Local News

Madera’s Mayor and Former Mayor Team Up for Pomegranate Festival Video

MADERA - As the city of Madera prepares for the third annual Madera Pomegranate Festival on November 2, current mayor Robert Poythress and former mayor Brett Frazier have teamed up to create a video promoting the upcoming event.

The video, a parody of the popular song Thrift Shop, is a follow up to last year’s video which was a parody of Party Rock. Frazier appeared in last year’s video as well.

Madera Jury Finds Man Guilty of Animal Cruelty

MADERA - A Madera County Superior Court jury has found Valentino Torres, 44, of Madera, guilty of felony animal cruelty, according to Michael R. Keitz, District Attorney for Madera County.

During the trial of Valentino, evidence revealed that in September 2009, a Madera animal control officer was dispatched to the area of Clinton and Vineyard to investigate a dog that had been tied to a street sign. The responding officer found a pit bull there that was so severely emaciated that its bones were clearly visible, it had large open sores and was infested with ticks and mites.

After 11 Years, City Settles Torres Killing Lawsuit

FRESNO - After an eleven-year legal battle that involved four different law firms, the city of Madera has settled the lawsuit that resulted from the 2002 shooting of 24 year-old boxer Everado Torres.

The settlement was reached Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Fresno as lawyers prepared for jury selection. The city has agreed to pay the Torres family $775,000 which is just $20,000 more than was offered to them when the city attempted to settle this case in 2004.

Madera South Death Car Had Known Problems With Door Locks

MUSD Superintendent Refuses to Answer Attendance Policy Failure Questions

MADERA - The preliminary autopsy results for Graciela Martinez, fourteen year old freshman that died at Madera South High School Wednesday, indicate that the minor most likely died from environmental hyperthermia known commonly as heat stroke. Final determination can not be made until lab results are received and examined.

High School Girl Found Dead at Madera South

MADERA - A fourteen year-old Madera South High student was found dead in the back of her brother's car Wednesday around 3:00 pm. Officers of the Madera Police Department were dispatched to the Madera Community Hospital regarding the death after the victim had been transported to the hospital by her brother.

Detective Robert Salas of the Madera Police Department said, "Preliminary investigation reveals that the female had accompanied her brother to school as they both attend Madera South. He had an early class and she stayed behind inside their vehicle as her class started an hour later. After school he went to his vehicle and discovered his sister in the back seat."