Local News

MADERA - In response to Governor Newsom’s Project Roomkey, Madera County has formed a partnership to identify at-risk members of our community who need shelter during the pandemic. That partnership consists of Madera County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Community Action Partnership of Madera County (CAPMC), Madera County Department of Public Health (MCDPH), Madera County Department of Social Services (MCDSS), Madera County Department of Corrections, Madera County Road Department, and Love Madera, a non-profit volunteer group.

At-Risk clients access this program through referrals from local shelters, healthcare providers, and law enforcement. The information is forwarded to uniformed MCSO, who respond with MCDPH and CAPMC personnel to the potential client’s currently known location.

SACRAMENTO – California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a series of new resources to aid small businesses and help California workers who have lost work due to COVID-19. California's small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis can apply for a loan from the federal government for up to $10 million. Importantly, the program is first-come, first-serve and the Governor encourages all eligible California small businesses to contact their lender to learn more.

Last week, the Governor also announced that the state is allocating $50 million to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank for loan guarantees to small businesses to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities. The state is also allowing small businesses to defer payment of sales and use taxes of up to $50,000, for up to 12 months.

MADERA – California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, shared last week in a press briefing that “schools will not re-open, but classes will continue.” This does not mean that the school year is over. Instead, it highlights the importance of the school district's continued focus on what Madera Unified as a district is calling Continuous Learning.

Governor Newsom’s “stay at home” orders, and a similar local order, remains in place, as do federal guidelines around social distancing. In consultation with Dr. Simon Paul, Madera County Health Officer and Sara Bosse, Director of Madera County Department of Public Health, stated the need for safety through social distancing dictates that Madera Unified continues to keep the school district campuses closed to students during this pandemic.

MADERA – The Madera County Department of Public Health has confirmed that a United States Postal Service contracted mail carrier in the Coarsegold area tested positive for COVID-19 last week. At this time the source of transmission is under investigation.

The patient began exhibiting unrelated symptoms and remained at home. Two days later, the patient went to the hospital for unrelated symptoms and was tested for COVID-19. The hospital later confirmed COVID-19 and the patient returned to home isolation. Madera County Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Investigators have identified 12 individuals who had qualifying contact with the patient. All persons with qualifying contact were immediately isolated.