News

SACRAMENTO – California Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a series of new resources to aid small businesses and help California workers who have lost work due to COVID-19. California's small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis can apply for a loan from the federal government for up to $10 million. Importantly, the program is first-come, first-serve and the Governor encourages all eligible California small businesses to contact their lender to learn more.

Last week, the Governor also announced that the state is allocating $50 million to the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank for loan guarantees to small businesses to help eliminate barriers to capital for individuals who do not qualify for federal funds, including low wealth and undocumented immigrant communities. The state is also allowing small businesses to defer payment of sales and use taxes of up to $50,000, for up to 12 months.

MADERA – California Governor Gavin Newsom and the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, shared last week in a press briefing that “schools will not re-open, but classes will continue.” This does not mean that the school year is over. Instead, it highlights the importance of the school district's continued focus on what Madera Unified as a district is calling Continuous Learning.

Governor Newsom’s “stay at home” orders, and a similar local order, remains in place, as do federal guidelines around social distancing. In consultation with Dr. Simon Paul, Madera County Health Officer and Sara Bosse, Director of Madera County Department of Public Health, stated the need for safety through social distancing dictates that Madera Unified continues to keep the school district campuses closed to students during this pandemic.

MADERA – The Madera County Department of Public Health has confirmed that a United States Postal Service contracted mail carrier in the Coarsegold area tested positive for COVID-19 last week. At this time the source of transmission is under investigation.

The patient began exhibiting unrelated symptoms and remained at home. Two days later, the patient went to the hospital for unrelated symptoms and was tested for COVID-19. The hospital later confirmed COVID-19 and the patient returned to home isolation. Madera County Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Investigators have identified 12 individuals who had qualifying contact with the patient. All persons with qualifying contact were immediately isolated.

MADERA - Here are the current statuses of California courts, given the Coronavirus Pandemic. Please see below for a current status of each California Court, given the Coronavirus Pandemic.

As this information changes so quickly, please click the county name to go to that county's Superior Court website for current information. Information regarding the California Courts of Appeal and the United States District Courts of California follow the county court information. 

SACRAMENTO. — The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California and the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is warning California taxpayers to be alert about possible scams relating to COVID-19 economic impact payments.

U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott and Kareem Carter, Special Agent in Charge IRS Criminal Investigation, made the announcement today in an effort to equip taxpayers to avoid being victimized by criminals who may view the recently approved payments as an opportunity to commit a crime.

MADERA -  The newly opened Love's Truck Stop in Madera was temporarily closed this past weekend. An employee who works in the food court area of the truck stop at that location tested positive for COVID-19. The employee was confirmed positive on Saturday, March 28th but had not worked since Friday, March 20th when symptoms first appeared.

While closed, Love’s hired a professional cleaning team to disinfect the store during the closure. Additionally, Love’s identified those employees who were in close contact with the infected employee and instructed them to contact their health care provider and to self-quarantine for 14 days or until cleared.