Local News

Valley Children’s Opens New Inpatient Unit for Epilepsy Monitoring

MADERA - This week, Valley Children’s Hospital unveiled a new Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This new facility, located in the Voyager Unit of the Madera hospital, is a designated area for epilepsy patients who need to be monitored over longer periods of time.

This unit includes six rooms with hard-wired beds, nine portable machines, and a play area. There are also video cameras in each room and throughout the hallways, allowing patients more freedom to roam while still being monitored over multiple consecutive days and ensuring no data is lost. This facility creates a more comfortable environment, conducive to optimal seizure monitoring.

Man Sentenced for Conspiring to Assist Flight of Man Charged With Murdering Police Officer

FRESNO - Erik Quiroz Razo (Quiroz), 28, an illegal alien from Michoacán, Mexico residing in Merced, was sentenced yesterday to 21 months in prison for conspiring with others to assist Paulo Virgen Mendoza’s flight from California to Mexico after he allegedly committed a felony: the murder of Newman Police Corporal Ronil Singh during a traffic stop, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced.

“The murder of a police officer in the line of duty is an assault on the entire community. This defendant, a convicted felon and previously deported alien played a critical role in helping a man accused of killing a police officer to elude apprehension,” said U.S. Attorney Scott. “He disposed of the murder weapon, and he urged those close to him to not tell anyone about his activities. The successful prosecution of this defendant sends a message to the community that this behavior will not be tolerated.”

Assemblymember Gray Seeks Audit of State Regulator’s Failure to Prevent Utility Wildfires

SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Adam C. Gray (D-Merced) has submitted a request to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee seeking a state audit of the California Public Utilities Commission. As the state’s primary entity tasked with the regulation of public utilities, Gray’s audit letter seeks information about the commission’s role in PG&E’s inadequate and dangerous management of its power lines which sparked some of the most destructive wildfires in California history.

“A lot of the conversation around utilities and wildfires has focused on shareholders and executives at PG&E placing their own profits over the public’s safety,” said Gray. “That criticism is well deserved. Shareholders are just now realizing it would have cost a lot less to make responsible safety improvements over time rather than go through bankruptcy with multi-billion dollar settlements.

Fresno Housing to Break Ground on New Affordable Housing Community for Seniors in Kingsburg

KINGSBURG - Fresno Housing will celebrate its new affordable housing community for seniors in Kingsburg with a groundbreaking ceremony at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 15. The event will take place at the future home of the new senior community, Linnaea Villas, located on Sierra Street near Madsen Avenue in Kingsburg.

Linnaea Villas is the joint effort of the City of Kingsburg, County of Fresno and Fresno Housing. The new housing community will include a total of 47 units and will offer one- and two-bedroom options for senior residents in Kingsburg.

Vote by Mail Ballots Hit Homes on February 3rd - Are You Registered

MADERA - The Madera County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters announced today that all registered voters in Madera County will be receiving their Official Ballots for the upcoming March 3, 2020, Presidential Primary Election in the mail beginning February 3rd.

As a Voter’s Choice Act County, voters have more choices for voting and returning their ballots. GREAT NEWS! You will no longer have to place a stamp on your ballot envelope to return your ballot through the US Mail – We’ve got it covered! Voted ballots may also be returned at any secure Ballot Drop Box or at any Vote Center in Madera County.