Resurrection of a mayor
If anybody thought the City of Madera had seen the last of John Wells when the voters turned him out to pasture in 1976, they were badly mistaken. After 12 years on the City Council, he had been bitten by the political bug, and through the 1980s, he just sat back and bid his time. […]
Community pillar passes
The community of Madera has lost another of its beloved pillars of the community, Gary Oberti, who passed away on July 14. Oberti was well-known in the Madera community, not only because of his surname made famous by the family olive business, but because of the very character he possessed. He was kind and loving, […]
Love those delicious blackberries
My own blackberries are only just now starting to get a blush on them, but some of my friends have been picking theirs. When they get ripe, I never have any leftovers to pack away in the freezer. Partly because I don’t get all that many and partly because I can eat them nonstop. My […]
Book Talk: Margolin, ‘The Third Victim’
Phillip Margolin has been a best-selling author for 45 years, since the publication of “Heartstone” in 1978. Five years ago, he started a new series, and it is terrific. “The Third Victim” (2018, 324 pages in paperback format) introduces defense attorney Robin Lockwood. Robin helped to pay her tuition through college and law school by […]
Laird is first stunting recruit
Madera High School introduced the sport of stunting in the spring of 2021 right after the COVID-19 pandemic, and now has its first four-year scholarship recipient. Cienna Laird signed a National Letter of Intent to participate in stunting at Vanguard University. “It’s like cheer without dance,” she said. “It’s only the stunts, tumbling and jumps. […]
Thompson headed to Missouri
By signing a National Letter of Intent to Culver-Stockton College in Missouri, Madera South’s William Thompason accomplished a goal he set when he entered four years ago. “It was a hope to play football in college,” he said. “I’ve been playing since I was in the fourth grade. It was always in the back of […]
Wilson continues FPU pipeline
When Eric Wilson signed his National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Fresno Pacific University, he continues a tradition of Coyotes playing for the Sunbirds. He continues a line that began with Alec Merhten and continued with Tristan Alvarez and Brian Hefner to play for the Sunbirds. “It’s pretty nice,” Wilson said. “I had […]
Stallions wrestler is first to go
When Madera South female wrestler Christina Jaen-Contreras signed her National Letter of Intent to wrestle at Life University near Atlanta, Georgia, she became the first Stallions’ female wrestler to earn a four-year scholarship. “Everything happens for a reason,” she said. “I’m glad I was able to get a scholarship and end my senior year with […]