News

Madera Unified Board President Al Galvez Elected to United Way Board of Directors

MADERA - Madera Unified Board President, Al Galvez has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties. President Galvez has been elected to serve a three-year-term. Board President Al Galvez stated, "I've had a strong relationship with United Way dating back to the early 2000's."

"After being approached nearly 2 years ago to join the United Way Board, I decided to wait and monitor the direction the search for a new leader would take. With Lindsay Callahan as President CEO, and the high standards she has set for the organization, I know that United Way will become a leader in the non-profit community in both Fresno & Madera counties. The support Lindsay will need to achieve these goals is the driver that gives me the desire to join the United Way team.”

Tuolumne Street Bridge Finally Reopens to Traffic

FRESNO – The California High-Speed Rail Authority and the City of Fresno held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the opening of the new and improved Tuolumne Street Bridge in downtown Fresno. The completion of this bridge marks the first completed structure for the California high-speed rail program. The original Tuolumne Street Bridge in downtown Fresno was demolished in January 2016.

The new bridge was rebuilt three feet taller with the highest point shifted to the west, creating clearance for high-speed trains and Union Pacific Railroad. The new bridge will accommodate two-way traffic; support the revitalization of downtown Fresno's city core and features wider pedestrian walkways and bike paths.

Detectives Searching for Man Who Carjacked Uber Driver

FRESNO - Detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help to find 26 year old Samuel Escamilla of Fresno. He is 5’8”, 160 lbs. with brown eyes and black hair. He is known to have a mustache and goatee. He has a tattoo of the “Air Jordan Jumpman” logo on his inner right forearm. It is possible Escamilla recently cut his hair to a short length. He is a known gang member.

Around 1:00 pm on July 24th, Samuel Escamilla and Elizabeth Sage approached a 76 year old man in the shopping center located at the northeast corner of First and McKinley in Fresno. The 76 year old man works as a driver for the ridesharing companies, Uber and Lyft. Sage and Escamilla told him they were interested in arranging a ride later in the day, so the driver provided them his contact information.

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom Campaigns for Governor in Modesto

MODESTO - Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom hosted a meet and greet in Modesto on Tuesday with over 200 voters and grassroots activists at the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 442 Hall. This event was part of a series of meet and greets the Lt. Governor is hosting with voters across the state to discuss critical issues related to California and how the state can continue to serve as a model for the nation.

At the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 442 Hall, Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the issues that the Central Valley faces such as homelessness, poverty, wealth inequality, technology, and education.

Update on Investigation of the Fresno Police Department’s Officer Involved Shooting

FRESNO - On Sunday July 23^rd, at 12:46 AM, the Fresno Police Department responded to the 2300 block of South Backer regarding a suspicious person in a grey Tahoe. A resident in the area reported that a vehicle was parked in the middle of the road and the male occupant was either drunk or high on drugs. The caller stated the male was talking but was not making much sense. A Fresno Police Officer arrived at 12:48 AM and found the vehicle partially in the street. The officer activated his overhead lights and the vehicle began to drive off with the officer following him. The vehicle accelerated and failed to yield. The driver refused to pull over and continued to drive on both city streets and freeways.

The Fresno Police Department’s Air 1 helicopter arrived overhead and started following the suspect vehicle. The patrol unit discontinued following the suspect and began monitoring from a distance. The Air 1 helicopter had its spotlight on the suspect vehicle as they followed it. The suspect drove through fields and back on to surface streets refusing to stop. The helicopter crew kept the ground unit updated on locations and speeds.

One Man Killed, Another Rescued After a Boating Accident on the Kings River

SANGER -Members of the Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Air Support Unit were conducting a patrol flight of the Kings River, southeast of the City of Sanger late Tuesday morning. While nearing the Goodfellow Bridge, they observed what appeared to be a capsized boat floating in the water.

They observed a male subject standing nearby in thick brush on the bank of the river. The air crew then noticed what appeared to be an unresponsive subject floating in the river, not far from where the other subject was standing. The air crew radioed for patrol units to assist and they were able to effectively guide them, along with rescue personnel from Fresno County Fire and Sanger Fire, to the location of the victim.

Parole Board Orders First Fresno Dangerous Criminal Released Pursuitant to Pro 57

FRESNO - Last week    the   Fresno   County   District   Attorney’s   Office   received   notice   of   the   first   Fresno   Prop.   57   “Nonviolent   Parole   Review   Decision”   to   release   a   dangerous   criminal.

Danny   Ray   Lucero   was   convicted   by   a   jury   in   2013   of   two   counts   of   Assault   with   a   Deadly   Weapon,   with   enhancements   for   the   personal   use   of   a   knife.   He   was   also   found   to   have   a   “Strike”   prior   conviction   and   was   sentenced   to   11   years   in   state   prison.