News

December is National Impaird Driver Prevention Month

FRESNO - The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office is asking the residents of Fresno County to take a stand against Impaired Driving during National Impaired Driving Prevention month. Every day, millions of people use America’s roadways to drive to and from work, school, and social events. Every day, millions of Americans depend on these roadways being safe so they may arrive at their destination. Every day, lives are needlessly lost and irreparably altered by crashes involving drugs or alcohol.

Tragically, in 2017, more than 10,000 people died in alcohol-related crashes in the United States, accounting for 29 percent of all traffic fatalities. In Fresno County, 4,294 felony and misdemeanor DUI cases involving alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both were filed by the District Attorney’s Office last year.

Madera & Fresno Residents Indicted for Drug Trafficking Conspiracy; 134 Pounds of Meth Seized

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment today against Diblaim Alan Valdez-Araux, 31, of Madera, and Fresno residents Erick Lizarraga, 28; Perla Ramos, 29; Brittany Martinez, 26; David Martinez, 66; Rosemarie Martinez, 64; Jesus Bueno, 27; Noyra Gonzalez, 41; and Maricela Castellanos, 54, charging them with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

According to court documents, the defendants were involved in trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine in the Fresno – Madera area, as well as sending methamphetamine to Denver, Colorado. Lizarraga allegedly arranged two shipments to Denver that were seized by law enforcement. On October 13, 2018, David and Rosemarie Martinez had 30 pounds of methamphetamine with them that they were taking to Denver via Amtrak.

North Highlands Man Convicted of Possessing Child Pornography

SACRAMENTO - After a two–day trial, a federal jury found William Lamar Blessett, 39, of North Highlands, guilty Wednesday of one count of possession of child pornography, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to evidence presented at trial, between mid-2016 and October 2017, Blessett possessed multiple electronic images of child pornography in a Dropbox cloud storage account and on devices including a laptop computer, two smartphones, and two tablet computers.

Blessett knew these images showed minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Blessett accessed the pornographic images on the internet using links he obtained on the Kik instant messaging application. Blessett viewed the images and downloaded them to a Dropbox account that he owned and operated. Blessett then used the account to organize and view the images and transfer them to his electronic devices.

Inmate That Escaped from California Men’s Colony Apprehended

SAN LUIS OBISPO — California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) agents apprehended an inmate who escaped from California Men’s Colony (CMC) on Oct. 30 was apprehended today in the Los Angeles area.

Inmate David Gray Hall, was located in a park in the southwest area of Los Angeles, and was placed into custody without incident at 10:55 a.m. by CDCR’s Special Service Unit Rancho Cucamonga special agents. The vehicle he stole from CMC’s garage was also found nearby. He is being transported to California Institution for Men and his case will be referred to the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of escape charges.

Three High School Students Locked Up Following Attack & Murder of Madera Homeless Man

MADERA - The Madera County Sheriff’s Department is seeking the public’s help in locating the next of kin of a homeless man killed on the streets of Madera at the hands of three high school students in a robbery gone tragically wrong.

On the evening of October 28^th three juveniles attacked Antonio Hernandez (40) on South C Street in Madera in order to rob him. During the attack Hernandez was body slammed by one of the juveniles’ causing the man to strike his head on the concrete suffering blunt force trauma to his brain. Five days later the victim succame to his injuries and died at a local hospital.

Madera South Student in Critical Condition Following Being Struck by Van Waiting for School Bus

MADERA – A Madera South student is in a local hospital in critical condition following being hit by a van while waiting for a school bus earlier Monday morning. The incident took place near Avenue 10 and Road 25 in rural Madera County three miles from the Madera City Limits.

The van was possibly traveling at a high rate of speeds south on Road 25 at about 6:30 a.m. Monday morning when the vehicle reportedly hit a large area of water that extended into the middle of the road and hydroplaned according to Madera CHP Officer Gregorio Rodriguez.

McClatchy Promotes Tim Ritchey to Publisher of Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and SLO Tribune

SACRAMENTO - McClatchy (NYSE American: MNI) announced today the promotion of Tim Ritchey to Publisher of three of McClatchy's California media companies, The Fresno Bee, Merced Sun-Star and The Tribune in San Luis Obispo. He will also continue to oversee The Modesto Bee for the near future. This promotion is in addition to Ritchey's current role as Vice President of Advertising Operations for McClatchy's West region. In his new publishing role, Ritchey succeeds Ken Riddick who is stepping down at the end of the year after two decades at McClatchy.

"We are grateful to Ken for his strong leadership and vision," said Gary Wortel, McClatchy's Publisher, West Region. "From his start as photo editor at The Fresno Bee in 1995, Ken's professional trajectory at McClatchy has been inspiring -- he has led our Central Valley media companies through a time of disruption and digital transition and has consistently delivered digital growth. And on a personal level, his humility, sense of humor and passion for our mission will be missed by everyone who has had the privilege of working with him."