Local News

FDA Warns of Fraudulent and Unapproved Flu Products

SILVER SPRING, Md. - As part of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's ongoing efforts to protect consumers from health fraud, the agency is reminding consumers to be wary of unapproved products claiming to prevent, treat or cure influenza, or flu. This year's severe flu season raises new concerns about the potential for consumers to be lured into buying unproven flu treatments, and even worse, buying counterfeit antivirals online from websites that appear to be legitimate online pharmacies.

"This year the flu has been widespread, impacting millions of patients across the country, and leading to a new record number of flu-related hospitalizations," said FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. "We understand the toll this year's flu season has taken on peoples' lives. As the flu continues to make people sick — and even cause deaths — unscrupulous actors may also be taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers by promoting their fraudulent products that have not been reviewed by the FDA to be safe and effective.

Proactive Patrol Check Resulting in Felony Arrest

MADERA - Madera County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan King conducted a self-initiated patrol check on February 27th around noon in the 19000 block of Road 24 due to a recent burglary and thefts in the area. The deputy observed a pick up truck inside the gate of a vacant property for sale. He noticed several items in the bed of the truck, including sheets of metal and a large roll of chain link fencing.

A female subject emerged from underneath the pick up where she had been hiding. She identified herself to Deputy King as Maria Hernandez, a 39 year old female from Madera. She indicated to Deputy King that she was informed no one owned the property and therefore she could collect things on the property for recycling.

Tom Steyer's Need to Impeach Campaign Surpasses Five Million Supporters

SAN FRANCISCO - Tom Steyer's Need to Impeach campaign—launched four months ago—has reached more than five million supporters, kicking off phase two of the campaign that will focus on reaching new audiences across the political spectrum about the need to remove Donald Trump from office, while deepening its reach and engaging constituents in districts held by Congress members who have not voted for impeachment.

Now one of the biggest and most influential in the Democratic Party, strategists say the Need to Impeach list can be a powerful political tool and will be influential in the November election.

Pending Home Sales Stumble 4.7 Percent in January

WASHINGTON DC - After seeing a modest three-month rise in activity, pending home sales cooled considerably in January to their lowest level in over three years, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All major regions experienced monthly and annual declines in contract signings last month.

The Pending Home Sales Index, a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, fell 4.7 percent to 104.6 in January from a downwardly revised 109.8 in December 2017. After last month's retreat, the index is now 3.8 percent below a year ago and at its lowest level since October 2014 (104.1).

Fresno Weekend DUI Saturation Patrol Nets 12 DUI Arrests

FRESNO - The Police Department Traffic Unit of the Fresno Police Department conducted a DUI Saturation Patrol on February 24, 2018, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. High Visibility Enforcement efforts like this have a deterrent effect, lowering the incidents of impaired driving.

In recent years, California has seen a disturbing increase in drug-impaired driving crashes. Fresno PD supports the new effort from the Office of Traffic Safety that aims to educate all drivers that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.” If you take prescription drugs, particularly those with a driving or operating machinery warning on the label, you might be impaired enough to get a DUI. Marijuana can also be impairing, especially in combination with alcohol or other drugs, and can result in a DUI.