For The Madera Tribune Berenda School, circa 1890. When Fresno County Sheriff Leroy Dennis chose not to run for reelection in 1872, he decided to move to a little spot in the north end of the county where the Southern Pacific Railroad had just built a freight depot. Dennis was certain that a town would grow up around the depot, and he wanted to be there when the boom came. Little did he know that in 20 years, the little village he envisioned would one day be a major transport

After acknowledging the career and retirement of one of the City’s long-time fire fighters, members of the Madera City Council faced an agenda drowning in irrigation issues during its regularly scheduled meeting. Among the water laden items addressed were adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration, a budget amendment to the 2025 Urban Water Management Plan, Council approval for the purchase of equipment for the wastewater treatment plant, and approval for the Madera Munic

For The Madera Tribune The community is invited to attend the Grand Opening celebration of Madera Auto Center’s newest dealership, at 321 Prosperity Boulevard in Chowchilla. Madera Auto Center is excited to announce the Grand Opening of its newest dealership location in Chowchilla.  The community is invited to attend the January 9 celebration, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 321 Prosperity Boulevard. The event will feature a ribbon cutting ceremony, free lunch for the first 100 guests

Cat Campbell/For The Madera Tribune Fruitcakes are best when allowed to age a few weeks. The flavors mellow and blend. There are two camps of people when it comes to fruitcake: one group loves it and the other group hates it. I have not yet figured out which side holds the majority, but like most everything else edible, fruitcake manages to hold its place in the food world. To be fair, I have to admit that I, a fruitcake lover, have tasted some versions that really would have

The Madera Tribune publishes obituaries in nearly every edition, as does all other newspapers. Many of the obituaries are sent to us by our esteemed Jay Chapel Funeral Directors, who are wonderful in assisting families in writing obituaries for their newly and dearly departed loved one. I’ve heard many people say they subscribe to the newspaper so they can read the obituaries, making sure theirs is not in it.  It’s a cute joke, but I wonder if there is something more to it th

Tyler Takeda/The Madera Tribune Leia Garcia, a third grader from Liberty Charter School, answers a question during the Book Buzz part of the Battle of the Books on December 10. She helped Liberty win the Book Buzz competition and place third overall. Bookshelf Bandits from Dairyland Elementary School won the fifth annual Battle of the Books 3rd-4th grade competition in Madera County.  The sunNerds from Stone Creek Elementary School was named champion of the Battle of the Book

For The Madera Tribune Shirley Lawson gives MCSO Deputy Martin a hug after she received a Random Act of Kindness. Lawson was pulled over for a minor moving violation, and was apologetic. She received her card and cried without even seeing the monetary gift. She couldn’t stop hugging Deputy Martin. For the 12th annual Random Acts of Kindness with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office and donations from Agriland, more than money was given out — love.  Agriland and its employees ga

For The Madera Tribune Julius Dominici. It must have seemed like a cruel joke, and indeed it was cruel, but it was no joke. The young Italian immigrant had come to America, found work and sent for his wife and child. In 1911 the mother and son arrived in Madera and the family was together once again. Then in 1914, the father returned temporarily to Italy to put the finishing touches on some personal business, and the government suddenly snatched him up and put him into the It