Alleged predator loses his teaching license
No more public money for Castrejon A Madera South High School teacher who allegedly impregnated one of his students and insisted that she have an abortion has reached the end of his financial windfall. Ruben Castrejon, who has been drawing his full salary and benefits since May 2016, when he was placed on paid administrative […]
Al Galvez resigns from MUSD board, citing serious family health issue
Al Galvez, in his third consecutive term as president of the Madera Unified School board, resigned from the board effective Thursday. In an emotional announcement, Galvez informed the board that his father had suffered a serious heart attack and that he was removing himself from public activities to join his brothers in caring for their […]
Rabid brown bat is found
A small brown bat found in a backyard on Evergreen Drive off Crane Valley Road (Road 426) has tested positive for rabies, an often fatal disease, according to authorities. It is the third such bat to test positive for rabies in the city. Madera County Animal Services Director Kirsten Gross said the bat was found […]
Chowchilla council votes to put public safety tax on Nov. ballot
Chowchilla’s City Council has voted to put a public safety tax on the November ballot, following a survey, begun last year to assess the public’s support for such a tax. The tax, if approved by voters, would be a 1 percent sales tax on retail transactions. It would last for eight years unless renewed by […]
Animals in dire conditions seized
Madera County Animal Control responds to citizen report COARSEGOLD — A call from a concerned resident led Madera County Animal Control officers to a hoarding situation inside two decrepit campers Wednesday evening in 105-degree heat. The campers had no power or water. Inside the campers, officers found 50 small Chihuahua-mix dogs and six cats. The […]
Plastic pollution: An ocean of concern
Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word. Benjamin: Yes sir. Mr. McGuire: Are you listening? Benjamin: Yes, I am. Mr. McGuire: Plastics. — From “The Graduate” Directed by Mike Nichols, 1967 “The Graduate,” the iconic motion picture about Benjamin Braddock, an unfocused college graduate who has an affair with […]
Life is full of cautionary tales
My boss thinks I am crazy, and he is not wrong. In his Wednesday column, he says people who continue to smoke cigarettes knowing how bad they are for our health and longevity are crazy. However, this doesn’t take into account how crazy it makes me when I need a hit of nicotine. I could […]
Letter writer praises another
Frank Bradford’s letter in response to Loraine Goodwin’s letter on President Trump’s Helsinki Summit was right on. Dr. Martin Luther King asked us to judge by character and not color. I think we do that. However, in Loraine Goodwin’s case, we come to the same conclusion. — Bill Hoffrage, Madera
Coyote volleyball hosts first skills camp
For the first time, Madera Coyote varsity volleyball coach Meghan Haas and her team hosted a volleyball camp for third through sixth graders in Joe Flores Gym. The Elementary Skills Camp was held Tuesday through Thursday afternoons in the gym. Seventeen players attended the camp on the second day. “We weren’t sure what the turnout […]
Madera boxer boasts unblemished record
“I showcased my power once again. He had nothing for me, to be honest,” Lua said after his knockout back in May. Having that hometown crowd atmosphere gave Lua a lift throughout his fight and it’s a feeling he hopes to continue moving forward. “It was a home match for me because of all the […]