Local News

International Agri-Center Prepares For 51st World Ag Expo

TULARE - International Agri-Center® to hold its 51st World Ag Expo® farm show on February 13-15, 2018. The largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind, World Ag Expo® boasts more than 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. In 2017, 105,780 people came from 43 states and 71 countries to attend the 50th anniversary of World Ag Expo®.

The World Ag Expo® Arena will once again offer daily Equipment Showcases, where exhibitors will perform live demonstrations of their latest products. Seminars will be offered in a variety of categories, including dairy, irrigation, international trade, business and farm management, marketing and media, and general agriculture. These seminars are presented by professionals in the industry and provide attendees with valuable information to improve their operations.

Shooting Threats Made At Madera High - Security Increased

MADERA - Madera Police Department received a report from Madera High School of a threat of a school shooting. The threat was written on a bathroom wall at the school. A number of students were interviewed and the investigation remains ongoing. During lunch today, the school staff was informed and asked for any relevant information and advised to be vigilant for the safety of all.

While police say the threat was not specific, reports to BVN are the targets threatened are students who have bullied and teachers who have turned their backs to the bullying. Police do not believe this to be a credible threat, however all threats of this nature must be taken seriously and there will be an increase of security at the school for the foreseeable future.

Increased Car Thefts in Kerman, City Offers Steering Wheel Locks

KERMAN - Since January 1st the Kerman Police Department has taken ten stolen vehicle reports from various locations around the city. This is a significant increase compared to the vehicle thefts reported in January of last year. Only one vehicle theft was reported in the month of January in 2017. The rise in vehicle thefts in Kerman is consistent with the rise of reported vehicle thefts in nearby cities.

The Kerman PD Detective has been in communication with the Fresno County Auto Theft Task Force (H.E.A.T) as these recent cases are investigated. Several of the stolen vehicles have been recovered including a vehicle that was located in the Delano area where it was found stripped and burned.

Hundreds of Human Trafficking Arrests Made and Dozens Rescued by California Law Enforcement

LOS ANGELES - In conjunction with Human Trafficking Awareness Month, Merced County Sheriff Jim McDonnell announced details and results from the fourth annual ‘Operation Reclaim and Rebuild’ enforcement operation, conducted by the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force and more than 80 participating federal state and local law enforcement agencies, and task forces from across California. The three-day, statewide effort aimed at combatting human trafficking took place between Thursday, January 25, and Saturday, January 27, 2018, and was conducted in various mediums and met with positive results.

The press conference was held Tuesday at the iconic Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles. Sheriff McDonnell was joined by District Attorney Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office; Assistant Chief Beatrice Girmala, Los Angeles Police Department; CEO Kay Buck, the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking; and representatives from several participating federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, and public and private service providers.

Paroled Gang Member Arrested for Criminal Threats and Possession of a Blue Firearm

FRESNO - On Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 1:12am, Officers from the Fresno Police Department's Southwest Policing District responded to the 2500 block of South East Avenue for a report of a male and female disturbance. The caller reported the male was also armed with a handgun. Fresno Police Officers T. Davis and D Montgomery quickly arrived and detained the male without further incident.

The male, 33yr old Christopher Alvarez, was searched by officers where they found a loaded 9mm Glock semi-automatic handgun hidden in his waistband. Alvarez, a self-admitted gang member from Compton, CA, was also found to be on Parole for Carjacking.