The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California opened its long-awaited North Fork Mono Casino on Wednesday to the general public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located at 17770 Golden State Blvd. in Madera, adjacent to State Route 99 between the Avenue 17 and Avenue 18 1\/2 exits, the $750 million facility has already had a positive impact on the region\u2019s jobs, economy, and social infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cToday we celebrate 25 years of perseverance and patience, as well as fairness and honor and acknowledge all those who got us to where we are today and on whose shoulders we now stand,\u201d said Tribal Chairwoman and Spokesperson Elaine Bethel-Fink. \u201cWe honor our tribal leaders, some no longer with us, whose vision and perseverance set us on a path towards economic development and political self-determination; our tribal and community citizens whose patience and steadfast support kept us strong throughout the process, and our tribal, local, state, and federal partners who stood up for what was fair, right, and just to help our landless Tribe reclaim this ancestral land for gaming purposes in order to better serve our people and community.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speaking of the expected economic benefits of the project, Fink said, \u201cThe main promise of this project has always been jobs, business opportunity, community investment, and tribal development \u2014 and we began delivering these with groundbreaking in September 2024, immediately creating construction and facility jobs, along with valuable business for local hotels, restaurants, and suppliers. Now the fun really begins for the rest of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At full build out, the facility is expected to provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Nearly 1,500 casino positions, most of them full-time with benefits and above minimum-wage salaries (one of the only local casinos offering this), plus thousands of spin-off jobs in the local economy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 A 24\/7 high-quality gaming, entertainment, and hospitality destination for a wide variety of patrons<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 A 100,000 square-foot gaming floor with Las Vegas-style gaming, including more than 2,400 slot machines and 40 table games such as Blackjack, Pai Gow, and Roulette<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Two full-service restaurants and six food court options, including Manzanita Steakhouse for high-end dining and Clubhouse 99 for casual fare<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 A gift Shop, Cultural Display Wall, and non-smoking gaming zones, plus 4,000 guest parking spaces, including free valet services, VIP parking, and dedicated large vehicle parking for trucks, buses, and RVs<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Phase 2 (timing TBD): a 200-guest room hotel with suites, a pool and spa, parking garage, and meeting spaces<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe aim to be more than just the best gaming and entertainment destination in Central California,\u201d Bethel-Fink said. \u201cWe want to drive the region\u2019s economy by serving the community making significant investments in public safety, schools, parks, housing, economic and workforce development, local charities, unincorporated County areas, and more through our agreements with local governments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The facility is estimated to generate more than $2 billion in total aggregate economic impact to the region through the next 20 years through various economic benefits and drivers, including estimates of $140 million from local community agreements, $600-800 million from wages and benefits, $400-600 million from goods and services purchased, $17 million through increased local tax revenues, $750 million from construction outlays, and millions more for state regulatory and tribal sharing payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to its external community contributions, the Tribe will use proceeds from the casino internally to strengthen its programs, sovereignty, and self-determination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur Tribe has been innovative and successful in stretching every dollar of existing state, tribal, and federal grants and funding,\u201c Bethel-Fink said. \u201cWith casino revenue, we can now do so much more on our own and be less reliant on outside funding to advance our housing, educational, environmental, health, TANF, workforce development, and elder and youth programs, among others, all the while strengthening our culture and self-determination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe North Fork Rancheria, along with our local, state, and federal partners, chose to work together to make this project beneficial for all. No tribal gaming project in the nation has seen as much attention and scrutiny as well as collaboration and approvals as ours. Our Tribe and community kept faith and showed respect throughout the entire 20-plus-year process, believing in the power of collaboration and competition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tribe and Casino held several informal \u201csoft opening\u201d events recently to great reviews as they worked to tie up remaining loose ends, including last-minute court challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur tribal citizens and community have said they care more about getting the facility open than formalities such as ribbon cuttings, so our opening was different from others,\u201d Bethel-Fink said. \u201cWe\u2019re still discovering fun and creative ways to celebrate together with all stakeholders. Opening the doors to this great facility should come as no surprise. In 2013, the federal government placed this land in trust for gaming, a decision multiple federal courts upheld in final, non-appealable decisions. We followed the federal process that governs tribal gaming to arrive at where we are today. Our facility and workers are ready to open. Our community wants it open. After 20-plus years, it\u2019s time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 \u2022 \u2022 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
About the North Fork Rancheria: The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians is a federally recognized tribe with more than 3,000 tribal citizens and government offices in Madera County. Since its federal recognition was restored in 1983, the Tribe has built modern tribal governing institutions to improve the lives of its citizens, many of whom have limited access to basic housing, healthcare, business, employment, and educational opportunities. The Tribe has to date leveraged its limited federal grant funding to operate numerous tribal programs. Learn more at NorthForkRancheria-nsn.gov and Northforkmonocasino.com.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California opened its long-awaited North Fork Mono Casino on Wednesday to the general public. Located at 17770 Golden State Blvd. in Madera, adjacent to State Route 99 between the Avenue 17 and Avenue 18 1\/2 exits, the $750 million facility has already had a positive impact on […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":50224,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,19],"tags":[26,29,32,46],"class_list":["post-50266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-news","tag-business","tag-community","tag-culture","tag-organizations"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50266"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50267,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50266\/revisions\/50267"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50224"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50264,"date":"2026-10-31T07:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T14:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50264"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:36:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:36:52","slug":"mcsos-opens-new-community-resource-center","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/mcsos-opens-new-community-resource-center\/","title":{"rendered":"MCSOS opens new Community Resource Center"},"content":{"rendered":"\n Madera County Superintendent of Schools Tricia Protzman led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new Community Resource Center, which opened on East Almond Avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to celebrate this wonderful, momentous occasion,\u201d Protzman said during Monday\u2019s ribbon cutting. \u201cWe\u2019re so excited for you to see the inside of this building, the transformation, and the wonderful opportunity this brings to all of us here in Madera County.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new Community Resource Center brings together community-based partners, services, workshops and resources in one welcoming space for students and families throughout Madera County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The center is designed to support the four pillars of the California Community Schools Partnership and strengthen connections between schools, families and the broader community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The four pillars consist of integrated student supports, which connect students and families with services to help support students; family and community engagement, which creates opportunities for families and community partners to connect and collaborate; shared leadership, which helps build partnerships that support student success; and expanded learning opportunities, such as workshops, enrichment, learning experiences and other resources that extend learning beyond the school day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The ceremony brought together members of the community to celebrate the opening of the new center. Attendees included city and county administrators, elected officials, City Council members, members of the Board of Supervisors, the Chief of Police and Madera Unified School District Board of Trustees members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you all for being here,\u201d Protzman said. \u201cWith many of you leading your own divisions and your own entities, we\u2019re so proud to have you, because this is for you. We want you to learn about this [Community Resource Center] so you can take it back and share. So to all of you, thank you for being here, your leadership service, and partnership that you provide.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n During the ceremony, Protzman received a recognition from Senator Anna Caballero, which was presented by Arturo Martinez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis ribbon cutting ceremony celebration ensures commitments to families, responding to local needs and making support more accessible for students who depend on them,\u201d Martinez said. \u201cSenator Caballero congratulates you on this milestone and all those working to ensure that Madera County students have support, encouragement and the opportunity to pursue their futures with confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kristi Castillo, Director of Student Achievement and Wellness, also spoke during the ceremony, thanking the individuals who helped bring the vision for the Community Resource Center to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Castillo recognized the various departments within the Madera County Superintendent of Schools office that helped make the center\u2019s opening possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe are building a foundation for stronger, more connected systems of support. My hope is that this will be a place where students and their families feel warmly welcomed, seen, valued, and supported,\u201d Castillo said. \u201cAdditionally, let this be a place where partnerships flourish in meaningful connections, lead to lasting change. Without partnerships and your support, it is simply a building with four walls, some offices and learning spaces, but it is with you, our community partners. When you step into this building, then it becomes a center for transformative work to take place. May the work that happens here, honor the visions of those who help make it possible, and remind us that when we invest in our students and surround them with a caring, connected community, we are doing more than just providing services. We are creating opportunities, strengthening families, and transforming futures.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Madera County Superintendent of Schools Tricia Protzman led a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the brand-new Community Resource Center, which opened on East Almond Avenue. \u201cWe\u2019re going to celebrate this wonderful, momentous occasion,\u201d Protzman said during Monday\u2019s ribbon cutting. \u201cWe\u2019re so excited for you to see the inside of this building, the transformation, and the wonderful opportunity […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":50227,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,19],"tags":[46,50],"class_list":["post-50264","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-news","tag-organizations","tag-schools"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50264"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50264\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50265,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50264\/revisions\/50265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50264"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50250,"date":"2026-10-31T07:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T14:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50250"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:27:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:27:55","slug":"coyotes-win-offensive-shootout","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/coyotes-win-offensive-shootout\/","title":{"rendered":"Coyotes win offensive shootout"},"content":{"rendered":" The Madera Coyotes and the San Joaquin Memorial Panthers combined for more than 100 points and 1,000 yards of offense in an offensive shootout to commemorate Madera\u2019s Senior night last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coyotes scored 34 second half points for a 55-46 victory over the Panthers last week. The Coyotes also amassed 583 yards of total offense while the Panthers had 445 in an offensive shootout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Darius Smith was the offensive highlight for the Coyotes. He carried 32 times for 272 yards and a touchdown. Lawrence Flores gained 109 yards of total offense with two touchdowns. Jayden Martinez had 159 yards of total offense with three touchdowns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Quarterback Elias Mena was efficient all night. He threw just one incomplete pass. His other incomplete pass was an interception. He threw for 176 yards and three touchdowns. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Madera took the opening kick-off down the field after starting at its own six. Mena hit Martinez on a quick pass, and he ran down the left sideline for 32 yards. Smith gained 22 on the next play to get into Memorial territory. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith carried twice for 19 yards to the 10. After a 12-yard loss, Mena hit Martinez on the left, and Martinez made his way into the end zone for a 7-0 lead after a Jayden Perez point after kick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Memorial answered with a seven-play, 63-yard drive that included a 23-yard scramble on third-and-21. The Panthers scored on the next play from 17 yards out to tie the game at seven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith got the carries four straight times, and he gained 65 yards, including a 28-yard run to get to the five-yard line. Mena kept on an option for the touchdown, and a 14-7 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After Memorial punted, the Coyotes converted on fourth-and-four with a fake punt, but a penalty moved them back. The Coyotes had trouble with the punt, and it only went for two yards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Memorial scored on the next play, on a screen pass to the left, for a 29-yard touchdown to tie the score at 14. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Three plays into the next drive, Mena was picked off. The Panthers went on a eight-play drive that was helped by a pair of Coyote penalties. Memorial scored on an eight-yard quarterback keeper to finish off a 76-yard drive to take a 20-14 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After a trade in punts, the Coyotes got a big play from Smith. Mena hit Martinez for 12 and Perez for 16 to the Coyote 47. Smith got the hand-off, and went, untouched, down right sideline for a 53-yard touchdown. Perez\u2019s kick gave Madera a 21-20 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Memorial drove 66 yards on nine plays to reclaim the lead. On fourth-and-18, the Panthers found a receiver at the eight, and he sidestepped two defenders at the two for a 28-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion run was good for a 21-18 Panthers\u2019 lead at the half. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two plays into the second half, the Panthers got a big play. A pass for a 16-yard gain went for 81 yards after a missed tackle to give the Panthers a 34-21 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Coyotes battled back with three straight scores. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two plays into the next drive, Mena found a wide-open Martinez on a reverse pass. Martinez caught the ball all alone at the 20, and ran into the end zone. The point after kick was blocked for a 34-27 Memorial lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n On the next play, Xsavier Elenes tipped a Memorial pass, and Brian Guzman caught the pass for an interception. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Five straight runs by Smith went for 32 yards to the one. Martinez finished the drive from a yard out, on fourth-and-goal, for the touchdown. Flores ran in the extra point as the holder, outrunning the defense to the corner of the end zone for a 35-34 Coyotes\u2019 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Madera defense forced a memorial punt, and added another score. After the punt, the Coyotes got a 19-yard pass play to Martinez on a back shoulder throw to the Memorial 34. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After Smith ran for five, Mena hit Perez for 11. Then, running up the seam, Flores was wide open, and caught an 18-yard touchdown pass for a 42-34 lead after the extra point. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Panthers got a pass interference penalty to get the ball to the Coyote 34. Three plays later, Memorial hit a tunnel screen for a 12-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 42-40 after the run was stuffed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith opened the next drive with a five-yard carry, and Mena got the first down with a nine-yard run. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, Smith went up the middle, behind a block by Jackson Von Burgh, and broke for a 63-yard touchdown for a 49-40 lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Memorial took the next drive into the fourth quarter after a 52-yard pass play. The Panthers scored on the third play of the fourth quarter, on third-and-goal, from three yards out to cut Madera\u2019s lead to 49-46 after the conversion run failed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Madera went on a time-consuming drive to close out the game. The Coyotes went 14 plays for 84 yards to put the game away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After Smith carried for nine, Martinez gained 10. Martinez gained 11 on fourth-and-one. Then, Smith gained 13 and 10 yards to the 23. Mena hit Martinez for 11 yards on third-and-nine to the 11. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Two plays later, Mena went up the middle on a keeper. The point after failed for a 55-46 lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Qualls sacked Memorial on the first play of the next drive. Elenes made a tackle for no gain on third down. On fourth-and-16, Memorial\u2019s quarterback scrambled for 14 yards, but was stopped before the first down marker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smith got a first down, and Mena took a knee to close out the game with a Madera win.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Madera Coyotes and the San Joaquin Memorial Panthers combined for more than 100 points and 1,000 yards of offense in an offensive shootout to commemorate Madera\u2019s Senior night last week. The Coyotes scored 34 second half points for a 55-46 victory over the Panthers last week. The Coyotes also amassed 583 yards of total […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":50226,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,23],"tags":[50],"class_list":["post-50250","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-sports","tag-schools"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50250","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50250"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50250\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50251,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50250\/revisions\/50251"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50248,"date":"2026-10-31T07:02:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T14:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50248"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:26:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:26:43","slug":"liberty-high-school-officially-re-opens-stadium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/liberty-high-school-officially-re-opens-stadium\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberty High School officially re-opens stadium"},"content":{"rendered":" After playing most of the football season as visitors, even at home games, Liberty High School official re-opened its stadium last week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The opening of the stadium featured an all-weather, nine-lane turf, and an artificial turf field. Community members and Liberty staff and athletes were on hand for the ribbon cutting on October 22. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a long time coming. We\u2019re excited to be here,\u201d said Golden Valley Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Hatch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The project finished on time for the Hawks to host its first football game in the newly re-opened facility October 23. The Hawks defeated Mendota, 60-14, in the first game back in their new home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is an exciting and special moment for our district, our school, our students, and our entire community,\u201d said LHS Athletics Director and head football coach Mike Nolte. \u201cThis is a moment that has been a long time coming. It\u2019s exciting to finally stand here together to celebrate the opening of our new high school stadium. This stadium represents more than a place to compete. It represents pride, tradition, opportunity, and a place where our students will create memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to many exciting moments, championships, performances, and community celebrations that will take place here for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n LHS principal Kandace Osborn was among the first hires at Liberty High School when it opened in 2002, and has seen the growth of the school, and the district. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat an exciting day for Liberty High School, and the entire Madera Ranchos community,\u201d she said. \u201cStanding here, and looking at this beautiful new stadium, I am filled with pride and gratitude. This moment is especially meaning for me because I was a teacher here when the doors opened in 2002. Back then, we watched football games sitting on the berm. It was a great time. We didn\u2019t need fancy bleachers or a beautiful stadium to have school spirit. We had our students, family and community that loved their Hawks. Looking around today, I can\u2019t help to thinking about how far we\u2019ve come since Liberty first opened. Now, I have the opportunity to stand here, as the principal, as we celebrate this new stadium is truly special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, the Hawks will be able to host official track meets, as well as enjoy the field without the worry about weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Nolte and Osborn made sure to thank everyone involved in the project to give Liberty a stadium it deserves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis stadium is more than a football field and a track. It\u2019s a place where memories will be made, traditions will grow, and our community will come together to celebrate our students,\u201d Osborn said. \u201cI want to thank everyone who has played a part in making this stadium a reality. I\u2019m especially excited for our coaches and student-athletes. They now have a beautiful facility they can call home. When our Hawks take the field in this new stadium, it will be another special moment in Liberty High School\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cProjects of this magnitude take a great amount of teamwork, patience, and collaboration. We are thankful to everyone who made this day possible. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter at Liberty High School,\u201d Nolte said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n From there, different groups were called up to take photos with the ribbon, and the stadium in the background. Finally, when the athletes were getting their photos taken, it was announced they were going to officially cut the ribbon. Track athlete Ian Batista officially cut the ribbon to re-open the stadium.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After playing most of the football season as visitors, even at home games, Liberty High School official re-opened its stadium last week. The opening of the stadium featured an all-weather, nine-lane turf, and an artificial turf field. Community members and Liberty staff and athletes were on hand for the ribbon cutting on October 22. \u201cThis […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":50225,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,23],"tags":[30,50],"class_list":["post-50248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-sports","tag-construction","tag-schools"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50248","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50248"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50249,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50248\/revisions\/50249"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50225"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50239,"date":"2026-10-31T07:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T14:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50239"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:17:32","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:17:32","slug":"sarahs-mystery-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/sarahs-mystery-gardens\/","title":{"rendered":"Sarah\u2019s mystery gardens"},"content":{"rendered":" Today, October 31, is Halloween and in popular culture, it has become associated with horror and the supernatural. So, as gardeners, what better way to celebrate it than to explore the Winchester Mystery House Victorian gardens in San Jose?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Winchester Mystery House is a 160-room Victorian mansion built by Sarah Winchester, wife of rifle manufacturer William Winchester. Upset at the tragic deaths of both her husband and month-old daughter, Sarah consulted a spiritualist who told her that the victims killed by the Winchester rifles that her family manufactured were seeking revenge by taking the lives of her family. To appease their spirits, the medium advised her to build a house night and day without ceasing. Construction of the house and surrounding 6-acre gardens began in 1884 and concluded at Sarah\u2019s death in 1922. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While the house has many spooky, unique and perhaps misunderstood elements, Sarah designed the gardens to be tranquil areas that include the following features typical of Victorian landscapes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 More than 10,000 meticulously trimmed box hedges and hundreds of rare tree and plant varieties that are planted in geometric and symmetrical beds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Cherry laurels, large leafed tropical plants, cannas, camelias, roses (especially climbers), perennials and seasonal flowers such as peonies, foxgloves, dahlias, chrysanthemums and delphiniums in dense multi-layered plantings for year-round color.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Classical\/mythological statues such as Mother Nature, Cupid, a cherub, a Native American hunter and animal figures like deer, egrets and frogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Ornate glass greenhouse used to cultivate tropical exotics, ferns and tender greenhouse plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Trellises, fountains and ornamental plantings that provide both beauty and a calming buffer before entering the mansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah\u2019s gardens embody the era\u2019s love of formal landscaping, symbolic statuary and the integration of nature with architecture. They offer a tangible link to Sarah\u2019s personal life and the cultural ideals of the Gilded Age while also providing a peaceful counterpoint to the mansion\u2019s mysterious and supernatural reputation. The Winchester Mystery House Victorian gardens are a living historical landscape, preserved to reflect the beauty and craftsmanship of the late 1800s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For help in designing your own garden refer to: https:\/\/ucanr.edu\/site\/uc-mster-gardeners-placer-county\/article\/garden-design-where-do-i-start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plant sales and Garden Talks on the first Tuesday of each month: starting this Tuesday, each month, from 9 a.m.-noon, the Madera County Master Gardeners are excited to offer seasonal plants for sale along with a FREE one hour hands on GARDEN TALK (10-11 a.m.) by a Master Gardener \u2014 Propagating Plants from Cuttings. Learn how to multiply your plants for free and bring your gardening questions! Sale and talk will be held at the Three Sisters Garden, located behind Madera Community College, 30277 Ave. 12, in Madera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Happy fall gardening!<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today, October 31, is Halloween and in popular culture, it has become associated with horror and the supernatural. So, as gardeners, what better way to celebrate it than to explore the Winchester Mystery House Victorian gardens in San Jose? The Winchester Mystery House is a 160-room Victorian mansion built by Sarah Winchester, wife of rifle […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":50217,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,18],"tags":[25,36,46],"class_list":["post-50239","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-lifestyle","tag-agriculture","tag-environment","tag-organizations"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50239"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50240,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50239\/revisions\/50240"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50217"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50228,"date":"2026-10-31T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50228"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:08:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:08:07","slug":"graveyard-ghoul-struck-arbor-vitae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/graveyard-ghoul-struck-arbor-vitae\/","title":{"rendered":"Graveyard ghoul struck Arbor Vitae"},"content":{"rendered":" Although I am not anxious to go there permanently, I do love to visit Arbor Vitae Cemetery. Not only is it beautiful, it is the final resting place of so many folks whom I have met through the years while doing research for this column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just the other day, I went out and strolled up and down the rows looking for my friends from the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, there was Dr. Joseph Borden and Levin Sledge, two members of the Alabama Colony, the first permanent European settlement in this part of the San Joaquin Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there was Captain Russel Perry Mace, who purchased the first lot in Madera in October of 1876 and built its first hotel. From Mace, I walked over to the grave of Henry Clay Daulton, the first chairman of the board of Madera County\u2019s supervisors and the patriarch of Shepherd\u2019s Home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Up and down the rows I went, and as I passed the old tombstones, each seemed to shout eloquent reminders of past struggles and triumphs. Then suddenly I found myself standing in the Barnett plot, and I stopped cold. My reverie turned a bit sour, for I found myself standing at the site of one of the most hideous desecrations ever perpetrated in Madera County.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elizabeth Barnett was just 25 years old when she died in 1909, after an operation for appendicitis, which was performed at her family home on Yosemite Avenue. She was laid to rest in Arbor Vitae supposedly wearing her diamond earrings and other valuables. As the years passed, the story of the Barnett \u201ctreasure\u201d at Arbor Vitae spread far and wide, until finally some ghoulish fiend could stand it no longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On Tuesday morning, Dec. 29, 1914, Sexton David Edwards came to work and noticed a mound of earth in the Barnett section of the cemetery. He hurried over to the plot and saw instantly what had happened. Grave robbers had struck Arbor Vitae during the night and had attempted to open Elizabeth Barnett\u2019s vault. Immediately the sexton sent for the town marshal, who just happened to be the brother of the deceased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The lawman rushed to the cemetery, and sure enough, there where he had helped bury his sister just five years before, a huge, gaping hole appeared. Sick at heart, Barnett contacted the rest of the family members and then proceeded to conduct his official investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hole four feet long and a yard wide had been excavated with a shovel to a depth of about four feet. At that point, the ghoul had struck concrete, whereupon he attempted to penetrate the vault with a pick. Little did he know that the construction was in the form of a double vault with two rows of bricks having been laid in mortar and concrete poured over them. There was no way the robber was going to bust through to the body before daylight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A close examination of the sides of the pit gave ample evidence of the labors of the would-be robber, who left fingerprints, tracks, and pieces of clothing behind. Barnett estimated that the man had worked most of the night in pursuit of his nefarious, nocturnal scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After completing his preliminary investigation, Barnett summoned his stunned family. Within a short time, the survivors of Elizabeth Barnett were gathered around her grave once again, unnerved and distraught. No one could think of the reason for such an atrocity other than attempted robbery. Everyone agreed that the act was not done simply out of spite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Word of the attempted grave robbery spread like wildfire through Madera. Barnett was besieged with offers to form a posse to track down the criminals, but alas, the numerous clues led nowhere. People surmised that a professional crook, passing through Madera at the time of Elizabeth\u2019s death, heard the report that valuables were buried with her and returned in order to steal them. Upon discovering that her remains were beyond disturbing, the would-be robber fled the scene for parts unknown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Barnetts carefully restored Elizabeth\u2019s grave to its original condition, and a night guard was placed at Arbor Vitae to ensure that there would be no repetition of the crime. In time, the rest of the family joined Elizabeth in Arbor Vitae, and now the Barnett plot constitutes a significant part of the pioneer section.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today one could never tell by looking that such a thing ever happened in Madera. The years have hidden all signs of the forced entry, and there are none left whose memories stretch back that far. Time has restored peace and calm to Arbor Vitae \u2014 a peace and calm that was briefly interrupted by one who was fortunate to have gotten out of town with his skin.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Although I am not anxious to go there permanently, I do love to visit Arbor Vitae Cemetery. Not only is it beautiful, it is the final resting place of so many folks whom I have met through the years while doing research for this column. Just the other day, I went out and strolled up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":50215,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,17],"tags":[33,43],"class_list":["post-50228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-history","tag-death","tag-law"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50228"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50229,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50228\/revisions\/50229"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50215"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50268,"date":"2026-10-30T18:41:12","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:41:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50268"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:41:16","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:41:16","slug":"obituary-lawrence-f-lihosit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/obituary-lawrence-f-lihosit\/","title":{"rendered":"Obituary: Lawrence F. Lihosit"},"content":{"rendered":" Long time Madera resident Lawrence F. Lihosit, 75, died on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Maggie, their sons Zeke and Anson, as well as two grandchildren, Keito and Nora. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Born in the southern suburbs of Chicago (the Southside), Illinois on Aug. 17, 1951, he and his family later moved to Arizona where he graduated from grade school, high school and Arizona State University. He reluctantly served in the U.S. Army Reserves as an enlisted man during the closing years of the Vietnam War and enthusiastically volunteered for the Peace Corps (Honduras, 1975-1977).<\/em> His continuing studies included master\u2019s coursework in urban planning at la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico<\/em> in Mexico City, art and creative writing at Skyline College in San Bruno, California and education at California State University, Fresno. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An urban planner by trade, Lihosit worked in Honduras, Mexico, Alaska, Arizona and California. His work resulted in several awards including Citizen of the Day by KQED radio for work in Oakland and a commendation from Dillingham, Alaska. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, his work in Dillingham, Alaska kept that regional center from being consumed by rising seas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Locally, he worked for the Madera County Road Department. Some of his projects included conceptual design for the Avenue 12\/ Road 36 improvements following the construction of Liberty High School, oversight of the Chukchansi resort\/casino entrance, improvement of Avenue 12 east to the golf course and the 2001 Regional Transportation Plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He authored more than 20 books, including a four volume Madera history, (Neighbors: Oral History from Madera, California, Volumes 1 through 4<\/em>) and a book of sketches (Madera Sketchbook<\/em>). His Peace Corps memoir (South of the Frontera<\/em>) received a commendation from Congressman John Garamendi (D-Calif.) and a book of travel essays (Years On and Other Travel Essays<\/em>) was awarded the 2012 Best Travel Book by Peace Corps Writers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lihosit valued community service. In Madera he coached Little League baseball, Youth Soccer and recreational basketball. He also volunteered thousands of hours at Monroe School, helping teach the 3 Rs to second graders for which he was named volunteer of the year in 2013 and 2017. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An event in his honor will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at the Good News Ministries, at 1930 Modoc Street, Madera, CA 93637. <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Long time Madera resident Lawrence F. Lihosit, 75, died on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Maggie, their sons Zeke and Anson, as well as two grandchildren, Keito and Nora. Born in the southern suburbs of Chicago (the Southside), Illinois on Aug. 17, 1951, he and his family […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":50213,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[33],"class_list":["post-50268","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-obituary","tag-death"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50268"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50268\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50269,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50268\/revisions\/50269"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50262,"date":"2026-10-30T18:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50262"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:35:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:35:03","slug":"dispatcher-retiring-after-30-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/dispatcher-retiring-after-30-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Dispatcher retiring after 30 years"},"content":{"rendered":" The Madera Police Department has announced Dispatcher Joe Lopez has retired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The MDP celebrated Public Safety Dispatcher Joe Lopez and his 30 years of dedicated service to the department and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout his career, Lopez has demonstrated professionalism, compassion, and a genuine commitment to helping others. From working New Year\u2019s Eve during the Y2K transition to assisting allied agencies with investigations, monitoring cameras and providing support to officers in the field, and going above and beyond to replace a walker stolen from an elderly woman, Lopez has made a difference in countless ways. His kindness and willingness to help others have always extended beyond the dispatch console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lopez\u2019s strong work ethic, dependability, and dedication have been evident throughout his career. He has been someone his fellow officers and coworkers could count on, always taking pride in his work and doing his part to support the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After 30 years, he leaves behind a legacy of hard work, teamwork, and compassion for the people he served. His contributions to our department and community will not be forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThank you, Dispatcher Lopez, for 30 years of outstanding service and dedication,\u201d the MPD said in a statement. \u201cCongratulations on your well-deserved retirement. We wish you all the best as you begin this next chapter. Happy retirement, Joe.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Madera Police Department has announced Dispatcher Joe Lopez has retired. The MDP celebrated Public Safety Dispatcher Joe Lopez and his 30 years of dedicated service to the department and community. Throughout his career, Lopez has demonstrated professionalism, compassion, and a genuine commitment to helping others. From working New Year\u2019s Eve during the Y2K transition […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":50218,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,19],"tags":[43],"class_list":["post-50262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-news","tag-law"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50262"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50263,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50262\/revisions\/50263"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50218"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50260,"date":"2026-10-30T18:33:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:33:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50260"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:33:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:33:28","slug":"solo-atv-crash-results-in-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/solo-atv-crash-results-in-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Solo ATV crash results in death"},"content":{"rendered":" CHP Madera Officers responded to a crash in an orchard near Avenue 20\u00bd and Road 20, and found a 2017 Polaris ATV in an orchard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Around 7 p.m. on October 22, a 16 year-old-male was riding the ATV, southbound on a private dirt road, north of Avenue 20 1\/2. The rider crossed over Avenue 20 1\/2 (unmaintained) and failed to notice a metal chain strung across the private road, preventing further access, just south of Avenue 20 1\/2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The front of the ATV crashed into the chain and as a result the rider was ejected from the ATV. The ATV continued, and crashed into an almond tree. Despite life saving measures by CHP and medical personnel, the rider succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The victim was later identified as Giovanni Martinez Placencia, a student at Chowchilla Union High School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The crash remains under investigation. Alcohol and\/or drugs are not suspected to have been a factor in this crash. The rider was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The California Highway Patrol reminds ATV riders to put safety first: Wear a properly fitted DOT-compliant helmet and protective gear; ride in designated areas; ride at a safe speed; and stay alert for uneven terrain.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CHP Madera Officers responded to a crash in an orchard near Avenue 20\u00bd and Road 20, and found a 2017 Polaris ATV in an orchard. Around 7 p.m. on October 22, a 16 year-old-male was riding the ATV, southbound on a private dirt road, north of Avenue 20 1\/2. The rider crossed over Avenue 20 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[33,43],"class_list":["post-50260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-death","tag-law"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50260"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50260\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50261,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50260\/revisions\/50261"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":50258,"date":"2026-10-30T18:32:37","date_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:32:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpengine.com\/?p=50258"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:32:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-31T01:32:41","slug":"human-remains-identified","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/human-remains-identified\/","title":{"rendered":"Human remains identified"},"content":{"rendered":" In October 2016, Kent Cross was reported missing by his father and, unfortunately, search efforts did not locate Kent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2020, human remains were discovered near McLeod Flatt, north of Road 274 in Madera County. Despite investigative efforts, the person went unidentified for several years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In July, Madera County Sheriff\u2019s Office Crime Scene Specialist Daniella Romero submitted the remains to Othram, a private forensic laboratory specializing in advanced DNA testing. Using forensic genetic genealogy, Othram developed an investigative lead that ultimately resulted in a confirmed identification through additional DNA testing conducted by the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Science.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cross\u2019 family was notified and shared that he frequently visited the McLeod Flatt area, which he considered his \u201chappy place.\u201d A decade later, with new technology and efforts, the MCSO os grateful to provide the family answers about their loved one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This case highlights the importance of persistence and advancements in forensic technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe want to recognize Crime Scene Specialist Romero for her dedication to revisiting unresolved cases and identifying new opportunities to pursue answers,\u201d said the MCSO in a statement. \u201cHer diligence and coordination with forensic partners were instrumental in bringing this case to a resolution. We also extend our sincere appreciation to Othram and the California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Science for their expertise and assistance in identifying Kent. Our thoughts are with Kent\u2019s family as they finally receive answers after so many years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have information on this case, please contact (559) 675-7770. Anonymous tips may be made through Valley Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867), or by texting \u201cTip MaderaSO\u201d followed by your message to 888777. Tips may also be made on the Madera County Sheriff\u2019s Mobile App: MaderaSheriffApp.com.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In October 2016, Kent Cross was reported missing by his father and, unfortunately, search efforts did not locate Kent. In 2020, human remains were discovered near McLeod Flatt, north of Road 274 in Madera County. Despite investigative efforts, the person went unidentified for several years. In July, Madera County Sheriff\u2019s Office Crime Scene Specialist Daniella […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":50219,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,19],"tags":[33,43],"class_list":["post-50258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-news","tag-death","tag-law"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=50258"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":50259,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/50258\/revisions\/50259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=50258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=50258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=50258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]