Local News

CLOVIS - Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies have booked 39 year old Travis Newton of Fresno and 35 year old Daniel Garcia of Fresno into the Fresno County Jail.  Newton faces several felony charges, including:  Auto theft, possession of stolen property, evading a peace officer, possession of a firearm by a felon, negligent discharge of a gun and committing a crime while out on bail.  His bail is set at $201,000.  Garcia faces felony charges of:  Auto theft, possession of stolen property, evading a peace officer and probation violation.  His bail is set at $64,500.  However, he is not eligible for bail on the probation violation hold.

Around 11:00 pm on December 16th, someone reported suspicious behavior in the parking lot of the Loma Vista Market at Shaw and Academy Avenues.  They saw some men taking items out of a Ford F450 work truck and putting them into a trailer.  As deputies arrived, the men fled in the Ford work truck and another pickup, leaving the trailer behind.  As they left the lot, a deputy noticed one of the suspects firing several rounds from a gun straight into the air.  No one was struck by the bullets.  

WASHINGTON -  California ranks 2nd nationwide in funding programs that prevent kids from using tobacco and help smokers quit, according to a report released today by leading public health groups. California is spending $250.4 million this year on tobacco prevention and cessation programs, which is 72 percent of the $347.9 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The report challenges states to do more to fight tobacco use – the nation's No. 1 preventable cause of death – and to confront the growing epidemic of youth e-cigarette use in America. In California, 5.4 percent of high school students smoke cigarettes, while 17.3 percent use e-cigarettes. Tobacco use claims 40,000 California lives and costs the state over $13.2 billion in health care bills annually.

IONE-  The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) is assisting in the investigation of an active tuberculosis case at Mule Creek State Prison (MCSP).

On November 30, during a hospitalization stay, an inmate was diagnosed with tuberculosis. MCSP working together with the Amador County Public Health Department and the California Department of Public Health, began implementation of positive tuberculosis exposure protocols. In addition, several precautions have been taken, including evaluations of the inmate’s cellmate and other inmates who may have been exposed.  Additionally, CDCR is actively conducting investigations on any potential employee contacts.

OROVILLE - U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey joined forces today to raise public awareness of the potential for fraud in the wake of the Camp Fire. The public is urged to be on guard against fraudulent activity relating to recovery and cleanup operations, fake charities claiming to provide relief for victims, individuals submitting false claims for disaster relief, and any other disaster fraud related activity.

U.S. Attorney Scott stated: “While most people respond to tragic events like the Camp Fire with compassion and generosity, others take advantage of such disasters to fraudulently enrich themselves. I strongly encourage the public to be on the lookout for any fraudulent activity occurring in the aftermath of our state’s most devastating wildfire. With the combined resources of federal and local law enforcement, we will aggressively pursue and prosecute fraud and abuse.”