Local News

Batesole’s Legacy Etched in Bulldog Lore: Fresno State Coach Retires

FRESNO - After 20 seasons at the helm, Mike Batesole is stepping down as head coach of the Fresno State baseball program. Ryan Overland will serve as interim head coach for the 2023 season. Batesole, a two-time National Coach of the Year, guided the Diamond Dogs to the 2008 national championship by winning the College World Series at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha.

By taking the Bulldogs from Underdogs to Wonderdogs, Batesole's squad claimed the school's first Division I national championship for any men's sport while capturing hearts across the nation. His Bulldogs won seven-straight conference titles from 2006-12 and made six NCAA appearances in that time, advancing to the regional title game three times before winning the National Championship.

Madera County Supervisors Meet About Hospital Closure; Sheriff Declares Local Emergency

MADERA - The Madera County Board of Supervisors held a special meeting today to discuss the imminent closure of the Madera Community Hospital. After hearing testimony from the state, federal, and local leaders, as well as comments from the community, the Board gave direction to staff on the following:

DA Investigates Former Correctional Officer for Sexual Misconduct of Incarcerated Women

CHOWCHILLA – The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has referred an investigation into former Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) correctional officer Gregory Rodriguez to the Madera County District Attorney’s Office for charges of alleged sexual misconduct against incarcerated women.

In July 2022, CDCR’s Office of Internal Affairs (OIA) and CCWF Investigative Services Unit (ISU) immediately began investigating Rodriguez after discovering information that suggested sexual misconduct was occurring between Rodriguez and incarcerated women at CCWF.

Madera Community Hospital to Close Doors Within 24 Hours and File Bankruptcy

UPDATE: The Madera Community Hospital has sped up its timeline for closing. Since announcing their closing in January of next year, there has been a mass exodus of employees that now the hospital cannot staff shift. The hospital is closing within 24 hours despite an emergency meeting today in the Madera County Board of Supervisors chambers at 10 am.

MADERA - Additional conditions imposed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Trinity Health Corporation have halted plans for the operator of St Agnes Hospital to take over the financially troubled Madera Community Hospital. This move has caused Madera County’s only full-service hospital to file for bankruptcy protections, lay off employees, and begin the closing of its 106-bed facility by early next month after 52 years of service to the community.

The board of directors of the Madera Community Hospital disclosed to the public last February that they were in negotiations with Indiana-based Trinity Health Corporation to establish a permanent affiliation with the Catholic-based healthcare network that includes 92 hospitals in 22 states, with St Agnes operating its Fresno hospital and 21 primary, specialty, and urgent care clinics in the local area.

Driver in Armed Robbery of Madera Pharmacy Pleads Guilty

FRESNO - Michael Erin Vandeventer, 23, of Sparks, Nevada, pleaded guilty today to conspiracy to commit interference with commerce by robbery, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on April 19, 2020, Vandeventer and others robbed a CVS Pharmacy in Madera. The additional suspects, one armed with a handgun, entered the pharmacy and breached the barrier to enter the employee-only area.