Local News

Back to School: No Recess For Safety

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 Fair Entry Deadline Drawing Near: August 15th

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 Unified Board President Al Galvez Elected to United Way Board of Directors

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.”

Tuolumne Street Bridge Finally Reopens to Traffic

FRESNO – The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the City of Fresno held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the new and improved Tuolumne Street Bridge in downtown Fresno. The completion of this bridge marks the first completed structure for the California high-speed rail program. The original Tuolumne Street Bridge in downtown Fresno was demolished in January 2016.

The new bridge was rebuilt three feet taller with the highest point shifted to the west, creating clearance for high-speed trains and Union Pacific Railroad. The new bridge will accommodate two-way traffic; support the revitalization of downtown Fresno's city core and features wider pedestrian walkways and bike paths.

Detectives Searching for Man Who Carjacked Uber Driver

FRESNO - Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help to find 26 year old Samuel Escamilla of Fresno. He is 5’8”, 160 lbs. with brown eyes and black hair. He is known to have a mustache and goatee. He has a tattoo of the “Air Jordan Jumpman” logo on his inner right forearm. It is possible Escamilla recently cut his hair to a short length. He is a known gang member.

Around 1:00 pm on July 24th, Samuel Escamilla and Elizabeth Sage approached a 76 year old man in the shopping center located at the northeast corner of First and McKinley in Fresno. The 76 year old man works as a driver for the ridesharing companies, Uber and Lyft. Sage and Escamilla told him they were interested in arranging a ride later in the day, so the driver provided them his contact information.