Local News

Madera County Blocks Public Parking and Disrespects Handicap Veteran's

VETERAN'S MEMORIAL PARKING LOT CLOSED TO COURT VISITORS

MADERA - A parking lot behind the Madera County Courthouse Museum dedicated to the fallen United States Military Veterans will no longer be available to the public visiting the new Madera County Superior Courthouse. Wednesday morning security officers from the County of Madera kept three disabled veterans from using the handicap parking while they had business at the new courthouse across the street.

The veterans, one who needed a walker to get around, were threatened with having their vehicles towed if they parked in the once public parking lot. New signs went up last week banning the public from parking in the only parking lot for the Madera County Courthouse Park if they are visiting the new superior court. Thursday afternoon after BVN asked the county administration about the incidents, later that day the Veteran's Memorial Parking lot sign was removed from the parking lot.

Bill Coate Honored as Grand Marshall of Madera South Homecoming

MADERA - Local historian and newspaper columnist Bill Coate was honored by Madera South High School Friday when he was selected to be Grand Marshall of the 2015 Homecoming parade. Coate drove through the streets of Madera towards Madera South High School in a convertible Mustang from Silva Ford with his grandson and daughter Friday afternoon. Then later that night in the middle of Lee DaSilva Field at Memorial Stadium, flipped the coin with the officials to start the football game.

After leaving his native state of Florida, Bill Coate enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1959. While he was stationed at Mather Air Force Base near Sacramento, he met and married Mary Ann Judge. They have been married for 54 years. Bill and Mary have two children, Debbie and John. They have five grandchildren, Jordan Scott, Sara Coate, William Coate, Emily Coate, and Kristine Kemmer. They also have two great grandchildren, Milo and Grace.

MADERA UNIFIED CANCELS ALL FRIDAY FOOTBALL GAMES - FAIR OPENS AT 5PM

MADERA FAIR GATES OPEN AT 5PM - CONCERT STARTS AT 8PM

MADERA - The Madera Unified School District has made the determination that all of Friday's outdoor activities have been cancelled including the football games for Madera High School and Madera South High School. "All outdoor activities including both football games, have now been cancelled for tonight. Deteriorating Air Quality is the reason. Phone messages will go out to parents", according to MUSD Superintendent Ed Gonzales.

MUSD's annual third grade field trip to the Madera District Fair was also cancelled because of the air, but the Madera Fair will open it's gates this evening at 5pm. Today is American Hero's Day where all active duty military and current police, fire and medical responders will receive free admission.

They're Out in Golden Valley: Ranchos Trustee Recall Successful

MADERA RANCHOS - In what may prove to be a lesson for all school boards in the Central Valley, three Golden Valley Unified School District Trustees have been removed from office. The recall movement in the Madera Ranchos that started when the school board fired a popular superintendent, Andy Alvarado, resulted in an over-whelming percentage of the voters saying goodbye three members.

Board president Kathleen Crumpton, John Mosley and Carla Neal were sent packing last night as nearly 90% of the voters said their voices will be heard. On February 3rd of this year nearly 400 citizens crowded the Liberty High School Theater for a board meeting. These parents defended the actions of then Superintendent Andy Alvarado but at the end of the night these three board members went against the parents and removed the superintendent from his position.

Charges Dropped Against Man Defending Himself in 2013 CHP Road Rage Shooting

MADERA - After a year and a half the Madera County District Attorney's Office has dropped all charges against a Madera man accused of brandishing a firearm at an off-duty CHP officer who was following him in a road-rage incident through the city of Madera.

Supervising assistant district attorney Karen Mitchell said in the Madera County Superior Court last week that the DAs office would not be pursuing charges against David Romero (53). Madera County District Attorney David Linn told Big Valley News, "I did not feel it was in the best interest of justice to continue the case."