News

Bobby Salazar In Trouble Again: Charged with Hiring a Gang Member to Set Fire to Restaurant

FRESNO - Fresno restaurant operator Robert “Bobby” Salazar, 63, has been arrested on a federal complaint for arson of commercial property and arson in furtherance of a felony for directing a motorcycle gang member to set fire to an underperforming restaurant property, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

According to court documents, on April 2, 2024, a fire broke out at the vacant Bobby Salazar’s restaurant on Blackstone Avenue in Fresno. Fire investigators determined that the cause of the fire was arson, with partially burned gas cans located inside the restaurant and extensive fire damage to the interior:

Former California Superior Court Judge Charged with Sexual Assault and Obstruction Offenses

FRESNO - The Justice Department announced that a federal grand jury in Fresno returned a five-count indictment yesterday charging former California Superior Court Judge Adolfo Corona, 66, with federal offenses for sexually assaulting a court employee (Victim 1), making false statements to cover up the assault, and with obstructing the investigation into allegations that he sexually assaulted another court employee (Victim 2) in his chambers.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant of the Eastern District of California, and Special Agent in Charge Siddhartha Patel of the FBI Sacramento Field Office made the announcement.

Former Fresno State Preside t Joseph Castro Dies Following Cancer Battle

FRESNO - Joseph Castro, former Fresno State president and California State University (CSU) chancellor, for whom it was reported last week began hospice care, has passed away at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.

Castro served as Fresno State president for seven years from 2013 to 2020. In 2020, he was the first California native and person of color to be appointed by the CSU Board of Trustees to serve as the CSU chancellor.

Inmate Walked Away from Kern County Male Community Reentry Program

BAKERSFIELD – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) officials are searching for a person who walked away from a Male Community Reentry Program (MCRP) facility in Kern County on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025.

At about 5:25 a.m., officials were alerted that incarcerated person Felipe Rodriguez had walked out of an MCRP facility in Bakersfield. The emergency count conducted confirmed that Rodriguez was missing. CDCR’s Office of Correctional Safety and local law enforcement agencies were immediately notified and are assisting in the search.

Madera County Chief Executive, Jay Varney Announces Retirement

MADERA – Madera County’s chief administrator, Jay Varney, announces his retirement, punctuating a decorated career of public service for over four decades. Varney, who also served as Madera County Sheriff from 2014 to 2020, was appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve as the Chief Administrative Officer five years ago after former CAO Eric Flemming fell in disgrace..

Under Varney’s direction, the County is experiencing significant growth in revenue, housing, and businesses while guiding 25 County departments with an annual operating budget of over half a billion dollars. Among Varney’s many achievements, he led the County in completing several capital projects, including the Madera County Justice Center, Fire Station #3, and a cooperative grant-funded project with the North Fork Mono upgrading Fire Station #11.

Madera Community College Celebrates 5th Anniversary

MADERA - Madera Community College (MCC) celebrates its fifth anniversary of achieving recognition as California’s 116th community college. While the milestone marks five years of independent status, it reflects decades of educational service, community partnership, and regional impact.

In July 2020, the California Community Colleges Board of Governors voted unanimously to designate Madera Community College as the 116th – and newest – campus in the state’s system. That decision recognized the growth, strength, and potential of a campus dedicated to expanding access to higher education.

Detectives Arrest Hoover High School Coach for Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

FRESNO - Detectives with the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) have booked 38-year-old Miguel Lara of Fresno into the Fresno County Jail for possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Lara had a bail of $20,000. He posted bond and was released from jail Thursday evening.

On Thursday, detectives followed up on a CyberTip and contacted Miguel Lara at an apartment complex located at 4909 N. Backer Ave. in northeast Fresno. Detectives arrested Lara for possession of CSAM, and his electronic devices were collected for further analysis.