Longtime Babe Ruth coach to be honored
If Kenny Taylor had his way, the Madera Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony would not include honoring him. Taylor hated the spotlight and wanted it turned to the athlete. Fortunately, the Madera Athletic Hall of Fame isn’t up to Taylor, and he will be honored with 10 other people on December 18 as a member […]
Basketball and softball founder into HOF
When Barbara Avila started her teaching career, little did she know that it would lead to the Hall of Fame. She started the girls basketball program at Madera High School and then started the softball program four years later. Those started as the foundations for highly successful programs that have won numerous Central Section championships. […]
Volleyball pioneer honored with induction
After ending her volleyball career at Fresno State, Linda Lucas knew she wanted to go into teaching, however she still regrets not playing her last year. “My last year at Fresno State, we got a new coach, but I thought about playing volleyball,” Lucas said. “I wanted to concentrate on teaching because that’s where the […]
Stallions pick up non-conference win
The Madera South Stallions girls basketball team used a dominant second quarter to cruise to a 34-24 victory over the Firebaugh Eagles. The Stallions committed just one turnover in the second quarter while outscoring the Eagles, 15-5, to take a 23-12 halftime lead, a lead they held most of Friday’s game. Marylin Vasquez was the […]
Coyotes defeat Sierra in overtime
SANGER — After making just two shots in the first quarter, the Madera Coyotes boys basketball team battled back to take a third quarter lead before the Sierra Chieftains forced overtime at the Central Valley Showdown at Sanger High School. The Coyotes outscored the Chieftains 8-2 in the overtime period for a 54-48 victory Saturday […]
Book Talk: Lisa Scottoline, ‘Loyalty’
If Ken Follett’s “The Evening and the Morning” is a prequel to his smash hit “Pillars of the Earth,” then Lisa Scottoline’s “Loyalty” (2023, 413 pages in hardback format) is the prequel to Mario Puzo’s “The Godfather.” It’s that good. Follett’s prequel is set about a century before “Pillars.” Scottoline’s “Loyalty” set in Sicily, takes […]
Get the soup kettle out
Many people, myself included, enjoy the variations of the seasons. I can’t say I enjoy feeling cold, but for the few times I find myself outside on winter days, the cold air does give a person a brisk pick-me-up. I am not into snow sports, now that my kids have grown, but I like looking […]
The Democrats finally won
In November of 1884, Grover Cleveland was elected to the Presidency of the United States, the first Democrat to be so honored since 1856, and his party was jubilant. Joyous celebrations proliferated throughout the nation, but none like the one thrown in Madera. Most of the nation’s Democrats waited until the votes were counted before […]