Rodriguez will not seek re-election
After almost 15 years in office, Max Rodriguez will not seek re-election to the Madera County Board of Supervisors. Citing a desire to spend more time with his family, Rodriguez said it was time to retire and allow for the next generation of leaders to emerge. Rodriguez represents Madera’s 4th supervisorial district, which primarily encompasses […]
Gusty weekend winds prompt health caution
The potential for blowing dust as a result of anticipated gusty winds has prompted local air pollution officials to issue a health cautionary statement effective through Saturday night for the entire San Joaquin Valley. The northern and western parts of the Valley will be the first areas to see potential influence, with impacts likely covering […]
Madera Police Log: Sept. 19
The Madera Police Department reported the following incidents. 10:03 a.m. — Rental House Inspection Program in the 1000 block of Cutting Street. 10:36 a.m. — Code enforcement inspection in the 300 block of Sherwood Way. 11:51 a.m. — Animal found dead near East 4th Street and North Gateway Drive. 12:47 p.m. — Parking citation issued […]
Chowchilla officials applaud Senate Bill 5, urge Governor Newsom to sign it
SB 5 provides funding to help local governments subsidize affordable housing for working class families and those facing homelessness The City of Chowchilla thanked members of the Legislature for passing Senate Bill 5 (Beall, McGuire, Portantino), a bill that establishes a state partnership with cities and counties to provide ongoing, sustainable funding to subsidize affordable […]
‘Good old days’ were deadly for one boy
It was the middle of August, and in a few days school would begin again for Burt Hambleton and Jimmie Thurman. The summer of 1902 had been pure elixir for the pair of Madera teenagers. They had done their share of swimming and fishing, and now they were going to try their luck at hunting […]
Letter: They always come in threes…
For the third time in my life, I’ll be a spectator to the impeachment of the President of the United States of America. I have thoughts on three subjects: the process of impeachment, the history of impeachment, and the politics of impeachment. I. The Process of Impeachment The process of impeachment is, on paper, relatively […]
Letter: Let’s go to church
I agree with some of Charles Weiland’s thoughts from last week, but have some disagreements, too. Church attendance is down, for sure. Ours has fewer every year. Few young people coming. Why is this? Most young people are driven by entertainment. There are too many self-satisfaction things available. Ball games, golf, parties, the Internet and […]
Letter: MUSD trustees miss mark again
Here we go again. A recent vote by the Madera Unified School District Board of Trustees to increase the “Developer Fees,” which are paid for the construction of a new home from $4.10 per square foot to $5.00 per square foot helped to put another nail in Madera’s coffin. It was to take effect immediately. […]
Opinion: Gov. Newsom’s lone legislative mystery
There were few mysteries during the California Legislature’s just-concluded main session of 2019. With majorities topping two-thirds in both the Assembly and state Senate, the lawmakers fulfilled most of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s campaign promises from last year. There was action on housing, even if it likely won’t make much of a dent in homelessness or […]
Opinion: Whom to tip and how much
In the movie “My Blue Heaven,” actor Steve Martin is a government informant who goes into witness protection. The former mobster remarks, “I tip everyone.” And he spent the movie tipping the box boy at the supermarket and everyone else he came in contact with. When my husband and I began dating back in the […]