Local News

All-Electric Bollinger B4 Truck Sales & Service Locations to Open in the Central Valley of California

OAK PARK, Mich. - Bollinger Motors, Inc. ("Bollinger Motors"), a commercial electric vehicle ("EV") manufacturer, has named Affinity Truck Center an official Bollinger Motors dealer. With sales locations in Bakersfield and Fresno, California, and service locations in Paso Robles and Salinas, California, Affinity Truck Center is a California Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP) certified dealership.

Founded in 2015 by Robert Bollinger, Bollinger Motors, Inc. is a U.S.-based company headquartered in Oak Park, Michigan. Bollinger Motors is developing all-electric commercial chassis cab trucks, Classes 4-6. In September of 2022, Bollinger Motors became a majority-owned company of Mullen Automotive, Inc.

Madera Man Convicted of Jan 6th Riots Now Guilty of Firearms Violations

FRESNO - Following a one-day trial in Fresno, Benjamin Martin, 46, of Madera, was convicted today of illegally possessing firearms and ammunition, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to evidence presented at trial and other court records, in September 2021, the FBI executed a search warrant at Martin’s residence in Madera, where he maintained a real estate business, and arrested him on charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for the breach of the U.S. Capitol that occurred on Jan. 6, 2021.

2024 Old Timers Day Parade to Be Held September 28th

MADERA - Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 10:00 AM. This day will mark the 93rd year of the Old Timers’ Day Parade! Leading this year’s parade as Grand Marshall will be Veteran and former City Councilmember Herman Perez. Accompanying him as the Honorable King and Queen of the Parade will be lifelong Madera residents Phil and Klina Oberti.

At the conclusion of the parade, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held in Courthouse Park for the newly renovated park, which will feature a new accessible playground area, performance stage, exercise equipment, musical instruments, walking paths, and various other improvements. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Historic Courthouse, which will be open to the public to enjoy.

Bakersfield Felon Charged in Connection with Destructive Device

FRESNO - On Aug. 29, 2024, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Robert Lawrence Hunt, 40, of Bakersfield, with being a felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm, and manufacturing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, in July 2022, Hunt possessed a destructive device that consisted of parts designed for conversion into an explosive and incendiary device containing screws, which meet the federal definition of a firearm. Hunt was previously convicted in Kern County Superior Court of two robberies and a burglary and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Justice Department Announces Civil Rights Investigation into Correctional Staff Sexual Abuse at Chowchilla Prisons

SACRAMENTO - The Justice Department announced today that it has opened an investigation into the conditions of two prison facilities operated by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR): Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla and the California Institution for Women in Chino.

The department has found significant justification to open this investigation based on an extensive review of publicly available information and information gathered from stakeholders. The investigation will evaluate whether CDCR protects people incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility and the California Institution for Women from sexual abuse by correctional staff.