Local News

Madera DA Fights Convicted Murderer Isaac Bellinger Parole

MADERA - Isaac Bellinger, age 72, was denied parole for a period of three years in a hearing that took place on April 10, 2019, at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton, California. The Madera County District Attorney’s Office sent an attorney representative to argue against release. Despite being eligible for “Elder Parole”, the Board of Prison Terms ruled that Mr. Bellinger lacked insight into his life crime and, as such, parole was denied.

On January 10, 1980, Isaac Bellinger entered Joaquin Club Bar on Yosemite Avenue in Madera. He confronted Roy Gaines who was in the bar enjoying the evening with his wife. Upon entry into the bar, the bartender stated to Mr. Bellinger, “You’re not going to cause any trouble tonight, are you?” Shortly thereafter, Mr. Bellinger confronted Mr. Gaines.

Madera Pharmacist Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges

FRESNO - A Madera pharmacist and two others were arrested today in connection with a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. On April 11, a federal grand jury returned a 42-count indictment, charging Ifeanyi Vincent Ntukogu, 44, of Fresno, a pharmacist, with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and 17 counts of distribution of controlled substances.

Kelo White, 38, of Fresno, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and 12 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. Donald Ray Pierre, 50, of Fresno, was charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, 10 counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and two counts of identity theft.

Two Madera Students Killed in Saturday Head-On Collision

MADERA – Two people were killed following a head on automobile collision late Saturday afternoon near the Madera Rancho’s on Avenue 12. According to the California Highway Patrol a black Audio traveling eastbound when it drifted into the westbound lane colliding with a Toyota 4-Runner.

The seventeen year old driver of the Audi was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been identified as Troyce Raqueno of Madera. He was a student at Madera High School in the senior class graduating in just three months. An 11 year old passenger of the Toyota also died. The young man was identified as Christian Lopez (11) of Madera. He was also from Madera and a student at Washington Elementary School.

Former Executive Director of Non-profit Sentenced for Embezzling Funds Intended for Domestic Violence Victims

SACRAMENTO - Claudia Humphrey, 62, of American Canyon, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to six months in prison and ordered to pay $71,423 in restitution for theft of public money and falsifying records in a federal investigation, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Judge Nunley ordered Humphrey to self-surrender on May 23 to begin serving her sentence.

According to court documents, Humphrey was the executive director of LIFT3 Support Group Inc., a non-profit organization in Fairfield that offered transitional shelter assistance and other services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and dating violence, primarily serving residents in Solano County. Humphrey, through LIFT3, sought and received federal grants from the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) in 2011 and 2012.

One of California's Last Drive-In Theaters Opens this Weekend in Madera

MADERA – This weekend a blast from the past reopens in Madera for their spring and summer run. Something that only 18 other communities in California can say they have, we have had in Madera since 1948. Of course I am referring to the Madera Drive-In Theater on Lincoln Avenue two blocks off of Cleveland Avenue on Madera’s east-side.

The seventy-one year old theater has been owned since 1972 by the Gran family who also operate Madera’s indoor theater, Movies Madera, on North Gateway Drive. In the early eighties the Gran’s expanded the one screen El Rancho Drive-in, the oldest in the state of California, to the two screen theater it is today. Each screen offering two movies for the price of one.