Big Valley News
Central Valley's Independent News Source
John W Wells Laid To Rest Among Other Heroes
SANTA NELLA - Former Madera mayor and city councilman John W Wells was laid to rest Monday at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.
Wells was the longest serving council member for the city of Madera first running in 1962. He lost that election but two years later the voters of Madera gave him his seat on the council. He held that seat until 1977. During his first stint on the council Wells served as Madera Mayor three times.
MADERA - Chowchilla resident Carlton Neal Jr. received full military honors Friday as his remains were interned at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella. But his journey to his final resting place was a rough one.
Neal, a Cold War veteran, served in the United States Air Force from September 4, 1958 to October 11, 1960. When the veteran died this last January his only living relative was a cousin, who by law could not claim his ashes.
MADERA - A Madera High School security guard has been arrested for sexually molesting two of his children, possibly for over the last five years. The suspect is in custody on four felony counts and $325K bail.
Big Valley News has reached out to Madera High Principal Kent Albertson for a comment but neither him nor the school district has returned our calls. We have not been able to determine if any other children are involved in this case or if any Madera High students were affected.
MADERA – Shards of glass littered the public entrance of Madera County’s Courthouse building Friday morning after a vandal smashed the windows some time overnight. Two rocks were found that deputies say were used to shatter one of the glass doors, and destroy the side panel of another window.
Courthouse security is provided by Madera Private Security but was not at the building when the attack happened Thursday morning at 2:30am. The Sheriff’s Office is currently reviewing surveillance video and court records to determine if the suspect in the video recently had appeared in court.
MADERA COUNTY – A teenager sits behind bars tonight facing murder charges after deputies find her newborn wrapped in a plastic bag, stuffed in a cabinet below the bathroom sink inside a home on Chapin Street near Avenue 16 in Madera.
According to reports, the 17-year old girl (whose name is not being released) showed up at an area hospital last Friday, where doctors discovered she was suffering from postpartum bleeding. When asked where her baby was, the young woman denied ever giving birth.
