News

Cool Hand Luke's Shuts Doors in Madera & Turlock

MADERA – Around one o’clock this afternoon with customers eating their lunch the owner of Madera’s Cool Hand Luke’s Steak House and locked the doors. While employees knew that today would be the last day the restaurant would be open, none of them knew at what time they would be out of a job.

According to employees that contacted Big Valley News the restaurant, owned by Tom Pilloud of Fresno, was having issues with vendors and employees. One former employee said she would try to cash her payroll checks but she wasn’t sure if it would bounce or not.

PETA Calls for Investigation of Local Slaughterhouse

MADERA - Armed with a damning U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, PETA sent s letter today calling on the Madera County District Attorney's Office to investigate and, as appropriate, file criminal charges against JJ Meat Company and the worker or workers responsible for the botched stunning of a calf.

The letter follows a second report released just yesterday revealing that on April 25, workers at the slaughterhouse dragged a conscious goat by the back legs into the blood pit. According to the first USDA report, on April 3, an inspector discovered a calf who'd been improperly shot in the head crying out in the blood pit and attempting to stand up.

President Of Health Care Company Based In Fresno And Visalia Pleads Guilty To Illegal Use Of Client Funds

FRESNO - Mark Merrill Reynolds, 62, of Fresno, pleaded guilty today to unlawfully converting to his own use client funds held by his company, Ben-E-Lect, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, Reynolds was the president and sole shareholder of Ben‑E-Lect and Ben-E-Lect of Visalia.

These companies operated in Fresno and Tulare Counties. Ben-E-Lect’s clients were small to medium sized businesses that purchased high‑deductible, fully insured group medical plans from independent insurance carriers, and then self‑insured beneficiaries for amounts up to the amount of the high deductible. Ben-E-Lect processed the claims using funds that its clients paid into an account known as the Ben-E-Lect Employer Elect account.

Fresno Man Sentenced for Laser Strike on Police Helicopter

FRESNO - Michael Vincent Alvarez, 32, of Fresno, Calif., was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for striking Air-1, a Fresno Police Department helicopter, with a powerful green laser beam, U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott announced. According to court documents, on October 22, 2017, Alvarez struck a Fresno Police helicopter several times with a powerful green laser. The laser caused visual interference of the tactical flight officer and disrupted an air support response to a domestic violence call.

Alvarez was driving a vehicle on Highway 99 when he pointed the laser at the helicopter and tracked and struck it. When ground units were called to apprehend Alvarez, he drove through the streets of Fresno at a high rate of speed, eluding officers for several miles until he crashed into the center divider at First Street and Floradora Avenue. Following the crash, Alvarez ran into a residential area, jumping several fences until he was arrested in a backyard. A green laser pointer that officers found inside the driver side door pocket of Alvarez’s vehicle had a danger warning on it.

Soroptimist is Celebrating 50 years of Service to the Oakhurst Area

OAKHURST - Soroptimist International of The Sierras is celebrating 50 years of service in the Oakhurst Area and inviting the community to join them for this once in 50 years special event in Bass Lake at The Pines Resorts beautiful Lakeview Room on Sunday, May 20, 2018. The event will be a luncheon from 11 am to 2 pm and tickets are $30. RSVP is a must by contacting Club President Joelle Leder-Rule at 310.433.3286 by Monday, May 14, 2018.

We will be honoring seven of our amazing current members for long standing service to our community with a special ceremony. Since 1968, 50 years, Charter Member, Ann Topham, 40 years – Dannie Forbes, 31 years – Dianne Abney, 30 years – Cass Adelsbach, 28 years – Sandy Brinley, 28 years – Tara Ryan and 25 years – Peggy Davis.

Dunkin’ Donuts Debuts in Madera with Grand Opening of New Restaurant at WalMart

MADERA – Dunkin’ Donuts kicked off the opening of its newest restaurant in Madera with a grand opening celebration on Tuesday morning the Madera Wal-Mart on West Cleveland Avenue. The event included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Madera Mayor Andy Medellin. Customers of Wal-Mart and Dunkin’ Donuts gobbled up special giveaways and product samples and had photo opportunities with Dunkin’ Donuts’ iconic mascot, Cuppy.

As part of the grand opening, Dunkin’ Donuts made a $1000 charitable donation to Valley Children’s Hospital. The hospital’s mascot George showed up to accept the check and take photos with kids and eat up some delicious donuts.

Amtrak San Joaquins Begins Early Morning Service to Sacramento

FRESNO - Beginning this morning riders travelling from as far south as Fresno can board an Amtrak San Joaquins Morning Express train and arrive in Sacramento before 8:00AM. With support from businesses, local and state elected leaders, and members of the community, this new service will make travel on the San Joaquins more convenient – helping increase ridership and bringing environmental benefits from reduced greenhouse gas emissions as more passengers avoid driving along congested highways.

“The SJJPA prioritized the Morning Express service as a significant improvement that will make our trains a more attractive option for many travelers in the Central Valley,” said Vito Chiesa, Chair of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Board of Directors. “Increased reliance on passenger rail will facilitate economic growth in a vibrant and connected Central Valley.”