Local News

17-year Arizona Cold Case Murder Suspect Apprehended in Fresno

EL MIRAGE, ARIZONA - On September 24, 2018, Frank Gallas Mendoza was arrested by authorities in Fresno, California for the 2001 murder of El Mirage resident Richard Cacero Lucero. On December 20, 2001, El Mirage police conducted a welfare check at the residence of Richard Cacero Lucero at the request of a family friend. Officers gained entry to Lucero’s home and found him deceased.

Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) detectives were asked to take over the death investigation due to the AZDPS’ available staffing and resources. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Lucero’s death was a homicide. The case eventually went cold after AZDPS exhausted all leads and investigative techniques available at the time.

Sheriff’s Detectives Arrest Kingsburg Man for Double Murder and Arsons

KINGSBURG - At 8:30 am on Tuesday, detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office arrested 58 year old Alan DuPras outside his home located on the 2800 block of 18th Street in Kingsburg. DuPras has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on two counts of murder, two counts of arson, a count of possession of assault weapons and a count of vandalism. His bail is set at $3.142 million.

It was around 3:30 pm on December 11th, 2017 that Fresno County Sheriff’s dispatchers received a phone call requesting deputies check the welfare of 55 year old Jennifer DuPras, who lived at a home on the 6200 block of N. Colonial Ave. in Fresno. The caller was concerned because Jennifer had missed an appointment earlier in the day.

Member Of Nevada City Based Conspiracy Sentenced To Over 7 Years In Prison For Multi-Million Dollar Bank And Title Fraud Scheme

SACRAMENTO - Larry Allen Todt, 66, formerly of Malibu, was sentenced to over seven years in prison and ordered to pay over $3,000,000 in restitution for his role in a fraudulent mortgage elimination scheme, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. On December 6, 2017, Todt was convicted following trial on one count of conspiracy and one count of bank fraud.

According to court documents, between April 22, 2010, and November 18, 2011, Todt was a member of a conspiracy that ran a mortgage elimination program purporting to help distressed homeowners avoid foreclosure. The conspirators fraudulently altered the chain of title on residential properties, sold the properties, and received the sales proceeds.

Governor Brown Signs Bill for Healthier Beverages in Restaurant Kids’ Meals

DALLAS - American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following comments on California Senate Bill 1192, the California Healthy by Default Kids Meals Beverages bill: “California has made history today by becoming the first state to ensure that water or milk comes standard for kids’ meals at all restaurants. The American Heart Association applauds California’s leaders for making it easier for parents to raise healthy kids. We strongly encourage other states and communities to follow suit, and we call on restaurants nationwide to take immediate action on their own by removing unhealthy drinks from kids’ meals.

The drinks kids are served at restaurants have an increasingly significant impact on their health—half of the meals in the United States today are purchased outside of home and children get an average of 25 percent of their calories from restaurant foods and beverages. If their meals come with sodas or other sugary drinks, our kids are at greater risk for heart disease and diabetes. But if their meals come with water or milk instead, we can help them build healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Bass Lake Court House Permanently Closing

BASS LAKE - The Superior Court of California, County of Madera, intends to permanently close the Bass Lake Courthouse located at 40601 Road 274, Bass Lake, California. Effective December 3, 2018 the Bass Lake Courthouse (Department 8) will be closed.

All new cases arising in Eastern Madera County will be filed at the Madera Courthouse located at 200 South G Street, Madera, California. Parties with existing Bass Lake cases set for hearing on or after December 3, 2018 will be notified by mail of the reassignment to a Courtroom at the Madera Courthouse. The public can call 559-416-5599 for all case information.