Local News

Father and Daughter Drown in San Joaquin River

MENDOTA - On June 2, 2018, just before 5:30 pm, Fresno County Sheriff’s dispatchers received an emergency call saying a man and a young girl had been swept away in the San Joaquin River. Deputies and our EAGLE One helicopter responded to the area where they were last seen, which was at the intersection of San Mateo Rd. and the river in Mendota.

Deputies arrived and found several people in the water searching for the man and child. They learned that a Fresno family was there to go swimming and fishing. As the adults were setting up items on the shore, four children ran out to a sandbar in the shallow water. As they were playing, the current of the river took the kids downstream.

Congressman Calls on House Oversight Committee to Investigate Treatment of Immigrant Children in Federal Custody

LOS ANGLES - Earlier today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) held a press conference in his district to address concerns regarding numerous reports that the Trump administration had lost track of 1,475 unaccompanied minors last year.

During the event, an array of immigration topics were discussed, including the shameful practice of using family separation policies as a deterrence, unsanitary conditions at immigrant detention centers, and the surge of anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies targeting communities across the country. Local and national immigrant and children’s rights groups joined the congressman on stage as he called on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to investigate the treatment of immigrant children in federal custody.

Chowchilla Becoming the Second Fastest Growing Municipality in the Central San Joaquin Valley

CHOWCHILLA - Chowchilla is enjoying strong housing growth, expanding at a rate of 8.57% per year. According to the Business Journal, it has become the 2^nd fastest growing municipality behind Clovis, up from 11^th last year. This expansion in new home construction can be seen throughout the City. To the east, the neighborhoods of Greenhills and Pheasant Run are anticipated to be completely built-out within the year.

To the west, new houses are going up, with more developments nearing complete entitlement. Even the older parts of the City are growing as empty lots see new homes constructed, owing in large part to the City’s Infill Program. This infill growth has also had the collateral effect of existing homes being fixed up or rebuilt as values go up.

Bat found in Madera County tested Positive for Rabies

MADERA – This month, a bat found in Oakhurst tested positive for the rabies virus, marking the second confirmed animal rabies diagnosis this year in Madera County. Sara Bosse, Madera County Department of Public Health Director says, “The rabies virus is a fairly rare and often fatal disease affecting the brain. Mammals, including humans, are susceptible.” .

The rabies virus is typically detected in skunks and bats, less often in animals like coyotes, foxes and raccoons, with domestic animals being infrequently diagnosed. The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of a rapid animal that bites another animal or human, or when contagious saliva infects a break in the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose). If you are bitten by a wild animal, promptly wash the wound with soap and water. Immediately consult with your health care provider or Madera County Department of Public Health to determine if the wound requires further attention and whether preventive rabies treatment is required.

DEADLINE COMING: Don't Forget To Return Your Ballots By Tuesday

MADERA – Election Day came sooner this year thanks to the California Voters Choice Act but only a small fraction of the voters have taken advantage. On May 8^th the county mailed out ballots to every registered voter with instructions for the new voting process but as of one week before the traditional Election Day on June 5^th, only 14% of Madera County’s 55,631 voters have returned their mailed out ballots.

Unlike in years past when voters were assigned neighborhood precincts where they would cast their votes, last month every registered voter in Madera County was mailed a ballot that voters can mail back, drop off or vote at several locations through-out the county on accessible devices. The Madera County Elections Department is concerned and wants to remind voters that the deadline for returning ballots is Tuesday, June 5^th before 8pm.