FRESNO -  Cesar Granda, the President of the Central Unified School District Board of Trustees, announced the appointment of  Andrew G. Alvarado as the district’s new superintendent effective July 1, 2018.  The Central Unified Board of Trustees enlisted Jack Kelejian, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, to advertise and conduct a statewide search for the new superintendent. The Board interviewed several candidates and determined Mr. Alvarado would fit the needs of the students and community of Central Unified.

Mr. Alvarado has been the superintendent of the Golden Valley Unified School District in Madera County for the past seven years and prior to that, served as assistant superintendent, high school principal and high school vice principal prior to his promotion to the District Office. During Mr. Alvarado’s tenure as assistant superintendent, he guided the District in the area of Educational Services, specifically, curriculum, instruction and assessment, all while focusing on teaching, learning and student achievement. As a result of Mr. Alvarado’s educational leadership, the District has experienced tremendous gains in all of these areas through his direct involvement with staff and students.   

MERCED - On Wednesday the Merced Police Department’s Disruptive Area Response Team (DART) officers responded to a Craigslist advertisement selling illegal fireworks. DART officers met with Christopher Hamby in a hardware store parking lot in the city of Merced.

Officers arrested Christopher Hamby (22) of Turlock, Ca. Hamby was arrested for selling illegal fireworks, possession of illegal fireworks and advertisement of illegal fireworks. Hamby was booked and released at the Merced County Jail.