For The Madera Tribune From left, Madera Police Department Officer Mayorga, Officer Mao, Records Clerk Galindo and Officer Diaz show off the stars they picked off the Star of Hope tree from the Madera PD lobby. Pick up and drop off a gift by Monday to help a child in need. The Madera Police Department announced the launch of “A Star of Hope,” a collaborative holiday giving initiative designed to bring joy and hope to local children in need. This year, the department has joi

Detectives with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office were contacted by the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland who requested assistance with apprehending a wanted suspect who committed a sexual assault in their jurisdiction. Detectives later connected the suspect to a second assault that occurred in Los Banos. Madera County Sheriff’s Office detectives authored a search warrant and arrest warrant for the suspect.

Nancy Simpson/The Madera Tribune Catherine Deleon, Vice Principal for Thomas Jefferson Middle School poses with award recipient Sebastian Padilla, and Joe Vived of Sunrise Rotary. Three middle school students were honored at a recent Sunrise Rotary meeting. These students have been recognized for following the Rotarian motto of “Service Above Self.” Each month teachers select a Student of the Month at all Madera Unified middle schools. The counselors and administrators then

Courtesy of Alicia Gonzales/City of Madera Madera City Councilwoman Elsa Mejia is recognized by the Foreign Secretariat of Mexico at the most recent City Council meeting for empowering and strengthening the Indigenous Mexican community within Madera. With a distinguished award from the Mexican Consulate for Councilwoman Elsa Mejia, state and local recognition was also awarded during this week’s meeting of the Madera City Council. A new Mayor Pro Tem was also selected, before

Elementary and middle school students throughout Madera County will battle it out during the fifth annual Madera County Battle of the Books. Students from 22 schools in Madera County will meet at the Madera Fairgrounds on Wednesday to answer questions based on a list of 20 books that each team is responsible to read. There will be separate 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, and 7th-8th grade competitions. “We’re excited to expand Battle of the Books by welcoming middle school students into t

For The Madera Tribune Madera’s Christian Johnson stands with his grandfather, Dave Brown, after setting a World Record for running an ultra marathon in seven continents in seven days. Christian Johnson thought of an idea a year ago, and two weeks ago, he finally accomplished it — run a 50 K (ultra marathon) in seven continents in seven days. In the process, Johnson set a pair of World Records. He is the fastest male to run an ultra marathon on all seven continents and the f

For The Madera Tribune Madera County Food Bank volunteers help move boxes of food to a resident during the Thanksgiving distribution. With the holiday season upon us, many people want to help others, either with gifts, monetary donations or service. Madera County Food Bank Executive Director Ryan McWherter would like his organization to be considered for those donations, as well. “We definitely need donations during the holiday season,” he said. “It’s a giving time of year,

Courtesy of Nick Salinas Madera County workers put the County emblem on the County of Madera Christmas Tree, which will be lit on Friday at 6 p.m., just before the annual Christmas Parade, which will begin at 7 p.m. Christmas nostalgia is the sentimental longing for past Christmas celebrations, often triggered by sights, sounds, and traditions. Often, we spend time and effort to create these conditions that we long for, only to be disappointed by the less-than-optimal result.