Local News

Kern Valley State Prison Officials Investigating Two Inmate Homicides

DELANO – Officials at Kern Valley State Prison are investigating two separate incidents that occured last week as homicides during a two day period.

On Thursday, April 30, at approximately 1:30 p.m., correctional officers responded when inmates Matthew Thornton and Michael Arzaga began attacking inmate Robert Hargrave with an inmate-manufactured weapon on the Facility B recreational yard. The officers ordered them to stop and when the attackers did not comply, they used chemical agents to stop their assault.

Deputies Shoot & Kill Fleeing Violent Suspect

MADERA - A Madera County Sheriff’s Office Detective requested backup last Wednesday from patrol deputies in an attempt to contact 29-year-old Madera County resident Artemio Mondragon Alfaro after he was spotted in the area of Avenue 9 and Road 24. The six-foot four-inch, 250-pound suspect was wanted for questioning on robbery and violating a domestic violence protective order charges. He also had active felony warrants for domestic violence and violating his probation.

Two patrol deputies and a K-9 Deputy responded to the area and spotted Alfaro driving a grey Ford pickup truck. The deputies attempted a traffic stop and a pursuit ensued. A Fresno County Sheriff’s Office aircraft responded and assisted by monitoring the pursuit and providing overhead observation.

Public Health Department Starts Rapid In-house COVID Testing

MADERA - Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) has received its first order of testing cartridges for its GeneXpert molecular testing system allowing for more rapid testing. Beginning today, rapid tests which will provide results within one hour.

The Public Health Director has been advocating aggressively for Cepheid, the producer of the cartridges since mid-March.“The GeneXpert is our only in-house option for increasing testing. We have been eager to increase our capacity for testing in Madera County but have been unable to use our GeneXpert machine due to the shortage with cartridges. We are excited that our advocacy with state and federal partners has paid off,” stated Public Health Director, Sara Bosse.

U.S. Attorney and TIGTA Urge Public Awareness for Scams and Fraud Involving CARES Act Economic Impact Payments

SACRAMENTO - U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Rod Ammari, Special Agent in Charge of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), Office of Investigations, Western Field Division, today warned the public to be aware of scammers attempting to intercept Economic Impact Payments being delivered by the Internal Revenue Service.

U.S. Attorney Scott and SAC Ammari announced an effort to provide taxpayers with the necessary information to avoid falling victim to criminals using this pandemic as an opportunity to commit fraud. TIGTA has established a website for citizens to report IRS-related Coronavirus scams at tips.TIGTA.gov. You may also contact TIGTA’s investigative offices in Fresno at 559-458-7377 or in Sacramento at 916-974-5774.

Maxine Berkley: Wife of Former Madera County Sheriff Passes at Age 83

NORTH FORK - Maxine Berkley passed away peacefully on the evening of April 18, 2020, surrounded by those who loved her so very much. She was born on April 14, 1937, in Madera to Ray and Judy Brown, who already had a 5 ½-year-old daughter, Ann. She grew up and attended school in Ripperdan, where her dad milked cows.

When she was in the first grade, she met Ovonual Berkley, who later would become the love of her life. They were high school sweethearts and were married in 1953, at the home of Ovonual’s parents, Finies and Hazel Berkley. During their 67 years of marriage, they had two children – daughter Shella in 1954 and son Randy in 1958.