Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
MADERA - On August 8, 2017, Madera County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant in the 52000 block of Road 423 at the location of a homicide which occurred the night prior. An illegal outdoor marijuana operation was located on the property.
Two separate grow locations were discovered and eradicated and 482 plants were seized. The seized marijuana had an estimated street value of $578,400.
FRESNO - Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Sex Crimes Unit have arrested 40 year old Steven Matlak of Fresno. This marks the second time he has been arrested in the last two weeks. He is facing multiple felony charges, including lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14 and sexual penetration of a child 10 or younger.
On July 27th, the Sheriff’s Office received a report from a woman who said her five year old daughter had told her Steve Matlak photographed and touched the girl inappropriately while she was naked. Coincidentally, detectives developed information the next day that Matlak had done something similar with a nine year old girl. She is not related to, nor does she know, the five year old girl from the first report.
FRESNO - The Fresno Police Department is reminding the public that August is back to school month. In an effort to emphasize the importance of being especially cautious while traveling in school zones and to ensure the safe passage of our children to and from school, Chief Jerry Dyer is once again initiating our department’s school zone saturation operation, known as “No Recess for Safety.”
Beginning on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, uniformed traffic officers will be monitoring assigned school zones in the Central Unified School District. Fresno Unified Schools will open on Monday August 14, 2017 and enforcement will take place at all Fresno area elementary, middle, and high schools (over 90 in all). Beginning Monday August 21, 2017 officers will begin to monitor Clovis Unified Schools that are in the city limits of Fresno. These officers will be aggressively enforcing all school related traffic violations.
MADERA - Madera County exhibitors planning to compete at the 2017 Madera District Fair can submit entry forms in the office or online now. The entry deadline, TUESDAY, August 15, is fast approaching, and Madera Fair’s Exhibit Hall is counting on your handiwork to showcase an award winning display for some 50,000 guests!
Entry forms and Exhibitor’s Handbooks are available at the Fair office, retail establishments, and online at www.maderafair.com. The Handbooks contain information on competitions available, guidelines for submitting items and all applicable dates. Competitions are available for both individual and group entry and include numerous competitions for class projects. Livestock entries are not available online.
MADERA - Madera Unified Board President, Al Galvez has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties. President Galvez has been elected to serve a three-year-term. Board President Al Galvez stated, "I've had a strong relationship with United Way dating back to the early 2000's."
"After being approached nearly 2 years ago to join the United Way Board, I decided to wait and monitor the direction the search for a new leader would take. With Lindsay Callahan as President CEO, and the high standards she has set for the organization, I know that United Way will become a leader in the non-profit community in both Fresno & Madera counties. The support Lindsay will need to achieve these goals is the driver that gives me the desire to join the United Way team.”
