I’ve been asked why I generally review crime/mystery/ suspense/thriller-type novels. I suppose that my most direct answer is that I enjoy the genre. But these books are also a break from the books that I needed to read during my professional life. Most of those were in the fields of sociology and psychology, although I also taught a class titled “Sociology through Literature,” which was based on “modern classics.” This generation of YA (Young Adult) books also fascinates me b

For The Madera Tribune Judge Conley practiced gender equality in Madera’s Court. William Conley was Madera County’s first judge. He was elected to that position in 1893, and over the next few decades, a steady stream of law-breakers paraded in front of him, including murderers, embezzlers, extortionists, and robbers. In 1916, however, he was faced with one of the most perplexing cases ever brought before his court, and by the time the dust had settled, Conley found himself sq

Courtesy of Alexan Balekian/Madera County PIO The Madera County Board of Supervisors honored two Madera County farmworkers with a proclamation for their heroic actions in evacuating a bus that burst into flames. From left are Supervisor Bobby Macauley, Supervisor David Rogers, Carlos Perea Romero, Supervisor Chairperson Leticia Gonzalez, Angel Zarko, Supervisor Jordan Wamhoff and Supervisor Robert Poythress. Two Madera County farmworkers were honored with a proclamation durin

The Madera County Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution declaring Madera County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County with a 4-0 vote and one abstention. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Across the nation, counties have adopted “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolutions to reaffirm their commitment to this fundamental right. Tuesday’s resolution declares Madera County a Second Amendment Sanctuary, s

For The Madera Tribune Hilario Morales-Santiago. The Madera Police Department received a 911 call reporting an unknown male inside a residence last week. Upon arrival, officers observed a male subject fleeing on foot from the back of the home on October 18 at about 3 a.m. After a brief foot pursuit, the suspect was apprehended, and identified as 43-year-old Hilario Morales-Santiago of Madera.

For The Madera Tribune Madera Lowe’s employees volunteer their time and resources to make significant improvements to several public facilities in Madera on October 17. The City of Madera thanked Madera’s Lowe’s store for its volunteer efforts and donation of materials as part of the national Lowe’s Hometowns Heroes Project. This initiative is dedicated to revitalizing community spaces and enhancing neighborhoods across the country. Lowe’s employees volunteered their time and

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune A big rig caught on fire causing traffic to back up on southbound SR-99, south of Avenue 12 on Wednesday morning. California Highway Patrol Madera officers responded to a big rig fire on the right shoulder of southbound SR-99, south of Avenue 12 Wednesday morning at about 10:30 a.m. Cal Fire responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. No injuries were reported.  The No. 2 lane of southbound SR-99 remained back up for hours, but was cle

While on patrol near Sunset Avenue and Sundance Lane, Madera Police Department Officer Fidel Amezola spotted a suspect actively vandalizing a parked vehicle. The individual — Hashem Hussein, 20 — was seen stomping on the vehicle’s windshield, as captured in a video Saturday evening.  Officer Amezola acted quickly, and Hussein was arrested for felony vandalism. He has since been booked into Madera County Jail.