Local News

Detectives Searching for Men who Stole ATM Machine from Friant Gas Station

FRIANT - Around 3:30 am on January 17th, a burglary occurred at the Shell gas station located at 17822 N. Friant Road in Friant. Four men, all wearing hoods and masks, arrived in a white pickup truck pulling a small cargo trailer. They broke into the front door of the store and split up.

As the security alarm went off, two men removed an ATM, while the other two went behind the counter and removed a safe. Both contained cash. The exact amount of money is not being disclosed. After spending only one minute in the store, the men wheeled the ATM and safe into the parking lot. They loaded the ATM into the trailer, but for unknown reasons left the safe behind in the parking lot as they drove away.

Get a Flu Shot Now, There is Still Time

WASHINGTON D.C. - Senior citizen advocate Dan Weber has issued a call for the elderly, in particular, to get a flu shot if they haven't done so already. He says it is not too late. The flu season began earlier than usual this year and is expected to last for months.

"There's still time and, as the saying goes, better late than never. It could save lives. Seniors, especially those 65 years of age or older, are at greater risk of complications from influenza because their immune systems grow weaker with age," according to Weber, who is president of the Association of Mature American Citizens.

International Agri-Center Prepares For 51st World Ag Expo

TULARE - International Agri-Center® to hold its 51st World Ag Expo® farm show on February 13-15, 2018. The largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind, World Ag Expo® boasts more than 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. In 2017, 105,780 people came from 43 states and 71 countries to attend the 50th anniversary of World Ag Expo®.

The World Ag Expo® Arena will once again offer daily Equipment Showcases, where exhibitors will perform live demonstrations of their latest products. Seminars will be offered in a variety of categories, including dairy, irrigation, international trade, business and farm management, marketing and media, and general agriculture. These seminars are presented by professionals in the industry and provide attendees with valuable information to improve their operations.

Shooting Threats Made At Madera High - Security Increased

MADERA - Madera Police Department received a report from Madera High School of a threat of a school shooting. The threat was written on a bathroom wall at the school. A number of students were interviewed and the investigation remains ongoing. During lunch today, the school staff was informed and asked for any relevant information and advised to be vigilant for the safety of all.

While police say the threat was not specific, reports to BVN are the targets threatened are students who have bullied and teachers who have turned their backs to the bullying. Police do not believe this to be a credible threat, however all threats of this nature must be taken seriously and there will be an increase of security at the school for the foreseeable future.

Increased Car Thefts in Kerman, City Offers Steering Wheel Locks

KERMAN - Since January 1st the Kerman Police Department has taken ten stolen vehicle reports from various locations around the city. This is a significant increase compared to the vehicle thefts reported in January of last year. Only one vehicle theft was reported in the month of January in 2017. The rise in vehicle thefts in Kerman is consistent with the rise of reported vehicle thefts in nearby cities.

The Kerman PD Detective has been in communication with the Fresno County Auto Theft Task Force (H.E.A.T) as these recent cases are investigated. Several of the stolen vehicles have been recovered including a vehicle that was located in the Delano area where it was found stripped and burned.