News

Madera County to Conduct Online Tax-Defaulted Property Auction

Sale will open July 29^thwith bids starting as low as $5,766.00

MADERA - Following a successful tax-defaulted property sale in May 2017, Madera County is hosting a re-offer sale on Bid4Assets to return even more distressed properties to the tax rolls. In the May sale, 57 properties were either redeemed by the owners or sold at auction. The funds generated support essential county services, which can face shortfalls when taxes go unpaid.

“The Bid4Assets platform enabled us to sell over $1.1 million worth of tax-defaulted property this May,” says Tracy Kennedy, Madera County Treasurer-Tax Collector. “The goal of the sale is to eliminate shortfalls from unpaid taxes and return these properties to taxpaying status for the county. An internet-based auction utilizing Bid4Assets’ technology has proven to be an ideal way to achieve this.”

ACLU Sues Madera County for Violating Open Meetings Law

SAN FRANCISCO —The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California today sued the Madera County Board of Supervisors for violating California’s open public meetings law, the Ralph M. Brown Act, in changing immigration-related policy behind closed doors under the guise of making a personnel evaluation.

The lawsuit charges that Madera County supervisors failed to give proper public notice before they adopted significant changes to the way the county’s jail interfaces with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Made without public input, the decision came in a closed, non-public session, without putting the matter on the agenda or disclosing what the board was discussing.

Madera County Opens Landfill to Aid in Heat Related Cattle Deaths

MADERA - Valley-wide heat waves resulting in higher mortality rates among cattle and mechanical issues at the rendering facility in Kerman have prompted several area counties to declare states of emergencies that would allow for disposal of carcasses in ways other than transporting them to the rendering facility.

While Madera County has not seen higher cattle deaths that would qualify for an emergency, its landfill located in Fairmead is permitted by the State Water Board and Cal Recycle to accept carcasses for disposal, according to Alan Davis, general manager for Caglia Environmental, the county’s landfill operator.

District Attorney Files Involuntary Manslaughter Charges Against Fresno Sheriff Detective

FRESNO - The Fresno County District Attorney’s Office filed a charge of Involuntary Manslaughter with an enhancement for the personal use of a firearm Friday against Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Detective Jared Mullis.

These charges arise out of the October 31, 2016 fatal shooting of Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Rod Lucas. This complaint was filed after a thorough investigation of the shooting. Prior to the complaint being filed in Fresno County Superior Court, District Attorney Lisa A. Smittcamp met with the family of Sgt. Lucas to advise them that criminal charges were forthcoming.

Sexually Violent Predator Jeffrey Snyder Ordered Released from Coalinga State Hospital

FRESNO - Sexually Violent Predator Jeffrey Snyder was ordered conditionally released from Coalinga State Hospital. After a contested hearing in March 2016, the Fresno County Superior Court found that Mr. Snyder continued to meet the criteria as a Sexually Violent Predator (SVP), but also found that he qualified for the next stage of his treatment of outpatient conditional release.

The Department of State Hospitals and Liberty Healthcare researched 1,749 homes within the County of Fresno for the potential placement of Mr. Snyder. None of them were suitable to house Mr. Snyder.

Pedro Montoyaof of Madera Convicted of Sexual Abuse of Children

MADERA – Madera County District Attorney, David A. Linn, announced that Pedro Montoya, of Madera, was convicted by a Madera Superior Court jury on June 29, 2017, of five counts of sexual abuse against children, along with the finding of “true” that the defendant committed the acts against multiple victims.

District Attorney Linn commended the Madera Police Department (Detective Brent Cederquist) for their thorough investigation of this case. Linn also commended the young victims who bravely disclosed the abuse that they suffered; and expressed thanks to the Victim’s Services / Community Action Partnership Advocates who supported the children throughout the court process. The case was tried by Senior Deputy District Attorney, Traci Wise.

Todd Lile Named the Superintendent for Madera Unified School District

MADERA - Interim Superintendent Todd Lile has been named the Superintendent of Madera Unified School District. Mr. Lile was Interim Superintendent for four months before being officially named the new Superintendent. Superintendent Lile is the first Superintendent of the district to be a Madera native.

Superintendent Lile attended elementary, middle and high school in Madera Unified. Upon graduation from Madera Unified in 1992, Mr. Lile was admitted to California State University, Fresno where he graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor's in History.