Local News

Voters Beware: Unauthorized Drop Boxes May Not Be Safe or Secure

MADERA- Madera County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Rebecca Martinez sent an urgent message to voters today regarding their vote by mail ballot.

“Voting by mail is safe. Dropping your ballot in an official Madera County Drop Box is safe, and returning them to a Vote Center is safe too,” explained Martinez. “What voters should question is handing their ballots over to someone they do not know, like a stranger that comes to their door. I also warn voters to be cautious of boxes that are not official ballot boxes.”

Former Madera High History Teacher Passes at 93: Frank Brunolli

MADERA - Frank Brunolli passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 12, 2024. He spent 93 joyful years on earth, during which time he was a Valley Pole Vaulting Champion and served in the Coast Guard in South Korea and Japan.

Born in Madera, California, you may have had him as your high school history teacher or coach at Madera High School, saw him working the ICF salami booth at the Harvest Festival, or listened to his voice in the St. Joachim's choir. He loved singing, gardening, woodworking, and praying daily for his loved ones.

Former Arvin High School Employee Sentenced for Explosives Conspiracy and Making False Statements To FBI

FRESNO - Angelo Jackson Mendiver, 27, of Bakersfield, a former campus security supervisor at Arvin High School, was sentenced today to two years in prison for conspiring to engage in the manufacturing and dealing of explosive materials and for mailing explosive devices, as well as making false statements to FBI agents, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, Mendiver used an Instagram account to sell explosives and explosive materials and worked closely with a male juvenile Bakersfield high school student to fulfill transactions and send explosives in the mail to residents of other states.

Mexican National Gets 6 Years in Prison for Leading $25 Million Tax Fraud Scheme

FRESNO - Miguel Martinez, 39, a Mexican national residing in Bakersfield, was sentenced today to six years in prison for leading a $25 million fraud against the IRS, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

“Martinez sought to steal millions in taxpayer funds meant to provide services for us all,” said U.S. Attorney Talbert. “Today’s sentence is fitting for someone who embodies reckless disregard for the law. This office will continue our efforts to bring to justice those who would organize and lead such schemes.”

Federal Jury Finds Fresno Woman Tied to M30 King of Fresno Guilty of Trafficking Fentanyl, Cocaine, and Methamphetamine

FRESNO - On Friday, Sept. 27, after a four-day trial, a federal jury found Alma Lucia Garza, 23, of Fresno, guilty of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine as well as possession with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Garza was a trusted assistant of the self-proclaimed M30 King of Fresno, Horacio Torrecillas Urias Jr. Between Nov. 2, 2021, and March 31, 2022, Garza conspired with Torrecillas Urias and others to obtain, directly from sources in Mexico, tens of thousands of counterfeit M30 fentanyl pills and large quantities of cocaine and methamphetamine. The conspiracy included the distribution of these illicit drugs to drug dealers inside and outside of California.