News

Bat found in Madera County tested Positive for Rabies

MADERA – This month, a bat found in Oakhurst tested positive for the rabies virus, marking the second confirmed animal rabies diagnosis this year in Madera County. Sara Bosse, Madera County Department of Public Health Director says, “The rabies virus is a fairly rare and often fatal disease affecting the brain. Mammals, including humans, are susceptible.” .

The rabies virus is typically detected in skunks and bats, less often in animals like coyotes, foxes and raccoons, with domestic animals being infrequently diagnosed. The rabies virus is transmitted through the saliva of a rapid animal that bites another animal or human, or when contagious saliva infects a break in the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, nose). If you are bitten by a wild animal, promptly wash the wound with soap and water. Immediately consult with your health care provider or Madera County Department of Public Health to determine if the wound requires further attention and whether preventive rabies treatment is required.

DEADLINE COMING: Don't Forget To Return Your Ballots By Tuesday

MADERA – Election Day came sooner this year thanks to the California Voters Choice Act but only a small fraction of the voters have taken advantage. On May 8^th the county mailed out ballots to every registered voter with instructions for the new voting process but as of one week before the traditional Election Day on June 5^th, only 14% of Madera County’s 55,631 voters have returned their mailed out ballots.

Unlike in years past when voters were assigned neighborhood precincts where they would cast their votes, last month every registered voter in Madera County was mailed a ballot that voters can mail back, drop off or vote at several locations through-out the county on accessible devices. The Madera County Elections Department is concerned and wants to remind voters that the deadline for returning ballots is Tuesday, June 5^th before 8pm.

Police Save the Bacon Nabbing Gang Members Burglarizing Fresno’s Frosty Queen

FRESNO - During the morning hours Wednesday Fresno Police Officers Robert Saenz and Drew Vanzant with the Downtown Policing Unit were proactively patrolling the Mural District when they were alerted by citizens of a crime near the Frosty Queen Restaurant located at Van Ness and Divisadero Avenues.

The citizens observed two male subjects burglarizing the business, which had not opened yet for the day. Officers Saenz and Vanzant quickly detained eighteen year old Domingo Silva on the property. They radioed to Downtown Policing Unit Officers Adriana Ponce and Mandeep Khela who quickly detained the second suspect, twenty five year old Danny Martinez, as he was leaving the area on foot.

Stockton Man Sentenced To Over 5 Years In Prison In Credit Card Fraud And Identity Theft Scheme

SACRAMENTO - Boone B. Khoonsrivong, 41, of Stockton, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to five years and five months in prison for conspiracy to commit credit card fraud and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme aimed at Target REDcard account holders across the United States involving hundreds of fraudulent transactions and at least 1,000 victims, United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. Khoonsrivong was also sentenced to a concurrent term of three years for destruction of letter boxes in in Wallace, California, charged in a separate indictment.

According to the indictment charging the credit-card fraud conspiracy, between March 2014 and September 2015, Khoonsrivong and eight co-conspirators stole personal information from victims through various methods. The conspirators then used that information to create unauthorized access devices or otherwise used unauthorized access devices to obtain things of value in excess of $1,000.

Granite Bay Man Indicted For Illegal Firearm Possession

SACRAMENTO - A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment today against Tamaran Edward Bontemps, 20, of Granite Bay, charging him with possessing a firearm as a felon, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, on April 18, 2018, law enforcement officers stopped a group of four men in Vallejo after officers noticed a gun-shaped object in one of the men’s clothing. The officers found a 9 mm handgun in the first man’s sweater.

During the encounter, one of the officers also saw an object inside Bontemps’ sweatshirt that the officer believed was a gun. Officers searched Bontemps and located a .40 caliber pistol holstered inside Bontemps’ sweatshirt. Bontemps cannot lawfully possess firearms or ammunition because he has previously been convicted of a felony offense.

High-Speed Rail and Tree Fresno Begin Tree Planting Program at West Fresno Middle School

FRESNO – On Tuesday, May 29, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) and Tree Fresno began the first phase of tree planting at West Fresno Middle School. Nearly 200 trees were planted by volunteers and students. The trees are the first part of the Authority’s effort to offset greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with high-speed rail construction and achieve the Authority’s goal of zero net direct GHG emissions from construction. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) administers funds for tree planting programs on behalf of the Authority per an Interagency Agreement.

Tree Fresno was awarded a grant to plant as many as 2,400 trees in several phases at West Fresno Middle School, West Fresno Elementary School, Mary Ella Brown Community Center, and parks and schools in the San Joaquin Valley.

Madera Set to Commemorate Robert F. Kennedy’s Visit Before 1968 Assassination

MADERA - In observance of the 50^th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s visit to the state’s agricultural heartland, residents and community leaders are teaming up to host a special community event intended to pay tribute to the former presidential hopeful’s legacy and highlight a visit he made to Madera on May 30, 1968.

The free community event will take place on Wednesday, May 30^th, 2018, at the Madera County Library, from 5:30 to 7:00pm and will feature a local RFK exhibit, student orators, where participating youth will recite a speech of their choosing made by Kennedy during his tenure as a public servant, reflection and discussion, guest speakers, and more.