News

Madera County Voters Reject Marcia Hall as Auditor - So She Quits Six Months Before Term Ends

***CONFIRMED***
MADERA COUNTY AUDITOR MARCIA HALL CLEANED OUT DESK AND EMAILED STAFF & BOARD OF SUPS "YOU DON'T DESERVE HIM, MAYBE YOU DIDN'T DESERVE ME EITHER."
***CONFIRMED***

MADERA - It's Miller Time in Madera County as Merced CPA Marcia Hall gets smacked in the nose with the football of truth; the voters did not want her as the Madera County Auditor. When the first absentee ballots were counted Tuesday night, Oakhurst CPA Todd Miller was leading the race by double digits and all night long his percentages never changed.

While the vote is still unofficial until it has been certified by Madera County Clerk Rebecca Martinez, Miller crushed Hall with 8087 votes to the appointed auditors 6155 or 56.6% to 43%. Even though four out of five of the Madera County Board of Supervisors, the Sierra Star and Madera Tribune supported her candidacy, the voters saw through all the smoke and mirrors and chose the most qualified candidate.

New Hostile Work Environment Claim Against Madera County

MADERA COUNTY - The existence of an investigation regarding harassment in the Madera County administration office has come to light but will not be discussed by the Madera County Board of Supervisors until after the June 3rd elections.

The county-commissioned report published by the Bickmore Risk Services of Sacramento was investigated by attorney Melissa McDonald. The Bickmore firm operates one of the nation’s largest independent risk management, pool management and actuarial consulting firms with a focus on public entities, such as municipalities, counties, and special districts.

Suspect in Custody for Madera Murder

MADERA - Madera Police Department dispatch received a call of shots fired in the area of Madera Ave. and Olive Ave Monday evening Upon arrival, officers found that a Hispanic male, in his 20’s, had been shot multiple times.

Officers administered first aid and Pistoresi Ambulance transported the victim to Madera Community Hospital where he died from his wounds.

Madera Sheriff's Department Sued For Hostile Work Environment & Retaliation

READ IT HERE FIRST- BIG VALLEY NEWS EXCLUSIVE

MADERA - A lawsuit has been filed against the Madera County Sheriff's Department claiming they fostered a hostile work environment, retaliation, religious discrimination, harassment and failure to prevent discrimination and retaliation. This charge is being leveled by the Sacramento law firm, The Bohm Law Group. The complaint stems from seven years of alleged harassment Deputy Ian Roth faced from a sergeant in the department.

According to court documents, the sergeant (who's name we will not release in this story) began his harassment of Roth when the deputy was assigned to the courtroom of Judge Jennifer Detjen in the Madera County Superior Court as a bailiff.

Former Madera Fire Captain Wanted in Sacramento Murder

****STORY UPDATE****

SACRAMENTO COUNTY - The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department is continuing its effort to locate and arrest Orville "Moe" Fleming (55) in connection with the death of paid escort Sara Douglas (27) which occurred on May 1st just after midnight. Douglas was discovered deceased in the home she shares with Fleming on Fox River Way in Sacramento County around 8:55am by her sister, Stephanie Douglas.

Due to the intense media interest in this case, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department has received tips as far away as Oregon. Sheriff’s Detectives and Crime Scene investigators worked in conjunction with personnel from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office Crime Lab throughout the night to gather evidence at the residence where this incident occurred to try and piece together what happened. Investigators observed injuries on Douglas’ body indicating she was stabbed during this altercation.

Cal/OSHA Fines Butler Amusements over $100,000 for Willful Violations at Big Fresno Fair

FRESNO - Cal/OSHA fined Butler Amusements, Inc. $101,250 following an investigation which found that the temporary amusement ride operator knowingly conducted rides after key bolts and cross bracing had been removed. The compromised rides included the Giant Wheel and Flying Bobs rides at the Big Fresno Fair last October.

"When the safety of riders is put at risk, we make sure immediate steps are taken to correct any existing hazards," said Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Cal/OSHA, also known as the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is a division of DIR.

Former Madera Mayor Buried With Honors at National Cemetery

John W Wells Laid To Rest Among Other Heroes

SANTA NELLA - Former Madera mayor and city councilman John W Wells was laid to rest Monday at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.

Wells was the longest serving council member for the city of Madera first running in 1962. He lost that election but two years later the voters of Madera gave him his seat on the council. He held that seat until 1977. During his first stint on the council Wells served as Madera Mayor three times.