News

Big League Chew Teams Up with Aaron Judge for First-Ever Grand Slam Grape Player Pouch

LINDEN, CA - New York Yankees Captain Aaron Judge will be the first Major League Baseball player ever featured on a Big League Chew pouch in a homerun collaboration between the shredded bubble gum maker and the All-Star slugger’s Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation.

The foundation will be prominently featured on the packaging to bring purpose to the pouch. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to the foundation to support its work with underserved populations and youth. The limited-edition pouch, featuring fan-favorite flavor Grand Slam Grape, will be available online at bigleaguechew.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Costco and other select national retailers in early July 2025.

EDITORIAL: Does Madera PD Care Aboutr Illegal Fireworks?

EDITORIAL - Many media outlets are reporting that individuals who discharge illegal fireworks may face fines of up to $ 3,000 per firework found at their residence. But those of you lighting these fireworks in the city of Madera need not worry. The Chief of Police doesn't feel it's worth enforcing those laws.

For the last few years, I've notified the Madera Police about the houses that, every year, start blowing off those large mortars over our houses in May and continue until August. You would think there would have been an arrest, but nope. When I asked the chief about it, I felt that his answer was a polite way of saying he did not care.

38 Gang Members and Associates Charged in Federal Complaint as a Result of “Operation Shock Collar”

FRESNO COUNTY - On June 26, 2025, upwards of 550 federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel executed 54 search warrants in the Fresno County city of Huron and surrounding communities. Throughout the investigation, law enforcement seized firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine. Eighty‑nine criminal street gang members and associates were arrested and charged with crimes in federal and state courts.

The complaint, unsealed today, charges 38 members and associates of the Huron Dog Life, Coalinga Dog Life, and San Joaquin Ruthless Perro cliques of the Bulldog street gang with various drug and firearms trafficking offenses.

Former Bullard High School Teacher Charged with Federal Child Exploitation Offenses

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment today against Ray Anthony Waller, 37, of Fresno, charging him with sexual exploitation of a child, receipt of child sexual abuse images, and sending obscene material to a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

According to court documents, between mid-November 2024 and mid-February 2025, Waller communicated with a minor by sending text, voice, and iMessages designed to have the minor create and transmit to Waller images of the victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Madera Man Sentenced to over 21 Years in Prison for Trafficking Fentanyl and Methamphetamine

MADERA - Emilio Hernandez Yesca, 31, of Madera, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston to 21 years and 10 months in prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

According to court documents, the charges arose out of a months-long investigation into a drug trafficking organization. At the center of the organization were Hernandez and co-defendant Jorge Perez, 28, of Madera. Between October 2020 and March 2021, the two conspired to distribute thousands of fentanyl pills and pounds of methamphetamine.

Former California Corrections Sergeant Indicted for Receiving and Distributing Child Pornography

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned an indictment today against Ralph Contreras Jr., 39, of Chowchilla, charging him with receipt and distribution of child pornography, Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced.

According to court documents, between September 2024 and January 2025, Contreras received and distributed at least one visual depiction of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Contreras was a corrections sergeant with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation at the time of the offenses.

California Nurse Indicted for Multi-Million Dollar Hospice Fraud in Fresno and Kern Counties

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a six-count indictment charging Jessa Zayas, 34, of Santa Clarita, with health care fraud and aggravated identity theft for submitting millions of dollars in fraudulent claims for hospice care to Medicare, Acting United States Attorney Michele Beckwith announced today.

Hospice is a type of care and support for terminally ill patients. Medicare is a federal health insurance program that covers certain hospice expenses. Generally, a patient must be certified as being terminally ill to qualify for hospice care payments under Medicare.