Local News

Thousands Of Girls, Boys and Families Celebrate Historic Launch Of Scouts BSA

IRVING, Texas - From twilight hikes, to festive launch parties and campouts, thousands of Scouts, parents, and volunteers will celebrate nationwide as the Boy Scouts of America welcomes for the first time both young women and young men ages 11-17 into its most iconic program for character and leadership development.

"I have never felt more joy or exhilaration than I do right now in founding our troop," shared Kim Foli, a soon-to-be Scoutmaster from Gainesville, Florida. "My daughter and I knew we had to do this last year when it was announced. Scouting was the best thing I could have done with my son, and now I walk the trail with my daughter. Scout me in!"

Former MUSD Administrator, Now Laton School District Superintendent, on The Hot Seat Again

LATON – Former Madera Unified School District Associate Superintendent, and now Superintendent for the Laton Joint Unified School District, Victor Villar has found himself in trouble again for allegedly creating a hostile work environment.

Following a special meeting of the district’s board of trustees, Villar was placed on paid administrative leave last week following allegations the educator was involved in a relationship with a district employee and creating the hostile environment with another employee.

Lemoore Man Employed at Naval Air Station Charged with Embezzlement and Theft of Union Assets

FRESNO - A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment on Thursday against Kevin Crownover, 46, of Lemoore, charging him with embezzlement and theft of union assets and aggravated identity theft, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, Crownover was the treasurer for a labor organization consisting of mechanics employed at Lemoore Naval Air Station.

Between September 2015 and October 2016, he generated at least 70 unauthorized checks and made unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union’s bank accounts, resulting in a loss to the union of at least $50,879. Furthermore, Crownover did so by forging the signature of the union president, which forms the basis of the aggravated identity theft charge.

Firebaugh Boy Killed in Tragic Gun Accident

FIREBAUGH - Shortly after 12:30 pm on Sunday, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a home near the intersection of Belmont and Fairfax Avenues in Firebaugh for a report of an accidental shooting.

When deputies arrived they found Ivan Gomez, a 12 year old boy, with a gunshot wound. Paramedics tried to revive the child but the 12-year-old victim was pronounced dead on scene. There was one other minor on the property at the time of the shooting who homicide detectives interviewed to determine exactly what happened.

Madera County Sheriff’s Detectives Responding to Suspicious Death

MADERA - Friday morning the Madera County Sheriff’s Office received a call for service reporting a possible deceased individual who was located near an abandoned house in the area of Avenue 9 and Road 22.

Upon arrival at the scene, deputies located an adult male between the ages of 20-30 with visible injuries, who was confirmed deceased. Due to the nature of the injuries, Sheriff’s detectives responded to the area to conduct a thorough investigation.