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

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune Bea Jones gives her husband Bill a hug on their 80th wedding anniversary. There was a big celebration at Cedar Creek on December 23, as Bill and Bea Jones celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary. The couple has lived at Cedar Creek for about three years, and remain active in their social life among other residents at the retirement home. Bill Jones married Beatrice Mitchel on Dec. 23, 1945, at the office of the Justice of the Peace in Harr

For The Madera Tribune For unknown reasons, the overturned Dodge Dakota veered in front of another vehicle. The two vehicles collided and the Dakota collided with a power pole and overturned. The driver was ejected from the vehicle, and later died from his injuries. California Highway Patrol Madera officers responded to a two-vehicle crash, on Avenue 7 1/2, near Road 9 on December 23 just after 5 a.m. A 27-year-old man from Modesto was driving a white Dodge Dakota traveling e

An 18-year-old man suffered moderate injuries after veering off the roadway and crashing into the SR-59 overcrossing on Friday. He was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver was traveling westbound on SR-152, veered onto the right shoulder, up the embankment, and collided with the overcrossing and guardrails. The driver claimed mechanical failure, however CHP found none. During the month of December, CHP Madera has investigated multiple crashes where seat belts had not been worn.

Allen Baraldi/The Madera Tribune A vehicle sits upside-down after a crash on H and 2nd streets December 19. The driver (sitting on the curb) was found to be under the influence, and placed under arrest. CHP Madera officers responded to a solo vehicle roll-over crash in the area of H and 2nd streets, near the northbound SR-99 on-ramp on December 19 just after 1 p.m. A CHP officer arrived within minutes and observed two men walking away from the vehicle. A 20-year-old was detai

Early Saturday morning, the Madera Police Department’s weekend night shift patrol team made several arrests for driving under the influence in different parts of the City. Each incident involved a traffic collision resulting in property damage. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. As the New Year approaches, the Madera Police Department reminds the community to plan ahead and never drink and drive. If anyone plans to drink, please use a rideshare service or designate a sobe

COARSEGOLD — The California Court of Appeal has ruled in favor of the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, finding that the Governor’s approval for the proposed North Fork casino project in Madera County was invalid from the beginning. In its decision, the court concluded that the Governor’s 2012 concurrence for the project never had legal effect because California voters rejected it through Proposition 48 in 2014. The court rejected arguments that the issue was tech

Julian Ornelas/The Madera Tribune The class at Alpha Elementary poses after receiving hoodies from Cal-Pacific Supply. Cal-Pacific donated more than 600 hoodies to every student and staff member at Alpha. For the fifth year in a row, Cal-Pacific Supply owner Mike Alamari and Pacific Farm Management donated hoodies to every student and staff member at schools in Madera Unified with Alpha Elementary School getting this year’s donation. The donation comes just in time as colder