Christine Cecelia Wilson Janzen was born in Madera, California to Byron and Alice Clarno Wilson on July 17, 1943, and passed away in Fresno on Sept. 5, 2026 at the age of 83.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christine grew up in Madera attending Pershing, Millview, Thomas Jefferson Junior High and Madera High School, graduating in 1961. She then attended Fresno Junior College, earning an Associates of Arts degree in 1963. She then worked for AT&T for a little more than a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christine married Carl Janzen in August 1964 and lived 3 years in Moro Bay where her oldest son, Philip, was born in 1966. In November 1967, Christine and Carl moved back to Madera in the Dixieland area, to dairy and farm where son, Dennis, was born in 1968.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both boys attended Dixieland School where Chris spent 11 years being a parent helper in each of the boys’ classrooms one morning a week. She also was very active in the Parent Club there. For years Chris used her baking skills and brought a baked item once a week for the teachers and staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christine and Carl attended the Methodist Church where she had been very much involved. She was a volunteer with the Madera Community Hospital League (pink then blue jacket ladies) for 40 years. She was also a member of P.E.O. Chapter VO, TOPS, two Bunko groups, and worked at the Dixieland polling site for elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christine was proceeded in death by her mother Alice, father Byron, Sister Joyce, Brothers George (Rita) and Jerry (Gloria) Wilson. She is survived by her husband Carl of 62 years, sons Philip (Rebecca), Dennis (Deborah), six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There will be a memorial service at the Madera Methodist Church on September 20 at 2 p.m. on Sunset Avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In lieu of flowers, please honor Christine by giving to your favorite charity, or to the Madera United Methodist Church Memorial fund, or to the P.E.O. Chapter VO Scholarship fund.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Christine Cecelia Wilson Janzen was born in Madera, California to Byron and Alice Clarno Wilson on July 17, 1943, and passed away in Fresno on Sept. 5, 2026 at the age of 83. Christine grew up in Madera attending Pershing, Millview, Thomas Jefferson Junior High and Madera High School, graduating in 1961. She then attended […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":49541,"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-49566","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\/49566","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=49566"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49567,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49566\/revisions\/49567"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49564,"date":"2026-09-11T15:32:51","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T22:32:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49564"},"modified":"2026-09-11T15:32:54","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T22:32:54","slug":"obituary-virginia-v-reyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/obituary-virginia-v-reyes\/","title":{"rendered":"Obituary: Virginia V. Reyes"},"content":{"rendered":"
Virginia V. Reyes of Madera, California, passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Born in San Joaquin, California, to Juan and Juana Vargas. At the age of 18, she married her first love, Luis Reyes. Together they lived in Southern California before relocating to Madera where they built their ranch and home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginia was blessed to be a stay-at-home mother, dedicating her life to raising her daughters and many of her grandchildren. Family was the center of her life, and she gave her love freely to those around her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginia had a love for music and enjoyed singing with her husband. She especially loved line dancing with friends and spending time at the casino. She was full of laughter that touched everyone who knew her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Virginia is survived by her four daughters: Juanita Chapa, Cruz Macias, Regina Garcia, and Angelica Elenes. She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and her siblings, Ramona Dean and Daniel Vargas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A church service will be held on Sept. 29, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Joachim Catholic Church in Madera.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Virginia V. Reyes of Madera, California, passed away peacefully on Aug. 19, 2026. Born in San Joaquin, California, to Juan and Juana Vargas. At the age of 18, she married her first love, Luis Reyes. Together they lived in Southern California before relocating to Madera where they built their ranch and home. Virginia was blessed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":49542,"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-49564","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\/49564","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=49564"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49564\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49565,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49564\/revisions\/49565"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49542"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49564"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49564"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49547,"date":"2026-09-11T14:46:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T21:46:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49547"},"modified":"2026-09-11T14:46:14","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T21:46:14","slug":"the-fateful-day-remembered-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/the-fateful-day-remembered-again\/","title":{"rendered":"The fateful day, remembered again"},"content":{"rendered":"
Friday will be the day we know as \u201cNine Eleven,\u201d or 9\/11. The date we remember is Sept. 11, 2001. It is hard to believe it has been 25 years since that fateful day so many of us remember, as if it were only yesterday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is not a date to honor or celebrate. It is a date to remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That day changed the world in so many ways. In the short term, our nation became more united. We were angry that anyone would do such a thing to our great nation, and we bound together in a patriotic family of Americans. It was a time of unity. We weren\u2019t each trying to impose our own agenda on others, or to promote a particular political party. We were loving our country, and wondering why there was such great hatred for this nation that anyone would want to kill nearly 3,000 people in a horrific, unthinkable act of terror.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
September 11, 2001 marked the day we realized we had been taking security for granted. Our land had been attacked. We\u2019d not had war on our land since the Civil War of the 1800s, and we had been somewhat spoiled in our confidence. 9\/11 marked the day we realized it could happen again, on our very own soil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The men and women who serve our country in the military are the only ones who really realized what war is. They are the ones who have kept our security intact through the many years of our great nation, and we do not honor them enough. They have seen war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Throughout the 25 years that have passed, we have become anything but united. Why do we not truly remember that day? We are divided on so many issues today, and our opinions and agendas have taken over and replaced our love of country and neighbors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we were a baby country, we were considered a melting pot of many peoples. Originally, there were the native Indians who already resided on this continent. Then, people came and settled here from Europe and England. Then people came from Africa and Asia and other continents and countries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
People here have always retained traditions from their old countries, but we melted into one nation and became stronger and stronger through the decades and centuries because of the one thing we all had in common \u2014 America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
September 11, 2001 is a date we must remember as Americans. Remember it to realize the blessings God has given us as a nation. He has blessed us for 250 years, because we have recognized him as part of our country and government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
May God continue to bless the United States of America. As you remember 9\/11, also remember to honor God and the military he has chosen to help protect us as a nation; and pray that what happened on that fateful day never happens again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2014 Mi amor para todos,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nancy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2022 \u2022 \u2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2014 Matthew 25:32<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Friday will be the day we know as \u201cNine Eleven,\u201d or 9\/11. The date we remember is Sept. 11, 2001. It is hard to believe it has been 25 years since that fateful day so many of us remember, as if it were only yesterday. It is not a date to honor or celebrate. It […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[32,33],"class_list":["post-49547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-culture","tag-death"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49547","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\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49547"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49548,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49547\/revisions\/49548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49545,"date":"2026-09-11T14:43:55","date_gmt":"2026-09-11T21:43:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49545"},"modified":"2026-09-11T14:43:57","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T21:43:57","slug":"fire-departments-unite-for-9-11-anniversary-stair-climb-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/fire-departments-unite-for-9-11-anniversary-stair-climb-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Fire departments unite for 9\/11 anniversary Stair Climb Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":" Fitness Ventures, the largest Crunch Fitness franchisee in the United States, is bringing together more than 100 fire departments and thousands of participants across 106 Crunch Fitness locations nationwide on September 11 for its annual 9\/11 Remembrance Stair Climb Challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the 25th anniversary of September 11, local communities, first responders, and Crunch members will climb 110 flights together from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Crunch Fitness Madera, 1143 Country Club Drive, in tribute to the first responders who served and sacrificed that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many participating fire departments are climbing in full gear, honoring the FDNY firefighters and first responders who lost their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local firefighters (dressed in full turnout gear) will utilize the Stairmasters to honor the first responders who lost their lives on September 11. Members of the community are also welcome to join Crunch Fitness in this challenge to pay tribute to the fallen first responders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants will receive a free one-week membership to Crunch Fitness as well as a feature on Crunch\u2019s social media pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact Alex Malave at alexm@fitnessventuresllc.com if you would like to join or for more details.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Fitness Ventures, the largest Crunch Fitness franchisee in the United States, is bringing together more than 100 fire departments and thousands of participants across 106 Crunch Fitness locations nationwide on September 11 for its annual 9\/11 Remembrance Stair Climb Challenge. On the 25th anniversary of September 11, local communities, first responders, and Crunch members will […]<\/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":[29],"class_list":["post-49545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-community"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49545","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=49545"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49545\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49546,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49545\/revisions\/49546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49534,"date":"2026-09-09T07:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49534"},"modified":"2026-09-08T17:28:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:28:09","slug":"madera-fair-brings-daily-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/madera-fair-brings-daily-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"Madera Fair brings daily entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":" The 2026 Madera District Fair, presented by Valley Children\u2019s Healthcare, is bringing entertainment beyond the main stage as part of its \u201cAll American Party!\u201d celebration September 10-13. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the four-day fair, guests can enjoy a free lineup of magicians, animal performances, characters, live music, interactive shows and specialty attractions appearing throughout the fairgrounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Guests can find daily entertainment throughout the grounds, giving families plenty to see and experience between rides, food, exhibits and other fair activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the Patio Stage, Zany Zoe will bring high-energy magic and audience participation to the fairgrounds, keeping guests laughing, participating and amazed from start to finish. Hypnotist Tina Marie will also take the Patio Stage, inviting audience members to become the stars of the show through hilarious performances and imaginative adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over in Home Arts, Frank Thurston will showcase his whimsical magic and illusions in performances designed to entertain audiences of all ages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fair will also feature Shawn Eric Magic, whose interactive performances invite guests to participate while witnessing astonishing tricks, as well as Flo the Clown, who will bring colorful antics and fun-filled routines to fairgoers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Kids Town, families can meet Kiddle Karoo and her kooky animal pals during the interactive \u201cBarnyard Bash,\u201d where little buckaroos can join in a country-themed celebration filled with family fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kids Town will also be home to the All-Alaskan Racing Pigs, where fairgoers can watch the pigs compete in a one-of-a-kind racing spectacle featuring a 100-yard dash and 50-yard high hurdles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a different kind of performance, the Red Light Brass Band will stroll the fairgrounds throughout the event. Southern California\u2019s premier brass band brings New Orleans-style grooves and Los Angeles swagger directly to the fairgrounds, creating a moving musical experience for guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Wilder Show will also appear daily, combining unicycling and juggling in a high-energy performance that puts a thrilling twist on traditional circus acts. BC Characters will add to the family atmosphere with playful appearances and interactions throughout the fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The entertainment continues after the sun goes down with a drone show every night following the evening\u2019s headline concert. The show is best viewed and heard from the Estrella Jalisco Stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With performers spread throughout the fairgrounds and multiple acts appearing each day, guests can encounter something new around every corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 2026 Madera District Fair runs September 10-13. Fair hours are 5-11 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 3-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $15 at the gate, with pre-sale tickets available for $10 through September 9. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Opening Day Thursday is free for everyone, courtesy of Valley Children\u2019s Healthcare and Kids 12 and under are free every day of the fair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For the complete entertainment schedule and additional information about the 2026 Madera District Fair, visit the Madera District Fair website or follow the fair on social media.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The 2026 Madera District Fair, presented by Valley Children\u2019s Healthcare, is bringing entertainment beyond the main stage as part of its \u201cAll American Party!\u201d celebration September 10-13. Throughout the four-day fair, guests can enjoy a free lineup of magicians, animal performances, characters, live music, interactive shows and specialty attractions appearing throughout the fairgrounds. Guests can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":49504,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,16,19],"tags":[29,32],"class_list":["post-49534","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-entertainment","category-news","tag-community","tag-culture"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49534","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=49534"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49535,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49534\/revisions\/49535"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49504"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49530,"date":"2026-09-09T07:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49530"},"modified":"2026-09-08T17:05:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T00:05:30","slug":"salters-breaks-ground-for-warehouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/salters-breaks-ground-for-warehouse\/","title":{"rendered":"Salter\u2019s breaks ground for warehouse"},"content":{"rendered":" Salter\u2019s Distributing in Chowchilla is expanding its warehouse, and adding new offices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n David and Cheryl Salter, owners of the company, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on September 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David Salter welcomed everyone to celebrate this new expansion, noting how blessed they feel, and how grateful they are to be in Chowchilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He told the story of how they found the piece of property at 711 S. Third Street in Chowchilla nine years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe feel like God brought us to Chowchilla, and it\u2019s been a great nine years so far. We\u2019re looking to the rest of the time here,\u201d he said. \u201cI say it\u2019s a God thing, because when Cheryl found this place for sale, I told her there\u2019s no way in hell I\u2019m moving to Chowchilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThree months later, I found it for sale. And I said, \u2018look at this place I found.\u2019 So, when it was my idea, we bought the place,\u201d he said, smiling at Cheryl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the ceremony began, Salter asked Pastor Tomas Portillo to to pray for the business, for their community, and for the employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Portillo first spoke of the Salters\u2019 strong faith and relationship with God, and that they have prayed much over their business. He quoted a passage from Psalms 127, which is often used for the family and home. \u201cUnless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain, and unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.\u201d The passage is Psalm 127:1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd we don\u2019t want to do anything that the Lord has not blessed,\u201d Portillo said, before he prayed the Lord\u2019s blessing over the groundbreaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David Rogers County Supervisor for District 2, who lives in Chowchilla, presented the Salters with a certificate of recognition from the Madera County Board of Supervisors. He began his speech with the title of the song, \u201cOh, What a Beautiful Morning!\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re here on a beautiful morning to celebrate an achievement that is kind of rare in Chowchilla,\u201d he said. \u201cAbout 10 years ago the Salters decided to move their operation to Chowchilla with about, plus or minus 30 to 40 employees. Today, they\u2019re at 99.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rogers spoke of how amazing it is that Salters Distributing has grown so much in such a short time, and how unusual these entrepreneurs are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf I could describe them, David could sell refrigerators to the Eskimos, and probably could sell canteens to the lizards, too. This guy is great at sales. And then Cheryl is the brains and brawn behind the sales. She is the business mind,\u201d he said. \u201cTogether, they are a perfect couple. God brought them together for a reason,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To the Salters, he said. \u201cGod has really blessed you. He\u2019s going to continue to bless you because you do the right things. You\u2019re honest people. You\u2019re good people. You\u2019re fighting for the right things. And you\u2019re just going to continue to prosper. Thank you for your service for our community. And may you continue to be successful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joe Ballas, district representative from the office of State Senator Anna Caballeros, also presented the Salters with a certificate of recognition for their growth, and congratulated them on their groundbreaking of about 20,000 square feet of expansion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mayor of Chowchilla, Kelly Smith, made a few comments to the Salters about the business they have built in Chowchilla, congratulating them on their investment in their business and in the city of Chowchilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s one thing to build a business in a community, but it\u2019s another thing to make your family here in the city. You guys chose to live here. You served the community as much more than just a business. You made Chowchilla your home. We\u2019re so proud to have you as members of this community. Thank you for choosing Chowchilla,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cheryl Salter welcomed everyone, thanking them for coming to celebrate this expansion. She gave a brief history of how the company came to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy husband, David Salter, was a father at 17. He dropped out of high school and went to work for Valley Sales in Modesto. His first job was blowing up balls in a warehouse. They soon moved him to a delivery truck and he began to learn the distribution business,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSo, after working for a few different distribution companies, David knew he wanted to work for himself, and build his own company. He moved to Fresno so he would not compete with his former employers, and he opened Salters Distributing in 1990 with $200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHe used the $200 to buy toy inventory, sold his 1970 Chevy Chevelle to buy his first delivery truck and went to work,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She spoke of how the company kept growing, expanding from selling toys to selling general merchandise. The company now sells toys, work gloves, bandanas, hats, sunglasses, mops and brooms, stationary tools, batteries, summer inflatables, winter hats and gloves, flashlights, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Salter\u2019s Distributing now has several lines of its own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Salters have immersed themselves in the community. David has served on Madera Workforce Investment Board for six years. He currently serves on the board at the Trinity Pregnancy Resource Center and is a member of the Chowchilla Chamber of Commerce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n David and Cheryl were married in 1998, blending their families. They raised their four kids together. They moved to Madera Ranchos, and built the business there for 17 years. The business continued to grow, and they ran out of space on that property. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2017, they purchased the warehouse in Chowchilla.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The company now services over 3,200 stores in the Central Valley and the Central Coast. The Salters run the company along with their son-in-law Billy Lawson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They have been in business now 36 years, and they are thankful to God, their staff, and the city of Chowchilla for their success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n David Salter spoke of the expansion itself, but first talked about how he began the business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen I first started it, I was living on my brother\u2019s couch for a few weeks between his couch and another friend\u2019s couch. I was couch surfing because I only had $200 worth of merchandise,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019d already tried getting the business going once. It wasn\u2019t working, and I was cleaning carpets for a living. My dad called me, and he said, come get these toys out of my garage and sell them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it hadn\u2019t been for those couple of pushes, he may not have gotten started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He rented a house out in the country, working out of a three-car garage, and he met Cheryl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cShe loves business. I love business. We hit it off real quick,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd I told her, now if you marry me, I\u2019ve got dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The two of them got married, and he said he has been blessed all his life. It all started with $200. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019ve just been blessed with friends and family for 36 years,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n David spoke of his son-in-law starting at 18 years old, and now he\u2019s 37, running the company with him. He shared a couple of stories of others who have been with him for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI could sit here and tell you story and story and story about it. all my different guys working on this team. We don\u2019t just have employees. We got teams,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just before the groundbreaking, David Salter gave a quick explanation of what the expansion will be. The warehouse will expand, and they are building 3,900 square feet of new offices, with warehouse room above the offices to store seasonal items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re building it and designing it so everything will flow a lot easier. And maybe in nine years, we\u2019ll expand again. We\u2019re on 10 acres, and we love it out here.,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Their motto for this expansion, \u201cHere we grow again,\u201d was printed on the backs of all the t-shirts of the staff who were present at the groundbreaking ceremony.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Salter\u2019s Distributing in Chowchilla is expanding its warehouse, and adding new offices. David and Cheryl Salter, owners of the company, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on September 2. David Salter welcomed everyone to celebrate this new expansion, noting how blessed they feel, and how grateful they are to be in Chowchilla. He told the story of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":49503,"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],"class_list":["post-49530","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-news","tag-business"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49530","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\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49530"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49530\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49531,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49530\/revisions\/49531"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49503"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49530"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49530"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49530"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49525,"date":"2026-09-09T07:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49525"},"modified":"2026-09-08T16:58:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T23:58:33","slug":"progress-made-in-downtown-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/progress-made-in-downtown-construction\/","title":{"rendered":"Progress made in downtown construction"},"content":{"rendered":" Caltrans recently released an update on the construction project in Downtown Madera.<\/p>\n\n \u201cThe contractor continues to make steady progress on the project, with work advancing across all four segments,\u201d said Caldrons in the statement released September 1. \u201cConstruction activities remain active throughout the project area, and crews are working to complete improvements as efficiently as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n The contractor has completed the demolition and reconstruction of six curb ramps along Yosemite Avenue north of High Street. Grind and overlay operations are anticipated to begin in the coming months.<\/p>\n\n The contractor has replaced and newly installed several hundred feet of sidewalk and has also completed the replacement of several driveways along the corridor. Work in this area continues to progress steadily.<\/p>\n\n The contractor has sawcut approximately nine curb ramps in preparation for demolition. This work is anticipated to proceed following completion of the South Segment.<\/p>\n\n Temporary K-rail has been installed to close the west side of the roadway, with northbound and southbound traffic currently shifted to the east side.<\/p>\n\n Within this segment, several curb ramps, curb and gutter sections, and sidewalk areas have either been demolished or saw-cut in preparation for demolition. Crews are actively grading, forming, and pouring new curb and gutter.<\/p>\n\n The contractor has also completed installation of most of the conduits for the decorative street-lighting system on the west side of the roadway and continues to install the underground electrical system and pull boxes. All traffic signal mast arms along this corridor have been removed.<\/p>\n\n The current construction sequence in the downtown area is focused on completing underground improvements first, including electrical and irrigation work, before proceeding with the remaining hardscape improvements, such as curb and gutter, sidewalks, and curb ramps.<\/p>\n\n Construction activities and traffic control measures will continue to change as work progresses. Please slow down, use caution, and remain alert when traveling through the construction and cone zones. We appreciate the community\u2019s patience and understanding as this work moves forward. The contractor will continue working diligently to complete the project as efficiently and safely as possible.<\/p>\n\n Overall, the project continues to move forward at a steady pace, with significant progress being made across all segments.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Caltrans recently released an update on the construction project in Downtown Madera. \u201cThe contractor continues to make steady progress on the project, with work advancing across all four segments,\u201d said Caldrons in the statement released September 1. \u201cConstruction activities remain active throughout the project area, and crews are working to complete improvements as efficiently as […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":49501,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_theme","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"page_builder":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[62,19],"tags":[26,29,30],"class_list":["post-49525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-above-the-fold","category-news","tag-business","tag-community","tag-construction"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49525","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=49525"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49525\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49529,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49525\/revisions\/49529"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49501"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49525"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49525"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49525"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49523,"date":"2026-09-09T07:06:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49523"},"modified":"2026-09-08T16:38:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T23:38:19","slug":"most-significant-journalism-bill-nears-finish-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/most-significant-journalism-bill-nears-finish-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Most significant journalism bill nears finish line"},"content":{"rendered":" News outlet owners, journalists and coalitions of organizations that have come together to support the nation\u2019s most important journalism legislation to date were still in scramble mode this week, even as supermajorities in the California Legislature passed the Community NEWS Act, authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego).<\/p>\n\n\n\n This historic legislation, which would provide meaningful support for the free press and the public\u2019s right to know at the local level, is on the verge of becoming law. California news outlets, journalists, and advocates for civil liberties and government transparency are holding their breath as they wait for Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign Assembly Bill 2222 into law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estimates indicate the law would direct more than $40 million a year to California local news outlets, including print, broadcast and digital operations, regardless of whether they operate under a for-profit or nonprofit business model. The funding would be distributed through tax credits based on the number of journalists employed by each outlet. The structure is designed to serve smaller newsrooms first, as they would receive $20,000 per full-time journalist. That amount would decrease to $15,000 per journalist for newsrooms with greater than five, and with additional funding available for new hires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are one step away from making sustainable local news a reality. However, concern over the governor\u2019s signature is well founded. Newsom has until September 30 to sign the popular bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This moment brings the California Independent News Alliance full circle. I founded CINA in 2024 after we lost the battle over SB 1327, a similar bill introduced by former state Sen. Steve Glazer that would have been funded by Big Tech. When Big Tech, chain news and other powerful lobbies came out hard against it, Newsom refused to support the bill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It was that summer that many independent news outlets fully realized our interests were not being represented by any trade association or organization. We were being picked off one by one as we watched the number of journalists decrease across our regions and the amount of corruption and misinformation in local communities and municipal governments increase. We joined hands in an alliance in hopes our voices would be heard and our newspapers saved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On the surface, AB 2222 looks much like the Glazer bill. But this legislation is financed through a measure that would end corporate tax breaks for executive compensation above $1 million, aligning California\u2019s tax rules with federal law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The news industry is crumbling in California, and the 200 independent newspapers that remain are feeling the heat. This legislative season, CINA has been an important voice and a key connector among the huge coalition built throughout the state and nation to breathe life into our sagging industry.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" News outlet owners, journalists and coalitions of organizations that have come together to support the nation\u2019s most important journalism legislation to date were still in scramble mode this week, even as supermajorities in the California Legislature passed the Community NEWS Act, authored by Assemblymember Chris Ward (D-San Diego). This historic legislation, which would provide meaningful […]<\/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":[26,37,39,43,46],"class_list":["post-49523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-business","tag-finance","tag-government","tag-law","tag-organizations"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49523","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=49523"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49523\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49524,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49523\/revisions\/49524"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49520,"date":"2026-09-09T07:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49520"},"modified":"2026-09-08T16:17:17","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T23:17:17","slug":"new-district-ad-brings-different-perspective-to-madera","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/new-district-ad-brings-different-perspective-to-madera\/","title":{"rendered":"New district AD brings different perspective to Madera"},"content":{"rendered":" When Madera Unified School District Director of Athletics Marty Bitter retired, Jesse Hardwick saw an opportunity to come to a city, and a district that he respected from afar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bitter created the position 12 years ago, and retired from it earlier this year. Enter former Fresno State football player, and athletic director at Clovis and Sanger high schools, Hardwick. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI always liked Madera when I came out here for games,\u201d Hardwick said. \u201cMadera was introduced to me very early in my career. Mark Barsotti (Fresno State teammate) talked about Madera. My second year at Fresno State, we came to Madera for a chili cook-off. One of our graduate assistants participated in the arm wrestling competition. Even when I was coaching at Sanger, we were in the TRAC together. I got to know Madera a lot through that. I had an appreciation for Madera. When you went against Madera, you knew you were in for a battle. We had some battles with them. Every game was a dogfight. I always had a deep appreciation for Madera schools. When learned more about this position, it sparked an interest in me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardwick took over for Bitter on July 1, and had been coming to Madera to sit in on meetings. The biggest adjustment was not seeing students running around a campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s the first time in 30 years I have not been on a school site,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a little different coming here. For the past 20 years, I\u2019ve had the opportunities to go to the office, go to the gym, see kids and see staff. Do I enjoy what I\u2019m doing? 100 percent. I just haven\u2019t gotten used to it. Eventually, I will.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardwick grew up in Garden Grove in Orange County, and went to Bolsa Grande High School, where his team won a Section Championship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe had a pretty loaded team,\u201d he said. \u201cWe ran the veer option with not a lot of passing. We rushed for more than 4,500 yards and three backs with more than 1,000 yards. We broke the county record. I was All-Conference both years. I was first team All-County and made the All-State team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n After high school, Hardwick received inquiries from USC, UCLA and Colorado. However, he had to settle for mid-majors like Fresno State, San Diego and Utah. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFresno State was my last recruiting trip,\u201d he said. \u201cI went on five recruiting trips five weekends in a row. It was a lot different back then. I was flying out on a Friday, and coming on Sunday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardwick was recruited by then-offensive line coach Pat Hill and played under Jim Sweeney. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve never been to Fresno in my life,\u201d he said. \u201cI never even passed through Fresno. If I went up north, I used to fish in the Eastern Sierra. I never went through the Valley. I enjoyed my experience and decided to come to Fresno State to play for the Bulldogs. I came in the fall of 1988. It was quite an experience. It was a lot hotter here than down south, and we did three practices a day. As an incoming freshman, I was wondering what I got myself into.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardwick redshirted in 1998, and played for the Bulldogs from 1989-1992. Madera legend Barsotti was his quarterback for his first three years, and then played with Trent Dilfer. His last Fresno State game was the 1992 Freedom Bowl where Fresno State defeated USC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat was a neat deal because I got to go back home. My final home was beating USC at home in Anaheim,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardwick had a cup of coffee with NFL camps and CFL teams, but eventually made his way back to Fresno State to finish off his degree with one more semester. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe plan was to go into law enforcement,\u201d he said. \u201cOver the course of that semester, I got contacted by James Gambrell (now the MUSD Director of Community Athletics and Recreation). He was an assistant coach at Sanger, and I didn\u2019t know him. I met with him and (Sanger Apaches football coach) Chuck Shidan. I said I\u2019ll help out for a season (1996). I fell in love with it, and it got me hooked into coaching and education.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was at Sanger until 2000, and then coached, and taught, at Clovis West for a couple of years, and returned to Sanger in 2004 to teach in a different position. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2006, the athletic director position opened up, and Hardwick threw his hat in for the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDuring the time when I was at Clovis West, I went and got my masters in administration education. I knew I wanted to do something like that, but didn\u2019t know when,\u201d Hardwick said. \u201cDan Chacon (Sanger High School principal) reached out, and asked if I was interested. In that time, Sanger went through three athletic directors in a year. It was a big learning curve from the get-go. I loved dealing with it. I felt like I knew the community. I enjoyed doing the job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eight years later, the athletic director position opened at Clovis High School in 2014. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy three daughters were going to Quail Lake, which feeds into Sanger,\u201d he said. \u201cI literally lived across the street from Clovis High. My oldest daughter was about to enter middle school. She was already involved with a number of travel team with players from Clark, which feeds into Clovis. I decided to go for it, and got the job. I spent the last 12 years at Clovis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy plan was to have my kids go to where I was, whether Sanger or Clovis. I knew it was going to be difficult for me to be a dad. Being the athletic director, you are gone a lot. My kids were getting to an age where I wanted to be there. If I was going to stay as an athletic director in Sanger, and they went to a different school, I was going to miss a lot. It just worked out. That was the great thing about doing that. Sanger is a great community, but this was a family decision, at the time. I enjoyed every bit of my daughters at Clovis. All three daughters were at Clovis at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, Hardwick heard about Bitter retiring, and the job perked some interest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve known Marty for a number of years. We\u2019ve had a lot of league meetings and with me coming out here for games. I was involved with him with CIF,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Madera Tribune talked to Hardwick about some of his thoughts and things he brings to the table. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Madera Tribune:<\/strong> How has the learning curve been?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesse Hardwick:<\/strong> The learning curve is a little gradual. I feel like I have a deep knowledge of sports programs. There\u2019s also systems. They are all a little different, but they are all set to accomplish the same goals. Getting to know the community, the district systems and my own knowledge, and blend it together to make this better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MT:<\/strong> How nice are the MUSD athletic facilities?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n JH:<\/strong> I have not been in school district where every middle school who has an all-weather track, lights and a snack bar. Clovis doesn\u2019t have that. Fresno doesn\u2019t have that. Not every large school districts have their own football stadiums. This is very unique. There\u2019s an investment in athletics and facilities. That\u2019s the hook. You get kids into athletics to help them better their education and make them better people for society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MT:<\/strong> What kind of philosophies do you want to implement?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n JH:<\/strong> I want to help the growth of programs. How are we able to make sure we continue the articulation model of our K-6 to middle school to high school to make sure it\u2019s valued? Our head coaches are connecting with our middle school coaches to make sure they are all coaching the way they want their program to grow. There\u2019s a model for that, but it\u2019s ensuring it\u2019s happening. It\u2019s about supporting the people at the sites that it will help their program. It\u2019s about continually being competitive, year in, year out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n MT:<\/strong> What do you consider your strengths?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n JH:<\/strong> Where I\u2019m at in my career, I have a good knowledge base, by being in a few districts, of knowing how things work. This is my third school district in 30 years. I\u2019ve learned a lot. I\u2019ve learned from my mistakes and successes. Taking that knowledge and passing to others make them better. My strengths are being diligent, hard working and loyal. I\u2019m someone who is always going to the end goal of things. There\u2019s always something you\u2019re going for, and you are never getting it. You continue to chase it. You set the bar higher. That\u2019s something that\u2019s been embedded in me since I was an athlete. My goal is to help the people around me better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MT:<\/strong> What advantage do you have of being a high-level athlete?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n JH:<\/strong> I try to look at the high school kids. Two of my three kids played college athletics. I dove into that a little. The way I see kids nowadays with athletics is night and day than what I went through. To be able to educate kids and young coaches to navigate and keep kids engaged is what I want to do. I\u2019ve had an opportunity to be a part of championship-level teams. The thing I valued most were the relationships. Once you build a relationship with a kid, and they trust you, they will run through a wall for you. I encourage every coach to be like Chuck Shidan. Kids would run through a wall for him. There are some great coaches out there. They are not measured by their record, but are measured by how they transform students. This is education-based athletics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n MT:<\/strong> You\u2019ve been in the job for a couple of months, what has been the biggest change?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n JH:<\/strong> It\u2019s a little different coming here. For the past 20 years, I\u2019ve had the opportunities to go to the office, go to the gym, see kids and see staff. I will get out to some events. I\u2019m making sure to get around. There\u2019s a lot to pick. Before, there was just one school. Now, there\u2019s elementary, middle school and high school athletics. I get to fill my plate a little bit. I went to my first flag football game. Clovis doesn\u2019t have flag, yet. I enjoy going to events and seeing kids participate and succeed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardwick has been married for 26 years. His wife works at Fresno State in facilities management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe grew up in the same area,\u201d he said. \u201cShe went to Valencia and we beat Valencia in the section championships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n He has three daughters \u2014 Julia, Jessica and Jada. Julia was a COVID graduate from Clovis. She was the B\u2019nai, B\u2019rith winner, which is given to the top female scholar\/athlete in the Fresno\/Clovis area. She played soccer at Fresno State, and earned her master\u2019s degree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Daughter Jessica graduated from CSU Monterey Bay with an environmental science degree. She works for the Department of Interior studying fowl in the Bay Area. Jessica played golf at Clovis, and was the school mascot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Youngest daughter Jada is a senior at CSU Monterey Bay where she is on the women\u2019s soccer team. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI have one more year of being a soccer dad,\u201d Hardwick said. \u201cShe will graduate with a kinesiology degree in May.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hardwick cherishes his free time because he hasn\u2019t had a lot of it in the past few years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was a site AD at Clovis so we had a lot of things going on,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen I wasn\u2019t doing that, I was watching my kids play sports. This fall, I will watch a lot of my daughters\u2019 games. I enjoy going to sporting events. It\u2019s been a part of my life. When I can, I like to go fishing. I haven\u2019t done that in a while. I like to travel and get out of the Valley. If I can watch a football game or a Fresno State game, I\u2019ll do that. I\u2019ll follow the Dodgers and Rams.\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" When Madera Unified School District Director of Athletics Marty Bitter retired, Jesse Hardwick saw an opportunity to come to a city, and a district that he respected from afar. Bitter created the position 12 years ago, and retired from it earlier this year. Enter former Fresno State football player, and athletic director at Clovis and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":49502,"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-49520","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\/49520","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=49520"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49520\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49522,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49520\/revisions\/49522"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49520"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49520"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49520"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":49518,"date":"2026-09-09T07:04:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T14:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maderatribustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=49518"},"modified":"2026-09-08T15:31:29","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T22:31:29","slug":"commentary-an-ounce-of-evidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/commentary-an-ounce-of-evidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Commentary: An ounce of evidence"},"content":{"rendered":" Chuck Wieland\u2019s recent letter, \u201cAn Ounce of Prevention,\u201d contains plenty of political insults: \u201cTrump the Whiner,\u201d \u201cArt of the Squeal,\u201d and a \u201cvoter suppression bill.\u201d That language may entertain readers who already agree with him, but sarcasm is not evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The serious questions are these: Should citizenship be verified when someone registers to vote? Should voters provide identification? Are mail-in ballots adequately protected against fraud?<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are separate issues. Noncitizen voting concerns eligibility. Mail-ballot fraud concerns identity misuse, improper collection, coercion or fraudulent submission. Neither should be dismissed merely because documented cases are uncommon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only citizens may vote in federal elections. Yet the federal registration form generally relies on applicants checking a citizenship box and signing an affirmation. Supporters of the SAVE America Act ask a fair question: Why should citizenship \u2014 the fundamental qualification for voting \u2014 be assumed when it can be verified?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evidence does not show that millions of non-citizens voted or that such votes changed the 2020 presidential result. But \u201crare\u201d does not mean \u201cnonexistent.\u201d Michigan identified 15 apparent non-citizens who cast ballots in 2024 and referred 13 cases for possible prosecution. A North Carolina audit after 2016 found 41 legally present non-citizens who had voted. The numbers are small, but documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mail-ballot fraud is also real and documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Iowa, a federal jury convicted Kim Phuong Taylor on 52 election-related charges for fraudulently generating absentee votes during her husband\u2019s 2020 campaigns. In Atlantic City, a political organizer admitted procuring, casting and submitting fraudulent mail ballots in 2022 and received a two-year federal sentence. In Bridgeport, Connecticut, a judge ordered a new 2023 Democratic mayoral primary after evidence showed serious absentee-ballot irregularities. The candidates were separated by only 251 votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These cases do not prove that mail ballots changed the 2020 presidential election. They prove something more limited but still important: Mail-ballot fraud is not imaginary and can threaten a close election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wieland cites voting-machine defamation settlements. Those settlements matter, but they do not decide whether citizenship should be verified or mail voting needs safeguards. One dispute about machines does not settle every election-security question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mail voting creates opportunities for ballots to be requested under another identity, intercepted, collected improperly, influenced or mishandled outside official custody. That does not make every mailed ballot fraudulent. It means every ballot deserves protection. A responsible system should verify citizenship and identity, restrict unauthorized collection, document the chain of custody, prevent duplicate voting and preserve paper ballots for audits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Opponents reasonably ask how document requirements would affect elderly, naturalized, disabled or low-income citizens. A fair law should provide identification without charge, help citizens obtain documents, allow reasonable alternatives, protect eligible voters from mistaken removal and offer provisional ballots while questions are resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Election security and voter access do not have to be enemies. Eligible citizens should be helped to vote, while ineligible votes and fraudulent ballots should be stopped.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer is not \u201cTrust Trump.\u201d It is not \u201cTrust California.\u201d It is not even \u201cTrust Chuck or Rick.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Verify citizenship. Verify identity. Protect mail ballots. Audit the count. Then show the public the evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That is an ounce of prevention worthy of a constitutional republic.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chuck Wieland\u2019s recent letter, \u201cAn Ounce of Prevention,\u201d contains plenty of political insults: \u201cTrump the Whiner,\u201d \u201cArt of the Squeal,\u201d and a \u201cvoter suppression bill.\u201d That language may entertain readers who already agree with him, but sarcasm is not evidence. The serious questions are these: Should citizenship be verified when someone registers to vote? Should […]<\/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":[21],"tags":[39],"class_list":["post-49518","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opinion","tag-government"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49518","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=49518"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49518\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49519,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49518\/revisions\/49519"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49518"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49518"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maderatribune.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49518"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}]North Segment \u2014 Yosemite Avenue North of High Street<\/h3>\n\n
South Segment \u2013 Avenue 13 to Lewis Street<\/h3>\n\n
Mid Segment \u2014 Olive Avenue to Yosemite Avenue<\/h3>\n\n
Downtown Segment \u2014 E Street to Lake Street<\/h3>\n\n