Local News

Arrest of Local Coarsegold Youth Pastor in Sexual Assault of Minor Case

COARSEGOLD - The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division has concluded a months-long investigation into allegations of sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old female victim and a local pastor identified as Joshua David Kemper, 47, of Coarsegold.

The investigation began on July 28, 2025, after church officials in Coarsegold filed a report. Detectives learned that Kemper, who served as a pastor at the church, had been engaging in inappropriate communication and sexual conduct with the juvenile victim.

League of Women Voters Seeks to Protect California Voter Data Against Federal Overreach

SANTA ANA – Yesterday, the League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) filed a motion in federal court to intervene in USA v. Weber, the U.S. Department of Justice’s case against the California Secretary of State, to protect the data of all California voters and prevent misuse of that data, which could harm California communities.

“Californians have a right to privacy and a right to vote free from intimidation or misuse of their personal information,” said Helen Hutchison, interim executive director of the League of Women Voters of California. “This attempt by the federal government to access detailed voter data puts those rights at risk. We are standing up for every Californian to ensure that sensitive voter information stays protected and that our elections remain safe and secure.”

Sheriff Detectives Arrest Suspect for Metal Theft, Meth Possession

FRESNO - Fresno County Sheriff's detectives with the Ag Task Force have arrested 35-year-old Salvador Silva Valdovinos of Huron. He has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on numerous charges, including grand theft and possession of narcotics. His bail is set at $32,500.

Over the past two weeks, several copper wire thefts have been reported at a facility in western Fresno County. Ag Task Force detectives were assigned to the investigation and identified a vehicle involved in the crimes. Detectives located the gray 2024 Ford Ranger pickup truck and contacted the driver, Salvador Silva Valdovinos, at a mini-storage facility in Lemoore.

California Home Sales Rebound in September with Modest Monthly and Annual Gains

SACRAMENTO - California home sales rebounded in September, increasing modestly on both a monthly and yearly basis, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS^® (C.A.R.) said today.

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 277,410 in September, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR^®associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualized sales figure represents the total number of homes that would be sold during 2025 if sales maintained the September pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

Fresno County Sheriff's Detectives Identify Kerman Homicide Suspect

KERMAN - Homicide detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have obtained a murder arrest warrant for 53-year-old Salvador Rizo Pacheco of Kerman. He is described as 5’8”, 265 lbs. Detectives are actively searching for him and are requesting the public’s help to find him.

Around 10:00 pm on Saturday, October 4th, sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an injured person. Deputies arrived at a home on the 3300 block of S. Congress Ave. in Kerman, where a wedding celebration was taking place. The victim was found to have severe injuries and was transported to Community Regional Medical Center, where he later died. He was identified as 63-year-old Martin Tovar Zalazar of Kerman.