News

MADERA -  District 4 chief of staff, Leticia Gonzalez, has announced her candidacy for the Madera County Board of Supervisor district 4 seat. Leticia, who has served as Supervisor Max Roadriguez’ staffer for 12 years is a local community leader with deep ties to the district. A lifelong Madera County resident, Leticia credits her parents for instilling the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion in her and intends to make those qualities the centerpiece of her campaign. 

“Lety knows first-hand the struggles the people of district 4 face every day,” explained Rodriguez.  “Good paying jobs, safe and affordable drinking water and affordable housing remain major issues and no one understands this more than Lety.”

FRESNO - On Tuesday afternoon, 59-year-old Alan DuPras died from medical complications while admitted as a patient at Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno. DuPras was originally booked into the Fresno County Jail on September 25, 2018. He was transferred from the jail to the hospital on October 6, 2019, and remained there until his death on October 15th.

The Kingsburg man was in custody for the December 2017 murders of his ex-wife, 55-year-old Jennifer Dupras and her mother, 88-year-old Cynthia Houk. DuPras was arrested outside his home located on the 2800 block of 18th Street in Kingsburg. DuPras has been booked into the Fresno County Jail on two counts of murder, two counts of arson, a count of possession of assault weapons and a count of vandalism. His bail was set at $3.142 million.

CLOVIS - Discount grocery ALDI opened its first store in the Fresno-Clovis area Thursday. About 100 people lined up for the store opening at 1725 Herndon Ave. in Clovis, in the former Fresh & Easy store near Fowler Avenue. ALDI is excited to share new study results from Kantar that indicate ALDI is easier to navigate and a faster, more fun grocery retailer to shop than Walmart Supercentersⁱ.

The study findings concluded 77% of the participants who identified as primary grocery shoppers and shopped at ALDI agree the store is "simpler to shop" compared to other grocery stores. It also showed it is at least 20% faster to shop at ALDI than at Kroger and Walmart storesⁱⁱ. Every inch of an ALDI store is intentionally designed to provide a more streamlined experience, offering shoppers exactly what they need, nothing more and nothing less.

AISLE OF FUN
One of the reasons ALDI is fun to shop at is the nearly 100 unique ALDI Finds the store puts out every week. Ranging from seasonal items such as Bat Knit Crazy Cheddar and other Halloween-themed cheeses and decor; luxury jarred candles; pre-mixed mimosasⁱⁱⁱ; a range of Advent calendars including cheese, chocolate, toys, beer and premium wine; home furnishings including a recent social media favorite teal cabinet; small kitchen appliances, pet sweaters, cast iron cookware, and yes, even chainsaws.

"Today's shoppers are pressed for time and money. We pioneered a model that gives people more of both — if you ask me, this is a winning combination for grocery shopping," said Scott Patton, Vice President of Corporate Buying, ALDI U.S. "We've carefully designed our stores and product selection to give shoppers a fast and convenient experience where they can also have some fun!"

LESS GUESSWORK, MORE SAVINGS
Additionally, nine out of 10 respondents who shopped at ALDI agree it was "more cost-effective" than other grocery stores. ALDI has been named the Value Leader for eight years running, according to a Market Force Information® survey^iv and a 2019 Dunnhumby report ranked ALDI the number one grocery retailer for price^v.

Unlike traditional grocery stores that offer endless product options, such as half an aisle of olive oil, ALDI only sells the most popular varieties in the most popular sizes so customers can be confident in their purchase. When it comes to product quality, ALDI-exclusive products are rigorously tested to meet or exceed the quality and taste of name brands, and one in five ALDI-exclusive products is award-winning^vi.

REINVENTING THE GROCERY MODEL
"The goal of our research was to create a consistent and accurate way to compare the in-store experience at ALDI versus some of the country's most-shopped grocery stores," said James Sorensen at Kantar. "By studying several hundred shoppers, we were able to deliver an analysis of how a unique retailer like ALDI can reinvent the shopping experience for the benefit of shoppers."

To qualify for the study, participants must have identified themselves as the primary grocery shopper for their household and must have shopped at an ALDI, Kroger (any Kroger-owned store brand) or Walmart Supercenter within the past month. Kantar recruited 700 people ages 18-64 across four regions of the country to engage in a timed shop for 30^vii of the most commonly purchased grocery items. After participants finished shopping, they completed a survey to assess their satisfaction with the overall shopping experience. The study was commissioned by ALDI.

About ALDI U.S.
A leader in the grocery retailing industry since 1976, ALDI operates more than 1,900 U.S. stores in 36 states. More than 40 million customers each month benefit from the simple, streamlined approach ALDI brings to retailing. ALDI sells frequently purchased grocery and household items, primarily under its exclusive brands, and these products are designed to meet or exceed national name brands on taste and quality. Among our ALDI-exclusive products, 1 in 5 is award-winning. For the eighth year in a row, ALDI was recognized as the value leader among U.S. grocery stores by a Market Force Information® survey of U.S. consumers. ALDI also backs up its products with a Twice as Nice Guarantee: replacing the product AND offering a full refund.

FRESNO - Property Crimes detectives with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office have arrested 25-year-old Jarrel Garrett and 21-year-old Radaeja Howlin, both of Fresno. They have been booked into the Fresno County Jail and each one faces felony charges of burglary and probation violation. Garrett’s bail is set at $240,000 and Howlin’s bail is $80,000.

Around midnight on October 3rd, a woman made a 911 call to the sheriff’s office to report a burglary was taking place at her home located on the 300 block of W. San Ramon Ave. in Fresno. Deputies arrived and saw a man and woman (later identified as Jarrel Garrett and Radaeja Howlin) crawling out a front window, holding items they were attempting to steal.

MADERA  -  A Madera County jury this week found defendant Richard "Speedy" Phillips responsible for the robbery and murder of Bruce Bartulis and attempted murder of Ron Rose in 1977.

Phillips lured the unsuspecting Bartulis and Rose to Madera County from southern California for the purpose of robbing them. Once in Madera County, Phillips took them to a deserted area along the 99 freeway where he shot them 6 times, stole their wallets and property, doused them in gasoline, and set them on fire. Rose, who was still alive, was able to get away. Phillips then chased him down with his car and hit him.

FRESNO -  Fresno County Sheriff's Deputies and volunteers with the Fresno County Search and Rescue (SAR) Team continue to search the wilderness for 65-year-old Hans Lamaack. He was last seen in the City of Fresno on August 30, 2019.

The Sheriff’s Office was made aware that he was missing on September 24th. On the 24th, deputies found Lamaack’s car, a 2001 Volvo. It was parked near Garnet Dike Campground, which is located along the upper Kings River near Balch Camp.