Madera South grad ranked No. 1
Madera South High School’s Michelle Ramirez-Rueda will walk across the stage during 2026 Commencement Ceremonies at Matilda Torres High School as the No. 1 ranked student in her class. However, she didn’t set out for the top spot. “Originally, I was attempting to try hard classes to challenge myself, and I got No. 1, which […]
Two-vehicle crash leads to fatality
California Highway Patrol Madera officers responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash at the intersection of Avenue 21 and Road 28 1/2. An 18-year-old man from Madera was driving a white Ford Escape southbound on Road 28 1/2, traversing the intersection of Avenue 21 at an unknown speed on May 22 at about 10:30 a.m. A […]
E-Bike accident
Officers with the Madera Police Department responded to a traffic collision involving a motor vehicle and an electric bike (e-bike) Wednesday evening. During the incident, the e-bike rider was struck while traveling through an intersection, resulting in significant injuries. The rider was transported by EMS for medical treatment, and is currently in stable condition. In […]
We’re gonna celebrate!
On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally adopted the text of the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and a committee of five. The date became our anniversary date. So, on the Fourth of July of this year, we will celebrate 250 years of our independence as a nation. This is definitely a […]
Opinion: Middle class? Who knows
I approach writing this column with trepidation. Social class is a complex and little-understood term. About 75 years ago, a sociologist name Lloyd Warner described six social classes along a continuum: Upper-upper class, Lower-upper, Upper-middle, Lower-middle, Upper-lower, and Lower-lower. This configuration has been used as a matter of convenience over the years although any respectable […]
Madera’s killer fire
As Madera moved into the 1940s, many looked forward to the return of good times. The Great Depression was over, and Prohibition had wilted away. Agriculture had replaced lumber as the town’s economic base, and business downtown was booming. J.C. Penny, located on the corner of E Street and Yosemite Avenue, was offering the latest […]