Madera Irrigation District is beginning water releases to alleviate flood potential, provide surface water delivery to District landowners, and commence groundwater recharge efforts.  The MID Board of Directors at the January 6, Special Board Meeting made the decision to allow operations to begin immediately.  The Board of Directors is providing this water at a reduced cost to promote use and recharge, benefiting District growers while supplementing the groundwater aquifer.

For The Madera Tribune Daniel Vasquez Diaz. It is with both sadness and fond remembrance that we announce the passing of Daniel V. Diaz who died peacefully on Dec. 24, 2025. Born in 1943 in Madera, CA, to Dionicia Vasquez Diaz and John Torres Diaz. He was raised in Madera alongside his six siblings. He was preceded by his brother Eugene Diaz and his parents. He is survived by his wife, Mary Rodriguez Diaz and their two daughters, Diana Diaz-Hale of Fresno, CA, and Danya Diaz-

Am I wrong, or is a retired California judge advocating for making 11 million people (I think it’s more) who broke the law by coming into this country illegally citizens of the U.S.? Coming from someone who was sworn to uphold the laws of the state of California and the United States, I find this troubling. Reward them with citizenship simply because it would take, according to him, 20 years, cost $600 billion, collapse the housing market, cripple the ag industry and cost the

For The Madera Tribune James A. Barsotti. Remembering the life of James A. "Jim" Barsotti, a man whose generosity and commitment to his community left an indelible mark on the city of Madera, California, and all who knew him. Born on Jan. 24, 1938, in the heart of Madera, Jim was a lifelong resident of the city he loved so dearly. It is with a heavy heart that we announce his passing on Jan.1, 2026, in Fresno, California. Jim's journey was one of dedication, service, and joy.

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Sections of an orchard along Road 23 has standing water from recent rains. While most people were inside celebrating Christmas and New Year’s, farmers could be seen rejoicing with the amount of rain that fell over the past two weeks. “It’s always a good time to have it, whether it was the holidays,” said Jay Mahil, President of Creekside Farming and Madera County Farm Bureau board members. “Farmers took time off to spend with their families

Madera has launched a $1.9 million upgrade to one of its most heavily used wastewater facilities, a project city officials say is part of a long-term effort to modernize core infrastructure and maintain dependable service for residents and businesses. The Fairgrounds Lift Station, south of Cleveland Avenue near the Madera Fairgrounds, moves about 30 percent of the city’s sewer flows. Much of the existing equipment dates back several decades, and the planned improvements will

For The Madera Tribune A Honda CRV sits upside down in an orchard after the driver failed to stop at a stop sign on Avenue 13 on New Year’s Eve. The car crashed into a tractor-trailer, and overturned. Two passengers, who were not wearing their seat belts, died after being ejected from the vehicle. California Highway Patrol Madera Officers responded to a two-vehicle traffic crash with multiple ejections, on Avenue 13 at Road 23 on January 31 before 11 a.m. At the intersection,

For The Madera Tribune Timothy Santoro is the new CHP Commander. CHP welcomed Lieutenant Commander Timothy Santoro as the new Commander of the CHP Madera Area, beginning January 1. Lieutenant Commander Santoro brings more than 26 years of dedicated service with the California Highway Patrol. He graduated from the CHP Academy in May 1999, and began his career at the Hayward Area.  In 2000, he transferred to Los Banos, followed by an assignment to the Fresno Area in 2002. From