was conducted with consent and Officers located several new and used syringes on his person and a plastic container containing hashish. An inventory search of the RV revealed a magazine loaded with six .380 rounds of ammunition, a bag containing eighteen 12 gauge shotgun rounds, a 12 gauge bolt action shot gun with a wooden pistol grip and one 12 gauge shotgun round in the chamber.

Sheriff Detectives Seeking Suspect ID for Multiple Commercial Burglaries in Eastern Madera County

OAKHURST - The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s help in gathering information related to a string of commercial burglaries that occurred in Eastern Madera County in the late evening hours of January 20, and the early morning of January 21. On 1/20, shortly after 11:00pm, Madera County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to Grocery Outlet in Oakhurst for an alarm call.

Upon arrival at the scene, they found evidence of a break-in. While on scene, an alarm call was received from Napa Auto Parts in Coarsegold, followed by a call from Meadowridge Chevron, and shortly thereafter, Skywalk in Rolling Hills/Business 41 area. Each business showed obvious signs of a break-in, and reported missing items, primarily cash.

Minimum-Security Inmate Walks Away from Pleasant Valley State Prison

COALINGA - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials and the Coalinga Police Department are looking for a minimum-security inmate who walked away from the minimum-support facility at Pleasant Valley State Prison.

Inmate Hector Fernandez was discovered missing at 12 a.m. after an inmate count was conducted. On-duty staff immediately began searching the surrounding areas. Notification was made to local law enforcement agencies and CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety.

Deputies Rely on Chainsaws to Rescue Couple During Fierce Winter Storm

Shaver Lake - Around 7:30 pm on Wednesday, a Fresno County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the mountains was dispatched to help a husband and wife whose vehicle was unable to drive any further due to a fallen tree that was blocking the roadway. The couple had a cell phone, but it did not have an active subscription. However, it was still able to successfully dial 911.

The deputy drove to Shaver Lake to try and find the couple, but do to directions, had difficulty trying to locate them. During this time there was heavy rain and strong wind in the area. Around 10:30 pm, a total of four deputies were now assigned to the call and they received better information that the couple was stranded on Old Railroad Grade Road, so they headed that way.

Madera County Sheriff's Department Reorganized & Promotions with Undersheriff Position Added Back

MADERA - The Madera County Sheriff’s Office hosted a swearing-in, promotional, and special awards ceremony to recognize recent new hires and promotions within the department. Family, friends, media and elected officials such as the newly sworn in Madera County District Attorney Sally Moreno were in attendance.

The position of Undersheriff was added back into the command structure after a four year absence. The position once held by Michael Salvador was eliminated shortly after the 2014 election, as the department went to a Sheriff/Commander/Lieutenant hierarchy. The position is now back with former Commander now Undersheriff Tyson Pogue being elevated to the new number two position in the department.