Local News

Parole Board Orders First Fresno Dangerous Criminal Released Pursuitant to Pro 57

FRESNO - Last week    the   Fresno   County   District   Attorney’s   Office   received   notice   of   the   first   Fresno   Prop.   57   “Nonviolent   Parole   Review   Decision”   to   release   a   dangerous   criminal.

Danny   Ray   Lucero   was   convicted   by   a   jury   in   2013   of   two   counts   of   Assault   with   a   Deadly   Weapon,   with   enhancements   for   the   personal   use   of   a   knife.   He   was   also   found   to   have   a   “Strike”   prior   conviction   and   was   sentenced   to   11   years   in   state   prison.

Madera County to Conduct Online Tax-Defaulted Property Auction

Sale will open July 29^thwith bids starting as low as $5,766.00

MADERA - Following a successful tax-defaulted property sale in May 2017, Madera County is hosting a re-offer sale on Bid4Assets to return even more distressed properties to the tax rolls. In the May sale, 57 properties were either redeemed by the owners or sold at auction. The funds generated support essential county services, which can face shortfalls when taxes go unpaid.

“The Bid4Assets platform enabled us to sell over $1.1 million worth of tax-defaulted property this May,” says Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector. “The goal of the sale is to eliminate shortfalls from unpaid taxes and return these properties to taxpaying status for the county. An internet-based auction utilizing Bid4Assets’ technology has proven to be an ideal way to achieve this.”

ACLU Sues Madera County for Violating Open Meetings Law

SAN FRANCISCO —The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California today sued the Madera County Board of Supervisors for violating California’s open public meetings law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, in changing immigration-related policy behind closed doors under the guise of making a personnel evaluation.

The lawsuit charges that Madera County supervisors failed to give proper public notice before they adopted significant changes to the way the county’s jail interfaces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Made without public input, the decision came in a closed, non-public session, without putting the matter on the agenda or disclosing what the board was discussing.

Madera County Opens Landfill to Aid in Heat Related Cattle Deaths

MADERA - Valley-wide heat waves resulting in higher mortality rates among cattle and mechanical issues at the rendering facility in Kerman have prompted several area counties to declare states of emergencies that would allow for disposal of carcasses in ways other than transporting them to the rendering facility.

While Madera County has not seen higher cattle deaths that would qualify for an emergency, its landfill located in Fairmead is permitted by the State Water Board and Cal Recycle to accept carcasses for disposal, according to Alan Davis, general manager for Caglia Environmental, the county’s landfill operator.

District Attorney Files Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Against Fresno Sheriff Detective

FRESNO - The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter with an enhancement for the personal use of a firearm Friday against Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jared Mullis.

These charges arise out of the October 31, 2016 fatal shooting of Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Rod Lucas. This complaint was filed after a thorough investigation of the shooting. Prior to the complaint being filed in Fresno County Superior Court, District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp met with the family of Sgt. Lucas to advise them that criminal charges were forthcoming.